Nookies is hands down my favorite brunch spot in Old Town. Nice outside seating for those who like the outdoors and people watching. It gets very busy on the weekends. But I've found no difference in the service or taste of food. My go to dish is the farmer's skillet. Yum! Can't go wrong with big portions and byo champagne for mimosas :)
(5)
Tad D.
I think people take this place for granted so it's important to mention a few things. The staff is polite, fast, and awesome. The food is great and it comes up fast. The place is usually very clean. It's not hard to see why it's a been a Lincoln Park / Old Town favorite for so long. So many restaurants can't get these basics down pat, so I'm happy to wait in line for a great experience on the weekend. Try the chilaquiles, they've been my go-to for years now. Also, consider bringing out-of-town guests here rather than some tourist trap.
(5)
Kent B.
I came in for breakfast. The meeting you had some great choices . The waitstaff was very friendly. I got the pancakes and an egg dish. The pancakes were a bit overcooked . Eggs were fine. But the house was undercooked. I was hoping for more out of this place.
(3)
P 3.
Awesome place and good service. Food was tasty and everyone was nice. Good neighborhood place to grab brunch on weekends.
(4)
Candace M.
I was looking for a brunch place close by to Second City and found this. I would probably give it 3.5 stars if that was an option because it wasn't bad (I would go back) but it also wasn't anything exceptional either--it's just a standard brunch/American spot. My boyfriend and I split the tuna melt and an omelet. The tuna melt was pretty good (classic tuna on an english muffin with melted american cheese), but nothing that I couldn't make easily at home. The omelet was great: huge, veggie-stuffed and super cheesy, but again, nothing different than any other omelet I've had at a brunch place. With our orders, we also got a side of onion rings (yummy but greasy) and hash-browns (eh, only okay, I've had better). One particularly frustrating/bizarre thing about our meal was that the tuna melt comes with a side of chicken & rice soup, but we are vegetarian. We told the waiter that we can't eat meat and asked to sub it for a side salad or a different side instead, but the waiter told us: "no, we can't do that because the soup is just complimentary." Seriously, what's up with that? Kind of ridiculous...
(3)
Jeffery H.
After having brunch here, I am shocked that this place has four stars. I had scrambled eggs and hash browns, which should be pretty difficult to mess up. However, both were covered in Pam kitchen spray, as if it had been used instead of butter or oil to cook with. My boyfriend had a daily special, which was a Mexican inspired steak and eggs. It was edible after adding quite a bit of hot sauce. We also ordered two coffees. After asking three different people at three different times for milk or cream it never arrived. Overall, not a four star place by any means.
(1)
M. C.
So the only reason I'm giving this place a two is because it was close by and we got sat relatively fast on a Sunday morning. I was visiting from out of town and yes....the portions are large. Yes the prices are low for the area. What wasn't great was the flavor... My cousin ordered a ham, cheese and broccoli omelet, tasted like broccoli....and only broccoli. I ordered chocolate chip pancakes, chewy. Enough said. And I also got the biscuits with gravy on them....bland. I am a huge brunch fan....and for my last meal this was a really big disappointment. Coffee....sour. Something was not right. I wish I could say something good about some part of the meal but I cannot. Service.......wow. Not only did the waiter never make eye contact he walked away when I was still ordering. He seemed to be in a pissy mood....learn to act like ur happy even if you aren't, you work in the service industry! This is not my only review during my trip so I am not being biased...I had plenty of great meals in Chicago. Visit Kanela breakfast club instead!! It's within walking distance
(2)
Adri A.
perfect food & service. Visiting from California ran across this place on the way to the zoo. So glad we stopped. Server made great suggestions. Fresh squeezed orange juice was amazing... the plus we met Aaron Franklin from bbq pits here. You know food critics don't just eat any where ;) Ps. My bothers said to make sure I add finger kicking good (: Thank you Nookies!!
(5)
Kiki Z.
We ordered the seasonal trio breakfast sampler, and it was absolutely amazing! It was such a sweet treat. The fruit was incredibly fresh and perfect on top of the French toast and pancakes!
(5)
Carla H.
Always a quality meal for a decent price! Service is always good. It's a great neighborhood spot, wish there were more Nookies.
(4)
renje g.
++ - It's a cool diner - They give you LOTS of food - Orange juice is very good and very fresh - The 'Daily Special' menu allows you to do a sample of all three; which is a lot - During my day it was peach hotcakes/bluberry marscapone french toast/coconut
(3)
Carolina N.
Nookies! What can I say I had such a delightful experience this afternoon for brunch. This was my first visit but I heard many nice things about Nookies. I was surprised to find out how large the place actually was since it looks small from the outside. I love the small diner vibe and it seems like this is a family business which I always love about a place because you can feel that lovin' energy when you're there and it definitely reflects on the service and food. I ordered the Spring sampler special (pancake, french toast, and a some other sweet bread), it was fantastic! My boyfriend ordered the Paris benedict (broiche, bacon, asparagus, egg, and a gruyere gravy) - phenomenal. This meal may have been one of my best brunch experiences ever. I have to note that the service was really great. The host(s) were incredibly sweet and accommodating. My boyfriend dropped me off at the front so I could put our name down while he looked for parking and the host was kind enough to just let me know that as soon as my bf walked in he would have our table ready, I was surprised to even find out that there was no wait! Brunch on a Sunday can be treacherous at so many places! The only con I can think of was that menu is kinda pricey.
(5)
Bennie B.
I couldn't wait to eat here. We showed up for Sunday breakfast to sit outside (had a dog) but outdoor was not set up, so we had to go elsewhere. Maybe next time. Restaurant should prepare outdoor seating before restaurant even opens!!
(3)
Dominique A.
Just went here yesterday.... It was a decent little mom and pop spot.... But for me personally... Nothing to rave about
(3)
Lindsey M.
Yum! Went there yesterday and had the Gouda, mushroom, onion and bacon Fritatta. My husband had the raspberry peach French toast. Good coffee. The only negative was that they had a group of summer special items that sounded great but most weren't available until 9am. That's on the late side if you have a toddler, which we do, so we were there around 8am. We don't live in this area but still would come back during our next Chicago visit.
(4)
Letta M.
We head out from Public Chicago to Nookies and went the wrong way, but we were determined to find it so what should have taken a 15 minute walk, took us about an hour. We got there famished. I ordered the french toast and it was AMAZING! The crunch was just right. The whipped cream was super tasty and not too sweet! A perfect balance. There was a slight wait time but we opted to sit at the bar and that took no time.
(4)
Mary A.
The food was very good. We both got Cajun eggs breakfast special. It was so delicious. The orange juice is also very good. You can tell its freshly squeezed. The only thing was that I asked the waiter if there were onions in my food and he said no. I did see a few onions in my food. I simply pushed them to the side because the food was still really good. The waiter was friendly and he continued to check on us. I would definitely recommend this place. The music is very fitting. It's an old school feel. Very relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. The tables are slightly close to each other but besides that the layout is great.
(5)
Dave P.
I really LOVE this place. I've been several times and its always consistent. (casual breakfast place that pumps out GREAT creative dishes while still doing the basics right!) In its class, It's a five star for me!
(5)
Sharon C.
I came here in the afternoon (which I think now was a bit of a mistake) after spending a morning at Lincoln Park Zoo with a friend. We both ordered breakfast: I had the Dixie Biscuits, and she ordered a skillet (I forget which one). While the potatoes were pleasantly burnt, which I like in my hash browns, neither the potatoes nor the biscuits seemed all that fresh to me, which is why I'd probably try this place again during the breakfast rush - maybe I shouldn't have gone for a breakfast food in the afternoon, but, given the choice, I will almost always choose breakfast. The sausage gravy was a lot more gravy than sausage, but the eggs were poached perfectly. The entire place smelled delicious, like fresh oranges, and we were greeted very politely (and exuberantly) upon entering. Our server was also patient and came back to check on us. I hope it was just that I ordered breakfast at the wrong time of the day!
(3)
Rach G.
My friend and I travelled to Chicago from Boston. We are spending the day in Lincoln Park and decided to stop off at Nookies for some brunch. I was so pleasantly surprised at the high quality of everything from the aesthetics, to the very friendly (and attractive) staff! And of course I cannot even put into words how phenomenal the food was! My friend and I had some vegetable soup; best damn vegetable soup soup of my life! He had the bbq chicken sandwich and I had the farmers egg skillet... both of which were brought out super quick, but you could tell it was all very well made, and tasted out of this world! If you are looking for a homey diner with that retro feel and amazing inexpensive food this is for sure the place to go! Families, old people, hipsters, whatever-this is the place for u!
(5)
Jessica P.
I came here for brunch after my 5K run on a Sunday at around 1PM.. Upon arrival, we (3 ppl) had a 10 minute wait (not bad)...not much waiting space inside the restaurant, but if it's nice out.. there are some seats outside so you can wait while browsing the menu.. Food: definitely sooo many options and they have seasonal specials too!! Denver Omelette with hashbrowns (you have more options like fruit if you don't want to eat hasbrowns..) and your choice of toast, english muffin..: the Omelette is huge as you can see from my photo..the food was overall good although they do tend to toast your bread a little too much depending on your preference..so it'll be perfectly crunchy...the omelette was pretty good..and hashbrowns go well with anything! Customer Service: our waitress was kind and attentive.. Wait time: to get seated isn't too long...wait time for food seemed to be a little longer (but it may be because we were extremely hungry)... Costs: ~$9+ (excluding tax & tip) depending on what you order It's located close to the 24hr Starbucks so if you want to grab a bite before studying.. I wouldn't mind coming here.. :) I'd come here again for brunch if I was in the area, but I definitely want to try out the other hot spot brunch areas in the area first!
(4)
Mark E.
Always a good spot to grab breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is BYOB and has a diverse menu so vegetarians and gluten free eaters will find something to eat. The Dixie Benedict has exceptional sausage gravy and the eggs were perfectly cooked sunny side up. The service was spot on and the server was willing to split our bill 4 ways. Will be going back soon
(4)
Sreerupa B.
Delicious brunch spot close to the Zoo. Got the Paris Benedict and tried the crepes combo (strawberry, cheese, Apple). Both items were great!
(4)
Megan H.
I love Nookies! It's the best place in the neighborhood to grab a quick and simple breakfast or lunch (and dinner, but I've never been there for dinner). I believe they serve their entire menu all day, which is really nice when you sometimes have the tendency to wake up after 2pm and all you really want is bacon and eggs (over medium with one of the best English muffins I've ever had in my life). Plus it's BYOB! Also their patio is nice in the summer and dog friendly, so inevitably I try to bring my dog whenever possible. Definitely can't wait until it warms up so I can hang with my dog while drinking my own champagne and noshing on some eggs and bacon!
(5)
Sean M.
Exceptional...the breakfast items had both classic and unique options, all absolutely well worth trying and enjoying. Very fresh ingredients. Great helpings, service was superb and I agree with a fellow person, the fresh OJ is a must to order!
(5)
Emily J.
This is your typical diner. I went here before checking out the Chicago History Museum. Nookies has diner food and good diner service. Absolutely nothing outstanding or something to make this a must try. The only reason I can think of why it has such a high Yelp review is because everyone in the neighborhood rated it. If this was in my stomping ground - I might give it one more store - might. The staff was friendly and very quick to step. We were seated immediately on arrival. As I said, it was typical diner food with typical bad diner coffee. I had the trio breakfast which is a sample of three types of pancakes. The only one I really liked was the carrot cake. I also had a lemonseed pancake (Meh) and some kind of plum pancake (pass). Every neighborhood should have a diner. But unless you live in the neighborhood, go somewhere else. You will not be pleasantly surprised at Nookies.
(2)
Emily W.
This is my go-to breakfast spot. Anytime family is visiting or I need an afternoon to myself, I find myself in Nookies. With their seasonal menu and consistently amazing food I keep going back. I love the outdoor seating, the big windows in the front, and the strong coffee! This is the perfect place for a cozy date in the dead of winter, or a sunny sidewalk breakfast for summer.
(5)
Danielle Y.
The French toast was really good! I enjoyed the special french toast with the vanilla bean cream cheese especially. :)
(4)
Michael S.
Had the chance to come across Nookies while looking for a lunch spot to complete some work at. Great place, and great food. I had a simple BLT on Wheat with the cottage fries, and it was simple, well prepared, and yummy. Service was good as well. The server didn't hover nor was she completely gone throughout the time I was there. Another bonus? Free parking across the street all day! Granted, it's street parking which is limited, but I was able to park all day and explore the neighborhood afterwards!
(4)
Romana Y.
The service here is unbelievably cheery and uplifting! The aroma is fantastic, and was the selling factor to saunter in. The Tuscan Chicken Salad was a large serving of mixed greens, melted goat cheese, chunky bites of chicken, and lightly dressed. The omelette with veggies and meat was great, as were the hash browns, large slice of ham, and the side of fruit. The coffee was decent, and the patrons were free spirits. Fun breakfast spot, with cheery waiters!
(4)
Sam A.
I like omelets as much as the next guy, but I've never been wowed by one. Until Nookies. The southwest omelet was insane. Fluffy, flavorful and an almost too generous portion of guac. And the hash browns...crispy and golden brown to perfection. Oh, and it's BYOB, so I'm enjoying a bottle of Zombie Dust with my meal. I'm headed here tomorrow morning.
(5)
AJ D.
Excellent freshly squeezed orange juice, good coffee that is topped up regularily, can't go wrong breakfast place with a large variety and large portion sizes. Good/Very Good service. Great for family brunch. Long line, no worries, you'll get seated fast, often well before estimated time. Check out the new 'fall specials' photos just posted.
(4)
Jed B.
Went there twice for breakfast. First time I had an omelette with spinach bacon and sausage. The second was a veggie omelette. The potatoes were lacking but the service was excellent.
(4)
Kevin F.
My wife and I stopped here for breakfast and really enjoyed it. Nice area to walk around after as well. Staff was friendly and the service was quick. The food was great and I would stop here again.
(4)
KJ V.
When I'm near the area, I always make a stop here. Food is fantastic. Staff is energetic and friendly. Go early or you will have to wait but if you do have to wait, it's well worth it!!! You can't go wrong with any of the omlettes or fritattas for breakfast. Make sure you have a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice too! I've also has the pulled pork sandwich, the Reuben, and monster melt. All are very delicious. As you can see, no matter what your in the mood for, your meal will be made fresh and with love!
(5)
Sacha F.
I've only been here once and it wasn't bad! Their menu is huge and offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and side options. I ordered takeout, but the interior was cute and they had nice outdoor seating. I ordered their cream of potato soup and a chicken and cranberry salad with balsalmic dressing. I enjoyed the soup, nothing to write home about, and the salad was definitely enough for two people. The seasoning on the chicken could have been better, but it was decent. I would definitely try this place again, a lot of my coworkers go often and have great things to say about it.
(3)
Brian P.
Best freaking place in the city for breakfast. The best omelettes. Really... The best vegetarian omelette you can get. Incredible French toast. Their food is excellent. Stupid long wait on weekends. I love the U shaped counter.
(4)
Rebecca H.
Pretty good breakfast food. My kiddo had the chocolate chip pancakes which were great, as was my husband's omelet. The hash, however, tasted like it came from a can. The service was friendly and the location convenient.
(3)
Justin S.
I'm a little surprised that anyone could give this place anything above three stars. What am I missing? I don't really consider myself a picky eater, but this was one of the worst breakfasts I've ever had. Future diners, ignore my review at your peril. The coffee was sour, with a chemical aftertaste. The pancakes were dense and chewy. The omelette leaked oil and butter when I bit into it. And the hashbrowns were dry on top, and mushy and undercooked underneath. The entire meal was devoid of flavor top to bottom. Except for the English muffin, which was actually great. Also, freshly squeezed orange juice is a nice touch. Service was fine. I'd describe our server as someone who was told to be nice to kids but really didn't care for them. Which is fine. I've been to plenty of Chicago diners, but I'd avoid this one.
(2)
Sarah K.
A ton of food and quality materials, but poorly crafted (soggy sandwich and almost too much food making it all fall apart) and really lacking depth of flavor. It felt like they were too reliant on an overload of carmelized onions to make up for having no additional flavors
(2)
Suzanne T.
The food and the service were NOT GOOD. I stopped in only because it was around the corner from the hotel where I was staying. I asked about gluten free options and the server seemed at a loss, completely. He was utterly unhelpful during the entire meal, which was supposed to be chilaquiles, but had this awful, dishes need to be cleaned/old oil taste to it. Ugh. At one point I had to get up to ask someone for help because, even though I was one of two tables in the entire joint, waiter utterly vanished. I will not be back.
(2)
Madison P.
The atmosphere is not as great as I wanted it to be, but the food makes up for it! I was craving breakfast for dinner, and this was the perfect place. I ordered French toast, but it had a slight twist- the bread used was Raisin Cinnamon... Perfection. The chips that accompany their burgers are actually sliced potatoes. They are out of this world, and I am not a chip person!
(3)
Lauren R.
Finally made it to Nookies on a Wednesday morning at 7am. Very good food and nice staff. I had the Jalisco Breakfast Burrito with cheese. I asked for toast instead of the fruit cup or hash brown option and the waiter happily accommodated my request without charging us extra. The burrito was so simple, salsa, egg, avocado on a tomato wrap, yet it was delicious and HUGE. My husband enjoyed his Denver omelette with hash browns and commented on how big the portions were for the cost. There wasn't anything fancy or out-of-the-ordinary, but the flavor was still very good and the atmosphere was welcoming. I would not hesitate to recommend Nookie's for breakfast, and will definitely be returning.
(4)
Melissa L.
My friends and I decided to try Nookies based off of its Yelp reviews, and it was a wonderful spot for brunch on Valentine's Day! We got there around noon, and after a short wait, we were taken to our table and soon had menus and coffee in front of us. I was a little disappointed by the coffee (bitter to the point were cream couldn't even help), but the rest of the menu made up for it. There were a ton of options ranging from the basic toast and eggs, to sandwiches, to steak. I didn't get the sense that this was the healthiest menu in the world, but I came with the intention of treating myself - so, I ordered the blueberry pancakes and a side of whole wheat toast, scrambled eggs, and hash browns. In our group of four, I was that person with three enormous plates of food in front of me (and all for less than $20). The portions were very generous, and the pancakes were fluffy and full of fresh berries. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't clear any of my plates. In short, as long as you aren't diligently watching your calorie-count, Nookies is great for a laid back meal with friends or family.
(4)
Stephen S.
Went on Monday - no wait - great vibe and quick service. Your standard greasy spoon with a little flair - had it's mix of tourists and regulars. We split the Farmers Eggs Skillet - a huge portion... I asked for the hashbrowns well down (and they just brought a side of hashbrowns). It was a great portion size for two people - but a little undercooked. Coffee was great and the lemon in the water was a nice touch. Nothing eggstraordinary here but exactly what you'd expect at a neighbourhood joint.
(3)
Sam S.
A great diner with amazing food! Was exactly what we needed!
(5)
Anjel P.
My boyfriend and I went there today since we are trying to do a brunch thing every Saturday and since we saw that they had good reviews, we said why not. We got there around 2pm and were seated promptly. Our server (forgot this name) was very nice. We both ended up ordering the 2 eggs, 2 sides of bacon and 2 pancakes meal, which to be honest, it was nothing I couldn't make at home, if not better. The price was I believe 8.95 for that meal, which isn't bad but it was basic. We then ordered a thing of crepes and the flavors we got were apple cinnamon, strawberry and creamy cheese (or something like that) The strawberry and apple were very basic as well, it was a crepe with fruit in it essentially, no whip cream or any kind of drizzle but the creamy cheese was amazing, I would recommend that over the others! Aside from the food being basic, the place itself seemed worn down; the carpet was disgusting as well as the tile. When I walked into the bathroom, there were two stalls, one stall had poop alllllll over it, and it was disgusting. That took off sanitary points for me. Overall, I would not ever go here again and I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone as well. I didn't have a bad experience or bad nor great customer service but the food is sub par and the place felt dirty.
(2)
Sarah H.
I had the Apple Bread French Toast and my husband had the Low Country Omelette. Loved the food, fresh and tasty. Service is good and attentive without being overbearing. We were greeted right when we came in the door and everyone is friendly. The whole staff supports each other- nice to see.
(5)
Alan L.
Here's a typical Sundays involving Nookies. Wake up, roll around in bed for a while, fall back asleep and roll around some more, probably realize around 11:30 I'm late to my scheduled brunch. Run to the Walgreens to pick up an $8 bottle of Barefoot bubbly and then get the brown line stop to catch the train up to Armitage. Get to the restaurant about 30 minutes late. Apologize profusely. Offer the champagne as a peace offering. Thankfully, the rest of the party is still outside waiting because the wait on the weekends is long and the restaurant is pretty small (~20 tables). Eventually, we get seated and the food is solid. Can't go wrong with any of the pancakes or the omelettes. A personal favorite is the Paris Benedict. Get stuffed full and then ask for a box to take the rest home for tomorrow (or tonight). Take a leisurely stroll back to the brown line, get back to the apartment, and then pass out from the food coma.
(4)
Paige W.
After leaving a negative review of the chicken fingers, one of the owners saw me walking by, and he ran after me to apologize. Gestures like that go a long way. He obviously really cares about his customers and the store. I'll definitely be back to eat something else. (Not the chicken fingers).
(5)
DiAna E.
Nookie's is great for a late afternoon brunch! The blueberry pancakes and scrambled eggs are delicious. And....it's BYOB! Add champagne and orange juice for a perfect meal!
(5)
Krithika R.
Food so good, it had me smiling from ear to ear! A quaint cozy place - definitely recommend!
(5)
Alexandra K.
What can i say about Nookies? It holds a huge piece of my heart. I love brunch and can't think of any time where Nookies has failed me. I first became acquainted from visiting Nookies Too in Lincoln Park. Nookies has the same menu, and a larger space for seating. You can't go wrong with the menu. I day dream about the hashbrowns. I love their seasonal trio special - no matter what it is - it's always a must have. I can't recommend it enough! It is worth the wait!
(5)
Emily S.
I always have a wonderful dining experience here. The food and service are great. The staff is all very attentive, friendly, accommodating (my order can occasionally be high maintenance), and knowledgeable. They also have dijon mustard and siracha for my omelets! I am also impressed how busy it is at all times during the day, independent of the day of the week.
(5)
Dan S.
What a great experience... Was visiting Chi-town the other day and happened across this place by my hotel. Checked out the reviews and went in for some lunch. Super friendly staff and excellent and attentive waitress. The soups; delicious. The breakfast plates; perfect. The burgers; hot and fresh. Love this place...will definitely be back.
(5)
Kirby M.
i love Nookies. It's a neighborhood gem. The staff there are always kind. The food is typical diner food - it's not going to blow your mind but it's solid. I'm a big fan of all of the skillets. I'll take great service with reliable food over an alternative any day. Not to mention incredibly affordable. Thank you, Nookies. You've always been good to me. My only wish is that they'd make better coffee.
(4)
Eunice J.
Hearty portions - great place for brunch, but would not recommend it for amazing dinner food. They're a great place if you're looking for comfort food though!
(3)
Max P.
Nookies has the staples of a great diner experience down: great service and pretty good food. Our server, Todd, was polite and attentive to our needs. I ordered about the most basic diner food-cheeseburger with cottage fries-and it was delicious. The restaurant had plenty of room to accommodate our group of 8 and our food was done quickly. Next time I'm in Lincoln Park and looking for a reliable and relaxing option, I'll definitely hit up Nookies.
(4)
Bridgett F.
Went in excited for good service and good food.. They wouldn't seat us if we expected one more person because they didn't want people hogging tables. They were not warm or welcoming and just didn't seem they like they cared that much about customers. Wound up going to a different break fav place that was SO much better. So thank you :)
(2)
Jinn L.
Such a lovely neighborhood diner and it opens for dinner also. The food is wonderful and I love their corn beef hash! Price is probably one of the most reasonable among the old town area. The wait staff has been wonderful and the portion of the food is plentiful. I also tried the North of the border omelette with Canadian bacon and apple! It was actually a great combination! Definitely it is one of our fav place in old town and we are the regulars. Very popular and sometimes have to wait but not too bad.
(5)
Andy S.
The beast breakfast in Chicago, but it doesn't stop there. I have tasted many burgers but this restaurant has the holly grail of burgers
(5)
Fletcher M.
Solid, well priced eats. Probably too many options, but all good. Just remember to grab a bottle of champagne and enjoy some mimosas!
(4)
Craig S.
Really good diner food and huge portions for breakfast. Overall, the price was great, but they do charge $2.45 for a cup of coffee--without telling you--and for every refill (which we didn't ask for) afterward. That was a little disappointing and spoiled the experience a little bit. The huevos chorizo was phenomenal and was enough for breakfast the next day.
(4)
Rits M.
Nookies is great food. The one thing I would say is that the food isn't super imaginative, but if you want great comfort food, with interesting and great quality ingredients, this is your stop. I went there for Sunday brunch in fall. They had some fall specials on- I had the Croque madame, and boy that was one BIG madame indeed. 2 slices of brioche bread, gruyere cheese, canadian ham, with an over easy egg on the top, with Chipotle hollandaise sauce. Really well cooked and prepared. Comes with spinach potatoes, delicately flavoured. Mum had the apple cranberry pancakes, with granola in it. Granola added a nice crunch and the pancakes were well made, not stodgy at all, despite all the fruit baked into them. The place itself is rather nookish- lots of small separate eating areas. Looked like it could have been a largish apartment at some point. If you want a good solid american brunch place, this is it. Total bill w/o tip- 24$
(4)
Kay Z.
Favorite local brunch spot for after drinking-indulgence. Byob is a fun way to have mimosas and a little "hair of the dog"
(5)
Kris U.
After trying out the breakfast/brunch options in the attached restaurant to my hotel (Hotel Lincoln) I inquired with the front desk staff about a good place to go for a quick breakfast. Without hesitation they pointed me in the direction of Nookies. Walking in it resembled a traditional breakfast/brunch diner but upon opening the menu I immediately took notice of the certain Latin flair to the menu. Huevos rancheros, Huevos with black beans and chorizo used in virtually every breakfast dish. YUM!!! I opted for a chorizo type egg scramble which came with beans and tortilla's. Paired with Freshly squeezed orange juice (which was delicious) I started my morning off the right way. Score one of Mexican inspired breakfasts! I am forever a fan so bring on the beans any morning! Arriba! Mexican Eatcrest Out!
(4)
Richard B.
Got the Greek salad, pretty good and a huge portion. Everyone else's food at the table looked ok and decent portion sizes as well. Their coffee stood out from other house coffees which is refreshing.
(4)
Tina A.
Absolutely delicious cornflake crusted french toast with bananas and strawberries, incredible! Good service, cozy atmosphere.
(5)
Emily J.
I have finally found the best breakfast place in Chicago, and I wasn't even at Nookies for breakfast! After having drinks but no food at the J. Parker, my boyfriend and I were in desperate need of dinner. He used to go to DePaul so he knew Nookies was the place to go. And he was right (one of the only times this has ever occurred-kidding...). Nookies is everything a breakfast place should be, most importantly they have huevos rancheros and a breakfast burrito and serve breakfast all day. I got the huevos with chorizo and was not disappointed. It was so good and just what the doctor ordered. The restaurant is so unassuming and everything you want a neighborhood breakfast place to be-small, with a diner bar and open kitchen. It's just perfect! Our server, Tyler, was so kind and talked to us through our whole meal at the bar. We were lucky enough to even meet the owner as well and chat with him a while too. My sister is coming into town in a few weeks and Nookies is the first place I'm going to take her, no matter the time of day.
(5)
Lauren R.
A great little diner with good food, big portions and decent prices. Someone in the kitchen really knows how to poach the perfect egg. The Southwest omelet and Southwest Benedict were both delicious. Highly recommended.
(4)
Kristine N.
Ordered takeout from Nookies to try it again and the food was a lot better than when we dined in. The ham and cheese omelette, yum. Big chunks of ham with tons of cheese. Potatoes were still a little soft for my taste, but it was takeout so that might be the problem. The banana nut bread pancake, to die for! We were really satisfied this time.
(4)
Pamela M.
The food was ok. The Eggs Benedict was good, but relatively classic and not remarkable. Personally, I don't get excited about country potatoes. I prefer hash browns. I dined near the entrance and found the ambiance to be reminiscent of Perkins. It is a very busy restaurant, but I just find the interiors to be a little on the sterile side. Our server Selina was great! She was super nice and welcoming. Not to mention, her accent was lovely! Perhaps, I need to come back and try the cornflake crusted French toast in the photos because that looks delish!
(3)
Mike W.
Gotta love Nookies! Best place in Old Town to go for breakfast or brunch. I've had some of the skillets, steak and eggs, and pancakes - all excellent. Friendly service with good coffee. BYOB too so bring some champagne and OJ!
(5)
Deborah N.
AMAZING Brunch!! The Huevos Con Chorizo are to die for - YUM!! It could have been a little spicier seeing as the salsa is pretty mild, however; that's my fault seeing as I didn't tell them to add a little KICK!! All-in-all, great little BYOB spot. Super nice and sweet staff. Thank you for the awesome brunch!! xo
(5)
Sarah M.
Went after church on a Sunday morning and immediately sat at the bar at 10am. Service wasn't fabulous but for a quick breakfast place that's what id expect. We got the goat cheese pesto scramble to split between the two of us. It was really good especially with the grilled tomatoes. I recommend it to anyone wanted something more flavorful than plain eggs.
(4)
Shin L.
Nookies... nookies... nookies... It's unfortunate that your name just reminds me of Limp Bizkit and sexual intercourse... something which I'm usually not in the mood to think about until my tummy is full. It's also unfortunate that you are so busy that we waited over 45 minutes for a table. Give it up to the guy at the front counter seating people. He was courteous, apologetic, and attentive enough to let our party of six order some coffee and drinks while we waited. This guy was classy and deserves a promotion if he doesn't own the place already. It was unfortunate for him to have a party of 3 and 2 kids sitting for 45 minutes after they finished eating talking about god knows what... probably something boring... like bridge club. So, on to the food. It was okay. I had the Eggs Benedict as usual, and I've got to say. I've got a real gripe with places that do a real THICK slice of canadian bacon/ham on my Benedict. I mean, this thing was almost half an inch thick. It was unbearable after the first half. The hash browns were awesome though. Wider shredded potatoes than usual and cooked to perfection with a crisp. Everything else in our party was so-so. Meat loaf? So-so. The mac and cheese? So-so. We probably all ordered the wrong things, but no one was raving about their meal. I was disappointed as this place seemed to be well rated. They have another Nookies less than a mile away for god's sake, and they had a wait, too. I'd literally have given this place 2-stars if it weren't for the gentleman at the counter. Just goes to show what a lasting impression attentive service can leave.
(3)
Paul S.
I don't get why people are so in love with this place. What am I missing. I live across the street and have been here a number of times, but I'm underwhelmed. I made the decision after a recent dinner trip to no longer go here. The breakfast is fine and completely acceptable. It's typical breakfast food so when you read other reviews here that rave about the breakfast keep that in mind. The non breakfast items is where the menu breaks down. I've had the chicken served overcooked. The spinach pie is some weird contraption that's nothing like a regular spinach pie. It's unique qualities do not make up for the water infested spinach inside the pie. If I thought it was terrible here I would give it a one star, but two is appropriate. Specifically for the breakfast, Nookies now has a lot of competition with others serving breakfast on Wells. I don't see the lines I used to see on Sunday mornings. There's also a reason why their dinner crowd is so light. There are lots of opportunities here. Nookies should focus on quality and less on a menu with quantity.
(2)
Adrienne N.
Love Nookies! Always stop here when we're in Chicago. Great breakfast/diner food.
(4)
Jennifer L.
My boyfriend and I stopped by here after shopping in the area. I left feeling totally underwhelmed especially after the positive reviews I had read. Pros: The autumn trio that I had tasted great and the flavors were unique. It came with pumpkin pancakes, pear french toast and apricot-cherry pancakes. My boyfriend had the Southwest Benedict, which had spicy black bean cakes on it. Also, the location is perfect! You can walk to the shops after you eat to burn off all those calories. Cons: The portions were way too big! Each type of pancake came with three pancakes each and there were two slices of french toast. Our server was efficient, but not very friendly. And, I did not like the interior of the restaurant at all. It looked dated and dirty. The tile floor looked gross and overdue for a deep cleaning. Overall, I have been to better breakfast places before. Maybe I'll give them another try if I'm in the area. Or, maybe I'll try their other locations.
(2)
Cullen B.
Nookies is a good family friendly restaurant to stop at and get something to eat. The service and food were great. I have the bacon burger and the blueberry waffle, both had lots of flavor and very tasty. The only reason I don't give five stars is because nothing popped to me. Everything was good but nothing had a pop. In the end it was a wonderful place to eat
(4)
Bethany A.
I came here with a friend for breakfast food in the afternoon. The restaurant was pretty empty but the staff was still really attentive and we had great service. It was pretty obvious that Nookies has been doing brunch food for a while and we didn't really have any complaints at all. I ordered the Farmers Eggs Skillet with scrambled eggs and I really liked it. The best part was probably the bacon, which was perfectly cooked. I really liked the hash browns as well. Overall, really yummy food. I'd like to come back in the morning sometime and maybe try the pancakes and French toast.
(4)
Samantha J.
This is the perfect little cafe for a nice quick breakfast that won't tear your wallet in half. Service was extremely friendly and the food was tasty, albeit I had the self control not to order any of the amazing specials they had (I'm a scrambled eggs and hash browns girl). Their hash browns were perfectly crispy, not like those soggy ones you can get at the mainstream places. They sub'd fruit for toast (go Paleo diet!) for no extra cost which is almost unheard of. Definitely coming back!
(4)
Khamie W.
Terrible. I took my partner here for valentines day weekend and it was not a great experience at all. The server rushed us to order our food then I had to track the waiter down." My spouse wasn't please with her meal and he acted as if it was a inconvenience
(1)
Shannon C.
Super tasty breakfast!!! Would recommend to anyone!
(4)
K S.
We went here for Brunch on Saturday. It was a short wait maybe 5 min tops. The place was good. Nothing mind blowing. I had the waffle and hashbrowns and my bf had the cornbeef hash skillet. Decent prices. Wouldnt make this our regular spot but wouldnt be against going back here again.
(3)
Tigistu A.
Had a brunch with my family on Saturday 30/09/14, the food was excellent and the staff very friendly. Thanks
(5)
Christopher S.
I have been a frequent and loyal regular for 10 years. It is hands down my favorite breakfast nook in the city. The staff is the friendliest in town, and the food is well made classics. This is the place to go if you want normal French toast, incredible omelets, etc.
(5)
Robin S.
Yuck. I'm not sure what the big deal is about this place. I ordered chicken salad which should be a fairly safe dish. My cukes were rotten in the middle and the avocado was brown. The cole slaw was warm and the potato salad was bland. No reason that should have come out of the kitchen. Son had the BBQ sandwich and he couldn't eat it. Others had a burger which he said was "ok" but girls enjoyed their grilled cheese. Service was excellent and responsive to food being sent back. He did remove it from our bill. We won't be back. Maybe breakfast is a better choice.
(1)
Chris H.
The staff was friendly, and the service was prompt. However, the food was just so-so. I had the Farmers Skillet. Basically 2 fried eggs over hash browns, bacon, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and cheese. I thought it would be a slam dunk, but it all seemed a bit bland. That, and the bacon were 2" chewy strips of limp bacon mixed in with everything else (not the greatest). My girlfriend ordered the chilaquiles. She also said they were just "okay." A little too sweet and missing the acidity that makes chilaquiles so great. The upside of this place is that its BYOB.
(3)
Jim K.
Came in here searching for an ATM fairly early on a Saturday morning, and decided to stay for breakfast before hitting the farmer's market. I had the 2 egg (whites) and hash brown breakfast with chicken sausage. Overall, a decent breakfast: the chicken sausage was quite good, and the eggs and hash browns were fine. I had sourdough toast, which came slightly torched, and, frankly, didn't taste like sourdough. Nookie's itself is quite charming, comprising of what seems like an endless collection of small dinning rooms connected together. It's absolutely a family restaurant, but, even with a screaming baby a few tables away, the room wasn't too loud; perfect for breakfast. There IS outdoor seating, however, I only counted 5 tables, so I wouldn't count on these. The service was great, especially for a breakfast nook (see what I did there?). My server was attentive without being overbearing. I'd probably go back for breakfast again, but Nookies just didn't wow me as a "must go" kind of place.
(3)
maimuna s.
Delicious brunch! The service was great and they kept the coffee coming. The food was great and they were really sweet.
(5)
Margaret G.
This little piggy went to nookies This little piggy stayed home This little piggy had delicious fruit crepes This little piggy had none This little piggy cried weewee all the way home. This little piggy went to nookies This little piggy sat in the corner This little piggy grew inpatient This little piggy did too This little piggy cried "why? why was I ignored the entire breakfast?"
(3)
Grace C.
I went this place for brunch. Very clean place and tasty food. Portion is not big (small compare to other brunch/ diner) but it is a fun place to check out and go for a casual relax brunch.
(3)
Benjamin D.
Came here because there wasn't much else open in the neighborhood. Had heard good things and I've walked by it plenty of times. Service was pretty lousy. The server pushed some of our stuff out of the way to put down silverware. Not the end of the world but annoying. There is a lot on the menu (including three veggie burgers!) and most of it looked good. I got a burger, with mashed potatoes and cream of broccoli soup. It was a lot of food for the money. But the soup had part of a fingernail in it. Absolutely ruined my appetite. The burger was OK, kind of bland, but everything else looked good. I couldn't eat a whole lot after the fingernail. But they took my whole meal off the bill. So it worked out in the end. All that said, probably won't come here again. Lousy service, grossness in the food and better options in the area.
(3)
Katie W.
BYOB! Attentive service. Coffee was filled within 30 seconds of sitting down. Huge portions. Hot food. Great diner!!
(4)
Bryan J.
Terrible and crowded. They have a great location in Lincoln Park and their prices are low, and that's about it. The food is in the range of "nothing special" to "didn't even try". For example, the blueberries on my cardboard-like Belgian waffle were still frozen, and the Eggs Florentine had all the ingredients stacked in the right order, but was all but inedible. The owners and wait-staff have an indifferent attitude, as if people will still flood in whether they try or not. And fortunately for them, there is an amply supply of 20-somethings in the neighborhood who do not seem to know the difference. There are much better places in the neighborhood if you care about the qualify of the food and and service.
(1)
Sarah N.
BYOB champagne for mimosas if you want them with their fresh orange juice otherwise this brunch is more than enough to satisfy your taste buds! Come prepared to eat, that's for sure! There might be a line but the service does the best they can to get you to a seat and they do not rush you out of it, which I appreciated it! Great for all groups and people!
(4)
Michele L.
I'm absolutely obsessed with this place - I work remotely, so its nice to have a place where I can get a good meal and be able to get work done at the same time! The staff is also amazing, I never feel rushed or just because I'm sitting here doing work ever neglected - even after the bill is paid. I highly recommend Amy's Omelet - they're chicken sausage is super yummy :)
(5)
Debby S.
"We goof up every once in a while, it wasn't intentional." That's a direct quote from the manager. He graciously didn't charge me for the coffee that was never refilled during the half hour I was there. The food is fine, but not memorable. The service awful! The place was half empty and there was enough staff. I won't be back. FYI - I LOVE the Nookies in Edgewater. It's hard to believe these two restaurants share a name.
(2)
Lauren H.
Great breakfast place! Their menu is absolutly huge. So many choices. I would say get there early because it can get very crowded after church.
(5)
C R.
Excellent brunch. The skillet was great, and all the other food that I saw looked just as good. Cool spot in lincoln park, and looks like it would be a great place for any casual meal.
(5)
Scott W.
When my girlfriend and I lived in Chicago, Nookies was a weekly brunch spot for us. Now that we're living elsewhere, we totally miss the place! Nookies has some of the most consistently fantastic comfort food I've ever had. Always good for all-day breakfast options, lots of interesting picks for lunch and dinner, and brisk, dependable service. We also got to know the management team well, including Spiro, who's the absolute best! I'd highly recommend Nookies - and if you go, hope you like it enough to keep going back like we did.
(5)
Ryan W.
Great breakfast spot in Chicago! Went there while on a business trip and staying a block over at The Lincoln Hotel. Everything was amazing (had a breakfast meal.) One suggestion, which would give it a 5 star rating is to ask for the home fries WELL DONE. They were a bit on the light side, and my colleague who took me there knew what was up. I only wished she told me. But a great place, with an awesome staff. They had an ambient mix playing when we went (at about 7:30pm), and the first song I heard was Zero 7's 'Waiting Line' which is one of my favorites! Such a chill atmosphere, I can imagine the crowds for breakfast must get crazy. Next time I'm in Chi-town, I'll be sure to hit this little gem up. Thanks Nookies!
(4)
Julia W.
Good Food, Good Location, Friendly Owner and Staff, love this place ,my favourite, come here every week. it's my favourite breakfast place
(5)
Renessa F.
As a party of 6 we waited almost 25 mins for a table though it was almost 1pm. Since Nookies is our staple we hung around. After being seated we had to get our own menus because no one checked on us for 5 mins, slightly frustrated but we were hungry and service is normally fast. We waited 15 mins to order and almost 40 mins for our food. In the meantime the table of 4 next to us, that was seated after us received their food before us. That was the killer. As a group we recalled how long we were waiting at each point because we were starved when we arrived and hungry customers are good at keeping time. In the past Nookeis was our reliable go to place but after this experience we won't be going back again.
(1)
Ken B.
We stayed at the Hotel Lincoln just down the street, and this is just around the corner. Great for breakfast with good, fresh ingredients. Attentive staff, even thought they were very busy.
(4)
Mary B.
We went to Nookie's on the Monday after the Chicago marathon for a late breakfast. It was the perfect time to go. There was only a 5 minute wait, and we got a great table inside. The menu had a great assortment of choices, which I always love. I ended up with a Southwest twist on Eggs Benedict. There were two huge black bean cakes, topped with poaches eggs and a chipotle hollandaise sauce. It came with toast and hashbrowns on the side. I only ended up eating half of it - I would definitely split it next time! Everyone in my group ordered dishes that looked fantastic - crepeps, frittattas, pancakes - it was all amazing. Next time I go to Chicago, I am definitely hitting up Nookies again!
(4)
Ray D.
Solid breakfast go to! Great eggs, pancakes, corned beef and hash etc. Never been their for lunch or dinner but staff is always friendly. You may have to wait a little for a table on the weekends but well worth the wait. A true dinner experience that you can't find often in the Midwest let alone the city.
(4)
Dorotka K.
I have become somewhat of a regular here. Great food and excellent accommodating staff.
(5)
Janice R.
The peach and raspberry pancake special was delicious last summer, but tough and chewy today. The waiter did not come back to pour coffee refills after he served us.
(3)
Jennie C.
The stellar reviews set my expectations too high, so I was rather disappointed in my Nookies experience. Sure it was a cute place, and the wait wasn't that bad (15min around noon on Sunday). But the food was just ok...I had the mushroom fritatta, it was rather greasy and covered in barely melted cheese. Friend had the eggs Benedict, the hollandaise sauce was very vinegary, though the eggs were at least cooked properly. If you live in the neighborhood and don't have to worry about parking, then it's an ok choice. I wouldn't make a special trip for this.
(3)
Molly V.
Nookies, Nookies, Nookies; oh how I wanted to enjoy this experience just a bit more than I actually did... I was visiting Chicago (home) this past week and a friend of mine lives by the Nookie's on Wells St. We decided to check it out, as I had heard there was a Nookies that recently opened near where I had lived previously. It was mid afternoon so I ordered lunch items and my friend ordered breafast items. I been told before that their breafast was pretty good - but I was just not in the mood for it. Anyway, my friend ordered standard eggs and bacon with hashbrowns. I ordered soup and a tuna melt. I can't speak for my friend's food, but everything was just mediocre. For all the hype that I had heard about this place, I thought the decore (which definitely left something to be desired) would have an edge. I think I simply just had much higher expectations. The food was edible - but nothing to write home about. The ambiance/decor was that of any other diner type restaurant. Next time I a in Chicago I will probably not make it a priority to come back and visit a Nookies.
(3)
S t.
The best breakfast place around. Always consistent and friendly, thank you nookies!
(5)
Simmone S.
If you are looking for some good comfort brunch food after a night out (or not) I highly reccomend Nookies. The food is great and hearty. The staff on the other hand - rude and inattentive. I had to ask for coffee FIVE TIMES - trust me I needed it. If you are vegan, you probably should NOT go, but there are plenty of vegetarian options (eggs/cheese). Not a healthy place, but just a good hearty classic diner.
(3)
Annie M.
If you're looking for good breakfast in the Lakeview, Lincoln Park, or Old Town neighborhoods, you can't go wrong with one of the Nookie restaurants. The Old Town one is usually my go-to but I've also been to the Lincoln Park location several times too. They've always provided quick, friendly service with great food to match. The regular menu is good, nothing too special, but it's a good amount of food for a fairly cheap price. Perfect for families, especially with kids. Their seasonal specials menu is definitely worth checking out too. The fall menu has pumpkin flapjacks that are AMAZING! They always have at lest 3 season options between pancakes, waffles, and french toast and they always sound super tasty. However, the spring menu had a trout skillet which may have been one of the worst meals I've ever had (in all fairness, the service is so good that I'm sure they would have brought me something different had I asked, but I didn't.) I'd be pretty cautious to order anything with fish from Nookies again after that. But my favorite thing on the menu is definitely Ernesto's chilaquiles. Combining Mexican and breakfast is just a beautiful thing! All in all, Nookies is such a good breakfast place that even a horrible meal didn't scare me away, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone!
(4)
Emily S.
Nookies makes one heck of a breakfast! I ordered the crepes combos which included strawberry, apple cinnamon, and cream cheese crepes. They were delicious and the order was pretty big. I unfortunately had to leave about a third of it on my plate since it was so large. The prices are a little higher than what I usually like to pay for breakfast, but the big orders compensate for the price. I would imagine they get very busy on the weekends. I went on a Monday morning, but still had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. There great selection will definitely have me coming back for more!
(4)
Mahsa T.
Nookies is darn good compared to some of the mediocre brunch places I've been going to lately. Their food is solid and service was stellar. I don't like that they have no waiting area so you have to constantly dodge people getting in and out of the restaurant while you wait 25 minutes for a table and I didn't like how cramped it was in there, tables and people are packed in like sardines. Some elbow room would be nice. But it's a small space with high demand so I can see why it is the way it is. Orange juice--fresh and delicious. Coffee--nice and strong. Nothing like good coffee to sober you up and good food to ease a hangover after a rough night. My friends and I shared the seasonal pancake/French toast special which included pumpkin pancakes with pecans--mouth-wateringly delicious. French toast with baked apples was fantastic. I special ordered an omelette with mushrooms, spinach and ham. It came with hash browns. I would have liked my hash browns more crispy and well done. Omelette portions are ginormous. They do take credit cards. For good food, I'm willing to overlook the small things. I'll definitely be coming back to Nookies.
(4)
Gary M.
Wait on a Sunday morning at about 10.30 estimated to be about 15 minutes according to the host. The good thing is, you get one of those buzzers that serves as a human equivalent of a shock leash so you can go and stand outside, smoke, go grab coffee from the Starbucks up the street but just be ready when the thing starts pulsing to haul a$$ back to the restaurant. Staff are very friendly, a little rushed but that is why the wait was only 15 mins during peak brunch time. Ambience is nice too, the restaurant is bright and airy and they have a bunch of Old Town art festival pics dating back to the 80's - gives the place a neighborhood feel. Food was decent, I have the smokehouse fritata and my friend had pancakes with berries. I ordered hash browns with mine which basically came on another full sized plate. The portions are enough to feed a small family for a few days. Price was less than $30 for two all in which for a decent sit down brunch place is just right for me. Overall, good job, wouldn't be too concerned over wait times as the place is pretty big and has fairly quick turnover.
(4)
Emily D.
Nookie's is my go-to breakfast-lunch-dinner-everything spot in the neighborhood. I live within walking distance and could easily eat here multiple days a week. I always bring family and friends here when they're visiting and request a trip here after every race I run. My brunch order is usually the farmer's eggs. A little veggies, a little bacon and lots of hashbrowns, how can you go wrong? Don't skip the fresh squeezed orange juice. Nookie's is also BYOB so you can bring champagne or vodka to kickstart your day. You also can't beat their sandwiches which come with homemade chips and soup or salad. It's nothing fancy, but delicious, no-frills diner food.
(5)
Pat H.
There is no better breakfast place in Chicago than nookies. Been here several times and enjoyed everything that I've tried. Keep in mind that nookies is always crowded but rightfully so because it's worth it. Generous portions, great service, friendly staff, great food, BYOB make this place a "must" in Old Town. What's not to love about it.
(5)
Mary L.
Very close to the hotel where we were staying. The place seems to be very popular for brunch. I love that they have a small "bar" looking area where you can just sit instead of waiting for a table. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The services was quick. I ordered the egg benedicts and my bf ordered french toast. Although, I didnt like their "hallandel souce" their french toast bread was very soft and delicious! I would totally go come back here again. The price is ok, around $10 per plate.
(4)
Brian F.
Yum! I had their French Eggs Benedict special and really enjoyed it. The food is excellent quality and delicious and served with style. I just wish less people knew about how great a breakfast place this is because a 30 minute wait seems routine to get a table.
(4)
Carly G.
Spinach salad ROCKS!!!!!!!! All breakfast items are awesome too. Great service, lovely location. Wish they had more of an outside patio though. My go to brunch place by the office.
(5)
Meredith B.
My husband and I love going out for breakfast. Nookies is fantastic. We got the special trio (mango/raspberry pancakes, berry stuffed french toast, and coconut/mango pancakes) and the breakfast sandwich with eggs, spinach, and cheese. All of the dishes were amazing. The wait was about 15 minutes at 10:30 on a holiday Sunday morning. Staff was quick and mostly attentive. You can get a cup of coffee to bring out with you while you wait, which is awesome. The portions are huge. Normally for breakfast, my husband and I order 1 entree and a side or two. This is what we should have done instead of ordering two entrees. My only complaint is that the hashbrowns are not the super crispy kind, which is the kind I like.
(5)
Ermelinda C.
A hidden gem indeed! Friendly service, great menu and affordable. The baby spinach salad topped with the grilled chicken was fantastic and so was the Smoked chicken sandwich was quite good as well. Nice tea selection, even though I almost wished I had notices the freshly squeezed OJ on the menu, but I surely smelled it ;-) Will definitely go back here!
(4)
Kira M.
Nookies has a diner/hotel-cafeteria feel. The lighting is mild, the colors are modest and the space is simple. Imagine my surprise, then, when I discovered the following option on the Spring 2010 menu: Croissant French Toast Napoleon ("fresh strawberries and creamy vanilla bean Mascarpone stacked between layers of crunchy croissant French toast") (see photo). The physical dish was even more decadent than its description: a three-tiered mountain of cornflake-coated French toast, held together by sumptuous helpings of strawberries drowning in Mascarpone. (Estimated number of calories: a bajillion.) To call it "delicious" would be a severe understatement. It might rank as the single best brunch meal I have ever had. Ever. And, in case you're wondering: Yeah, I ate that sucka all by myself. -Pats tummy- Unfortunately, life is a balance, and with the good, comes the bad: My father does not really care for brunch food, so, as revenge for dragging him to the restaurant, he chanted, "I did it all for the Nookie(s)" under his breath well into the next day.
(4)
Craig U.
An average breakfast joint, the food was fine, not great. BYOB brunch will always score points with this guy though. Would never avoid Nookies, but would not be on the top of my list to go to next time either.
(3)
Amelia B.
Oh Nookies, I love you. Apparently so does everyone else in the city. As a result, there's always a wait (unless you come at an odd hour of the day), and its always noisy and bustling. But I will put up with that for the wonderful brunch--I highly recommend the omelettes and all egg dishes. I'm personally not much of a sweet breakfast person--I can handle like three bites of pancakes--but I've sampled friends' crepes and they are quite solid. Strong, plentiful coffee and fresh OJ. Service can be spotty during busy times, but brunch isn't typically a meal where I'm rushing. BIg downside has to be the wait, and the lack of any waiting area. It's fine in the summer where everyone just spills out into the street, but pretty miserable in the cold. I've never had lunch or dinner here, but would interested to see how it stacks up, especially given that it's BYOB...
(4)
Rebecca N.
Great omelet and pretty inexpensive for city brunches! Perfect in between scrambled and fluffy. Great service and played Thievery Corporation all morning long!
(4)
Patricia J.
Had the best burger at Nookies! I ordered the Bistro burger (with carmelized onions and blue cheese) and my friend had the Acapulco (with avocado, salsa and pepperjack cheese). They were happy to add avocado to mine and I don't believe they charged extra. They don't skimp on ingredients here. Be prepared to enjoy a deliciously, large portion. The burger came together in a wonderful way, with the sweet onions, but salty, rich blue cheese. I was in heaven! The only thing I'd say is that the burger seemed a tad dry, but since everything was so great it wasn't super noticeable. My friend said the Acapulco was amazing as well. Burgers came with the veggie soup of the day which was nothing to rave about but ok. There were chunks of veggies in a simple broth. Fries were great though! I've never seen fries cut potatoes chip style like that so they were a nice, crispy surprise. At a little less than $10, we were pleased. We came on Memorial Day and the place seemed pretty packed and lively, however we got seats in less than 10 minutes. They give you a buzzer so you can stand outside until it buzzes that your table is ready. I'll be back for sure next time I'm in Chicago.
(4)
Casey A.
This place is a legend acc to my mom so when we came down one morning for a bite and we were on Wells, Nookies was it! We weren't looking for something too heavy but ended up getting 2 short stacks of pancakes (1 Multigrain and 1 FRESH blueberry) Fresh Blueberry pancakes are the epitome of delish in my book. No restaurant should offer blueberry pancakes unless they're FRESH!! Cute waiter, cozy corner, fun people watching.. 1 thing that put me off (aka 4 stars) was how dirty the light fixtures were. I've worked in quite a few restaurants and if it was important to them, the manager would put that on the cleaning list at least once a month. Unfortunate but something that could definitely be fixed:)
(4)
Katie T.
Solid spot for brunch before or after the Lincoln Park Farmer's Market. We dined here with our two year-old son and were impressed by how friendly and accommodating the staff was. They do a brisk business of omelettes, pancakes and all your diner basics (I felt like I was in NY!) Our son was in heaven, ignoring his order from the super reasonably priced and fairly healthy kid's menu and polishing off two banana pancakes.
(4)
Karen S.
Went on a monday morning (9:30 am) and there wasn't a wait. The specials all sounded good. A friend tried the peach pancakes w/raspberries and said they were awesome. The french toast came covered in berries (fresh, not frozen), and the hangover helper was quite tasty (even w/o being hungover).
(4)
Brittany K.
My boyfriend and I went to Nookies because of the reviews that we read on here and I have to say, we were NOT disappointed at all. My boyfriend had the crunchy french toast (coated in corn flakes) and I had a Greek Omelet with Spinach and Feta, with a side of sliced tomatoes. The food was REALLY good, and there was TONS of it for a pretty cheap price ($20 for the 2 of us for food and drinks). I'd say that for as SLOW as they were when we got there, it took a little while to get our food. I read they are always busy but at around 10:15 on a Tuesday morning, there were like 5 other people in the whole restaurant and it still took like 25 minutes to get our food. For breakfast, that seems like a while. Overall, my omelet and my boyfriends french toast were delicious, but its the slowness of the kitchen that made me give it 4 stars.
(4)
Mitch W.
Had a great breakfast here as we were waiting to check into Hotel Lincoln. Fantastic! Approx 15 minute wait on the weekend.
(5)
Stefan S.
Good smoked chicken salad but AWESOME monster melt burger. Very local feeling and good prices.
(4)
Rachel R.
Found this place after passing up some other, more expensive places. I only give three stars because I wasn't blown away by anything. Staff seemed a little put out, but otherwise the food was alright and it was a decent experience.
(3)
Mike S.
Hmm...amazing. Always have a fantastic seasonal menu available for brunch on weekends. Loved the lemon poppy seed pancakes and truffle waffles. Has a healthy selection too. I am a dude, and I'll gladly say the Tuscan Chicken Salad is great as well. Awesome place to check out, Patio is open now! BYOB!
(4)
Mark T.
On my way to and from the nearby Equinox, I've always wondered why there was always a crowd outside this place. Surely there's a reason why it drew so many people. So I decided to give the place a try. Went on a non-peak time on a Monday afternoon. Ordered a turkey open-faced sandwich, with a side of mashed potatoes/gravy and cranberry sauce. Yum...that's as simple as a way that I can describe the meal. Just like mom used to make it? Well, let's just say I love my mom's cooking on a very high level. Service was good. The place just looks and feels like a comfortable cafe/diner that you and a friend can sit and eat anytime during the day. I can only imagine how crazy this place can be during Sunday brunch! Would not mind going back.
(4)
Ariana S.
As a self-proclaimed professional bruncher, I must tell you that Nookies is my go-to spot. Do the math here kids: -3 locations so you never have to travel far -ROCKIN breakfast food! Their specials are to die for! Think pumpkin spice french toast. -Delicious lunch food too! I am actually obsessed with the smoked chicken salad. -The Nookies 2 is open 24 hours and this place is KEY late night. Anywhere from Pancakes to Grilled Cheese to Chicken Fingers? Natural Crowd Pleaser -It's CHEAP! -BYOB!!!!! So what are you waiting for? No matter what time you are reading this, you should be at Nookies. Go. Now. Seriously.
(5)
Donna C.
I have NEVER had a bad meal here. The omelets are fluffy and moist. Freshly squeezed orange juice is always a treat. Seasonal favorites are unique and delicious, especially the strawberry croissant French toast. Wait staff is always friendly and efficient. As long as they are open, I will be enjoying breakfast there!!!!
(5)
Alicia D.
This has become my go-to breakfast spot in the neighborhood. The wait is never terribly long, the food is consistently good, and the service is superb. Everyone is friendly and there are multiple people who's sole job is to refill water and coffee. You will never be without either! Their menu is pretty typical diner fare (all bases covered), but they also have seasonal specials which are delicious!
(4)
Kai Y.
During our long weekend trip to Chicago, we were thinking to have brunch around Lincoln Park neighborhood. We yelped and found out Nookies is quite popular among the locals. A good sign... Unfortunately they don't take reservations. However, the wait wasn't too long (5-10 minutes) when we went there around noon. Maybe we were lucky that day. :) The interior was pretty simple and kind of traditional. It was quite surprising given it is a restaurant located in the noticeably nice and hip neighborhood. We ordered a few omelette and a french toast to share. When the food came, we were very surprised how BIG the portions were! The omelette could totally feed 2-3 people IMO. :) But it was delicious. I tried my best wanting to finish it to do justice to the quality of the dish, but I failed. :( The french toast was decadently rich and tasty! We were very satisfied with our brunch choice. Not to mention, the price was very affordable, provided how big the dishes were. Service was good as well. I think Nookies is an excellent option for brunch. I would totally go back there next time when I am in Chicago. :)
(5)
Jacob J.
If all I sampled were the Eggs Benedict with hash browns I'd be rating them two maybe three stars and would call the experience average. I checked the Yelp app after leaving service at Moody Bible Church, within ten minutes got a table inside. The reviews looked awesome and someone said something about a wowzerful benedict. The only wowing factor I could find in mine was a citrus flavor to the hollandaise, other then that the eggs were over cooked and the english muffin was straight out of the bag, not toasted. Luckily I caught wind of the "Sweet summer trio" which can be sampled for $10 for one lucky person or a table. Stuffed brioche french toast with assorted fresh berries, mango coconut hotcakes and peach-raspberry pancakes. Took a bit longer than our entrees to come out of the kitchen, but well worth the wait. It was the shining star on the table, taste explosive fruity flavors colliding with just enough breading of three varieties. That is worth a second date, lovely dish. Coffee was blah, hash browns boring. On the next visit I'll branch out and try something the other reviewers call their favs. Eggs Benny you bore me. Brunch. Average brunch entree was under $10, $8 - $10. (Sweet summer trio photo you can find above.) Dunno if I am a fan yet, have to sample more dishes.
(3)
L K.
If this was a review just for the food, I would definitely give 3 or 4 stars, and for the pancakes 5. However, going for brunch is not only about food but also for drinks and definitely service, and Nookie is was a let down in these areas. The place is BYOB, which is one of reasons why we chose it, and we called ahead to ask if they had bloody mary mixers or if we should bring our own. They assured that they had everything we needed but the liquor, and that the wait was about 20 minutes, so we headed right over. When we got there the wait was actually 40 min. That's understandable as it was a Sunday morning on a long weekend, but after 40 min was up we waited for another 40 min. Then, when we ordered the virgin bloody marys that we had called to ask about, the waitress brought us horseradish that had expired in 2010. We asked for a different bottle, she disappeared for almost 15 min, and finally came back to say they didn't have any other bottles of horseradish. So apparently we've been the only people to need horseradish in the past two years. Also, the food and drinks all came out separately, like 5-10 minutes apart, which is always awkward. As I said the pancakes were really phenomenal but I don't think we'll be back.
(2)
Steve C.
By far the best breakfast place in the city, I've been coming here for 12 years now without a single negative experience!! Omelets and skillets are amazing, seasonal menus are always exciting. Generous portions. Excellent service, very comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Would highly recommend!
(5)
Charlye M.
Yes, Nookies is amazing, and yes, everyone already knows that, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't write a review anyway. We've been going to Nookies for probably four years now, and we've tried the other locations which are also great, but this one is by far our favorite. Nookies by itself is a good reason to move to Oldtown, I wish we still lived in walking distance. :( No matter, living 9 miles away hasn't stopped us from going at least once a week. I love the Dixie Benedict, Huevos con Chorizo, Crepes, and any of the omelets and skillets. The specials are always great, but in the summer the Brioche French Toast is KILLING!
(5)
Rahul V.
We found this place on Yelp and decided this because it's only a block from our apt. This was our first time here and from the looks of it, it looked really nice and enticing. Unfortunately, the breakfast was an entirely different story. We ordered the Farmer's Skillet, Crunchy French Toast, and Hash Browns. The skillet was fairly nice and we ordered the eggs, sunny side up...the eggs were over cooked. The hash browns were just awful...seemed like mashed potatoes. The crunchy French toast was however very nice. The service was not good either and that might be because we went on Saturday morning, but they were not attentive at all. It took them 15 minutes to come get our order, but the food came out fairly quick. Top ups on the drink were never offered, as we had to ask for them. Overall, not a good first impression.
(2)
Tarra T.
Good brunch diner! No frills, good portions, seated quickly on a Sunday afternoon and BYOB! I ordered from the Fall Specials menu and had the Black Bean Benedict. A good, hearty choice that I could only eat half off in one sitting. The english muffin was replaced by a black bean patty and covered in a yellow, hollandaise sauce. My only complaint was that server was inattentive and slow.
(3)
David G.
I don't have to reiterate my love for pancakes, especially at a place that serves breakfast all day. Nookies buttermilk pancakes are of the upper echelon of pancakery, although I wasn't crazy about paying a buck extra for maple syrup. You know what that says to me? It says that you serve the steerage syrup to us poor folk, the ones who need that buck to pay for fifteen minutes of parking. Nookies is an interesting place, with a strange sliding door-like aperture that people nearly crash into when visiting for the first time, despite the arrow on the door pointing left to the real door. You go through the real door and hit the wind-up toys, which include a sushi wind-up. Not sure how that works, but let's not get off track. Breakfast food here is good, and for the second time in this review I will herald my love for pancakes. They're good here with a side of sausage and a great cup of coffee. Dinner food is pretty good, too. I had an above average cheese burger with chips and tomato pasta soup. Service here is friendly to the point that I thought I was imposing. Prices are average. Spent about $13 for dinner. The place is virtually empty during non-peak hours. I would suggest breakfast at 8pm to avoid the crowds.
(4)
Amy P.
My first experience was pretty blah, so I decided to give it a second try. It was even worse. It was hands-down the worst eggs benedict I have ever had. The hollandaise sauce - more like paste - was so sour that I couldn't even eat it. I just don't get the hype, honestly.
(1)
Rod D.
I've been to my fair share of brunch places and when a couple of friends suggested Nookies, I had to go and see what the buzz was about. To my delight, I was treated to great food, a wonderful wait staff and a family friendly atmosphere. I love the variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes they have. Very tasty and would definitely visit again!
(4)
Paul A.
I wish the description of Yelp's 3 Stars is OK instead of A-OK, because this place is definitely the former; not the latter. I've been going here for years. The food is a cut above the standard coffee shop/Diner fare. Definitely better than average, ingredients are fresh and for the most part, well prepared. However, it's not THAT great. Why people stand in line for hours on the weekends is beyond me. But what's most frustrating is the restaurant itself. Not the service, necessarily -- most times that's friendly and prompt. I"m talking about EVERY WEEKEND without fail, with a room full of diners, when they close the extra dining room at around 3p, the loud vaccuum cleaner goes for around 20 minutes. And it is loud and annoying. How can a restaurant be so rude? With the main dining room full of diners? Then, to add to the cacophony, the "background" music is blaring. I'm glad I don't drink anymore, because this would be about the worst place to be if you were hungover. Or sober, for that matter, and wanted to have a peaceful lunch and/or conversation.
(3)
Ryan L.
Nookies is amazing. I lived in Chicago for 4 years and moved away for 2 and always had Nookies when I was back in town. Now that I've been back for several years, I try to go often. The wait is usually 15 minutes but it's worth it. I food is excellent and comes in large portions. The trio that they change every season is usually my favorite. Also solid choices are the French toast and the biscuits and gravy. It's a Chicago tradition.
(5)
Debbie C.
The Breakfast Trio was beautiful! Coconut and Mango Bread Pudding + Strawberry and Peach Pancakes + Stuffed Berry French Toast = AWESOME. I have a major sweet tooth so the trio hit the spot perfectly. The Stuffed French Toast came with a full cup of fresh berries. The free flowing coffee and the fun oldie's music made my Saturday brunch experience complete. I recommend waiting the 10 minutes for a seat outdoors when the weather is nice.
(5)
Amy J.
After years and years of hearing about it, I finally tried Nookies! It was a great experience. Their food is excellent, the staff: overly friendly. Meter parking on the street, but most of all what I loved is that it's a FRIENDLY diner with great food. I will definitely be back. I was more than impressed.
(4)
Joanna B.
Ah, Nookies. Such a wonderful, familiar, happy place. My parents used to live around the corner from Nookies way back when. Old town was their old stomping grounds. They fell in love there, and lived there before I was born. I've joked with my brother, while dining at Nookies, that he could've been conceived on a night that my parent's ate there. Weird, but somehow cute. Nookies is a truly wonderful cafe/diner. Almost everything I've ever eaten there was great-tasting, and well-prepared. They have a very large selection of items, and serve breakfast all day. I've had breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups- and some of the seasonal special dinners, too. The pot roast was particularly superb. Well-seasoned, nice balance of meat to sides, and cooked just right. I love their breakfasts- and they pay good attention to special orders. I hate being "needy" or having to ask for something "special", but I always order my scrambled eggs soft. I cannot tolerate browned, chewy, rubbery eggs. They always make them right when I remember to order them soft. ALWAYS. A very long time ago, I ordered Beef Stroganoff from the dinner special menu. It was icky to the max, in every way. No need for description. I am QUITE confident it was a one-time mistake. They offered me a different meal, and didn't make me pay for it. The service more than made up for the "kitchen error", as I'll call it. I left with a full belly, and was glad I spoke up and said something, since I normally would feel bad about doing so. Anyway.... Nookies is bomb. Solid, tasty food. The service has never thrilled me- but at this price point, I'm pretty happy with an alright server and GREAT food. I will always keep my eye open for that one day-changingly wonderful server, though. Take your friends and family to Nookies, or go by yourself. Just go.
(4)
Jeff H.
Was in Chicago with the family for my high school reunion, and after a few late nights, we just wanted someplace completely low key and comfortable to grab dinner. A quick check of Yelp showed this place was kid-friendly and had a variety of comfort foods on the menu, so we thought we'd check it out. This spot worked out perfectly for us. It was in a quiet part of Old Town and was pretty empty on Sunday evening. I had the pot roast special, my mother in law had a blackened chicken, wife had a turkey burger and daughter had mac-n-cheese. Food was good but not memorable. And I probably would have only given this place three stars if not for the staff. Our waitress and the folks behind the counter were what really made this place work. First of all our waitress couldn't have been nicer. Just incredibly personable and casual. Perfect midwestern hospitality. And between her and the guys behind the counter, they totally took care of us and also engaged way more than would be required with our 5 year old daughter. So I'll give this place 3 stars for the food, 5 stars for the staff and then also 5 stars for the price. Prices were totally reasonable, including a huge two scoop ice cream bowl for dessert for $1.50. Thanks Nookies!
(4)
Billy M.
Nookies is delicious! I have never had a bad experience here and I order takeout almost every Saturday and Sunday morning. My got breakfast is Huevos Con Chorizo. Lunch/dinner is the Greek Chicken Sandwhich. The staff is great and now know me by name. The only problem is the wait on weekends. Prepare to wait 30 mins to an hour
(5)
Kimmie R.
I've been to Nookies a few times and each time they even messed up my order or the person that I was with. The food is not especially wonderful and there is always a long wait to be seated. I'm not sure if people frequent this place, because it's in a heavily populated area or what. Anyone giving this place four stars should really get out more! This is the type of place that you go to when you are hung over and in need of food, coffee and fluids to get you back on track after a long night of partying. I find it especially interesting that the average person that frequents this place is either over 65 or in their mid 20's or early 30's with messy hair and loud stories about the night before. It's not a bad place, but it's certainly not a place I'd go to if I had to drive to get there! It's the type of place that you go to when you just don't feel like cooking.
(2)
Marjorie F.
Since my return to Old Town - scene of my post-college years - I have been revisiting old haunts, dare I say, as a mature (ahem) adult. (Don't laugh.) Nookies was always one of those places I sought to cure my hangover blues. This time around it was more like a cure for plain ol' hunger pangs. This visit was during the week on a rare day off from work. My boyfriend and I were quickly seated and served coffee. Great. But then it wasn't so great. After we sat down, we waited a long time for a server to take our order, let alone just say "hello - someone will be right with you." It wasn't even crowded, for pete's sake! I tried to flag someone down but each time my friendly waves were ignored. Ooohhh... I don't remember it being like this. Maybe I need to drink just to tolerate the wait staff. Anyhoo, we finally got a server who had the personality of a cactus. I so wanted to hug her. Yeah right. Aside from the not-so-pleasant waitstaff, the food was delicious. I had the steak and egg tostada while my boyfriend had the brioche french toast with berries. Yummmm... In a nutshell, food is good, waitstaff yuck. You decide what you need. As for me, I will try to have a nasty hangover next time I visit so I can take my focus off the service and focus on the food.
(3)
Vivi W.
Good brunch food. Not amazing but good place, if you don't mind the lines.
(4)
Meg C.
This place was within walking distance to our hotel and had great Yelp reviews, so I wanted to check it out for breakfast/brunch. It did not disappoint. They were really busy, but we were able to get a table quickly. The service was great. My coffee was never empty. Everything was delicious! I had the vegetarian omelettes with egg whites (there are healthy options) with tomato slices and toast. The food portions are HUGE.
(5)
Sara E.
I can't quite put my finger on it, but this location is even better than the LP one. The Wild Bleu (seriously, if I could come up with my signature omelet, it would be this) is amazing. They keep the coffee flowing, and there is a really cute bar with cute cute cute stools. Cute. It was completely busy when we got there, but they took our name and literally a minute later we were led to a table. Awesome, as I was incredibly hungry. MMM.
(5)
Quality C.
THE GOOD: great ambiance, great food, great service THE BAD: small bathrooms THE UGLY: long wait
(4)
Barbara D.
I use to call my highschool boyfriend "Nookie" so I wondered if he opened up this restaurant in my honor for breaking his fragile heart...or not. Back to reality... Random weekday morning spent walking around this neighborhood looking for some place that was open and serving food at 10:30am. Nothing.... Another block, nothing... However, I have a random passerby and his viscious dog to thank for pointing out Nookies. Wow, we walked in and I was expecting another diner dump but wholah it was a fancy smancy diner...far from a food landfill. The calm ambiance was the first thing I noticed and the 'classy,' half- circle bar stood out. The inside was one room extending into another and another. We decided to sit outside. The service was impecable. Smiley young girl that moved quickly and effortlessly. The veggie burger and the fried ravioli were the highlights of my nookie nooner.
(5)
James F.
came here for lunch and had a great set of sandwiches. i got a Monster melt, but with a turkey patty substitution ( yelp.com/biz_photos/Ot1s… ), and my wife got a French Dip. each came with a side of homemade chips, and a soup. I got the cream of potato soup which was pretty good, though my wife's tomato pasta seemed not special. however, her French Dip ( yelp.com/biz_photos/Ot1s… ) impressed her - it was huge and in the end, she brought about 1/4 of it home (and the au jus). my Monster Melt (patty with cheddar and onions on rye) was a good melt, and not too greasy. good service and tasty food - i'd come here again for lunch, and judging from some of the other reviews, maybe for breakfast too! They have five or six tables outside on the sidewalk for summer days.
(4)
Julie B.
This is becoming a Sunday must in my book!!! Ranking in my top three favorite breakfast places in the entire city. Whether you crave sweet or savory breakfasts, Nookies will satisfy any palate. I would recommend any omlete on their menu!!! No joke! The frittatas are 3 out of 5 stars (too many carmelized onions in the Smokehouse Frittata). Service is excellent, friendly faces all around. Street parking is tough over there and be prepared for a bit of a wait.
(4)
Gerry X.
Met some friends here from out of town who used to live here, and this was their recommended spot. Parking upon arrival took a few minutes on the street; I really didn't notice any prominent signage (maybe I missed it as I was running late) but on entering the place was crowded packed and bustling with activity. My friends got silver dollars and I got pancakes and eggs with bacon. All was delectable and full of awesome. Have to mention that we didn't see our waitress for about ten minutes, and that the she looked rushed; it was quite busy. I forgot my camera so I may find some pics thru the web to post some on here.
(4)
Shradha A.
I'm still not a fan of Nookies and I will feel like I keep ordering the wrong items here. The vanilla french toast on a croissant was not a good idea by any stretch of anyone's imagination...!
(3)
Christy T.
I am willing to offer Nookies on Wells a 5 star. You know why? I have waited in line twice to receive a homecooked breakfast which lives up to going out for it - I love their english muffins, endless coffee-mug re- fills, fresh-squeezed orange juice, scrambled eggs, guacamole, hashbrowns, (don't bother with Yolk or Eggsperience).
(5)
Colleen C.
Beth P, for the win...again. Ok, so I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I didn't even REALIZE there was a Nookie's on Wells. In fact, I'll go as far as to say...I have never been on Wells between Lincoln and North Ave. Is that weird? Methinks so....but nonetheless Beth P opened my eyes to a little Old Town gem. Thus, this review is dedicated to her... I ordered my standard Denver omelette with tomato slices and coffee. It is a bright, shiny day when my coffee is perfect, and that it was. The right blenda splenda, cream and hot diner coffee sends me into a sort of dream-like state that can only be replicated by the perfect Diet Coke formula. (fully carbonated, fountain...if you must know). Regardless, the refills were plentiful and well timed... My omelette was quite perfect, actually. Not too big, not too small...large chunks of green pepper (I hate mushy little shredded chunks of veggies, ick), and the cheddar cheese did not resemble Kraft nor nacho cheese topping from 7-11. IN an omelette, this is quite important...especially when one is a cheap cheese connoisseur like myself. SO many times I am presented with plastic cheese, and I just cannot stoop to that level of consumption. Don't get me wrong, I'll eat in certain situations (baseball games, jail, etc), but when dining with intelligent women, I need real cheese. Obviously, they get an A in this department... CASH only. Thank you Beth P for introducing me to Old Town triangle, and Nookies. I've now completed the Nookie's trifecta....Nookie's Tree, Nookie's Old Town and Nookie's on Halsted. Voila!
(4)
Jenna S.
Soooooo good! We almost always visit Nookie's before a night out in Ye Olde Boystown. The restaurant is really nice - there's a ton of tables and it's always full. The food is also fantastic - they have anything you could possibly imagine in the way of diner food, as well. There's breakfast, lunch and dinner and I recommend trying as much as you can. Plus: BYOB!!!!! I love love love love BYOB restaurants. This is one of the better ones. Great servers - always nice, funny and attentive. Good Clientele - all the people I've ever met there are super nice. Price - inexpensive! You don't have to spend a ton of money to get a great meal. Especially since it's BYOB.
(4)
David M.
Great breakfast....blueberry pancakes were excellent as was the French toast my colleague had....excellent service as well!
(5)
Jen P.
Amazing pancakes. Huge omlettes. I have become a frequent Sunday diner
(5)
KuangYou C.
I had the "sweet trio". This one is great. Pancakes and French toast along with lots of fruits and some oats. However, I feel it would be better if they put some "salt" food in this dish. Finishing a big plate with all sweet food would be challenging for my tongue.
(4)
Matthew M.
Nookies has great food, a warm neighborhood-y atmosphere and great service. The servers and staff are exceptional, and I have enjoyed everything I've ever had there.
(5)
Arlene A.
This is a first for me. I'm giving four stars to an establishment that had me waiting outside in the rain for 40 minutes, after saying it would be a 10 minute wait. Not the fault of Nookies, but of the obnoxious parties sitting around texting/playing with cell phones well after the check has been paid. Seriously, people have no concept of being considerate to the person waiting afterwards. So a pox on the jerks who don't have any manners, and could care less about anything other than themselves. Now, on to the food. We ordered off the brunch menu, and if you ever have the opportunity to order the Paris Benedict, you should do so. I couldn't finish it, with all the yummy potatoes. The grilled asparagus were perfectly done and very delicious. Once seated Nookies is a great experience, you just may have a longer wait than anticipated.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
Excellent, excellent brunch spot -- 5 stars all the way. I've never once been disappointed. Delicious food, generous portions -- just be ready to wait on the weekends! I'd recommend going a bit earlier in the morning or later in the day. You can also order carryout and skip the lines. Their seasonal specials are incredible and always changing -- definitely the best pumpkin pancakes I've ever had. They also have lunch/dinner food -- and are BYOB!
(5)
amy m.
I've been to Chicago just once, but the next time I visit, I will be sure to come back again for breakfast. I had a seasonal dish: smoked trout scramble with eggs and capers...absolutely delicious. The server was friendly and the cafe was quaint.
(5)
Dan M.
This is one of the best places to go for breakfast in the city. I have had the good fortune of living down the street, so it is an easy walk down the street for me. I know a lot of people here talk about how long the wait is, but if you are coming on a Saturday or Sunday morning I don't understand the need for a rush? There are lots of little shops near by and you can entertain yourself there while you wait. Everything on the menu is well executed, but for a real treat check out the seasonal menu. I typically will get the summer vegi fritta or the steak and egg tostada (when in season). My girlfriend goes nuts over the crab cakes benedict. The thing that really shines is their service. The food comes out fast and you always someone there when you need them. For the fish out there that go through a ton of water, you will love that they are constantly replacing your pitcher with a full one regardless of how much is still in it. In summary: Not going to give it 5 stars because I do have breakfast places that I like slightly better, but this is without a doubt one of the best places in Chicago for weekend breakfast food.
(4)
RJ J.
The best omelet ever! Now on to that delicious eggs... I did order ALL meats omelet. That juicy surely flirts your tongue that nothing actually stops you. Seriously...
(5)
Shaun F.
GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT!!! Nookies is unbelievably good! Their friendly wait staff put up with my mother's crazy antics! Order the freshly squeezed OJ. Also, you MUST MUST MUST order off the specials menu! The specials change to highlight the fare of every season. If you go to Nookies and order scrambled eggs and white toast, we can't be friends. So, you don't want to wait in a line huh? Then, be smart and go early!
(5)
Jennifer M.
I ate here for the first time over the weekend and was not disappointed. They have an extensive menu with options for everyone. They had a few seasonal items on the menu for breakfast and I tried the apple bread french toast. It was absolutely delicious and I cannot want to go back to try many more dishes from their menu!
(5)
Melissa M.
I've heard about this place a great deal over the years because I have a friend that works there. Sadly, he wasn't working while I was there, but I really enjoyed this place. It was very roomy and bright and I didn't feel squished in like sardines like some restaurants, even though it was extremely busy. I give special kudos to our waiter. The woman I was with only ordered one egg and one sausage and water. She said she doesn't like a place to dictate what she eats. As a friend, I can respect that. As former waitstaff, I know that this order would be an annoying waste of time, but the waiter didn't even flinch. He took the order graciously and didn't try to get her to order a combo off the menu. He gave her exactly what she wanted. It even arrived with an orange slice on the plate, perhaps if only to fill up the plate, but it was a nice touch. lol We were given a caraft of water with lemon which was promptly refilled whenever we emptied it. My companion thought the lemon was a nice touch. My order included hasbrowns which were very crispy and yummy! Another bonus is that the bread came with the butter on the side, so you had the choice to use butter or not that is so often not given without a request. All in all, great and speedy service, bright and cheery atmosphere, and accommodating kitchen. No complaints and I would be delighted to return!
(5)
Mike S.
Based on some Yelp reviews, we went to Nookie's this morning (Sunday) around 10:30 am. As we walked up, we saw a decent crowd outside so we were expecting a very long wait...but it ended up being only 15 minutes (and they were spot on with their estimate). We were sat in the very back room which, I will add, is one of the reasons we rated this as a "4" instead of "5". We didn't give them a seating preference and we would much rather be seated in 15 minutes than wait 2 hours if the restaurant size was smaller, however they could do some more to make the back room more inviting. Especially considering there are no windows or anything back there...it's very sterile. Once we got back the seats, we discovered that the food MORE than made up for the odd layout. I had the good old, traditional pancakes, with 100% maple syrup (up charge but worth it) and bacon. She had peach and raspberry pancakes with almonds and a peach-marmalade butter. Both dishes were out of this world!! Our waiter was excellent and extremely attentive. The only service issue we had was keeping our coffee hot - the waiter really wasn't the one handling the coffee...the guy who was didn't make it back to our room very often so we had to keep asking for a warm-up. If not for the coffee and blah-dining area in the back, we would have given Nookies 5 stars, hands down. But you will definitely find us there again, soon!!
(4)
Jenn R.
I'm waiting for a Nookies to open in River North, b/c I'm an addict. I never have anything I don't like here. The service is fast, but not pushy and the food is consistent and fairly priced. The sweet trio is killing my diet, but it's oh so worth it. The Jalisco wrap shows up in my dreams. Amy's omelette is so good I make it several times a week at home, but still come back to Nookie's for the original. The OJ is so fresh my mouth waters just thinking about it. Crepes, pancakes, waffles, omelettes - YUM, YUM, YUM! And that's only breakfast. Lunches are great too: grilled cheese (I like mine with tomato), hamburgers, OH the chicken salad! Ok, it's lunchtime and I think I know where I'm heading. :)
(4)
Gabi M.
Nookies is always a highlight when I come visit my sister in Chicago... I've been to both locations, but this one is so conveniently close to where my sis lives, that I choose to review this one. I absolutely love the breakfast (served all day) at Nookies. I wish I could find a place in Arizona that made egg white omelets 1/2 as good as they are at Nookies! They are so fluffy and delicious - I dream about these when I am away! Most recently. I went on a weekday morning (which I highly recommend so you don't have to fight the crazy crowds you'll find here on Saturdays and Sundays). I had a coffee, the spinach and mushroom egg white omelet, tomato slices, and multi grain toast. Yum! It was exactly what I was craving and it filled me up for hours! I hear the blueberry pancakes are to die for, so I may have to try those next time. I've also had the tuna salad stuffed avocado for lunch which is perfect to split with someone - the portion size is huge! Note that this location is cash only - I will make sure I've got enough $$ in my pocket at all times during future visits so I can fill my Nookies cravings. Until then, I'll be dreaming about those beautiful fluffy egg white omelets... thanks Nookies and sweet dreams!
(5)
Carolyn K.
Service was great. The place was fairly empty, but our waiter was fantastic. This is the second time I have been here and my food has been excellent both times. I had the crepes, which were tasty. My companions each had the chorizo huevos rancheros and enjoy it.
(4)
Ronda T.
Excellent breakfast and we went for a quick dinner burger as well. Great service,had to wait 5 min for a table but the vegetarian omelette was superb and I am not a vegetarian but felt like a healthy veg hit. The serves are generous and coffee good.
(5)
Smark B.
Carrot cake French toast, lemon and poppy pancakes and plum pudding cakes make brunch all the more interesting. It may not look like much but the food is great and really good value.
(5)
Michael O.
This place is packed at 10am when I arrive! A rather good sign, considering Chicagoeans know their brunch places. Service here is moderate at best - my server seems pretty stuck up. When I tried to ask for recommendations, she did not offer anything at all (by claiming "everything here is good"). Since this is my first time here, I'm not even sure if she is correct. One thing for sure - freshly squeezed OJ is great! Breakfast was moderate - not sure what's the hype about this place. I won't want to go in a group here because the line's pretty long and the food's alright. Maybe another visit (and another waitress) might change my opinion?
(3)
Gabe K.
I went to Nookies last week for lunch with some friends. There was about a half hour wait, but it was a nice day so we didn't mind and a line is usually a good sign about a restaurant's credibility. I got the huevos rancheros which was $6.45 and was delicious. Came with a large tortilla, rice, beans, cheese, eggs, and sour cream. Two of my friends ordered the monterey chicken sandwiches with the potato chip/fries; if you're struggling to decide, I'd recommend the monterey chicken sandwich. Another friend got the southwestern omelette which turned out to be a bad decision. The avocado dollop on top of the omelette was too creamy and tasted strange and the omelette itself had way too much cheese. It was literally half pepperjack cheese. Recommended. Not quite 5 stars, but definitely worth every one of the 4 stars I'm giving it.
(4)
Dee C.
Had breakfast here until I waited for my spa appt at Avanti. I ordered the three crepes: blueberry, strawberry, and the cream cheese. The strawberry and blueberries were fresh which was refreshing. The cream cheese was great. The only problem with the fresh fruit is that it is hard to eat. It's like eating just blueberries and strawberries, but nonetheless, I still had a great breakfast. I went on a Tuesday so service was fast, the waitress was nice, food was good, prices were right, but parking is all metered parking around the area and I can't imagine getting a spot during the weekend when it gets busy. I think they have a sister restaurant too and I will return for some more yummy breakfast!
(4)
Kay-tee O.
Saw this restaurant on a blog and we decided to try it after we landed in Chicago. We were there on a Friday morning around 830-9am. The service was prompt, and the food was great. I ordered the chili-avocado frittata and it was excellent. If I lived locally I'd be back often. As it is if I return to Chicago I'll be visiting one of the restaurants for breakfast
(5)
Garrett F.
I love pancakes! and Nookies does them extremely well. There Omelets are great too...Whenever up in in Lincoln Park you better believe that i am coming here. My all time favorite thing is small diner's and Nookies fits my definition perfectly
(5)
Daniel C.
Our favorite Saturday morning brunch restaurant. Great tasting healthy food with very friendly service. Wait times to get in can be a bit long, but there's a really nice outdoor space to wait in, so not a big deal.
(5)
D F.
Not only is the food consistently tasty, its also friendly on the price. Food is seriously the best hangover/morning meeting place/old friends rendezvous, well you get the picture. This location is consistently busy and consistently good. What else could you ask for. Things to try: Ernesto's Chilaquiles Any of the skillets Crepes Never have had lunch here, but benefit of the doubt its probably really tasty!!
(5)
Adriana L.
As an avid Yolk diner I almost feel like I'm cheating even writing this review (sorry Yolk) and yet I have to do it; I feel compelled. I went to Nookies with a friend a few weeks ago and was in the mood for blueberry pancakes. Being the healthy foodie I am I ordered the multigrain blueberry pancakes and a cup of coffee without knowing I would shortly arrive in what would soon become my food heaven here in Chicago. You breakfast/brunch addicts and junkies know what I mean. Out they came with blueberries on top, and in the middle - just like I like them. And the multigrain batter was perfectly seasoned with this surprise of cinnamon that left a perfect flavor on my tongue making me crave the next bite. The middle of each bite was somehow soft and almost gooey yet still cooked...I kept eating until I was nearly sick to my stomach they were so good. Here comes the dilemma...I am now addicted. I have to have blueberry pancakes all the time for breakfast and I'm trying to recreate their yummy multigrain recipe at home (I don't cook - it's not pretty people) and to top it off, blueberries are out of season - it's heartbreaking. Where does that leave me (and us)...I've now become addicted to Nookies and their multigrain blueberry pancakes! Oh yeah, my dining companion ordered an omelette and loved it although he was somewhat distracted by my nearly orgasmic experience across the table.
(4)
Max M.
So this is where the yuppies eat breakfast in Chicago. If we were in LA, this would attract the young Santa Monica crowd. I kid. I kid. Seriously, I really enjoy coming here with the gf for weekend breakfast---especially in the summa time. Just head to the farmer's market across the street and walk off the egg white omelette or whole wheat pancakes along Lake Michigan. The food is respectable. But I really dig the neighborhood and vibe. Go early. It gets really crowded on weekends.
(4)
K B.
Went here for brunch and was very disappointed. Tried the special, was a "Trout - Egg Scramble." The flavors did not mesh, and I hardly ate it. The best part of my meal was the toast I ordered on the side. On the other hand, the orange juice was really good.
(2)
Al C.
UPDATE: i originally gave this place 4 stars, but i'm downgrading to 3. i've been here 2 more times since my review and each time they were horribly understaffed for weekday dinner crowd. There were 2 couples sitting next to us who were so freegin' steamed because their food hadn't come out yet and they had been waiting forever. The food is still pretty good and i love the convenience, but the service is spotty. Just moved to chicago and am soooooo happy to have found that i live a stone's throw away from NOOKIES! this is one of those comfy, solid homecookin' kinda places that everyone wishes they could live within stumbling outta bed distance. It's perfect. the food is tasty and it's just is the perfect neighborhood place for any meal. LOVE IT!
(3)
G T.
Good stuff. Kid friendly early.
(4)
Shelley K.
So nice and lovely Greek owners! Defo go back. Portions huge - buy breakfast and you get to take home lunch too!
(4)
Marie B.
So, my co-worker suggested we meet here for a working meeting...omelets & home fries are great brain food, didn't you know? Anyway, she is a walking encyclopedia of restaurants in the city, so I deferred to her opinion. I was not disappointed. The service was good, although the restaurant was rather crowded, it wasn't noisy...not something you can say about alot of places anymore (when did we all start talking so loud!?). At any rate, the food was very plentiful. I had this huge, huge omelet that was stuffed with yummy fresh veggies. It came with a large side of home fries (my favs) and toast. Although my co-worker is a bit of a health/diet freak, I ignored her scowls and ate at least half of everything (which was no mean feat!). Overall a good place for breakfast/brunch. The only drawback: Attempted to go back on another day and could not find parking...anywhere!?
(4)
Elizabeth S.
Once again YELPERS were great HELPERS! First went to Toast (it was 2 PM on Saturday afternoon). Walked in the door where there were 3 people waiting and the hostess immediately said "It will be an hour. . " According to other reviews, this is obviously a standard response. Walked over to Nookies. Greeted by a lovely and funny woman, who immediately seated the 3 of us in a window booth - SCORE! Food was great (LOTS of it), service was EXCELLENT - our server was sweet, nice, and really attentive when we needed it but never made us feel like we needed to hurry at all. I wanted to go back on Sunday but alas- we needed to try out somewhere else to complete our weekend!
(5)
Sopla R.
This was our 2nd time here and probably last. The breakfasts' are decent here. Portions are huge and service is OK. However, we stopped in for a late lunch last week and it was really just so-so. I had the roast chicken and veggies and mash pots.. well the chicken was good.. but the veggies were WAY undercooked (an no.. not even remotely al dente) the potatoes were ice cold in the middle.. which means.. that they were not properly heated up (as in slowly) I tasted my SO' s food and the fries were lukewarm as well.. so timing is an issue here.. bringing the food up at the same time not putting it up at different times in the window) I thought I had recalled that it was much better than it was....and I think really the only reason to come here again would be for breakfast but actually there are SO many 4 & 5 star breakfast places to go to (that are same prices or less) there's really NO reason to come back.. PS..tell your waitstaff, bussers etc.. not to pick up glasses by the rim! It's SO tacky and SO unprofessional.. even for a casual place like this.. service 101.
(2)
Cecilia T.
My running club has come here a few times on Saturdays around 11 after our runs, so we're starving and want warm yummy food. Despite the size of our group, we're able to find seats with little wait time. Their menu selection is large and varied so youc an pretty much find what you want and the portions are very large. At our last outing, I ordered their French Toast and finished only a third of my meal! Their coffee is pretty good here as well.
(3)
S. Brian F.
Great neighborhood Resturant. These people really take of you. Great food, great service. Very friendly .
(5)
Colleen C.
Okay. I'm a huge fan of the occasional trip to Nookie's for nice diner food in Boystown. But this one...Seriously? In a nutshell: awful service, rude waitstaff and management. Here's what happened... I walked in after a dentist appointment (yuck) for a salad and a nice read all to myself. Well, this didn't exactly happen. For one, it took FIVE MINUTES to wait to be seated...and then, I wasn't seated. See, after waiting that whole time, NO ONE even LOOKED at me or bothered to say, "Someone will be right with you," or "Can I help you?" It was NOT crowded. At all. So, I figured, maybe I'm expected to seat myself? Doesn't seem like it, cuz I know how the other Nookie's works (see: someone at the counter ready to seat you immediately), but I think, "Whatever, who knows," and seat myself. It became apparent that I was NOT supposed to do this, as every waiter and bus boy walked right past me paying me no attention / not knowing how I got there. So FINALLY, after 10 minutes, some waitress says something to the manager guy at the counter, clearly pointing at me. He shook his head and said something. She turns to me and says, "Excuse me, do you need a menu?" I said I did. With that, she turns around and storms off to the front, shaking her head and throwing her hands up in the air in annoyance. At me. As if I wouldn't see this? Then she hands me the menu and, in a fake-nice voice, but loud enough for everyone to hear, says, "Next time, just make sure you check in at the counter, okay?" I responded, "Yeah, well no one helped me for five minutes so..." And she WALKED AWAY as if I hadn't said anything. I should've left. But i was starving and already there. So I stayed and ordered my salad. The rude waitress decided she should be nice to me from then on out, clearly remembering that she needed a decent tip at the end of all this. (Which, she did not receive nor deserve.) I must say, I've never felt like such a nuisance to a waiter or waitress like this until the Old Town Nookie's. And all because I got confused by the lack of attention to be seated, and assumed I might need to seat myself. So, I will NOT be going back to this location. Ever. Very rude and unprofessional. If I have a craving for Nookie's next time, I'll make sure it's at the Boystown one, where they actually, you know, SEAT you in a decent amount of time and are kind to you.
(1)
Nathan M.
Recently moving from San Francisco, I was eager to find some local eats beyond the misery of Denny's & IHOP. I fell upon Nookies this last Saturday & thoroughly enjoyed it. Although the atmosphere was a bit bland...the food was far from it. While there, I enjoyed one of their many omelets filled to the brim with fresh spinach, crispy bacon and melted cheddar cheese. It was delicious. Pared with a hearty batch of hash browns (a little underdone for my taste) and choice of bread; my stomach was fully satisfied upon leaving. This seemingly retro diner has a quaint feel & a warm staff that made the experience overall enjoyable. I suspect that I will be back soon.
(4)
Penelope S.
I love their fresh squeezed orange juice!! The food was awesome and the host made my children feel so special! Great music and great wait staff!
(5)
Jesse S.
I've been to this Nookies two or three times, and have been consistently whelmed by just about everything--quality of food, quality of service, decor, other customers, other customers' orders, and so on. Word on the street is, that you got a weakness for breakfast food items, and well, I'll be damned if that's not true, but wouldn't you know it, I don't think I've ever actually had breakfast/brunch here, and, well, if I did, it was one time (that "or 3"rd time) and it wasn't very notable. Otherwise I've had the sandwiches. Pretty sweet if you like sandwiches with shit piled on top of 'em. For example, when I went last week, I got a tuna melt. That's right, tuna on english muffins with tomato slices and some nuclear orange cheese melted on the top. It was pretty good--the tuna's real mayonnaisey if you're into that. I usually prefer a drier tuna. Because I'm weird. The fucked up thing is, though, that I could barely eat any of the GD sandwich because I had a bowl of split pea soup that preceded it. NOW IS THE TIME WHEN WE DISCUSS THE MAJESTY OF THE SOUP. Seriously, this split pea soup was thick, creamylicious, hammy, oh my oh my oh tasty good. On its surface floated big as hell sourdough croutons, nary a sogged by the viscosity of their home waters. The croutons were buttery, a bit garlicky, basically fucking incredible. And the soup, oh, heavens, the soup. I tell you, I have never had it taken out of me so bad from a bowl of soup before. I'm a huge fan of soup, and it usually sates me, but, like, Campbell's doesn't cut it unless you also--in addition--hook up some cheese and crackers with that bitch. Now, the type of cheese and the type of cracker are HIGHLY context specific with respect to the particular soup, but their copresence is near mandatory, in my soup consumption book. But I'll be damned if this split pea didn't get a full fucking pass with crusty croutons alone. And then I was too full to eat my sandwich. THANKS NOOKIES FOR FEEDING ME THIS SOUP IT IS THE SOUP OF HEAVENLY DELICIOUS DELIGHTS BUT NOW I HAVE TO TAKE THIS SANDWICH HOME AND I HAVE TO BE ONE OF "THOSE PEOPLE" TAKING HOME TAKEOUT CONTAINERS OF STINKY FOOD ON THE EL AND EVERYONE EVERYWHERE PRETTY MUCH IS 100% SURE THEY KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN EATING AND THEY'RE JUDGING ME FOR IT. Thanks a lot. And what the hell is with those slices of potatoes you pretend to pass off as french fries? That shit's like trying to call a sow's ear a fuckin' silk purse. (2 stars on an everyday, 3 for the soup.)
(3)
ZZ K.
This spot located in Old Town is simply put...AWESOME!! The wait is often long when you go during prime time eating hours (usually breakfast), and even worse in the summer (they do have some outdoor seating). It is all worth the wait to eat here and the service is good - they always greet you with a smile. My boyfriend and I walk here (40 minutes) and grab breakfast and or lunch often. Its worth it and we get a chance to prepare for the mound of calories we intake...well worth it!! They have great breakfast dishes, which have not compared with any other breakfast place (maybe Wishbone) that I have been to in the city...really. They are better than Toast, Orange, Le Peep, Lou Mitchel's...I can go on, but I'll spare you! They have some creative seasonal menu items including AMAZING stuffed french toast in the summer, which I highly recommend and great egg dishes. Even their salads and burgers are fantastic! Their portions are large and the prices are well worth the quality and quantity you get. It's a great spot for a large or small group and we never feel rushed. They take good care of you and will make sure you get exactly what you want. Please note that parking is a pain around here!
(5)
Brenna M.
My parents are visiting for Father's Day weekend, we wanted to get brunch on Sunday morning, but my Dad's not really a "foofy" brunch kind of guy. Aka, he'd take a greasy spoon diner over Toast, any day of the week. So, Nookies seemed like the closest thing to a Diner I could find in Old Town. We sat down at 10am, with no wait. The service was prompt, and our expectations were...honestly we had no expectations. So let me tell you we were BLOWN AWAY by the food. I had the roasted veggie open face frittatta, and the eggs were fluffy and the veggies fresh and full of the grilled smokiness. The summer specials were incredible too. Do me a favor and get the Trio of: berry french toast, peach/cocunt hotcakes, and almondy pancakes. We split it among the 4 of us, and they were all so yummy! You'll have food to go. Learn to love leftovers, I'm eating mine right now :)
(5)
Billy B.
Look, I know that people really like Nookies but I am not entirely certain they have eaten good breakfast before. Sure, Nookies is good for an average breakfast that costs $12-14 with coffee. If you want really good food and atmosphere this aint your place. Instead, trade up and go to Tavern, stay in the same price range and go to Yolk, check around the corner at Toast (typically a wait), or go to Bar-Ba-Reeba. My point is really that all restaurants cant be 4-5 stars and there are much better options than Nookies. Will I go back? Sure, but I certainly have experienced better.
(2)
Alex H.
I consider myself lucky that I live close enough to Nookie's to make it my brunch standby. There's nothing I haven't enjoyed. And as though the great fare and warm service isn't enough, its BYOB. Yep, Korbel mimosas all the way! Unfortunately the secret's out (was it ever in?) so be prepared to wait on Saturdays and Sundays.
(4)
Anna P.
Same good food and service as the other locations (larger than Lincoln Park location, which is nice). I like this place because it has great brunch options (especially love the omelettes) and actually some great lunch options as well (the turkey burgers, which are usually tough to nail down, are surprisingly good), which can be tough at a brunch place.
(3)
Rebecca H.
Great breakfast spot. Healthy and greasy options so me and my SO don't argue. You could pay more at a crappy diner on any other corner in Chicago and miss out. The name is "Nookies." That alone would win me over for at least one visit! But I'll keep coming back and you should, too. They even honored my NPR Membership card without complaint.
(4)
Amy D.
Very disappointing experience at Nookies with just ok food and horrible customer service from management. There are too many great spots in this city to waste time going to this location. If you're in the Old Town neighborhood, head over to Elly's for great food that comes along with a better managed restaurant including excellent customer service and a friendly staff.
(1)
Marlene S.
Wish there was a Nookies in my neighborhood so that I could try everything on the menu. Went to the Wells St. location for the first time on a Saturday around 1 pm. Very short wait. Decided on the apple cranberry crunch pancakes. Yummy! Took half of my daughter's chicken salad sandwich home for dinner (portions are big and it came w/soup) and it was delicious. Nice variety of items on the menu - eggs, crepes, pasta, salads, burgers, and even pork chops. Their motto is "fresh and friendly" and that was true for me.
(4)
Alayna H.
Nookies is probably my second favorite breakfast place in the city...Cornerstone holds the #1 spot, they don't have the same variety, but they're walking distance from my place and the service is as good as it gets. Anyhow, back to Nookies...sometimes there's a bit of a wait in the AM, but it is SO worth it. They have a great variety of egg dishes, and any omelette that your little heart could possibly desire. Also got the crepes here once and they were amazing as well. I normally come for breakfast/brunch, but I came for lunch once and got the rueben, I do NOT recommend it, the meat was hard and slightly scary looking, and tasted like leftovers from a week ago. That being said, that was my only bad experience and not worthy of knocking the review down any stars when compared to all of my other experiences here. I now know that if I'm craving a reuben, Jason's Deli is the place to go, not Nookies. Also, it's BYOB, one morning I saw a very clever group of people making mimosas...I'm defintely following their lead the next time I head to Nookies.
(5)
Stephanie K.
Sweaty and hungry, my friend and I wandered into Nookies after the Run for the Zoo 10K. Although I've never been to this location, I'm familiar with the Nookies organization and thought it would be the perfect diner-type breakfast as an after-race reward. I tried the Gouda, Egg, Shroom & Spinach sandwich, which was great. I'm sorta picky about my omelettes, and usually walk out disappointed or wishing I had chosen something different. However, Nookies is pretty darn consistent with their menu. Everything I've ever ordered - or tasted off another's plate - has always been tasty, satisfying and the perfect amount of grub to satisfy a grumbling tummy. Note: One star lost for cash-only.
(3)
Kelly K.
I lived around the corner from this place for a while and I always wished it was open for dinner during the week! The brunch is fantastic- even when I stray from my usual selection of an omelet, I've never been disappointed. The salads are also delish and they have a great $5ish special where you can get a blt with soup. Yum!
(4)
Madelyn H.
nookies looks like a typical diner inside - but the food i had was not typical. i had one of the specials - the parisian benedict - and it was delish. it was on brioche instead of english muffin and was topped with asparagus and truffle oil. there is always a wait involved but seems like that's par for the course for brunch. if you need brunch in this area, it's a really good option.
(4)
Natalie F.
nice place for breakfast, but our croissant was not as soft and fluffy as we hoped it would be
(4)
J S.
Rock on. Awesome food crappy parking. Park at pipers alley (second city) and walk.
(4)
Annie S.
I love eating at Nookies. I'm not giving it 5 stars because the wait is almost always really long and it's very annoying that they don't take credit cards. Ugh. Ok so the food here is really good and pretty cheap. This is a diner so they have almost everything anyone could want. From breakfast food (eggs, skillets, breakfast burritos, pancakes, omelettes), then salads, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, pasta, etc etc etc. The food is always hot and taste really good. My favorites: Multigrain Pancakes (always get them with fruit and yogurt) Crunchy French Toast (really good!) I would recommend coming here even though parking can be a real hassle.
(4)
Tammy Q.
After my mediocre experience at M. Henry, I was a little hesitant to try Nookies, even though the reviews were good. I came here this weekend with two friends and we basically tore everything up. I had the ham and gouda croissant and it was yummy and flavorful. I like my hash browns to be a little crispy on the outside-- and can never seem to get it that way unless I make it myself. Nookies hit the spot -- perfectly made. We also ordered the trio of sweet pancakes and the Napoleon is the one that stands out for me. Warm French toast covered in sweet cornflakes and stuffed with ripes strawberries and a yogurt-y substance -- who would have known it would be so good!?! It was -- everyone must try that!! The pineapple upside down pancake tasted just like its cake ancestor. The banana/toffee pancake was a little too sweet for my tooth (the horror!) Service is swift here! The food came out in less than 10 mins and coffee service definitely made its round around us!
(4)
Shawn Z.
Love the omlet, wild blue. I'm. sucker for good cheese. Great food, good price
(4)
scott s.
Hey We dont accept Credit Cards Our food isnt too good either
(2)
Lauren G.
So far I've had some of the seasonal specials (caramelized pear crunchy french toast & ginger pumpkin pancakes) and only their breakfast food, but their fare is beyond delicious. The orange juice, though the color might throw you off, is fresh and highly recommended. The atmosphere is subdued and yet homey, in a modern sort of way (more so for the one on Halsted than this one though). Quick service, extremely reasonable prices (especially for the area). My only gripe is in regards to the portion size. I would like a smaller option as I've no desire to reheat french toast at a later time after it's been soaking in syrup, and I don't want to waste food either --it makes me feel even more privileged and guilty, as if stuffing my face with gourmet breakfast food wasn't enough.
(5)
Jessica D.
Holy Mother of taste buds! I had one of the top 10 meals of my Chicago life here today. My boyfriend and I shared our dishes. The seasonal specials including an omelet with mustard greens, sweet potatoes, ham, peppers. The tang of the greens mixed with the sweet of the yams and the saltiness of the ham was unbelievable. On top of that, we had a sampler of the seasonal pancake/french toast items. The flapjacks were moist, creamy pumpkin pancakes with roasted pecans. The pecans were toasted and mildly charred for a delicious burnt sweet taste. The french toast was good had incredibly fresh spiced apples and struesel cumblies. Oh, and their orange juice was the best fresh squeezed I've ever tried- EVER.
(5)
Katie G.
Oh Nookies, I owe many a drunken night and sickly mornings to you. You have been there for me always delivering delicious breakfast, soup, or burgers. You are by far the best diner type place in the neighborhood. Always open and always satisfying. Definitely 4 stars in my book. Even better: TRY THE BRYN MAWR LOCATION.
(4)
Erika G.
The original Nookies. I had a boyfriend, back in the day, that was obsessed, OBSESSED with this place. Every time he'd visit me in Chicago, we'd go here. The breakfasts are very good, really, but not worthy of an obsession.
(3)
Lauren H.
A wonderful place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!!! Prices are perfect and you can always find whatever you are craving at the time on the menu and you won't be disappointed. I have lived in Chicago my whole life and I have been eating here since I was 5 years old and I am 28 now.
(5)
jenn m.
Super cute little corner restaurant. It definitely has that "homey" feeling. The staff are very nice and accommodating. You certainly see a lot of regulars here. We like to sit at the little bar area and read our newspapers and drink coffee. The menu is pretty standard when it comes to breakfast affairs, but I do enjoy it. Eggs, bacon, coffee. That'll get er done. ;)
(4)
Christina D.
I had a great dining experience at Nookies! It's an awesome, no-frills diner with a cozy atmosphere, nice staff and pleasant music. Oh and the food is pretty great as well! Nothing revolutionary but there's no need to be groundbreaking in order to be awesome.
(4)
Meghan G.
Still love Nookies- just simple fresh diner food for dinner and lunch, amazing treats for brunch! It is BYOB, and they DO take cards now, so stop by and enjoy!
(4)
Caroline M.
Strolled by the venerable Nookies a few times before I actually ate here. Every morning on the weekend there is a good crowd of people lingering outside the door. The place has a great family diner feel to it with a bit of a sophisticated edge. As for the food, I fell in love with the croissant french toast (w/ vanilla mascarpone cream and strawberries), a marvelous breakfast special they have in the spring(perhaps best eaten as some sort of special occasion or celebration -it is definately a sweet treat!). Frittattas, omelettes and eggs are consistently good as well.
(5)
Huey K.
For such a long wait, I wasn't impressed. The food here *looked* great, but I was really disappointed with my bacon, chicken, and cheese frittata. Although the eggs were cooked well, it was way too cheesy.
(2)
Patricia K.
This place feels somewhat tucked away despite its Wells St address. The wait on a weekend morning is rough. During the summer, it is made bearable by the ability to wonder around outside while waiting for your table. However, in the winter months, you are caught crammed in the front area with nowhere to sit during your long wait. Their menu changes seasonally, which always made each cruise of the menu feel like your first time there. I am a particular fan of the Croissant French Toast Napoleon in the spring.
(4)
Meghan H.
This is my favorite spot for Sunday brunch. I often go with a good book and sit at the counter. They have a huge menu and I think it is comfort food. I love it - an easy go-to morning diner.
(4)
Stephen Z.
Nice little place to grab a latte before a walk down wells
(4)
Brandi T.
Hmmm. I was less than impressed with this place to put it nicely. We only had to wait around 18 minutes, which was probably too long considering the food. First off, everybody felt their food was under seasoned. Isn't that the number one sin when cooking? Season your food! The hash browns were alright, although a bit on the oily side. I had crepes and they were pretty dry and more like thin pancakes then true crepes. My husband felt pretty positive that all the vegetables in his breakfast came from a can. Service was so-so. Atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired. Had the food been great, the atmosphere would have been fine, but it's just humdrum. Meh. Oh yeah.. AND they don't accept credit cards. Who doesn't accept credit cards nowadays?
(2)
Kevin S.
We got seated right away on a Saturday afternoon but we had to wait for probably around 20+ minutes for anyone to even approach our table. The portions were enormous and were decent tasting, but I like my omelets to have that oily or buttery quality to it. These omelets tasted like they were cooked with no grease, or baked or something. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, I'm sure it's much more healthy and lots of people like it better that way, but it's not for me. The ingredients all tasted really really fresh. The orange juice was delicious and perhaps the best I have ever had. If I'm in the area I would consider coming back.
(3)
Rick E.
For those lucky enough to visit New Jersey and indulge in the Diner gastronomic experience, Nookies in Chicago will renew your hope that good food, lots of choices and great service without paying five-star fine dining prices still exist outside the Garden State. After finally visiting the Lincoln Park Zoo (Free admission! Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!) we ran across Nookies on Wells and couldn't have been more pleased with our experience. Not only were the sandwiches we ordered delicious, the ones we saw on other patron's plates made me want to swipe a bite. Lots of young professional couples in their non-office casual wear gazing deeply in each other's eyes gave one the perfect opportunity-but I was raised better than that. Suffice to say this place is goooood. Great looking food, better looking waiters, fast and friendly service. What else is there?
(4)
Kassie C.
Great menu. My boyfriend and I both got omlettes and loved them. Service was excellent. We will be going back soon :)
(4)
Christopher D.
Awesome food every time. Doesn't hurt that my favorite is breakfast.
(5)
Jessica S.
Having walked by it a dozen times, I finally stopped in this morning/early afternoon for brunch with a friend. Seeing as how it was a Tuesday morning we were sat right away (it was too hot for outside so we ate in). I opted for the above the border omelet (Canadian bacon, apples and cheddar) with the fruit and an orange juice to drink. The orange juice was very good, I'm guessing very fresh as well since I found seeds in mine ;) My friend went with the tuna salad in an avocado (which they peeled so it was easy to eat) and ice tea. He wasn't a fan of the ice tea. Other than that no complaints. The menu is rather large so I might have to come back and try something else another day.
(4)
Norman C.
I had the smokehouse fritada which was incredible! I enjoyed every bite and that was definitely worth the wait. Unfortunately, almost everything else was a drag. First, the wait - I realize it's a weekend around 11:30 so that's my fault, but the 30 minutes to get our food after we ordered was a bit crazy. I ordered an iced coffee which along with their coffee is pretty pathetic. The iced coffee looked like iced tea but our server replaced it with a hot cup of almost as watery coffee. Oh well. Lastly, my wife ordered the chicken salad which wasn't that tasty! The chicken should have been grilled instead it was poached and flavorless.
(3)
Jaime S.
Really delicious seasonal specials. The lines are quite long, but they give you a realistic wait time right when you walk in and put your name down. Not great for groups as the seating seems like everything is meant for 4 or 6 max.
(3)
L E.
At least 100 visits here (I lived across the street 4 years), during all days of the week & hours of the day, I regretfully boycotted Nookies many many times over & over again. 2 stars for menu options & staff friendliness. Zero stars for drastically declining food quality over the years. Being masochistic & returning ONE LAST TIME (every time) to give Nookies another shot is just plain self-destructive & abusive. The omelets are always wet, undercooked, & halfway raw (as are the "hashbrown" aka microwaved raw potatoes) & swimming on a plate of greasy water. The cottage "fries" are either burnt char, like chewing a plank of deadwood, or a dead wringer for "hashbrowns" & raw potatoes nuked in microwave. Medium-cooked hamburgers are ALWAYS well done, needing a vat of ketchup or sloppy toppings to choke them down like a bucket of peanut butter blobbed in your throat. The waitress, god love her 2 braincells, always giggled how "thirsty" I am every visit, drinking 3 pitchers of water & hot tea. No, ya twot..... I am hoping this beef-jerky overcooked cow will dissolve enough for digestion!! Hence the plate of lemons to break down the rotting meat in my gullet. Note to self: McDonalds and Subway are 2 blocks down the street and comparable in quality for 1/5th the price. Or, there's always Walgreens for a protein bar & Diet Mountain Dew. At least I won't be nauseous & sorely disappointed by my 20th, 50th, & 90th repeat offense visits.
(2)
Shane H.
Always up for a spot of Nookie! I had been to Nookies Too on Halsted so I knew that the original must be very comparable. And it did not disappoint! Surprisingly, the wait was considerably shorter than at N2. Perhaps its because they are not in a high shopping traffic area. And hey, that is great with me. It is just less time that I have to wait for my mountain of a Sundae-esque breakfast. Full of gooey goodness and whipped cream. I felt like putting a sparkler in it and singing happy birthday to myself. Ohhhhh the sweetness! You must go now. Why are you still reading this?! I said go. GO!!!
(5)
Steve L.
My biggest problem with a restaurant after terrible service is inconsistency in dining experience. If a place is mediocre 10 times out of 10, that's fine because I expect mediocrity. If a place is awesome my first time and all over the spectrum for the rest of my experiences, you're not going to be my first choice of restaurant. I don't want to play a guessing game. Point being, the food at Nookies is better on the weekends. There is no doubt about it. If I've been to nookies 10 times, twice have been weekends and the food quality is LEAGUES better on a Sunday for brunch. Yes, a Reuben on a Tuesday is worse than a Reuben on a Sunday. It's not terrible on a Tuesday, it's just better on a Sunday. Don't do that, please. Just be consistent! That said, I've never had a BAD meal at Nookies. The service is always courteous as well, but on a weekday lunch you may be waiting a bit for a drink refill. If you're going to go, make it a weekend and be prepared to brave a wait.
(3)
Abby D.
Always a short wait, but it's worth it. The portions are huge and will likely feed two mouths.
(5)
Eitan S.
Gigantic portioned plates, with a decent price to match. Definitely doesnt worth the wait... esp' when you consider the quality isnt top-notch. I've never understood whats all the fuzz about. I agree it might be a good deal, money wise. but i'm not eating in order to get the best deal, i'm eating in order to indulge myself. its always busy, always crowded, and i rather start my weekends elsewhere.
(2)
Blair B.
Awesome place ! I hear a lot of complaints about the wait here, but honestly if you'd get yourself out of bed before 10 AM there is no wait. I showed up at 9:30 AM for a party of 3.. sat down right away.. so there you have it, there isn't always a wait here! I tried the summer trio (mango pancakes, berry french toast, and peach/berry pancakes).. YUM.. also tried a frittata with mushrooms, bacon, and gouda cheese... also delicious. Service was good, coffee was constantly refilled.. prices were great. If you are looking for a solid diner with an expanded menu of interesting choices, I can't recommend this place enough.
(4)
Sonal M.
Amazing. Although there was a bit of a wait to eat here, it was completely worth it. I tried two items on their spring seasonal menu. The first was an omelette and the second, an AWESOME french toast dish. The french toast was probably the best I've had anywhere. French toast, strawberries, and a whipped cream sauce and huge proportions too! I'm definitely taking any friend who visits to this joint. Love it! Nookies, you're my fav.
(5)
Jayson F.
1. The food - They have a great kids menu & my two daughters loved their p.b.j. with the crust already taken off. That was a nice touch that you don't always get. The chili is very delicious. Don't order it if you don't like spicy. Their fries were too soggy for my taste. I like them crispy and these were more like warm, slightly fried potato crisps. My wife and I split a cheeseburger. Between the cups of chili and the cheeseburger, we were more than full. 2. The service - The waitress was not very friendly. However, she kept our drinks refilled constantly (for free) and made sure that the cheeseburger that my wife and I split each had its own plate with stuff on the side. 3. The atmosphere - I think they're going for upscale diner. Its the only diner I've seen with granite counter tops. However, the place is VERY kid friendly, and I appreciate that. It is just a short walk from the Lincoln Park Zoo which is a plus if you're out at the zoo with your family.
(4)
Gigi L.
I work in the neighborhood and whenever I make lunch plans with someone at the office, I totally suggest this place. I really like it! Portions are plentiful and everything is fresh. I am stuck in the Greek omelet rut, but someday I will bust out and try other things. Seriously, it's delicious and popular, and a great place to go to grab something before or after the movies at Piper's Alley, or breakfast anytime.
(4)
Katelyn C.
ultimate hangover cure.
(4)
Lesley S.
What I had at Nookie's was good, but I totally regretted my order as soon as I saw what the guy next to me was eating. I ordered an omelet with cheddar, bacon and spinach. Tasty, but an omelet is an omelet. The guy next to me ordered the special french toast- it looked like it was coated in some type of crunchy cereal and layered with berries and marscapone cheese. I couldn't take my eyes off his plate. So my suggestion: order off the specials menu- they have some more interesting items and the pricing is the same as most of the other items. The whole menu looked delicious though, I had a really hard time choosing my meal! Downside- long waits on weekends. If you're just with one other person try sitting at the breakfast bar like I did.
(4)
Aileen O.
I'm always on the hunt for good brunch places. Since I've moved to Chicago, I've been constantly amazed at the number of breakfast and brunch places this city has. And since breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, I always look forward to the weekends when I get to try a new breakfast spot. My mom and aunt came to visit me in my new digs. I brought them to Nookies after reading such positive reviews. It's super close to my apartment so the drive was not very bad (and of course - less chance for me to get lost!). Plus, it's proximity to the farmer's market had me sold (my mom and I are big farmer's market lovers). Standouts were the silver dollar pancakes with mangoes (seasonal special) and the mixed berry pancakes. The pancakes were light, fluffy, and didn't feel like rocks in my tummy. The sweet fruits complemented them well. Even though the place was buzzing on that Saturday morning, our server was very attentive. She often came by to refill my coffee cup! We were very satisfied with our breakfast experience. Great food and staff. The wait can be a drag, but it flies by. Grab one of the newspapers outside and take a seat in one of their outdoor chairs. Or if it's really bad on a Saturday, head over to the farmer's market to kill some time.
(4)
Susannah H.
FALL Pumpkin flapjacks. Creamy spicy pumpkin-y goodness topped with some type of carmelized nut. Holy crap. SPRING Croissant French Toast Napolean Flattened corn-flake dipped croissants delicately balanced atop dollops of marscapone with fresh strawberries on top. LISTEN UP. I know the big menu has a lots of pretty, shiny-looking foods, but take the tiny one with "seasonal specials" printed on it. Otherwise you will leave foodgasmless and never come back.
(4)
Joscelyn M.
I really don't get the crazy appeal that draws HERDS of people so early on a weekend. Don't get me wrong - the food isn't bad, but it's just standard breakfast food. Really?
(2)
Christine M.
I really like this place. I moved here from Ohio a few months ago and this is the best breakfast spot that I've found so far. I saw on here that the crepes were good so I ordered them. I didn't really love them like other yelpers have, but the cream filled ones were pretty good. I had the Huevos Con Chorizo and it was TO DIE FOR. I've seriously never had better Mexican-style breakfast food. Absolute must try. You should be advised that it's BYOB. We wanted mimosas, so we had to bring our own campaign. Plus, I love old town and any excuse to venture over there is great to me! It's kind of a happening place too (for a brunch spot); you never know what local celeb or politician you may see!
(4)
Shelly W.
Best part about this place wait was the less than 5-minute wait for a table at 11:30am on a beautiful Sunday morning. It was pretty busy inside and all of the tables outdoor were full, so I was pleasantly surprised to be seated almost immediately. Service was great, the menu was huge and I loved that they had about 8 items on a seasonal menu. I really enjoyed my meal too - I'd gladly go back.
(4)
Kurt O.
It bothers me that this place does not accept credit cards. It's in the middle of Old Town. The ability to use a credit card is part of the service that customers expect in the 21st century. Locals don't care because it's convenient to walk there.....
(3)
Sunshine H.
This place is solid for brunch - big portions, many choices, lots of good food, and great price. Also the service is excellent. I highly recommend it and have been going here for years - it's always consistent.
(4)
Erin V.
I have only been to Nookies for breakfast, so I can't comment on the other meals of the day, but breakfast is pretty reliable. They have lots of choices and all are pretty decent. I don't think I'd travel from another neighborhood in the city to get here (especially if you live by Orange), but if you are in Old Town, it's a good standby choice.
(3)
Jen N.
My parents have been bringing me there since I was a baby and I remember coming here when I was little. It is a great breakfast, brunch, lunch spot. They have enough on the menu so everyone can get what they want from breakfast to dinner food. The potatoes are good, better than your regular hash browns, fresh orange juice, good sized portions. Just a really good place, I've always had good service.
(5)
Jim W.
Nookies is a fabulous spot for brunch all day long! I have been to two of their locations, which are both cute and seem to have the same menu. Their omelettes and fritattas are delicious, but my favorites are the crunchy french toast (french toast covered with corn flakes and honey) and the smoked gouda breakfast sandwich. Also, don't pass up on the orange juice - it is fresh squeezed and without added sugar as far as I can tell.
(5)
Josh M.
Great breakfast place....also gets very crowded on the weekends. There is an older, foreign server who is very rude....wears glasses, never smiles. Not sure what her name is. Other than that...unique take on food.
(4)
George H.
My goto place for omelettes. Too crowed on weekends but decent food.
(3)
karen l.
I loved this place..great coffee, great food..wonderful service...excellent atmosphere...i am naming my first born Nookie!!! Please, if you haven't been..please go!!! and go fast!!!!
(4)
Brianne W.
I have eaten at Nookies so many times and never once had a bad experience. Their fries and their blackened chicken sandwich with mango chutney might be two of the greatest creations on earth. Living right by them is a major perk because we order take out frequently and it never takes more than 15 minutes. They are very accommodating to my picky orders wether I am dining in or taking it to go. I work in the service industry and I see the hard work their staff has to do. No matter what time or what day it is, you are greeted by a smiling face. I feel privileged to share a neighborhood with such a great family-owned establishment.
(5)
Marianne S.
Three for the food. This place is not as warm as the Halsted (LP) one. I'd rather go to the one close to Armitage, at least I get more smiles in there.
(3)
Marie D.
Was very excited about living across the street from a breakfast diner! Keeping in mind I am 9 months pregnant, I went there specially for a milkshake and french fries with my husband. At first I was a little panicked because I did not see milkshakes on their menu, but then I finally saw them so I knew I would be ok. When the waitress came over and I ordered a shake, she said "sorry we don't have milkshakes." I showed her the item on the menu and she said "oh yeah, our machine is broken so we don't have them." WHAA?? This is a diner! Get your freakin machine fixed! ugh. So then I settled for chocolate milk knowing I could have my fries. Well, they weren't fries! They were crunchy potato chip looking things. I have braces and wanted soft, hot fries, but they did not serve them! ugh. Bad afternoon.
(2)
Kimberly S.
LOVE Nookies! Best breakfast in Chicago! I've tried them all, and this place wins. Consistent good food and nice friendly servers. Not the fanciest of places, but the prices don't warrant an expensive build out. I'm a big fan of good food at a great price every time you sit down, and that's what you get here. No surprises! I LOVE Nookies! I've even been for dinner. Shhhh, don't tell anyone. ;)
(5)
J D.
Went here this morning for brunch and the food was perfect! Had the summer vegetable frittata; it was to die for! Seriously, if I had to have one egg dish every sunday for brunch, it would be that. Perfectly cooked with the awesomeness that is feta cheese sprinkled all over. delish! The wait, however, was HORRENDOUS, well over 40 minutes for a table of three. I was a bit dismayed to see plenty of empty tables in the back when we were FINALLY seated. The waitresses looked overworked and understaffed; the bus boys, super great with the water and coffee. Four stars for the food but definitely -1 for the insane wait. I'd go back but only after 2 pm on the weekends.
(3)
Betsy J.
I've ordered about 1/2 the menu here and the only time I really liked what I had was the first time I tried the grilled chicken wrap. I've ordered the same wrap several times since then and each time it's not as good as the first. I guess the first one was a fluke. Everything else I've tried is just ok, except for the spinach pie thing which was so nasty I not only pushed it away after a few bites, I actually got sick just from the smell of it sitting on the table. Now when my friends suggest this place I put up a fight to go elsewhere.
(2)
Corby G.
Not bad, not great. It's billed as a diner, but its really more of a super sterile cafeteria feel. The food was good (eggs benedict and blueberry pancakes). The cakes were light, fluffy and sweet, The benedict was pretty good too. A bit pricey for what you get- we had two entrees and two coffees- with tip is was $35. I woudln't search it out, but nothing here to complain about.
(3)
Kevin B.
Nice quaint little breakfast place. And everything on the menu is delicious. I am a big fan of the spinach artichoke frittata with carmelized onions. But the French toast and pancakes are yummy too. You really can't go wrong. Used to be my favorite restaurant place, but they've gone downhill. Prices are great. I would still recommend for a lazy Sunday brunch.
(4)
Dan H.
I ordered the Wisconsin cheddar burger with sauteed mushrooms. It's literally the best burger I've ever eaten. It is big, juicy, the cheese and mushrooms were the perfect mix of Sharp cheddar and salty mellow shrooms. The fries were crispy and excellent. I can't wait to go here again!!!
(5)
S G.
make sure you have their chili! it's so damn good!
(5)
Greg M.
Nookies I remember the first time we met. It was the day after some hard core booty shaking at Berlin to Madonna. I still had Like A Virgin stuck in my head and that was exactly what I was when you and I first met, a virgin. I walked in still sleepy eyed and you just about instantly woke me up with that first cup of warm in the tummy coffee and your nice smile. I ordered up the french toast piled high with mixed berries. No need for syrup with this little dish. NO MAMA! Oh wait I'm gay, I mean NO DADDY! Every bite was like haven, pure bliss and warmth running down my throat like um something X rated. Nookie honey sweety poo I can't wait till April when we can be reunited once again and you can fill up my tummy with your sweet sweet lovin plate full of naughty food!
(4)
James C.
New Fav for Breakfast in Chi! I am a hands down lover of the french toast! You have to try the crunchy french toast. There are corn flakes mixed in with the batter. Trust me its just amazing! There would be 5 stars but a lot of the breakfasts dont come with the full meal and you have to get sides like bacon and tators extra. Bummer.. but in the end its worth it! Close 2nd place for French Toast is "Toast"
(4)
David D.
Yummy good stuff. Get there before 9AM on weekends so you don't have to wait!
(4)
Chayla B.
Nookies is the best. This is the original (I believe) and it's better than the one in Lincoln Park, I cannot comment on the Lakeview location. Everyone is nice. The omelettes are enormous! So fluffy, so good- I love Amy's omellete. The don't accept AMEX, which sucks when I want to do work stuff there. A great place to bring out of towners. I will say the best brunch in the city. I want Nookies now. I could eat Nookies all day every day. Go to this one, though, the Lincoln Park one isn't as great- not bad, but definitely a trade down from the Wells location.
(5)
Liz B.
Awesome breakfast menu served all day long. Out of the 20+ times I have been, I have only ordered something besides an omelet 2 times. The omelets are so good! There is a wait on weekend mornings, but they are efficient with seating and service. The one time I had horribly slow service, they ended up giving us our meal for free.
(5)
John M.
This is a diner - but what a diner it is! Everything on the menu is wonderful and you are going to just love it. I personally love to come here for dinner as they have a great menu for the evening meal and the service is always good. The Honshu Salmon is exquisite and delicious. They also serve it grilled with you choice of sides and they have great side dishes to choose from. If you are traveling on business and looking for a place where you can get a great meal and spend an arm and a leg, this is your place. I have been to the other Nookies a lot and have only recently been frequentling this one, but they are all outstanding and this one shines.
(5)
lindsay a.
French Toast I adore you!! Went to Nookies in Old Town in Chicago this past weekend and had quite possibly (or very close to it) the best french toast of my life!
(3)
Jonathan C.
I had the opportunity to eat here at about 9am on a sunday morning. It wasn't busy at all, but on my way out there was a small line. The place is nice inside, with nice outdoor seating. Portion size is pretty good (I couldn't finish) and prices resonable. Service was good for me and the Corned Beef Hash i had was amazing 5 star stuff. Granted, the 5 star rating overall was for one plate of hash, so this may decrease in the future. My hash browns were actually crispy (the way I like it)! Its a very nice place and its not hard to see why it has a large following.
(5)
Kate B.
I love breakfast. Its my favorite meal, and its even better when I have it for dinner. That being said, I live right around the corner from Nookies and when I need that homemade breakfast fix and have no desire to make it for myself I eat here. In the summer they have the best frittata ever to cross my palate, its made with fresh vegetables, feta, and I like it with egg whites as its a little fluffier. I have brought many a guest from out of town here, and every time they return, we always end up at Nookies! Plus every time I eat here with my dad he reminisces how he used to eat here in the seventies, and memory lane + a good breakfast is always a good time.
(4)
Kristine M.
Went late morning yesterday, and there was a wait of course, but worth it. I had the "sweet" fall special and was in absolute heaven. Pumpkin pancakes/French toast with pears/and some other kind of hotcakes. YUM. My friends who drank coffee and orange juice loved their beverages. I wish I lived closer!
(5)
Nathan W.
I AM A MONSTER. Men were not meant to eat brunch so often! I must be stopped before I stumble into a mimosa driven state of babbling about croquet and organizing charity event's for those smelly less fortunate people. I called the host/cashier guy sir, and he corrected me that sir is his father. If it weren't for this man keeping it real, I may never have been able to talk without sounding gentÃle again.
(3)
Nick S.
Nookies is a local favorite. One of my cousins turned me onto this place. They had a some interesting breakfast entrees. The wait can get pretty bad.
(4)
Kelli B.
Aaahh...the forgotten BYOB a block from my condo. Always clean, always pleasant service, always a line on Saturday and Sunday morning. The have great crunchy French toast and I love their cottage fries. No corkage fee is a plus. I always find myself getting the honey mustard grilled chicken. The bf had a stir fry dinner that was on special about a month ago and he said it was excellent (and we eat a lot of Asian food!) There's a cute little patio for summer alfresco dining. Bring a six-pack and enjoy a good burger, it's cheap!
(4)
Jenny M.
Love, love, LOVE Nookies! Aside from the cute name, they have some of the best breakfast food around. Since I've been in San Francisco, my husband & I have been craving Nookies. I love their seasonal breakfast items & usually get the seasonal carb trio (typically an assortment of pancakes & french toast). The orange juice is also quite tasty. My husband loves the omelettes & the hash browns. Portions are gigantic, so you probably won't need another meal for the rest of the day. The service is hit or miss. The last couple of times it's taken a while for a server to acknowledge us, but the food is so good that we usually overlook that factor. Weekends are a mob scene, so unless you are willing to get there pretty early (before 10:15), be prepared to wait. My husband & I usually bring a football & throw it around in the courtyard next door just to kill time.
(5)
Julia L.
What's with the hype? It was good, solid food. Not badly priced. But the 30 minute wait and hype are a little baffling to me. It's like a less greasy IHOP. On the plus side, when I asked for my bacon extra crispy, it was totally extra crispy, and our server was hottt.
(3)
Ang R.
Same as Nookies Too, only the interior is way larger, and less inviting. I thought, anyway. I had corned beef hash, which was delish. Good toast, good eggs. The hash browns are always a little undercooked though, which sucks. If you're a hash brown person, you may want to try elsewhere, though it is impossible to find perfect hashbrowns anymore. Also, go early. The later you go, the less chance you'll be inside the building while you wait.
(4)
Katie R.
Food is pretty much the same as Nookies Too. The pancakes are amazing. Eggs are always good. And, one of the most important items the bacon, was crispy! I hate limp bacon. Interior is kind of blah. Can get really crowded. And the hash browns aren't all that interesting.
(4)
Misse D.
After all the hype from friends that love this place, I had higher expectations. I went for lunch. My sandwich was good, but nothing worthy to write about. One perk was that we occupied a table for over two hours without a complaint or an attempt to boot us.
(3)
Wo w.
I am always surprised at how long the line is at this place each weekend. The food is nothing but ordinary brunch food and the scene is pretty blah. Chicago has much better brunch options, but I guess only a few in this neighborhood.
(2)
Stephy W.
Nookies was quite possibly one of the best breakfasts I ever had. Considering I have only been there once I will go back again (and again and again) and revise this review most likely. I ordered a Smokehouse fritatta which was large, wonderful and exceeded my expectations. The fresh squeezed orange juice, while pricey at $2.75 for a large glass seemed pricey for me, but worth it. I prefer my orange juice to be cold as well, but since this was fresh, it was room temp. Maybe they could refrigerate/freeze their oranges? The bacon there is tasty and thick cut, but crisp enough and has texture. Being a bacon fiend, I can only say that this was probably some of the better/best bacon I have had. The only problems encountered was that the restaurant was rather crowded and understaffed, thus slow and that we discovered a very small fruit fly in one of our glasses of water. This was taken care of quickly and professionally. All in all, good value despite the wait and lots of food for a good price.
(4)
Kim A.
this is my favorite place breakfast!!
(5)
Kiyana B.
This place is GREAT!! My boyfriend got the "sampler" breakfast platter that had MANGO COCONUT pancakes, peach almond pancakes and berry french toast....I had a great veggie omelte with the best breakfast potatoes. This place serves breakfast all day, not sure how the rest of the menu is but their breakfast choices are delious. I would highly recommened the food here! It looks & feels like a regular corner diner but it's oh so much more once you start eating thier food. (prices are decent, you get a LOT of food)
(5)
R C.
Nookie's is a hella good diner that is perfect after a late night at the bars or clubs in Boystown. It's open 24 hours on Friday and Saturdays. I'll echo some of the sentiments of the other reviewers and say the service is a bit subpar, especially the host(ess). Nookie's is still a diner my friends and I would frequent for a late night fix! You can't go wrong with a $4 breakfast platter (hash browns, egg and toast) at 2 AM :)
(4)
Christian P.
hungry? tired? cold? hungry? no matter what the wait, go to nookies and you'll be cured This isn't a breakfast place to go for super fancy, overly conceptualized food. It's just the normal staples of breakfast, but prepared superbly with tasty ingredients. The omelettes are huge, but perfectly cooked (the egg white versions could not be fluffier and still tasty!!). atmosphere is totally laid back and easy going...show up ready to go for the day, or fresh from your 4am arrival back home after a long night out. even if you have to wait for a table, just do it, you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Becky S.
This place is amazing, but be prepared to wait! There is always a line here. People in chicago love their brunch and this is one of the better places! While we waited we walked down the block to treasure island to get some alcohol as it is byob and we made bloody marys at brunch. I got the veggie omelette which was overflowing off the plate - probably enough for 2 - 3 people even! I want to try Nookie II although Im sure there line is just as long!
(5)
Elizabeth B.
Even though we live only a few blocks away, it has taken me a few years to finally get to Nookies, and now I'm going to go all the time. The portions are huge, everyone is nice, the service is quick and efficient and the food is really good - exactly what you want in a neighborhood spot. We went for a late Sunday brunch, which was perfect because we apparently missed the crowds, and sat immediately by the front windows. I had a big, fluffy egg white omelet that came with fresh fruit and really good whole wheat toast - and can't wait to go back to try more.
(4)
Dov B.
Based upon my previous review, the owner of Nookie's contacted me. I really appreciate that he took the time to do that, although what I really needed was for someone to care at the time of the incident. I hope that my experience can be used as a teaching tool and won't be repeated for other customers. At least I know someone cares, if a little too late.
(2)
Elizabeth C.
Nookies almost ties with Tempo for me in regards to best breakfast spot. There are lots of trendy and good breakfast places that have popped up all over the place but Nookies keeps it real. They have consistently stellar fare. Classics well executed time and time again and a friendly low key atmosphere.
(4)
S K.
Just got home from Nookies. The food was excellent, everything tasted so fresh. Service was perfect, the employees were friendly,and the price was right! The breakfast includes a side and the individual sides are reasonable. I fed two adults and a child for under 35.00, which is impossible anywhere else because they basically get you with the side dish and drink prices. In fact, I have never spent less than 45 at iHop for the three of us, and you can't even compare the two restaurants quality wise.
(5)
Laura H.
My husband and I love this place! They have such good breakfast. The omelettes are the best ones I have ever had. The sweet cream crepes were so good. I'd highly recommend giving this place a shot.
(5)
Patrick W.
Things always taste better when you're as hungry as I was when we stopped in for a late, late breakfast en route to a day at the zoo. But this place is legit! I ordered the banana nut pancakes, then regretted not getting a side of bacon. Mmmm. Bacon. So the pancakes arrive, and I actually couldn't... finish... all of.. them (this pains me to admit it). I left food. I haven't done that in years. The fact that I helped my princess with her croque monsieur- equally delicioso- is my saving grace... I could have polished off those pancakes if it wasn't for the old standby of what to tell your high school french teacher you like to eat when you can't think of the word "pamplemousse" or "bifteck". We'll definitely be back, and I will conquer you, you giant stack of banana pecan pancakes you. Really good coffee, so good it bears mentioning.
(4)
Andrea R.
Most of my friends seem to be a huge fan of this popular brunch spot so we end up here pretty often for brunch. After spending 3 1/2 years across the street I've spent way too many hungover weekend mornings there and got too know their menu way too well. They recently changed their menu, which was exciting because the farmers skillets are awesome and the perfect way to cure a hangover! :)
(3)
Mark L.
I love this place for breakfast. I trek there from my house even when I am hung over. The prices are very reasonable, the food is delicious and the service is fast. Its in a lovely neighborhood - very quiet and clean. They have a full menu, so u can go anytime, but I always find myself here for breakfast. Check it out one day you will return for a second trip.
(5)
Jasmine L.
I have been holed up in Champaign, IL because of school and had been craving Walker Bros like mad. I treked down to Lincoln Park this past weekend and was introduced to this amazing place: Nookies too! Completely satisfied my Walker Bros cravings (well...not entirely of the German Pancakes, but who cares!) My sister got the artichoke frittata, I got the Low Down Omelette and cup of chili (with crumbled pieces of real cheddar and fresh diced onions!!!), and we shared the Pumpkin Pecan Flapjacks. HEAVEN! The Low Down wasn't that good, but it had 4 pieces of melted pepperjack cheese on it, so that made up for the slight dryness of the omlette. But...OH MAN! The Artichoke Frittata was sooo good. I normally don't like artichokes, but I could have this one all the time. The flapjacks tasted like gingerbread cookies (me) and pumpkin pie (my sister). Fluffy and not too sweet, they were powdered with sugar and decorated with roasted pecans. The service wasn't too bad - we went on a Saturday morning and only had to wait about 15 minutes. The crowd is HUGE and the place isn't that large - and the waiter was funny and had lots of recommendations. Overall, wasn't that pricey, and had a huge stuffed meal. Highly recommended!!!
(5)
Jen S.
Nookie's is my go-to breakfast place, mostly because it's near my place, but also because they make a MEAN MONTE CRISTO. I dream about it. Pancakes are generally the item I use with which to compare breakfast places, and they're okay at Nookie's, but this Monte Cristo is really what saves them from mediocrity. I've never had bad service (it's actually great most of the time), they have outdoor seating (how I long for summer!) and I feel relaxed when I'm there.
(4)
Zach C.
First of all I must say that I am biased because I think I might have fallen in love with my waitress. If I factored her beauty into my review they would have well over five stars. Otherwise this still gets a great review. Our service was prompt and the food was great. I got the steak and eggs. It was an actual steak and not some tough piece of meat that a lot of restaurants pass for steak in the morning. It was a little over done but still very tasty. The eggs were perfect and the hash browns were buttery and delicious. Even the rye toast I ordered was good and the butter packets that came with it were pre-melted so I didn't have to worry about tearing up the toast. Very relaxing environment, no wait, and prompt service. Can't go wrong.
(4)
Cameron C.
Great breakfast/brunch place. Staff is very friendly. Great Frittatas! A weekly must for me.
(4)
Jamie P.
Sunday brunch is one of the things I love about living in Chicago...and there are so many places to choose from! Nookies is one of the best. There is always a wait during prime brunching hours, but it's worth it. The food is fantastic, the portions are huge, the service is fast, and the prices are definitely reasonable. My go-to entree is the Amy's omelet...smoked gouda...yum!!
(5)
Ji K.
I've been meaning to come here for years now (sad that it took me this long, I know) and I finally got to check it out this weekend with two girlfriends who thankfully share my love for breakfast. We each ordered a salty entree (I had the chilaquiles which were delicious) and then we decided to share the specialty dessert trio (of which the French toast Napolean with strawberries was to die for). Service was great, the wait wasn't bad (considering it was a cold, snowy spring day), the food and coffee were so good, and the bill didn't hurt us either (they only take cash, but a 20-dollar bill apiece more than covered it). All in all, I like this place a lot. I shall return.
(4)
Tom T.
Love this place, in my hood. Great bar to sit at if you're solo, super nice waitstaff that have been there a while, and great food, decent prices, and good selection of meals. I was there last night and noticed I really liked the music too, hadn't noticed that before.
(5)
Scott M.
Good gawd this place is crowded on the weekends. Expect to wait 45-60 minutes for brunch on Sat/Sun. Grab a seat at the U-shaped bar where it's first come, first serve if you're eating without an entourage. The food is okay. The portions are large. The staff is cute and mostly attentive.
(3)
Kristen D.
This is my favorite breakfast/brunch place. Their omelets are great, as are the frittatas. Some of the sandwichs are really rich (my boyfriend couldn't even come close to finishing his monte carlo, and trust me, he tried). The place is cash only, and also has a handful of tables outside. Make sure to grab some candies by the door on the way out...they're great! This place is very popular, so be prepared to wait for a little while if it's before 1pm on the weekends.
(4)
Linda L.
this is a pretty casual little brunch spot with incredibly delicious food. i had the smokehouse frittata and my bf had the crispy french toast. both dishes were probably the best breakfast dishes i've ever had. the smokehouse frittata comes with caramalzed onions, eggs...and i cant remember what else cuz i went there a while ago. i think i said "mmmmmmm" and did a little happy wiggle in my chair after every bite. needles to say i left feeling extremely full and satisfied. will definitely be back for more!
(4)
Kelly W.
I've been to this restaurant a few times and haven't really been wow-ed. I had high expectations because there is always a crowd. The food is good but not great. The wait staff doesn't seem all that friendly, especially for a neighborhood place. And I feel it is quite old fashioned that they don't accept credit cards. I think 3 stars is an adequate review.
(3)
Emily C.
Great Brunch spot. Quick service, very friendly servers and great coffee. Perfect place especially if you're in a hurry like we were. Huge portions for a great price, when you're just wanting to get stuffed, drink coffee and have one-of-those Saturdays. Had an amazing egg white veggie omelet: loaded with numerous vegetables and cooked to perfection. Friend had north of the border omelet which she loved and could in no way finish so you may want to share. Great location with street parking. Perfect for a few friends or a large group.
(5)
cara r.
Perfect breakfast food and well worth the wait. The asparagus and blue cheese omelet is so rich and creamy and good, and the orange juice is great. I haven't tried the crepes yet, but after Maggie's review, I'm going to have to get them next time I'm at Nookie's. Which will hopefully be this weekend!
(5)
Katrina S.
This is a great place for breakfast. My boyfriend and I go here just about once a week. You gotta try their seasonal specials--they always do a trio where it's a little bit of all three! Yummy!
(5)
KM I.
Ugh.....why is this place so popular....I was not impressed with the surroundings, service, my salad, OR even my company. Haha will not willingly be back
(2)
Amy M.
If you can get your stroller through the door without running over people's toes, than this is a pretty good breakfast/lunch spot to bring baby. There is usually a spot to park your stroller next to the table and they have highchairs. Just stay away from this place during the prime breakfast hangover time on Saturday and Sundays (which should be alirght because this usually coincides with nap time). Favs: Their seasonal specials are usually really good. Good diner coffee. Overall, good diner food. 3.5 Strollers**** (1-5 stroller rating system based on how baby friendly establishment is)
(3)
Amanda L.
Wow, I forgot about Nookies, Great little place with good prices, Service and the place is clean inside, Great place to people watch as well.
(4)
Justin K.
Great place for feel good food on the weekends! Be ready to wait for a table but its worth the wait! I always get breakfast and they have some amazing things on the menu. Check it out...well worth the wait and the price is within reason!
(5)
Laura W.
I live in the hood and within walking distance of Nookies. This place is not only great for brunch, but we were sort of lame last Friday night and went there for dinner. It was cold and rainy and we just wanted to sit somewhere quiet, catch up on the week, and have as close to as a home cooked meal as possible....this hit the spot! The open face hot turkey sandwich was really good. The BF had the burger and that was decent as well. I have heard that they have superb grilled cheese sandwiches. They have a lot on the menu (as well as for breakfast) and the staff is really nice.
(4)
maggie c.
Superb! Delicious! Incredible! I cant find enough adjectives to describe my love ( or obsession) with Nookie's. I have been on the prowl for the perfect crepe, and let me tell you it is not an easy task. But then, I remembered ( or a flashback ) that Nookie's just doesn't serve the drunk, but also the sober. I cannot tell you what a beautiful crepe I experienced. I am not one to eat leftovers, in fact I despise them. However, I could not leave my unfinished crepes to be tossed in the garbage. The prices are a little high, but you will realize that every dime you spend is going towards a fresh ingredient. The service is fast and for the most part friendly, but can be a little cranky sometimes. Who can blame them though? I can't tell you how many people come here to just sober up, and if you do...please be nice. I don't want anyone ruining the karma around my fantastic crepe.
(5)
Esme W.
When you're hungover on a Sunday and don't want to think about putting clothes on let alone where to eat, Nookies should always come to mind. It's a fail-proof standby brunch spot. Try it. You'll feel much better.
(4)
rachel c.
Nookies is just blah... basic greasy breakfast food, and jack-of-all-trades lunch and dinner menu. Each time I've been there I've experienced a range of emotions from unimpressed to disappointed. It's about 50 steps from my house, so I've been there about 5 times, which is ample opportunity to have a redeeming experience. My boyfriend and I finally decided that we were not giving it another chance.
(2)
Rose K.
Excellent breakfast hangout, services is fantastic, everyone there is attentive and pleasant to ensure that your experience is great. Sometimes you have short wait for a table, but it is well worth it. I love the omlettes, pancakes, salads, etc. I like breakfast at Nookies more than Lou Mitchells and that saying alot!
(5)
michele l.
A reliable brunch spot - omelets, french toast, skillets served all day... The seasonal sweet trio available on weekends is worth trying. The breakfast food is superior to the lunch and dinner menus. As with most popular brunch spots, be prepared to wait at least 20 minutes during weekend brunch hours. The relaxed atmosphere and basic-brunch-comfort-food menu is a nice alternative to some of the trendy, dessert-disguised-as-breakfast spots.
(3)
M J.
Good quality, homey environment, GREAT pancakes with fresh fruit... Really what more do you want from a diner? But honestly, Nookies is great because you get your pancake/burger/whatever fix without as much grease OR grief. Definitely one to add to your rotation. But bring cash...credit cards are not accepted!
(4)
Helen N.
I love this place. The food is good, staff are friendly and the menu is varied. Although I can never finish the pancakes, I always leave feeling well fed!
(5)
Mexicutioner s.
Nookies has been mexipardoned for an overall excellent job. I strolled over to nookies after going to the farmers market on a Saturday around 11, the wait was only five minutes And I was able to squeeze in a mexicution in the meantime. We were seated and right away got some fresh squeezed orange juice, a little pricey but well worth it. We followed the advice of other yelp reviewers(thanks a bunch I will remember if you are ever on the chopping block) and ordered off their specials menu. The trio (which is a smaller portion of their 3 sweet breakfast items) was awesome. hotcakes with mango and coconut, stuffed french toast brioche with mascarpone and a mound of fresh berries, and pancakes with apples, almonds, and spiced butter. at 12 bucks they were all full of flavor, creative, and made with obviously fresh and quality ingredients. The portion was a good size and I did not finish and had to leave with a doggy bag. My partner ordered a vegetable fritata with hashbrowns which was also solid. Eggs were fluffy, veggies were yummy, and hash was solid. Also a very large size. I wish I could have had a bloody mary or a mimosa with my breakfast but they are BYOB. Excellent job nookies, I will be back
(5)
Eddie O.
I can always count on Nookies for a decent brunch, although I think the rest of Chicago can as well based on the line this morning. We were seated after a half hour wait...I guess it's not too bad since we were waiting for a table to fit 7 people. I had the vegetable frittata (a summer special)- it was really good and a very nice sized portion as well. The skillets are good as well and the seasonal specials are always great.
(4)
Abby L.
Breakfast, lunch or dinner- Nookies has a ton of options for any meal. I like going here at off times, like at 2 pm or some random time like that because it isn't too crowded then and your food will come out faster. I always get breakfast when I come here though, and have tried their omlettes, pancakes, french toast, and breakfast skillets. Favorites include the spinach and tomato omlette, the banana nut pancakes and for lunch, even though I've only ordered it once, the BLT. YUM.
(4)
Mindy S.
I used to not be the hugest fan of Nookies because I just thought everything on the menu was pretty average. It's still good here, just nothing overly excited me. Then one day my friend introduced me to the smokehouse frittata. I love it! It's so good, you have to try it!
(4)
Aubrey K.
This place is a always reliable for a solid brunch. I live for their omelettes and fritattas here. Also, they change their menu and tend to offer some great egg specialties. Be prepared to wait if you want to grab breakfast on the weekends, but I promise you it is worth it!
(4)
Sue N.
A must! Nookies is the place for anyone who wants great service, great food, and a great atmosphere. It's the best place in the city for casual dining. The place is alive with people who gather there to catch up and have an outstanding meal, but it is also a great place for a quiet meeting with great food. Nookies' service is top notch, and you never have to wonder where your waitress/waiter is. Bob, the manager, is the best. He multitasks seamlessly and makes sure everyone is comfortable and taken care of. It's the best spot, not to be missed!
(5)
Grace K.
I had the pumpkin and walnut pancakes and this crazy omelette that had collard greens in it or something, I forget! All I know was that it was DELISH! Every weird thing I ordered, I loved. It's in a cute neighborhood, the restaurant itself it very cozy and no frills, and they have a little semi-circle bar that I want to eat at one day. Just 'cause. I have to say, though. that I went on a Tuesday at 10ish so I didn't have to deal with a wait, which always makes any dining experience so much better from the outset.
(5)
Sarah S.
This place looks very cute from the outside, but looks can be deceiving. When we walked inside, the front area looked nice also but the waiter took us to the very back of the restaurant. It looked very run down in the back seating area. I opened my menu to find a bug smashed in between the pages. I immediately was grossed out but really hungry so I ordered food anyway. I asked for fruit with my meal and after eating one grape, I realized that there was mold on the other grapes. I could not finish my meal after that. When I told the waiter, he apologized and said that they would pay for my coffee. Woohoo I am on the verge of puking and they will pick up my $1 coffee. I was not impressed by this place at all and I will not be returning.
(1)
Nicole L.
You'll usually find a bit of a wait on a weekend morning, but trust me, it's well worth it. The scene is not too overwhelming (bring gear for going incognito should there be someone you are trying to avoid - chances are, they are here!) and the service is fast and friendly. I love the variety on the menu and while I keep saying I'm going to try one of the many other options to dine on, I keep going back to my favorite - the flavorful Smokehouse frittata - an omelet type dish with the works. Keep in mind that they won't seat you until your whole party is present, so make sure your friends are on time for this one - I've tried to get away with having strangers say they are part of my party but the manager totally knows my ploy!
(5)
Chloe M.
Nookies has a fabulous brunch! The best things on the menu remain their specials...they change it up every season and have some really interesting and tasty dishes!
(4)
Carly M.
I think Nookies is a great brunch place that never disappoints. It does get crowded but it moves along nicely so you don't have to wait too long like some other places. I recommend the spinach/cheese omlette or the strawberry or banana pancakes. For lunch they have great burgers or BLT's, and their salads are great.
(5)
Zoe H.
I live nearby and frequent Nookies. Classic neighborhood diner done with excellence. I highly recommend.
(4)
ali a.
Although I think nookies is good, I think I go there more because its convenient. The food is good, not great and the service is pretty decent. If you are looking for a basic brunch place that's pretty good, check it out. I think there are some other brunch places in chicago that are a little more original though.
(3)
elizabeth n.
This is one of my favorite brunch spots. The place is very cute and a low key spot to grab a good bite to eat. They have the most amazing banana nut pancakes and the omlettes are delicious! The wait is worth it, and I've never had a bad experience there. They do not take credit cards though so bring cash or your ATM card because you'll need it!
(4)
Jason K.
The best breakfast I have ever had. I went there the saturday of St. Patty's so it was crowed. Even with the big group of us we were able to get a table in 15 minutes. The orange juice is fresh made with real oranges behind the counter. Do yourself a favor and get the best breakfast around.
(5)
Arjun C.
Nice brunch -- waited less than 15 mins, got fritata and two pancake flights which were delicious but too huge to finish. Moving to the top of my brunch favorites.
(4)
Mama L.
This place is breakfast perfection. It is always busy during the weekend but worth the wait. OMG- the eggs and french toast are too die for. The staff is very friendly. The fruit is always excellent! LOVE this place!
(5)
Liliana S.
Great choice for breakfast. Great frittatas as well as omelettes..
(4)
Design G.
Why only 4 stars? I wish they would break down and let me use my bank card! Otherwise, this is a cute, humble and unpretentious place to duck off wells and have a bit of brunch, lunch or dinner for a very reasonable price. There is always a line on the weekends and rightfully so... nice staff as well. Give 'em your dollars... until you can give them your card ;)
(4)
Jennifer S.
a GREATTTTTT brunch place... if i was living in chicago, i'd say, this will have to be a favorite of mine....DEF a local joint... they have the best frittatas. i've had the opportunity to try their seasonal spring frittata, but they have 3 on their regular menu... for $10, i was extremely satsified and extremely full after a great meal... because this is located in lincoln park, the yuppy area, i didn't feel all that ansy but the people inside nookies did. bunch of elder folks in their 50s to late 80s. BUT, don't let that discourage you. my friend is a young fella, in his early 30s. that just shows it's a mix crowd:)
(4)
Miinno N.
We lived very close to the restaurant. It is reasonable, but there is nothing to write home about. You must have cash and you have to make sure that you are ready to wait for a long time if you are there for brunch on weekend.
(3)
Timothy H.
Came here for brunch with a bunch of friends, many who were out-of-towners. Nookies is A-OK, but too far from where I live to warrant coming back. The food is good, and reasonably priced, but I was irked by being charged $3 extra on my 2x2x2 for blueberry pancakes and chicken sausage. 1) I didn't need the chicken sausage, I improperly assumed that was their sausage option. 2) really, $1.50 to add blueberries to the pancakes? Fine, my fault. I paid my share, I just wasn't expecting it. The place is much larger than it appears from the outside and I think the wait never exceeded a half hour. Their coffee sucks. If someone from Nookies reads this, I don't know what you're doing when you make the coffee but it needs to be stronger. Very much. Stronger. Oh, and the Huevos Rancheros? Underwhelming. Pancakes are ok. Eggs are undercooked. On the other hand, the corn flake crusted french toast, and sweet creme & cheese crepes and very good.
(3)
Jeff H.
This is my favorite brunch spot in the city and I have been to a lot. Once you get a table (the wait can be up to 45 minutes on the weekend) your food will be prepared perfectly and served quick. The staff is friendly and makes you feel at home. As an added bonus their coffee is excellent.
(5)
Joshua G.
4 1/2 maybe. This place is much bigger than you expect from the outside. Traditional decor, wait staff in all black. They offered my toddler son a cup of crayons and stickers. (He was very pleased.) We weren't even seated when the staff offered coffee (I like this). Our waitress came to check if we needed more drinks. Realized we needed time and offered it. Once we were ready (sat down our menus) she was right over. I asked her opinion on two of the omelets (North of the Border or Southwest somethinorother) She recommended the N o B, due to the fact it had meat and the SW didn't. I could tell she had had neither and wondered what she would have recommended to my wife. I ordered the NOB and my wife a Fritata. The food was delicious and sooooo much food. We actually just sat down this morning and finished the leftovers. Overall a very pleasant experience. Good food. Good environment.
(4)
Jennifer J.
I am a devout Nookies fan--a fan of the food, I should say. This is a review of the service. I've been going here enough to feel that I can give an accurate take. I LOOOOOVE Nookies food. I go here a LOT because the food is great and the prices are not bad. It's fresh, dependable, unpretentious. Now, I despise the customer service. I go here a LOT, but the employees treat me as if they've never seen me before; in fact, they even treat me coldly and rudely. This pretty much goes for everyone who works here. Now, there are several "hosts" who work here. The two I see the most, Douchebag #1 and Douchebag #2, are the rudest. Douchebag #1 is the one who seems to be working the most when I show up. He's oldish and very bald. This guy, when he's not talking about his "gym" or some sort of personal training adventure, does the minimum. A begrudging "hi," escort to a table, and exit. Handles the payment at the end, ever so brusquely, and delivers a short "bye" when I leave. In between all of that minimum work, he's sitting down, usually blabbing to someone, likely regulars, about personal training and working out or some crap like that. ALLLLLLL the time. Without fail. Once, when he had to perform work, he delivered an order that was messed up, and he freaked out when I told him so. He very unwillingly took my order back. Douchebag #2 is a tall, hairy one. The kind of guy who played football in high school and wasn't very good; he was just stocky and tall, so people thought he was good. This guy also does the minimum. He's pretty much like Douchebag #1, but he's there less often, so hence, a little less annoying. And there are two other guys that are just neutral, meh. The waiters: the girl with the dark hair, always in a disheveled pony tail on the side, scares me a bit. She gets the job done, but she's incredibly bitchy. I'm always happy when I don't have her because she makes me nervous. The tall girl who has a high pitched voice is nice-ish but fake. Sometimes messes up the order and will often forget about you as she chats it up with Douchebag #1 and occasionally, Douchebag #2. The blonde guy also sometimes messes up an order, and forgets about you often. He's eh when it comes to niceness. None of them actually acknowledge me--they just take my order and give the food (sometimes incorrectly) with a barely passable decent demeanor. It makes me uncomfortable to even come to this place, especially when it's not jam-packed because it's even more obvious that they could give a crap about this regular. I think I may stop coming here, though I love the food so, and start going strictly to Nookies Tree on Halsted--the waiter, Deda, is MUCH warmer and friendlier, even bubbly. The other waiters...eh. Nookies, I suppose, in general, could use an overhaul when it comes to their waitstaff and "hosts." The food is sooo good and affordable, but the customer service just blows it for them--2 stars.
(2)
Serena S.
Love it! I get so excited anytime a family member comes to visit from my hometown so that way I have an excuse to go here for breakfast. So much food for your money, I have yet to clear a plate. Yummy seasonal fruit and veggies. My favorite breakfast place.
(5)
Unity O.
Ah Nookie, Nookie, Nookie! Talk about being leaving a place satisfied--ah!!!! The eggy goodness covered in the sinfully creamy cheese, the tart artichoke adding a ting of sass--ahhhhh!!! Someone hand me a cigarette--oh wait! I don't smoke--drat!! For some reason I have been on a brunch kick lately--must find good brunch food at affordable prices or will die--this is my mission. Once I find a brunch spot the inevitable inner argument occurs & it can be killer sometimes: SWEET OR SAVORY?!?!?!?! my sweet side & my savory side really duke it out--you should hear it & the language--good lordy, lordy. I am utterly ashamed of myself for having worked near enough to the place for the past 12 years & NEVER having been--someone slap me! Upon entry, I was pleased to discover how humongous the place is. You would never guess the size of the dinning room from the outside--I am guessing this comes in handy on the weekends as I imagine it gets packed. My friend & I were seated right away and promptly served coffee--already this place was winning in my book. Our server was quick in assisting us with the menu & ready to give suggestions (personally I love that). He was very attentive to our needs and made the experience ever so enjoyable. He even displayed a ton of patience as the war of savory vs sweet waged on in my head (this little spats can take a bit of time). Savory won out on this trip & I ordered the artichoke frittata. It was delicious and the portion was MASSIVE. My friend ordered the Amy omelet with fruit cup and of course we shared (why go out with people if you are not going to sample each others plates?!?!?!?!). Both dishes were delicious--a word to the wise if you do not like lots of cheese be sure to tell them go to lite on that stuff. My only negative is the coffee--while I thought was Okay--I have had better. Trust me though, that won't keep me from coming back. The sweet side of my brain must have its day! So the run down is this: Place--spacious & comfortable. Staff--friendly & super attentative Food--comes out hot & quick and is utterly DELICIOUS! If in the hood--check them out or heck make a special trip.
(4)
Carl D. S.
When it comes to neighborhood brunch spots, Nookies is high on the list. Delicious food at the right prices, with a staff that is friendly and takes care of it's customers. There's a reason for the line on most weekend mornings. Either for 2 or for 8, Nookies can accommodate. Stupid rhyme. The inside, although a little hotel decor, is what it is. There's a counter to hold around 12, but the place goes far back filled with tables. It's just what a place like this should be, ready to rearrange at any moment depending on the groups coming in. They do a great job at getting people in and out, as the line outside can keep you waiting around 30 minutes. You'll notice, most people wait and done give up. The food is well, well done and at a price that is decent. Pick any breakfast and you'll be pleased. From the standard pancakes to their giant omelets, Nookie will surprise you with ingredient combinations galore (try the one with apples in it). The specials change often and contain items truly deserving of being listed "special". The same goes for lunch and dinner, anywhere from a Turkey club to a full on fish dinner can be ordered. Go for the burgers, as the combinations are incredible. The Amsterdam...gouda, garlic, mushrooms...on a burger?? Yes please! Plus, the side is their homemade potato chips, which should be ordered extra crispy. Another highlight is that Nookies is BYOB, so get your Mimosas flowing or your cooler of beer close at hand. If you're looking for a quick bite, or for a friendly brunch, at a neighborhood establishment, Nookies will cover your needs. Hold out through the wait, as it'll be well worth the hospitality and good eats.
(5)
Damian C.
Every time my friends want to go to Nookies I throw some kind of protest. Not cause I am a brat, but because I don't really see the hype in this restaurant. I am not a breakfast person, so maybe I am missing out on something amazing, but a good restaurant has to make sure quality covers all bases. The first time I went was the mid-morning after a shackfest. I was told it was a "cute little restaurant" and immediately pictured a small quiet place to eat and have conversation. Instead, I found myself walking into a cram-packed little room with tables that were so close I could practically taste test their meals (though they were eating breakfast food so I wouldn't have anyway). My BBQ chicken sandwich was ok. Just ok. A little sloppy with sauce, but nothing worth noting. I was disappointed again when the check came and the waitress said "Oh sorry, we only accept cash." ARGH! I would say 3 stars for that. But LUCKY for me 4 of my friends wanted to go another night. I put up my protest, but could not get out of it. Heck, why not give it a second chance and see if it would be better on a random weeknight. I was in a sour mood, so I was pretty critical of everything. While there were less people in the restaurant, they only had one server working. I had a major chili craving, so I ordered the chili bowl. Other minor things happened to throw off the whole meal, and worst of all for me, my chili was pretty cold. Another disappointing experience. Maybe the third time is the charm? Who knows. I'll likely put up a fight before that happens though. Sorry, Nookies. edit: 3/18/07
(3)
Bob F.
Excellent food for breakfast. Can't comment on lunch or dinner. Depending on when you go, there might be a wait. I will go here anytime i'm in the city for breakfast. (or breakfast for lunch!)
(5)
Jacquelyn C.
Oh Nookies, How do I love thee, let me count the ways.... #1. Your outdoor seating on a glorious summer morning. #2. The fact that you have those buzzer things like Buffalo Wild Wings (for food) when our table is ready. #3. Your omlets. #4. the tiny chunks of fruit cooked into my panckes. (I never thought I would be the kinda gal to enjoy chunky anything, wow, was I wrong) #5. The fresh squeezed O.J. (and the 7 refills I usually get). #6. The huge meals at super uber skaduber cheap prices that allow me to share with a friend or take some home for later. #7. Your baller staff. I could go on and on. I love you nookies! See you next week!
(5)
Pamela D.
This place is GREAT for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!! On the weekends it is crowed but worth the wait!! I went there for lunch today and had a veggie burger topped with THICK blue cheese and slices of apples, and homemade potato chips!!! The have great coffee and fresh juice!! Under $10 for breakfast and over for lunch and dinner!! BYOB
(4)
Airetta B.
I will be telling my age but at my age who cares - Nookies was 'THE' place to go in the '70's for breakfast after a Saturday evening 'good' date. Nookies is still good for breakfast - now with my husband as the 'good' date!
(4)
Sam R.
I've come here twice before, both times I got tuna and both times I was sadly let down. My boyfriend got the burger and thought it was absolute paradise though. The cream of spinach gets 5 stars from me though YUM!
(4)
Roman M.
I wanted to give this place more stars because it's my local spot now, but it's just gonna get 3 from this guy. The service and overall attitude of the place is great - no frills and nice people. The food is very average though...but I guess I shouldn't expect much more from a diner-style place. Nothing was bad but nothing was great. If you're looking for a solid brunch spot this works. I haven't been here for lunch or dinner though, so take it with a grain of salt.
(3)
Stacey A.
A series of brunchy haikus: Devine brunch trio: Two kinds of pancakes, french toast I might drool too much... Cinnamon pear toast from France was the clear winner I ate every bite And wished for seconds - it was so fucking tasty. Must make this at home. Pumpkin pancakes, next. Not as good as the french toast but solid flavors. Reminded me of pumpkin spice from starbs only much better. Third plate was too much - cherry-apricot pancakes. Okay - but not great. Everything on the menu sounded like sex in my mouth. For real, yo. Too bad I got lost trying to find the place and walked down Sedgewick. Oops? Please remember this: Nookies is on Wells - order their French Toast items.
(4)
Jeri J.
I couldn't ask for a better neighborhood, family restaurant in the middle of the city! I have eaten here for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and take out. Everything I've had at Nookies is really good. The eggs benedict is a tad lemony, but thats how I like it! The turkey burgers are my favorite non-breakfast item. My boyfriend and I even brought Champagne and made our own Mimosas to have with our breakfast...best idea EVER!!! The only downside is that it gets really crowded on Saturday and Sunday mornings so I suggest trying on a weekday or saving time to wait (it's worth it!)
(5)
Trevor M.
I live right down the block from nooks and as i am usually a fan of coney island style dinners I thought I would love having this in my backyard. I have eaten here a few times each trying something different in hopes of finding something good to eat. My first experience was with their skillets that were really nothing to talk about. Just a bunch of stuff thrown into a pile for you to eat. The next and sad to say last time I went there I took my girlfriend with me. It was pretty busy but I had 2 eggs toast and sausage and my girlfriend did the eggs benedict. My food was alright, definitely nothing I wouldn't be able to make for half the price. My girlfriend however is why we probably will never go back. It was obvious from the first look as the waiter was bringing it from across the room that they hollandaise sauce was straight out of a can. Had a terrible off yellow color that looked more like bile then hollandaise. When we asked our waiter if this is made fresh he kind of rolled his eyes and laughed. That just leads me to believe everything here is either frozen, canned or just plan cheap. I prefer simple things like hollandaise and mashed potatoes to be made fresh and not instant. When we notified the manager that we were unpleased that they couldn't take the extra 5-10 mins to make it right, his answer was something along the lines as you can't win them all.
(2)
Tim Y.
Good diner food served fast. I had the BBQ beef (can you tell from my previous review I had a taste for it?) and enjoyed it a lot. Lots of beef on a potato like bun, cooked in a sweet BBQ sauce that wasn't too sweet, not too spicy, but just right. For a side I chose cole slaw that didn't disappoint but compared to the portions of other sides I saw, it was a bit skimpy and I could've gone for more. Avoid the tap water. It's nice that they keep a full carafe at each table, but it tastes really nasty.
With a name like Nookies, I expected a much more hole-in-the-wall place than it was. Felt a lot like First Watch, for anyone who has lived in Northeast Kansas/Kansas City. But that's not a bad thing. Walking up Wells to Nookies on December 21 at about 9:30 AM, I may have been colder than I've ever been in my life, and I grew up in WI. Below zero temps with a 40 mph wind is unbelievably cold. But anyway, it was worth it. The menu's got all the requisite breakfast fare and I ended up having a Mexican-breakfast casserole thing; it was delicious. I'd go back if I lived in Chicago...
(4)
Hard L.
The food is better than average, quick, inexpensive and comes in large portions. What really makes this place one of my favorites is the unique diner atmosphere and great staff.
(5)
Robyn T.
You think Nookies. You think eggs. Breakfast. Weekend crowds. Do you think...dinner? Chances are probably not, but this diner-esque haunt has some solid sandwiches, wraps, salads and entree items. Surprised? I sure was. First off they have a rockin good strawberry milkshake with huge chunks of berries. Yum. Second most of their entrees include a bowl of soup (last night option included lentil or cheddar broccoli) and some really good fries (potato slices) and a pickle accompany the massive sandwiches. I loved my grilled chicken with avocado sandwich (it was so big I didn't even eat half the bun) and my friend liked her tremendous wrap so much she took the other half home. If you're looking for an affordable, family friendly dining option for any meal check out Nookies. Bonus? Outdoor dining and friendly service!
(3)
Vanessa G.
Had the scrambled eggs with hash browns, and toast- simple breakfast but it was delicious! The staff was very friendly and efficient. Even though it was super busy, I never had to wave our waitress down like a crazy person, or wait for a re-fill on my coffee... Come to think of it, the guy that re-filled my coffee was like a coffee ninja, he came out of nowhere with a re-fill :) The location is great, but keep in mind that you'll probably have to wait for a table on the weekends. I'll definitely go back to Nookies, especially on a warm day when I can sit outside.
(4)
Natalie M.
I honestly dont have much to say about Nookies(can you imagine- ME not having a lot to say??) Food- good, not great, but hearty and filling. I am especially fond of their omeletes which are LIGHT and FLUFFY. The other reviewers are correct- they do NOT skimp on the cheese. The hashbrowns are just OKAY, the fruit in their fruit cup is fresh and filling(not any of that nasty gross fruit-cup type thing you probably got in grade school). Service was attentive without being intrusive. Solid four stars for Nookies............... I just wish the place was a tad PRETTIER inside but OH WELL!
(4)
Troy B.
Today was the first day visiting! The food was absolutely divine. The service was also top notch! Will be back!
(5)
K. A.
Favorite! Favorite! Favorite breakfast place in Chicago!! I could honestly go to Nookies every weekend!! Their brunch is so good, I've never had something I didn't like and the staff is always friendly!! There are healthy brunch options as well as those more unhealthy options for those with a sweet tooth, so this place covers all the bases. I just keep going back! And still LOVE it!
(5)
Jennifer B.
Get. Here. Early. Thank goodness we arrived by 9:15am on Saturday morning....when we left there was an hour wait! And for good reason, this place serves really delicious food! The food....every fruit-type pancake you can think of, and killer omelettes. Killer! (in a good way). The orange juice is freshly squeezed and really, I can't think of many better breakfast spots in the city. The only downside is the "decor"...if you will. It is basically a really bare space that has some tables and chairs and then filled with people. Not exactly quaint. But hey! With fresh fruit and whipped cream on top of your waffle, who can complain?
(4)
Christine F.
Good, solid breakfast food. It's the real deal. Benedicts. Waffles. Pancakers. The ambience is eh and the food won't completely wow you, but it's solid. I had a California Benedict without bacon (english muffin, avocado, poached eggs and tomato with a hollandaise sauce). Not bad at all. Can't go wrong with avocados. If I am in the neighborhood for breakfast I would definitely go back.
(3)
Alex R.
Nookies is a great place to bring your out-of-town friends and relatives. Ok, it's not Toast by any stretch of the imagination, but it's certainly worth visiting regularly. The food was mostly great, especially if you get their skillets -- the hash browns are amazing! They have freshly-squeezed OJ, so get that, too -- but stay away from the AWFUL coffee (no amount of creamer or sugar could masquerade the taste). I'll definitely be coming back again.
(4)
Kevin D.
The best of the Nookies for sure, but the food is still very mediocre diner food...
(2)
Cheyne N.
Solid breakfast spot. Place was slammed. Very good-looking & attentive staff. Food was banging and my bill was $20 for 2 people. Rad. First time in town and pretty damn impressed. Just please have some Tapatio or Cholula to go with my Chilaquiles next time please. Thanks
(4)
A R.
I went here early Sunday morning with a large group. There were 8 of us and it was about 8:00 in the AM. As there were other groups ahead of us (big events going on nearby, so large crowds), they said we had to wait until our complete party was here. So we awkwardly stood around, unintentionally hovering over the tables nearby as there was no real area to wait. It definitely was an older crowd at that time. Everyone was in their 50's or 60's it seemed, reading their morning paper and sipping their morning coffee. The atmosphere kind of reminded me of your typical suburban American restaurant--nothing impressive with regards to the decor. I was skeptical about the rave reviews my friends gave this place. Finally, everyone arrives and they seat us. I start with an orange juice, which happened to be freshly squeezed. Delicious. Then I order the cheese stuffed crepes, with one cinnamon/apple one and a side of bacon. Pure dessert. The cheese crepes were very tasty and super sweet. I definitely enjoyed them but maybe too sweet for the morning. The bacon was perfect too--having a slight maple flavor to them. I tasted my friends eggs and they were cooked to perfection. I wish I had the chance to try more food, so I could rate them more thoroughly, but I have to say, if you want an all-American breakfast, moderately priced, this is the place to go. I'm not sure if I would come here again, though.
(3)
Sylvia I.
Came here for brunch with a party of 4, and the wait wasn't too bad. We were all starving, so the prompt service with coffee as we sat down was great. Really good coffee too. Would be great if they could just leave a pitcher of coffee at a table....we were going through coffee pretty quickly. We all wanted something sweet and salty...so each couple ordered a 1-2 main dishes + pancakes to share! I ordered the chocolate chip pancakes and then shared a denver omlette with my husband...who got their pancake special that was super sweet. I wasn't a huge fan of the denver omlette....maybe because the eggs weren't too fluffy? Or maybe because I'm spoiled and my husband can make really good omlettes?? Would recommend coming here, especially if the wait here is shorter than Toast. We couldn't get into Toast, so walked over to here and got served within 20 minutes.
(4)
Jorge M.
I go here for lunch 2 to 4 times a month. The food comes out fast and the service is minimal, but they are very helpful. I've never been during their busy time so I don't know if thinks take a long time. Portions are huge and prices are cheap for the area. Their patio is small but nice. Great place to get full before walking around the zoo or the park.
(4)
Becca S.
I've lived 2 blocks from Nookie's for 9 years and have been many times. It started to lose its luster for me a couple of years ago for a few reasons. One was that they only take cash (that has since changed), secondly any time you'd want to go there's a minimum of a one hour wait, and thirdly there are so many brunch places that Nookie's really isn't up to par. I went recently for what I think will be my last time. I'm not a fan of any of their NON breakfast foods. I have had a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches, and nothing begged for a second chance. Their breakfast is good but again, nothing spectacular. The omelettes are always a little dry and the potatoes are bland. And why can you only get sweet potato fries in the after noon? The last time I went my waiter seemed to be in a training program for Ed Dbevics. He was rude but clearly in an attempt to be funny...he just failed. It's a bummer it's so close to my house but I can't see myself ever going back.
(3)
Dan R.
This place is awesome. never had bad food. and its BYOB breakfast place which is very helpful on a sat. or sunday morning. expect about an hour wait on sundays i like to bring some champagne and make mimosas with their fresh squeezed OJ. BAM!!
(5)
Gfiddy F.
Excellent brunch.
(5)
Beth P.
Also, if you've ever found yourself in need of a gallon of ranch dressing stat- nookies is your place. PS- "Frisco sandwich": If you're not dieting, put it in your mouth now.
(4)
Laura K.
I love Nookies! I've been coming here every month for my book club for nearly two years. They don't normally accept reservations, but the manager has always been really cool---call sometime in the day and give them a heads up and they pull tables together for us. They even do individual checks, which is a HUGE plus with a group! One waitress handles a group of 14 with ease and the busers are very attentive to refill water carafes for us. They let us linger as long as we want, never felt pressured to clear out. Even if they have other special events (another group, filming for something), they try to accommodate us as best as possible. They even let us do a special event with an author and 30 attendees without a problem. I tend to stick to a handful of favorites, but I've never had a bad dish. Nookies serves breakfast all day and I love pancakes for dinner on occasion. Pancakes, crepes, french toast, waffles----all yummy with large servings. The only dish I've ever heard any of my group not like was spinach pie. Otherwise, we've tried almost everything---salads, burgers, pasta, eggs, sandwiches, soup, etc.----with happy results. Good diverse choices for vegetarians as well. I've been here once for the typical Saturday early afternoon rush. The wait wasn't too bad. I tried a seasonal pumpkin pancake and it was really good. Good service. I could rave forever. There's a reason my book club has stayed put in the same spot for nearly two years. Everyone is happy and the staff is outstanding!
(5)
Jonathon C.
We strolled into Nookie's on Sunday around noon. Place was jammed but we were able to get our party of seven seated fairly quickly. Staff was friendly and the food was fantastic. My veggie omelet, crunchy hash browns and byo bloody mary hit the spot. This place has definitely been added to my list of places to eat in Chicago.
(4)
Rebecca H.
We went for lunch here last week and was pleasantly surprised, there was no wait, we got a sweet little table by the window and the waitress was so nice. The service was very good, and the place has a comfy feel to it. We both got the veggie burger, with a cheesy option, very good. The fries are like whole potato slices... mmmmm.
(4)
Joshua K.
We were looking for a low-key meal on Friday night, I was craving breakfast food and my wife was open to anything so I hopped on Yelp and came across Nookies. It was exactly what we were looking for! I get pancakes nearly every time I eat breakfast out, but I like a multi-grain pancake with fruit and nuts. Our waitress (who was very friendly and helpful) said I could mix and match, so I created the perfect pancakes multigrain with bananas, blueberries, and nuts topped with real maple syrup. BEST pancakes i've had in the city, outside my own kitchen anyway :-) My wife got a turkey burger which was also very good. There menu is pretty big, and is priced right. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Tiffany K.
i don't know which omelette i got but i do remember it being good. also remember the long wait. cute brunch restaurant. perfect for families, couples, dates, everyone!
(4)
William H.
The food = Awesome. Wait staff gives alright service. Operation hours are optimal. I went here two nights in a row. I came back cause of the good service and great food I had the first night. First night I had a very attentive waiter. It was perfect. I had a sirloin steak that came with those awesome cottage fries, soup, and spinage. the quality of the food was great! So delicious for only $15.00 Second night I came in I had a ham and cheese sandwich. The waiter didn't ask me what sides I wanted so instead of the fries which I had a craving for, I was given coleslaw. That's alright though, it's a healthier option and it was the best coleslaw I have ever had. My dinner guest asked for catsup for his fries which he never got. All in all, I love the food here. It's all delicious! But I wish I had a different waiter.
(4)
Julie S.
Best omelettes in the city. Period. When they say "fluffy," they aren't kidding. Great ingredient choices too. Delicious! Our brunch club showed up with 11 people, right at prime seating time. The folks at Nookies were kind enough to let us call ahead to get on the list so the wait was really short. When we have such a large group, we kind of expect the service to dip a little. Not here. Our server went above and beyond for us. She was so attentive to every little detail. That means a lot to us. Thanks, Nookies!
(5)
Anne Marie J.
Went on a Friday for brunch (spring break, yay!) and it was perfect. We were seated immediately and the waitstaff was quite attentive - full cups of coffee and water at all times. Even 20 min after we were done with our meal, we felt no pressure to leave. Food was FANTASTIC. The 2009 french toast special (crunchy croissant napolean?) had a lovely filling of strawberries and vanilla marscapone and the crunchiness of the corn flakes added a much desired texture to french toast. Had a bite of all my friends' dishes: huevos con chorizo and the corned beef has were all fresh and plentiful. I'm sure if this had been the weekend it would be a diff story. But based on my experience, I'd recommend this place to everyone.
(5)
Andrea G.
Quite possibly just experienced the best BLT of my life. Get down for the Nookie people, get down.
(5)
Katie C.
What probably originated as a neighborhood tradition has grown into somewhat of a breakfast phenomenon. This Nookies, which obviously has two other locations, is on the quiet part of Wells that it's fairly uncommon to drive down--and if you were looking for the place during any other time besides brunch, it's possible you might miss it. Standing outside for brunch on a Sunday at 10:45am meant one thing: a 20-25 minute wait. Now, this really isn't bad compared to say, Overeasy Cafe up in Ravenswood (and hell, it's worth it) but it can feel significantly long if you're waiting for a cure-to-your-hangover breakfast as we were. Once we were seated, though, things started to roll. Our server was friendly, and although a little to begin service, she checked back up on us a couple of times and made small talk. The food? Nothing special or unexpected--but Nookies isn't the kind of place where you're going to find ancho-butter with your toast. It's predictable, good, hearty, short-order cooking, and you pretty much know whatever you order is going to be solid. I ordered the chilaquiles which were warm, tasty, and the portion was far more than enough. My boyfriend ordered the eggs, hash, and toast (a LOT of food for $4.45) and couldn't finish it all. So, say you're a little low on cash, don't mind waiting to put something in that belly of yours, and would like to partake in a friendly neighborhood's offerings? Nookies is the place to choose.
(4)
Vanessa M.
First timers here... Loved this place! 5 stars from me, 4 from the husband. We walked up and I loved it from the start. Very cute and has a nice patio area; we knew it was gonna be good because of the amount of people standing around outside waiting for tables. We figured we would be out there waiting for awhile- but it was only 10-15 minutes, just as the host had said. We were seated inside. The place has such a great diner feel- but different because its a bit more classy. Our waitress was super friendly and kind, and took great care of us! Thanks to other Yelp reviews, we got the fresh squeezed orange juice... it was SO GOOD. We are from Florida and recently moved here to Chicago. THIS is the stuff Floridians live for. It was perfect. We also enjoyed watching the juicing machine. They were putting whole oranges in, peel and all, and juice came pouring out. Intriguing. I ordered the Chili-Avocado fritatta with hash browns. It was phenomenal and such a huge portion, I barely finished half. I wasn't a huge fan on the hash- kinda tasteless and needed quite a bit off pepper. I didn't eat much of it. The fritatta though. Oh. My. Word. I wanna eat that for breakfast every morning. Just as the waitress described it- a bed of eggs with chili, all this awesome melted cheese, and avocado. Yum. My husband had the Bistro burger. Bleu cheese and carmelized onions on a 1/4 lb beef patty. He really liked it, although it wasn't exactly cooked how he had asked. He asked for medium, and it came out almost well done. Not a huge deal, and he was starving and just wanted to eat, haha. Overall he said it was a pretty good burger. One thing that my husband would like me to add is that he was so sad he didn't order the huge stuffed french toast stuff we saw come out of the kitchen soo many times. Seriously, he is very remorseful. We will definitely be back to Nookies (can I just mention how much I love that name?! so cute) and we will have to try the french toast :)
(4)
Mike G.
Well, it has been a few years since I visited Nookies and nothing has changed. The food is even better than I remember. I have a different perspective now as I have an 18 month old son. My review is a little different this time but it still keeps its 5 stars. Their childrens menu is great. He had the pigs in a blanket (pancake wrapped around a sausage link). He loved it and it came with a chocolate milk, all for only $3.50. They were accommodating to all kids (there were a ton there) and it just made the experience even better. If my son could actually say sentences he would say "This place rocks!!!!"
(5)
AB H.
I found Nookies to be good, not great. I had the steak and eggs special. The steak was overcooked, and quite a few pieces were grizzly. The guac and scrambled eggs were good. The refried beans and rice were fine - nothing special. One thing that I found annoying about the menu is that breakfast options are listed in a number of places, so you have to hunt around a bit. This place was great for kids - the chocolate chips pancakes were a hit and cheap. If I were eating carbs, I would try the french toast dipped in corn chips. That sounded really good.
Great portion. Superbly bland in both visits. Carb centric menu. Flavor is derived from ketchup, sour cream, hot sauce and a side of greasy salty bacon. HUEVOS CON CHORIZO ($9.45) -- flour tortilla was the sign. Beans tasted from can. Greek rice pilaf instead of Mexican rice. Bland chorizo was nicely blended with egg. BLACKENED TILAPIA -- overcooked tilapia, spinach overwhelmed by garlic slice, and the questionable sweet potato mash. BOTTOMLESS COFFEE ($2.45) -- in both instances: slow refill, coffee is barely hot. Ordinarily bitter. SWEET AUTUMN TRIO -- love the tasting concept that is loaded with 100% empty carbs. MENU -- a whole lot of nothingness. VENUE -- dining floors are unreasonably dirty at 11:45 am, even though they opened at 6:45 am. SERVICE -- the only reason for 2 stars. Wally is great as he is conscientious of coffee refill, helpful, a team worker. Ruben showed up and disappeared. The Host Dude seats you at table first, then counter.
(2)
Jeff S.
Nookies was suggested to us by a native and it just happened to be walking distance from our hotel. We came here for our breakfast our first morning. We were greeted and seated immediately by a very friendly manager. The breakfast menu had some impressive creations, Jess went with the special for the day, a trout skillet, and just for the heck of it I had a pecan Belgium waffle. The food was great, our service was impeccable. They kept the water and coffee filled. (Warning - the coffee was pretty strong, it made for an interesting rest of the morning.) We were really happy with this breakfast, and I'll definitely come back when I'm next in town!
(4)
Tetiana G.
Came tonight with my friend who highly recommended me this place for dinner and left highly disappointed. The waiter came to take our order but we were not ready and then ignored us for good half an hour. When he finally came back to the table, he took my order and totally ignored my friend. I told him that my friends wants to order some food as well, and he just ignored me and left to take care of the other table with words :"I don't understand". Totally unprofessional and rude! We did not have any other choice but leave and go find some other place to eat, since we were starving. Please, save your time and go somewhere else if you want to have your dinner the same night!
(1)
Zoraida V.
It was good, but not amazing. My omelette was average (southwest?). The pancakes were...simple... like eating breakfast at IHOP. I was expecting a little more... The location is nice, quiet. If that's your thing, then you're going to like this place.
(3)
Will T.
I love Nookies! I ate there every day during a stay at Hotel Lincoln. I went for lunch my first day in town, ordering an iconic Midwest dish, a hot open faced roast beef sandwich. I grew up in Iowa eating this dish at truck stops and it's an all-time favorite. Nookies served a generous portion of roast beef with homemade skin-on mashed potatoes and gravy and their version might be the best I've ever had. During the rest of my stay I started every day with breakfast at Nookies, sampling eggs, pancakes, chicken sausage, oatmeal, hash browns, fruit and homemade wheat toast. My one breakfast special, peach and raspberry pancakes with caramelized butter, was to die for. The food was fantastic but so was the staff. Top to bottom, from the manager to the wait staff to the busboy to the kitchen, they were all awesome, cheerful and efficient, showcasing great customer service. They know their regulars and call them by name. Nookies is a casual neighborhood restaurant that really delights.
(5)
Elaine P.
Good food! I wish we would've sat outside to enjoy the scenery. buuuut I still loved what I ate! Everything tastes homemade & delicious!
(5)
Joel K.
Fresh OJ that is so perfect with one of the best Monte Cristo sandwiches I've had in many years. In fact I'm having my local brunch place try to recreate it as I write this review. Fruit plate was freshly cut and not store bought and dumped in a bowl. Next time on north side of Chicago I will make sure to eat here again.
(5)
Sarah P.
I'm perplexed by the high ratings Nookies gets. I'm seriously disturbed, no really. We came to Nookies based solely off of the four star rating. We were wandering around the city and did not know any places nearby, so I did what Yelpers do - I did a search for nearby restaurants and chose one that was close and had high ratings. Nookies looks great from the exterior, but once you walk in you see it is quite old school, which is not a bad thing. The front looks like a more traditional American diner from a time long gone, with the U shaped seating around a main "bar" and stools for seating. There is also regular tables stretching into a back room. We were seated at a table. I think one of the main rules of thumb for any customer at any establishment (at least for me) is to judge the place by the cleanliness of the bathroom... Dirty bathroom.... most likely dirty kitchen - maybe poor food handling on top of it. If staff can't keep the bathroom decent why would they have the discipline to maintain a quality kitchen? The bathroom at Nookies was a mess. There was garbage on the floors, the soap taken out of the dispenser and placed on the sink, water running for no apparent reason, and unappealing toilets. The handle was broken and would not flush. Does this make you want to then go into their dining room and eat their food? Nookies serves up breakfast and lunch. Hubs ordered the Belgian waffle, I ordered the Frisco grilled chicken sandwich with cottage fries. It was not served the way it was described on the menu. It is supposed to be served with Romaine, it was served with iceburg. Not only that, but it was served with the large white "stalk" of the iceburg, not the actual lettuce. It was plain, boring, and I could have made a far superior sandwich at home. The Belgian waffle was so basic, nothing special at all. If I can make it better at home I feel I've wasted my money going to a restaurant for it. Next up.... the diners next to us waved our shared waiter over, and whispered something in his ear. Naturally I was intrigued. I paid attention to their table and watched as the waiter casually walked over to a wall the diner was pointing to, and proceeded to smash a roach. He then stated "oh those ones aren't as bad as the others I've seen." Appetite lost completely.
(1)
Rob J.
Good for BYOD. Probably should have redecorated about 10 years ago as it looks like the late 90's in here! Still, it's not terrible and the food is average to fair. Eggs were basic as was the fruit, but hey what you gonna do. If you're in a hurry try elsewhere.
(3)
Kyle D.
Overall: Great restaurant mini-chain that is consistent and always good. Great neighborhood spots. The good: Tons and tons of options, sandwiches, salads, pastas, entrees, breakfasts, brunches, everything. Big portions and it's all moderately priced. Breakfast served all day I believe. Fast and friendly service and a good atmosphere. Reasonably priced too. The bad: Nothing really "bad" about this place. Just doesn't warrant my hard earned 5-stars. Great spot regardless. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 10/10 Food: 8/10
(4)
John L.
First breakfast in Chicago. Must say it was very delicious. I ordered eggs over corned beef hash. Cooked perfectly. Only reason I don't give 5 stars is because I prefer home fries over the shredded potatoes. However; the shredded potatoes were very delicious!
(4)
Emily S.
Nookies makes one heck of a breakfast! I ordered the crepes combos which included strawberry, apple cinnamon, and cream cheese crepes. They were delicious and the order was pretty big. I unfortunately had to leave about a third of it on my plate since it was so large. The prices are a little higher than what I usually like to pay for breakfast, but the big orders compensate for the price. I would imagine they get very busy on the weekends. I went on a Monday morning, but still had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. There great selection will definitely have me coming back for more!
(4)
Mahsa T.
Nookies is darn good compared to some of the mediocre brunch places I've been going to lately. Their food is solid and service was stellar. I don't like that they have no waiting area so you have to constantly dodge people getting in and out of the restaurant while you wait 25 minutes for a table and I didn't like how cramped it was in there, tables and people are packed in like sardines. Some elbow room would be nice. But it's a small space with high demand so I can see why it is the way it is. Orange juice--fresh and delicious. Coffee--nice and strong. Nothing like good coffee to sober you up and good food to ease a hangover after a rough night. My friends and I shared the seasonal pancake/French toast special which included pumpkin pancakes with pecans--mouth-wateringly delicious. French toast with baked apples was fantastic. I special ordered an omelette with mushrooms, spinach and ham. It came with hash browns. I would have liked my hash browns more crispy and well done. Omelette portions are ginormous. They do take credit cards. For good food, I'm willing to overlook the small things. I'll definitely be coming back to Nookies.
(4)
Gary M.
Wait on a Sunday morning at about 10.30 estimated to be about 15 minutes according to the host. The good thing is, you get one of those buzzers that serves as a human equivalent of a shock leash so you can go and stand outside, smoke, go grab coffee from the Starbucks up the street but just be ready when the thing starts pulsing to haul a$$ back to the restaurant. Staff are very friendly, a little rushed but that is why the wait was only 15 mins during peak brunch time. Ambience is nice too, the restaurant is bright and airy and they have a bunch of Old Town art festival pics dating back to the 80's - gives the place a neighborhood feel. Food was decent, I have the smokehouse fritata and my friend had pancakes with berries. I ordered hash browns with mine which basically came on another full sized plate. The portions are enough to feed a small family for a few days. Price was less than $30 for two all in which for a decent sit down brunch place is just right for me. Overall, good job, wouldn't be too concerned over wait times as the place is pretty big and has fairly quick turnover.
(4)
Emily D.
Nookie's is my go-to breakfast-lunch-dinner-everything spot in the neighborhood. I live within walking distance and could easily eat here multiple days a week. I always bring family and friends here when they're visiting and request a trip here after every race I run. My brunch order is usually the farmer's eggs. A little veggies, a little bacon and lots of hashbrowns, how can you go wrong? Don't skip the fresh squeezed orange juice. Nookie's is also BYOB so you can bring champagne or vodka to kickstart your day. You also can't beat their sandwiches which come with homemade chips and soup or salad. It's nothing fancy, but delicious, no-frills diner food.
(5)
Pat H.
There is no better breakfast place in Chicago than nookies. Been here several times and enjoyed everything that I've tried. Keep in mind that nookies is always crowded but rightfully so because it's worth it. Generous portions, great service, friendly staff, great food, BYOB make this place a "must" in Old Town. What's not to love about it.
(5)
Mary L.
Very close to the hotel where we were staying. The place seems to be very popular for brunch. I love that they have a small "bar" looking area where you can just sit instead of waiting for a table. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The services was quick. I ordered the egg benedicts and my bf ordered french toast. Although, I didnt like their "hallandel souce" their french toast bread was very soft and delicious! I would totally go come back here again. The price is ok, around $10 per plate.
(4)
Brian F.
Yum! I had their French Eggs Benedict special and really enjoyed it. The food is excellent quality and delicious and served with style. I just wish less people knew about how great a breakfast place this is because a 30 minute wait seems routine to get a table.
(4)
Carly G.
Spinach salad ROCKS!!!!!!!! All breakfast items are awesome too. Great service, lovely location. Wish they had more of an outside patio though. My go to brunch place by the office.
(5)
Simmone S.
If you are looking for some good comfort brunch food after a night out (or not) I highly reccomend Nookies. The food is great and hearty. The staff on the other hand - rude and inattentive. I had to ask for coffee FIVE TIMES - trust me I needed it. If you are vegan, you probably should NOT go, but there are plenty of vegetarian options (eggs/cheese). Not a healthy place, but just a good hearty classic diner.
(3)
Meredith B.
My husband and I love going out for breakfast. Nookies is fantastic. We got the special trio (mango/raspberry pancakes, berry stuffed french toast, and coconut/mango pancakes) and the breakfast sandwich with eggs, spinach, and cheese. All of the dishes were amazing. The wait was about 15 minutes at 10:30 on a holiday Sunday morning. Staff was quick and mostly attentive. You can get a cup of coffee to bring out with you while you wait, which is awesome. The portions are huge. Normally for breakfast, my husband and I order 1 entree and a side or two. This is what we should have done instead of ordering two entrees. My only complaint is that the hashbrowns are not the super crispy kind, which is the kind I like.
(5)
Ermelinda C.
A hidden gem indeed! Friendly service, great menu and affordable. The baby spinach salad topped with the grilled chicken was fantastic and so was the Smoked chicken sandwich was quite good as well. Nice tea selection, even though I almost wished I had notices the freshly squeezed OJ on the menu, but I surely smelled it ;-) Will definitely go back here!
(4)
Kira M.
Nookies has a diner/hotel-cafeteria feel. The lighting is mild, the colors are modest and the space is simple. Imagine my surprise, then, when I discovered the following option on the Spring 2010 menu: Croissant French Toast Napoleon ("fresh strawberries and creamy vanilla bean Mascarpone stacked between layers of crunchy croissant French toast") (see photo). The physical dish was even more decadent than its description: a three-tiered mountain of cornflake-coated French toast, held together by sumptuous helpings of strawberries drowning in Mascarpone. (Estimated number of calories: a bajillion.) To call it "delicious" would be a severe understatement. It might rank as the single best brunch meal I have ever had. Ever. And, in case you're wondering: Yeah, I ate that sucka all by myself. -Pats tummy- Unfortunately, life is a balance, and with the good, comes the bad: My father does not really care for brunch food, so, as revenge for dragging him to the restaurant, he chanted, "I did it all for the Nookie(s)" under his breath well into the next day.
(4)
Craig U.
An average breakfast joint, the food was fine, not great. BYOB brunch will always score points with this guy though. Would never avoid Nookies, but would not be on the top of my list to go to next time either.
(3)
Amelia B.
Oh Nookies, I love you. Apparently so does everyone else in the city. As a result, there's always a wait (unless you come at an odd hour of the day), and its always noisy and bustling. But I will put up with that for the wonderful brunch--I highly recommend the omelettes and all egg dishes. I'm personally not much of a sweet breakfast person--I can handle like three bites of pancakes--but I've sampled friends' crepes and they are quite solid. Strong, plentiful coffee and fresh OJ. Service can be spotty during busy times, but brunch isn't typically a meal where I'm rushing. BIg downside has to be the wait, and the lack of any waiting area. It's fine in the summer where everyone just spills out into the street, but pretty miserable in the cold. I've never had lunch or dinner here, but would interested to see how it stacks up, especially given that it's BYOB...
(4)
Rebecca N.
Great omelet and pretty inexpensive for city brunches! Perfect in between scrambled and fluffy. Great service and played Thievery Corporation all morning long!
(4)
Patricia J.
Had the best burger at Nookies! I ordered the Bistro burger (with carmelized onions and blue cheese) and my friend had the Acapulco (with avocado, salsa and pepperjack cheese). They were happy to add avocado to mine and I don't believe they charged extra. They don't skimp on ingredients here. Be prepared to enjoy a deliciously, large portion. The burger came together in a wonderful way, with the sweet onions, but salty, rich blue cheese. I was in heaven! The only thing I'd say is that the burger seemed a tad dry, but since everything was so great it wasn't super noticeable. My friend said the Acapulco was amazing as well. Burgers came with the veggie soup of the day which was nothing to rave about but ok. There were chunks of veggies in a simple broth. Fries were great though! I've never seen fries cut potatoes chip style like that so they were a nice, crispy surprise. At a little less than $10, we were pleased. We came on Memorial Day and the place seemed pretty packed and lively, however we got seats in less than 10 minutes. They give you a buzzer so you can stand outside until it buzzes that your table is ready. I'll be back for sure next time I'm in Chicago.
(4)
Casey A.
This place is a legend acc to my mom so when we came down one morning for a bite and we were on Wells, Nookies was it! We weren't looking for something too heavy but ended up getting 2 short stacks of pancakes (1 Multigrain and 1 FRESH blueberry) Fresh Blueberry pancakes are the epitome of delish in my book. No restaurant should offer blueberry pancakes unless they're FRESH!! Cute waiter, cozy corner, fun people watching.. 1 thing that put me off (aka 4 stars) was how dirty the light fixtures were. I've worked in quite a few restaurants and if it was important to them, the manager would put that on the cleaning list at least once a month. Unfortunate but something that could definitely be fixed:)
(4)
Katie T.
Solid spot for brunch before or after the Lincoln Park Farmer's Market. We dined here with our two year-old son and were impressed by how friendly and accommodating the staff was. They do a brisk business of omelettes, pancakes and all your diner basics (I felt like I was in NY!) Our son was in heaven, ignoring his order from the super reasonably priced and fairly healthy kid's menu and polishing off two banana pancakes.
(4)
Karen S.
Went on a monday morning (9:30 am) and there wasn't a wait. The specials all sounded good. A friend tried the peach pancakes w/raspberries and said they were awesome. The french toast came covered in berries (fresh, not frozen), and the hangover helper was quite tasty (even w/o being hungover).
(4)
Brittany K.
My boyfriend and I went to Nookies because of the reviews that we read on here and I have to say, we were NOT disappointed at all. My boyfriend had the crunchy french toast (coated in corn flakes) and I had a Greek Omelet with Spinach and Feta, with a side of sliced tomatoes. The food was REALLY good, and there was TONS of it for a pretty cheap price ($20 for the 2 of us for food and drinks). I'd say that for as SLOW as they were when we got there, it took a little while to get our food. I read they are always busy but at around 10:15 on a Tuesday morning, there were like 5 other people in the whole restaurant and it still took like 25 minutes to get our food. For breakfast, that seems like a while. Overall, my omelet and my boyfriends french toast were delicious, but its the slowness of the kitchen that made me give it 4 stars.
(4)
Mitch W.
Had a great breakfast here as we were waiting to check into Hotel Lincoln. Fantastic! Approx 15 minute wait on the weekend.
(5)
Stefan S.
Good smoked chicken salad but AWESOME monster melt burger. Very local feeling and good prices.
(4)
Rachel R.
Found this place after passing up some other, more expensive places. I only give three stars because I wasn't blown away by anything. Staff seemed a little put out, but otherwise the food was alright and it was a decent experience.
(3)
Mike S.
Hmm...amazing. Always have a fantastic seasonal menu available for brunch on weekends. Loved the lemon poppy seed pancakes and truffle waffles. Has a healthy selection too. I am a dude, and I'll gladly say the Tuscan Chicken Salad is great as well. Awesome place to check out, Patio is open now! BYOB!
(4)
Mark T.
On my way to and from the nearby Equinox, I've always wondered why there was always a crowd outside this place. Surely there's a reason why it drew so many people. So I decided to give the place a try. Went on a non-peak time on a Monday afternoon. Ordered a turkey open-faced sandwich, with a side of mashed potatoes/gravy and cranberry sauce. Yum...that's as simple as a way that I can describe the meal. Just like mom used to make it? Well, let's just say I love my mom's cooking on a very high level. Service was good. The place just looks and feels like a comfortable cafe/diner that you and a friend can sit and eat anytime during the day. I can only imagine how crazy this place can be during Sunday brunch! Would not mind going back.
(4)
Ariana S.
As a self-proclaimed professional bruncher, I must tell you that Nookies is my go-to spot. Do the math here kids: -3 locations so you never have to travel far -ROCKIN breakfast food! Their specials are to die for! Think pumpkin spice french toast. -Delicious lunch food too! I am actually obsessed with the smoked chicken salad. -The Nookies 2 is open 24 hours and this place is KEY late night. Anywhere from Pancakes to Grilled Cheese to Chicken Fingers? Natural Crowd Pleaser -It's CHEAP! -BYOB!!!!! So what are you waiting for? No matter what time you are reading this, you should be at Nookies. Go. Now. Seriously.
(5)
Donna C.
I have NEVER had a bad meal here. The omelets are fluffy and moist. Freshly squeezed orange juice is always a treat. Seasonal favorites are unique and delicious, especially the strawberry croissant French toast. Wait staff is always friendly and efficient. As long as they are open, I will be enjoying breakfast there!!!!
(5)
Alicia D.
This has become my go-to breakfast spot in the neighborhood. The wait is never terribly long, the food is consistently good, and the service is superb. Everyone is friendly and there are multiple people who's sole job is to refill water and coffee. You will never be without either! Their menu is pretty typical diner fare (all bases covered), but they also have seasonal specials which are delicious!
(4)
Kai Y.
During our long weekend trip to Chicago, we were thinking to have brunch around Lincoln Park neighborhood. We yelped and found out Nookies is quite popular among the locals. A good sign... Unfortunately they don't take reservations. However, the wait wasn't too long (5-10 minutes) when we went there around noon. Maybe we were lucky that day. :) The interior was pretty simple and kind of traditional. It was quite surprising given it is a restaurant located in the noticeably nice and hip neighborhood. We ordered a few omelette and a french toast to share. When the food came, we were very surprised how BIG the portions were! The omelette could totally feed 2-3 people IMO. :) But it was delicious. I tried my best wanting to finish it to do justice to the quality of the dish, but I failed. :( The french toast was decadently rich and tasty! We were very satisfied with our brunch choice. Not to mention, the price was very affordable, provided how big the dishes were. Service was good as well. I think Nookies is an excellent option for brunch. I would totally go back there next time when I am in Chicago. :)
(5)
Jacob J.
If all I sampled were the Eggs Benedict with hash browns I'd be rating them two maybe three stars and would call the experience average. I checked the Yelp app after leaving service at Moody Bible Church, within ten minutes got a table inside. The reviews looked awesome and someone said something about a wowzerful benedict. The only wowing factor I could find in mine was a citrus flavor to the hollandaise, other then that the eggs were over cooked and the english muffin was straight out of the bag, not toasted. Luckily I caught wind of the "Sweet summer trio" which can be sampled for $10 for one lucky person or a table. Stuffed brioche french toast with assorted fresh berries, mango coconut hotcakes and peach-raspberry pancakes. Took a bit longer than our entrees to come out of the kitchen, but well worth the wait. It was the shining star on the table, taste explosive fruity flavors colliding with just enough breading of three varieties. That is worth a second date, lovely dish. Coffee was blah, hash browns boring. On the next visit I'll branch out and try something the other reviewers call their favs. Eggs Benny you bore me. Brunch. Average brunch entree was under $10, $8 - $10. (Sweet summer trio photo you can find above.) Dunno if I am a fan yet, have to sample more dishes.
(3)
L K.
If this was a review just for the food, I would definitely give 3 or 4 stars, and for the pancakes 5. However, going for brunch is not only about food but also for drinks and definitely service, and Nookie is was a let down in these areas. The place is BYOB, which is one of reasons why we chose it, and we called ahead to ask if they had bloody mary mixers or if we should bring our own. They assured that they had everything we needed but the liquor, and that the wait was about 20 minutes, so we headed right over. When we got there the wait was actually 40 min. That's understandable as it was a Sunday morning on a long weekend, but after 40 min was up we waited for another 40 min. Then, when we ordered the virgin bloody marys that we had called to ask about, the waitress brought us horseradish that had expired in 2010. We asked for a different bottle, she disappeared for almost 15 min, and finally came back to say they didn't have any other bottles of horseradish. So apparently we've been the only people to need horseradish in the past two years. Also, the food and drinks all came out separately, like 5-10 minutes apart, which is always awkward. As I said the pancakes were really phenomenal but I don't think we'll be back.
(2)
Steve C.
By far the best breakfast place in the city, I've been coming here for 12 years now without a single negative experience!! Omelets and skillets are amazing, seasonal menus are always exciting. Generous portions. Excellent service, very comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Would highly recommend!
(5)
Charlye M.
Yes, Nookies is amazing, and yes, everyone already knows that, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't write a review anyway. We've been going to Nookies for probably four years now, and we've tried the other locations which are also great, but this one is by far our favorite. Nookies by itself is a good reason to move to Oldtown, I wish we still lived in walking distance. :( No matter, living 9 miles away hasn't stopped us from going at least once a week. I love the Dixie Benedict, Huevos con Chorizo, Crepes, and any of the omelets and skillets. The specials are always great, but in the summer the Brioche French Toast is KILLING!
(5)
Rahul V.
We found this place on Yelp and decided this because it's only a block from our apt. This was our first time here and from the looks of it, it looked really nice and enticing. Unfortunately, the breakfast was an entirely different story. We ordered the Farmer's Skillet, Crunchy French Toast, and Hash Browns. The skillet was fairly nice and we ordered the eggs, sunny side up...the eggs were over cooked. The hash browns were just awful...seemed like mashed potatoes. The crunchy French toast was however very nice. The service was not good either and that might be because we went on Saturday morning, but they were not attentive at all. It took them 15 minutes to come get our order, but the food came out fairly quick. Top ups on the drink were never offered, as we had to ask for them. Overall, not a good first impression.
(2)
Tarra T.
Good brunch diner! No frills, good portions, seated quickly on a Sunday afternoon and BYOB! I ordered from the Fall Specials menu and had the Black Bean Benedict. A good, hearty choice that I could only eat half off in one sitting. The english muffin was replaced by a black bean patty and covered in a yellow, hollandaise sauce. My only complaint was that server was inattentive and slow.
(3)
David G.
I don't have to reiterate my love for pancakes, especially at a place that serves breakfast all day. Nookies buttermilk pancakes are of the upper echelon of pancakery, although I wasn't crazy about paying a buck extra for maple syrup. You know what that says to me? It says that you serve the steerage syrup to us poor folk, the ones who need that buck to pay for fifteen minutes of parking. Nookies is an interesting place, with a strange sliding door-like aperture that people nearly crash into when visiting for the first time, despite the arrow on the door pointing left to the real door. You go through the real door and hit the wind-up toys, which include a sushi wind-up. Not sure how that works, but let's not get off track. Breakfast food here is good, and for the second time in this review I will herald my love for pancakes. They're good here with a side of sausage and a great cup of coffee. Dinner food is pretty good, too. I had an above average cheese burger with chips and tomato pasta soup. Service here is friendly to the point that I thought I was imposing. Prices are average. Spent about $13 for dinner. The place is virtually empty during non-peak hours. I would suggest breakfast at 8pm to avoid the crowds.
(4)
Amy P.
My first experience was pretty blah, so I decided to give it a second try. It was even worse. It was hands-down the worst eggs benedict I have ever had. The hollandaise sauce - more like paste - was so sour that I couldn't even eat it. I just don't get the hype, honestly.
(1)
Rod D.
I've been to my fair share of brunch places and when a couple of friends suggested Nookies, I had to go and see what the buzz was about. To my delight, I was treated to great food, a wonderful wait staff and a family friendly atmosphere. I love the variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes they have. Very tasty and would definitely visit again!
(4)
Paul A.
I wish the description of Yelp's 3 Stars is OK instead of A-OK, because this place is definitely the former; not the latter. I've been going here for years. The food is a cut above the standard coffee shop/Diner fare. Definitely better than average, ingredients are fresh and for the most part, well prepared. However, it's not THAT great. Why people stand in line for hours on the weekends is beyond me. But what's most frustrating is the restaurant itself. Not the service, necessarily -- most times that's friendly and prompt. I"m talking about EVERY WEEKEND without fail, with a room full of diners, when they close the extra dining room at around 3p, the loud vaccuum cleaner goes for around 20 minutes. And it is loud and annoying. How can a restaurant be so rude? With the main dining room full of diners? Then, to add to the cacophony, the "background" music is blaring. I'm glad I don't drink anymore, because this would be about the worst place to be if you were hungover. Or sober, for that matter, and wanted to have a peaceful lunch and/or conversation.
(3)
Ryan L.
Nookies is amazing. I lived in Chicago for 4 years and moved away for 2 and always had Nookies when I was back in town. Now that I've been back for several years, I try to go often. The wait is usually 15 minutes but it's worth it. I food is excellent and comes in large portions. The trio that they change every season is usually my favorite. Also solid choices are the French toast and the biscuits and gravy. It's a Chicago tradition.
(5)
Debbie C.
The Breakfast Trio was beautiful! Coconut and Mango Bread Pudding + Strawberry and Peach Pancakes + Stuffed Berry French Toast = AWESOME. I have a major sweet tooth so the trio hit the spot perfectly. The Stuffed French Toast came with a full cup of fresh berries. The free flowing coffee and the fun oldie's music made my Saturday brunch experience complete. I recommend waiting the 10 minutes for a seat outdoors when the weather is nice.
(5)
Amy J.
After years and years of hearing about it, I finally tried Nookies! It was a great experience. Their food is excellent, the staff: overly friendly. Meter parking on the street, but most of all what I loved is that it's a FRIENDLY diner with great food. I will definitely be back. I was more than impressed.
(4)
Kimmie R.
I've been to Nookies a few times and each time they even messed up my order or the person that I was with. The food is not especially wonderful and there is always a long wait to be seated. I'm not sure if people frequent this place, because it's in a heavily populated area or what. Anyone giving this place four stars should really get out more! This is the type of place that you go to when you are hung over and in need of food, coffee and fluids to get you back on track after a long night of partying. I find it especially interesting that the average person that frequents this place is either over 65 or in their mid 20's or early 30's with messy hair and loud stories about the night before. It's not a bad place, but it's certainly not a place I'd go to if I had to drive to get there! It's the type of place that you go to when you just don't feel like cooking.
(2)
Joanna B.
Ah, Nookies. Such a wonderful, familiar, happy place. My parents used to live around the corner from Nookies way back when. Old town was their old stomping grounds. They fell in love there, and lived there before I was born. I've joked with my brother, while dining at Nookies, that he could've been conceived on a night that my parent's ate there. Weird, but somehow cute. Nookies is a truly wonderful cafe/diner. Almost everything I've ever eaten there was great-tasting, and well-prepared. They have a very large selection of items, and serve breakfast all day. I've had breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups- and some of the seasonal special dinners, too. The pot roast was particularly superb. Well-seasoned, nice balance of meat to sides, and cooked just right. I love their breakfasts- and they pay good attention to special orders. I hate being "needy" or having to ask for something "special", but I always order my scrambled eggs soft. I cannot tolerate browned, chewy, rubbery eggs. They always make them right when I remember to order them soft. ALWAYS. A very long time ago, I ordered Beef Stroganoff from the dinner special menu. It was icky to the max, in every way. No need for description. I am QUITE confident it was a one-time mistake. They offered me a different meal, and didn't make me pay for it. The service more than made up for the "kitchen error", as I'll call it. I left with a full belly, and was glad I spoke up and said something, since I normally would feel bad about doing so. Anyway.... Nookies is bomb. Solid, tasty food. The service has never thrilled me- but at this price point, I'm pretty happy with an alright server and GREAT food. I will always keep my eye open for that one day-changingly wonderful server, though. Take your friends and family to Nookies, or go by yourself. Just go.
(4)
Jeff H.
Was in Chicago with the family for my high school reunion, and after a few late nights, we just wanted someplace completely low key and comfortable to grab dinner. A quick check of Yelp showed this place was kid-friendly and had a variety of comfort foods on the menu, so we thought we'd check it out. This spot worked out perfectly for us. It was in a quiet part of Old Town and was pretty empty on Sunday evening. I had the pot roast special, my mother in law had a blackened chicken, wife had a turkey burger and daughter had mac-n-cheese. Food was good but not memorable. And I probably would have only given this place three stars if not for the staff. Our waitress and the folks behind the counter were what really made this place work. First of all our waitress couldn't have been nicer. Just incredibly personable and casual. Perfect midwestern hospitality. And between her and the guys behind the counter, they totally took care of us and also engaged way more than would be required with our 5 year old daughter. So I'll give this place 3 stars for the food, 5 stars for the staff and then also 5 stars for the price. Prices were totally reasonable, including a huge two scoop ice cream bowl for dessert for $1.50. Thanks Nookies!
(4)
Billy M.
Nookies is delicious! I have never had a bad experience here and I order takeout almost every Saturday and Sunday morning. My got breakfast is Huevos Con Chorizo. Lunch/dinner is the Greek Chicken Sandwhich. The staff is great and now know me by name. The only problem is the wait on weekends. Prepare to wait 30 mins to an hour
(5)
Marjorie F.
Since my return to Old Town - scene of my post-college years - I have been revisiting old haunts, dare I say, as a mature (ahem) adult. (Don't laugh.) Nookies was always one of those places I sought to cure my hangover blues. This time around it was more like a cure for plain ol' hunger pangs. This visit was during the week on a rare day off from work. My boyfriend and I were quickly seated and served coffee. Great. But then it wasn't so great. After we sat down, we waited a long time for a server to take our order, let alone just say "hello - someone will be right with you." It wasn't even crowded, for pete's sake! I tried to flag someone down but each time my friendly waves were ignored. Ooohhh... I don't remember it being like this. Maybe I need to drink just to tolerate the wait staff. Anyhoo, we finally got a server who had the personality of a cactus. I so wanted to hug her. Yeah right. Aside from the not-so-pleasant waitstaff, the food was delicious. I had the steak and egg tostada while my boyfriend had the brioche french toast with berries. Yummmm... In a nutshell, food is good, waitstaff yuck. You decide what you need. As for me, I will try to have a nasty hangover next time I visit so I can take my focus off the service and focus on the food.
(3)
Vivi W.
Good brunch food. Not amazing but good place, if you don't mind the lines.
(4)
Meg C.
This place was within walking distance to our hotel and had great Yelp reviews, so I wanted to check it out for breakfast/brunch. It did not disappoint. They were really busy, but we were able to get a table quickly. The service was great. My coffee was never empty. Everything was delicious! I had the vegetarian omelettes with egg whites (there are healthy options) with tomato slices and toast. The food portions are HUGE.
(5)
Barbara D.
I use to call my highschool boyfriend "Nookie" so I wondered if he opened up this restaurant in my honor for breaking his fragile heart...or not. Back to reality... Random weekday morning spent walking around this neighborhood looking for some place that was open and serving food at 10:30am. Nothing.... Another block, nothing... However, I have a random passerby and his viscious dog to thank for pointing out Nookies. Wow, we walked in and I was expecting another diner dump but wholah it was a fancy smancy diner...far from a food landfill. The calm ambiance was the first thing I noticed and the 'classy,' half- circle bar stood out. The inside was one room extending into another and another. We decided to sit outside. The service was impecable. Smiley young girl that moved quickly and effortlessly. The veggie burger and the fried ravioli were the highlights of my nookie nooner.
(5)
James F.
came here for lunch and had a great set of sandwiches. i got a Monster melt, but with a turkey patty substitution ( yelp.com/biz_photos/Ot1s… ), and my wife got a French Dip. each came with a side of homemade chips, and a soup. I got the cream of potato soup which was pretty good, though my wife's tomato pasta seemed not special. however, her French Dip ( yelp.com/biz_photos/Ot1s… ) impressed her - it was huge and in the end, she brought about 1/4 of it home (and the au jus). my Monster Melt (patty with cheddar and onions on rye) was a good melt, and not too greasy. good service and tasty food - i'd come here again for lunch, and judging from some of the other reviews, maybe for breakfast too! They have five or six tables outside on the sidewalk for summer days.
(4)
Julie B.
This is becoming a Sunday must in my book!!! Ranking in my top three favorite breakfast places in the entire city. Whether you crave sweet or savory breakfasts, Nookies will satisfy any palate. I would recommend any omlete on their menu!!! No joke! The frittatas are 3 out of 5 stars (too many carmelized onions in the Smokehouse Frittata). Service is excellent, friendly faces all around. Street parking is tough over there and be prepared for a bit of a wait.
(4)
Gerry X.
Met some friends here from out of town who used to live here, and this was their recommended spot. Parking upon arrival took a few minutes on the street; I really didn't notice any prominent signage (maybe I missed it as I was running late) but on entering the place was crowded packed and bustling with activity. My friends got silver dollars and I got pancakes and eggs with bacon. All was delectable and full of awesome. Have to mention that we didn't see our waitress for about ten minutes, and that the she looked rushed; it was quite busy. I forgot my camera so I may find some pics thru the web to post some on here.
(4)
Shradha A.
I'm still not a fan of Nookies and I will feel like I keep ordering the wrong items here. The vanilla french toast on a croissant was not a good idea by any stretch of anyone's imagination...!
(3)
Christy T.
I am willing to offer Nookies on Wells a 5 star. You know why? I have waited in line twice to receive a homecooked breakfast which lives up to going out for it - I love their english muffins, endless coffee-mug re- fills, fresh-squeezed orange juice, scrambled eggs, guacamole, hashbrowns, (don't bother with Yolk or Eggsperience).
(5)
Colleen C.
Beth P, for the win...again. Ok, so I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I didn't even REALIZE there was a Nookie's on Wells. In fact, I'll go as far as to say...I have never been on Wells between Lincoln and North Ave. Is that weird? Methinks so....but nonetheless Beth P opened my eyes to a little Old Town gem. Thus, this review is dedicated to her... I ordered my standard Denver omelette with tomato slices and coffee. It is a bright, shiny day when my coffee is perfect, and that it was. The right blenda splenda, cream and hot diner coffee sends me into a sort of dream-like state that can only be replicated by the perfect Diet Coke formula. (fully carbonated, fountain...if you must know). Regardless, the refills were plentiful and well timed... My omelette was quite perfect, actually. Not too big, not too small...large chunks of green pepper (I hate mushy little shredded chunks of veggies, ick), and the cheddar cheese did not resemble Kraft nor nacho cheese topping from 7-11. IN an omelette, this is quite important...especially when one is a cheap cheese connoisseur like myself. SO many times I am presented with plastic cheese, and I just cannot stoop to that level of consumption. Don't get me wrong, I'll eat in certain situations (baseball games, jail, etc), but when dining with intelligent women, I need real cheese. Obviously, they get an A in this department... CASH only. Thank you Beth P for introducing me to Old Town triangle, and Nookies. I've now completed the Nookie's trifecta....Nookie's Tree, Nookie's Old Town and Nookie's on Halsted. Voila!
(4)
Jenna S.
Soooooo good! We almost always visit Nookie's before a night out in Ye Olde Boystown. The restaurant is really nice - there's a ton of tables and it's always full. The food is also fantastic - they have anything you could possibly imagine in the way of diner food, as well. There's breakfast, lunch and dinner and I recommend trying as much as you can. Plus: BYOB!!!!! I love love love love BYOB restaurants. This is one of the better ones. Great servers - always nice, funny and attentive. Good Clientele - all the people I've ever met there are super nice. Price - inexpensive! You don't have to spend a ton of money to get a great meal. Especially since it's BYOB.
(4)
David M.
Great breakfast....blueberry pancakes were excellent as was the French toast my colleague had....excellent service as well!
(5)
Jen P.
Amazing pancakes. Huge omlettes. I have become a frequent Sunday diner
(5)
KuangYou C.
I had the "sweet trio". This one is great. Pancakes and French toast along with lots of fruits and some oats. However, I feel it would be better if they put some "salt" food in this dish. Finishing a big plate with all sweet food would be challenging for my tongue.
(4)
Matthew M.
Nookies has great food, a warm neighborhood-y atmosphere and great service. The servers and staff are exceptional, and I have enjoyed everything I've ever had there.
(5)
Arlene A.
This is a first for me. I'm giving four stars to an establishment that had me waiting outside in the rain for 40 minutes, after saying it would be a 10 minute wait. Not the fault of Nookies, but of the obnoxious parties sitting around texting/playing with cell phones well after the check has been paid. Seriously, people have no concept of being considerate to the person waiting afterwards. So a pox on the jerks who don't have any manners, and could care less about anything other than themselves. Now, on to the food. We ordered off the brunch menu, and if you ever have the opportunity to order the Paris Benedict, you should do so. I couldn't finish it, with all the yummy potatoes. The grilled asparagus were perfectly done and very delicious. Once seated Nookies is a great experience, you just may have a longer wait than anticipated.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
Excellent, excellent brunch spot -- 5 stars all the way. I've never once been disappointed. Delicious food, generous portions -- just be ready to wait on the weekends! I'd recommend going a bit earlier in the morning or later in the day. You can also order carryout and skip the lines. Their seasonal specials are incredible and always changing -- definitely the best pumpkin pancakes I've ever had. They also have lunch/dinner food -- and are BYOB!
(5)
amy m.
I've been to Chicago just once, but the next time I visit, I will be sure to come back again for breakfast. I had a seasonal dish: smoked trout scramble with eggs and capers...absolutely delicious. The server was friendly and the cafe was quaint.
(5)
Dan M.
This is one of the best places to go for breakfast in the city. I have had the good fortune of living down the street, so it is an easy walk down the street for me. I know a lot of people here talk about how long the wait is, but if you are coming on a Saturday or Sunday morning I don't understand the need for a rush? There are lots of little shops near by and you can entertain yourself there while you wait. Everything on the menu is well executed, but for a real treat check out the seasonal menu. I typically will get the summer vegi fritta or the steak and egg tostada (when in season). My girlfriend goes nuts over the crab cakes benedict. The thing that really shines is their service. The food comes out fast and you always someone there when you need them. For the fish out there that go through a ton of water, you will love that they are constantly replacing your pitcher with a full one regardless of how much is still in it. In summary: Not going to give it 5 stars because I do have breakfast places that I like slightly better, but this is without a doubt one of the best places in Chicago for weekend breakfast food.
(4)
RJ J.
The best omelet ever! Now on to that delicious eggs... I did order ALL meats omelet. That juicy surely flirts your tongue that nothing actually stops you. Seriously...
(5)
Shaun F.
GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT!!! Nookies is unbelievably good! Their friendly wait staff put up with my mother's crazy antics! Order the freshly squeezed OJ. Also, you MUST MUST MUST order off the specials menu! The specials change to highlight the fare of every season. If you go to Nookies and order scrambled eggs and white toast, we can't be friends. So, you don't want to wait in a line huh? Then, be smart and go early!
(5)
Sara E.
I can't quite put my finger on it, but this location is even better than the LP one. The Wild Bleu (seriously, if I could come up with my signature omelet, it would be this) is amazing. They keep the coffee flowing, and there is a really cute bar with cute cute cute stools. Cute. It was completely busy when we got there, but they took our name and literally a minute later we were led to a table. Awesome, as I was incredibly hungry. MMM.
(5)
Quality C.
THE GOOD: great ambiance, great food, great service THE BAD: small bathrooms THE UGLY: long wait
(4)
Jennifer M.
I ate here for the first time over the weekend and was not disappointed. They have an extensive menu with options for everyone. They had a few seasonal items on the menu for breakfast and I tried the apple bread french toast. It was absolutely delicious and I cannot want to go back to try many more dishes from their menu!
(5)
Melissa M.
I've heard about this place a great deal over the years because I have a friend that works there. Sadly, he wasn't working while I was there, but I really enjoyed this place. It was very roomy and bright and I didn't feel squished in like sardines like some restaurants, even though it was extremely busy. I give special kudos to our waiter. The woman I was with only ordered one egg and one sausage and water. She said she doesn't like a place to dictate what she eats. As a friend, I can respect that. As former waitstaff, I know that this order would be an annoying waste of time, but the waiter didn't even flinch. He took the order graciously and didn't try to get her to order a combo off the menu. He gave her exactly what she wanted. It even arrived with an orange slice on the plate, perhaps if only to fill up the plate, but it was a nice touch. lol We were given a caraft of water with lemon which was promptly refilled whenever we emptied it. My companion thought the lemon was a nice touch. My order included hasbrowns which were very crispy and yummy! Another bonus is that the bread came with the butter on the side, so you had the choice to use butter or not that is so often not given without a request. All in all, great and speedy service, bright and cheery atmosphere, and accommodating kitchen. No complaints and I would be delighted to return!
(5)
Mike S.
Based on some Yelp reviews, we went to Nookie's this morning (Sunday) around 10:30 am. As we walked up, we saw a decent crowd outside so we were expecting a very long wait...but it ended up being only 15 minutes (and they were spot on with their estimate). We were sat in the very back room which, I will add, is one of the reasons we rated this as a "4" instead of "5". We didn't give them a seating preference and we would much rather be seated in 15 minutes than wait 2 hours if the restaurant size was smaller, however they could do some more to make the back room more inviting. Especially considering there are no windows or anything back there...it's very sterile. Once we got back the seats, we discovered that the food MORE than made up for the odd layout. I had the good old, traditional pancakes, with 100% maple syrup (up charge but worth it) and bacon. She had peach and raspberry pancakes with almonds and a peach-marmalade butter. Both dishes were out of this world!! Our waiter was excellent and extremely attentive. The only service issue we had was keeping our coffee hot - the waiter really wasn't the one handling the coffee...the guy who was didn't make it back to our room very often so we had to keep asking for a warm-up. If not for the coffee and blah-dining area in the back, we would have given Nookies 5 stars, hands down. But you will definitely find us there again, soon!!
(4)
Jenn R.
I'm waiting for a Nookies to open in River North, b/c I'm an addict. I never have anything I don't like here. The service is fast, but not pushy and the food is consistent and fairly priced. The sweet trio is killing my diet, but it's oh so worth it. The Jalisco wrap shows up in my dreams. Amy's omelette is so good I make it several times a week at home, but still come back to Nookie's for the original. The OJ is so fresh my mouth waters just thinking about it. Crepes, pancakes, waffles, omelettes - YUM, YUM, YUM! And that's only breakfast. Lunches are great too: grilled cheese (I like mine with tomato), hamburgers, OH the chicken salad! Ok, it's lunchtime and I think I know where I'm heading. :)
(4)
Gabi M.
Nookies is always a highlight when I come visit my sister in Chicago... I've been to both locations, but this one is so conveniently close to where my sis lives, that I choose to review this one. I absolutely love the breakfast (served all day) at Nookies. I wish I could find a place in Arizona that made egg white omelets 1/2 as good as they are at Nookies! They are so fluffy and delicious - I dream about these when I am away! Most recently. I went on a weekday morning (which I highly recommend so you don't have to fight the crazy crowds you'll find here on Saturdays and Sundays). I had a coffee, the spinach and mushroom egg white omelet, tomato slices, and multi grain toast. Yum! It was exactly what I was craving and it filled me up for hours! I hear the blueberry pancakes are to die for, so I may have to try those next time. I've also had the tuna salad stuffed avocado for lunch which is perfect to split with someone - the portion size is huge! Note that this location is cash only - I will make sure I've got enough $$ in my pocket at all times during future visits so I can fill my Nookies cravings. Until then, I'll be dreaming about those beautiful fluffy egg white omelets... thanks Nookies and sweet dreams!
(5)
Carolyn K.
Service was great. The place was fairly empty, but our waiter was fantastic. This is the second time I have been here and my food has been excellent both times. I had the crepes, which were tasty. My companions each had the chorizo huevos rancheros and enjoy it.
(4)
Ronda T.
Excellent breakfast and we went for a quick dinner burger as well. Great service,had to wait 5 min for a table but the vegetarian omelette was superb and I am not a vegetarian but felt like a healthy veg hit. The serves are generous and coffee good.
(5)
Smark B.
Carrot cake French toast, lemon and poppy pancakes and plum pudding cakes make brunch all the more interesting. It may not look like much but the food is great and really good value.
(5)
Gabe K.
I went to Nookies last week for lunch with some friends. There was about a half hour wait, but it was a nice day so we didn't mind and a line is usually a good sign about a restaurant's credibility. I got the huevos rancheros which was $6.45 and was delicious. Came with a large tortilla, rice, beans, cheese, eggs, and sour cream. Two of my friends ordered the monterey chicken sandwiches with the potato chip/fries; if you're struggling to decide, I'd recommend the monterey chicken sandwich. Another friend got the southwestern omelette which turned out to be a bad decision. The avocado dollop on top of the omelette was too creamy and tasted strange and the omelette itself had way too much cheese. It was literally half pepperjack cheese. Recommended. Not quite 5 stars, but definitely worth every one of the 4 stars I'm giving it.
(4)
Dee C.
Had breakfast here until I waited for my spa appt at Avanti. I ordered the three crepes: blueberry, strawberry, and the cream cheese. The strawberry and blueberries were fresh which was refreshing. The cream cheese was great. The only problem with the fresh fruit is that it is hard to eat. It's like eating just blueberries and strawberries, but nonetheless, I still had a great breakfast. I went on a Tuesday so service was fast, the waitress was nice, food was good, prices were right, but parking is all metered parking around the area and I can't imagine getting a spot during the weekend when it gets busy. I think they have a sister restaurant too and I will return for some more yummy breakfast!
(4)
Kay-tee O.
Saw this restaurant on a blog and we decided to try it after we landed in Chicago. We were there on a Friday morning around 830-9am. The service was prompt, and the food was great. I ordered the chili-avocado frittata and it was excellent. If I lived locally I'd be back often. As it is if I return to Chicago I'll be visiting one of the restaurants for breakfast
(5)
Garrett F.
I love pancakes! and Nookies does them extremely well. There Omelets are great too...Whenever up in in Lincoln Park you better believe that i am coming here. My all time favorite thing is small diner's and Nookies fits my definition perfectly
(5)
Daniel C.
Our favorite Saturday morning brunch restaurant. Great tasting healthy food with very friendly service. Wait times to get in can be a bit long, but there's a really nice outdoor space to wait in, so not a big deal.
(5)
Adriana L.
As an avid Yolk diner I almost feel like I'm cheating even writing this review (sorry Yolk) and yet I have to do it; I feel compelled. I went to Nookies with a friend a few weeks ago and was in the mood for blueberry pancakes. Being the healthy foodie I am I ordered the multigrain blueberry pancakes and a cup of coffee without knowing I would shortly arrive in what would soon become my food heaven here in Chicago. You breakfast/brunch addicts and junkies know what I mean. Out they came with blueberries on top, and in the middle - just like I like them. And the multigrain batter was perfectly seasoned with this surprise of cinnamon that left a perfect flavor on my tongue making me crave the next bite. The middle of each bite was somehow soft and almost gooey yet still cooked...I kept eating until I was nearly sick to my stomach they were so good. Here comes the dilemma...I am now addicted. I have to have blueberry pancakes all the time for breakfast and I'm trying to recreate their yummy multigrain recipe at home (I don't cook - it's not pretty people) and to top it off, blueberries are out of season - it's heartbreaking. Where does that leave me (and us)...I've now become addicted to Nookies and their multigrain blueberry pancakes! Oh yeah, my dining companion ordered an omelette and loved it although he was somewhat distracted by my nearly orgasmic experience across the table.
(4)
Max M.
So this is where the yuppies eat breakfast in Chicago. If we were in LA, this would attract the young Santa Monica crowd. I kid. I kid. Seriously, I really enjoy coming here with the gf for weekend breakfast---especially in the summa time. Just head to the farmer's market across the street and walk off the egg white omelette or whole wheat pancakes along Lake Michigan. The food is respectable. But I really dig the neighborhood and vibe. Go early. It gets really crowded on weekends.
(4)
K B.
Went here for brunch and was very disappointed. Tried the special, was a "Trout - Egg Scramble." The flavors did not mesh, and I hardly ate it. The best part of my meal was the toast I ordered on the side. On the other hand, the orange juice was really good.
(2)
Al C.
UPDATE: i originally gave this place 4 stars, but i'm downgrading to 3. i've been here 2 more times since my review and each time they were horribly understaffed for weekday dinner crowd. There were 2 couples sitting next to us who were so freegin' steamed because their food hadn't come out yet and they had been waiting forever. The food is still pretty good and i love the convenience, but the service is spotty. Just moved to chicago and am soooooo happy to have found that i live a stone's throw away from NOOKIES! this is one of those comfy, solid homecookin' kinda places that everyone wishes they could live within stumbling outta bed distance. It's perfect. the food is tasty and it's just is the perfect neighborhood place for any meal. LOVE IT!
(3)
G T.
Good stuff. Kid friendly early.
(4)
Shelley K.
So nice and lovely Greek owners! Defo go back. Portions huge - buy breakfast and you get to take home lunch too!
(4)
Alex H.
I consider myself lucky that I live close enough to Nookie's to make it my brunch standby. There's nothing I haven't enjoyed. And as though the great fare and warm service isn't enough, its BYOB. Yep, Korbel mimosas all the way! Unfortunately the secret's out (was it ever in?) so be prepared to wait on Saturdays and Sundays.
(4)
Jeff H.
This is my favorite brunch spot in the city and I have been to a lot. Once you get a table (the wait can be up to 45 minutes on the weekend) your food will be prepared perfectly and served quick. The staff is friendly and makes you feel at home. As an added bonus their coffee is excellent.
(5)
Joshua G.
4 1/2 maybe. This place is much bigger than you expect from the outside. Traditional decor, wait staff in all black. They offered my toddler son a cup of crayons and stickers. (He was very pleased.) We weren't even seated when the staff offered coffee (I like this). Our waitress came to check if we needed more drinks. Realized we needed time and offered it. Once we were ready (sat down our menus) she was right over. I asked her opinion on two of the omelets (North of the Border or Southwest somethinorother) She recommended the N o B, due to the fact it had meat and the SW didn't. I could tell she had had neither and wondered what she would have recommended to my wife. I ordered the NOB and my wife a Fritata. The food was delicious and sooooo much food. We actually just sat down this morning and finished the leftovers. Overall a very pleasant experience. Good food. Good environment.
(4)
Jennifer J.
I am a devout Nookies fan--a fan of the food, I should say. This is a review of the service. I've been going here enough to feel that I can give an accurate take. I LOOOOOVE Nookies food. I go here a LOT because the food is great and the prices are not bad. It's fresh, dependable, unpretentious. Now, I despise the customer service. I go here a LOT, but the employees treat me as if they've never seen me before; in fact, they even treat me coldly and rudely. This pretty much goes for everyone who works here. Now, there are several "hosts" who work here. The two I see the most, Douchebag #1 and Douchebag #2, are the rudest. Douchebag #1 is the one who seems to be working the most when I show up. He's oldish and very bald. This guy, when he's not talking about his "gym" or some sort of personal training adventure, does the minimum. A begrudging "hi," escort to a table, and exit. Handles the payment at the end, ever so brusquely, and delivers a short "bye" when I leave. In between all of that minimum work, he's sitting down, usually blabbing to someone, likely regulars, about personal training and working out or some crap like that. ALLLLLLL the time. Without fail. Once, when he had to perform work, he delivered an order that was messed up, and he freaked out when I told him so. He very unwillingly took my order back. Douchebag #2 is a tall, hairy one. The kind of guy who played football in high school and wasn't very good; he was just stocky and tall, so people thought he was good. This guy also does the minimum. He's pretty much like Douchebag #1, but he's there less often, so hence, a little less annoying. And there are two other guys that are just neutral, meh. The waiters: the girl with the dark hair, always in a disheveled pony tail on the side, scares me a bit. She gets the job done, but she's incredibly bitchy. I'm always happy when I don't have her because she makes me nervous. The tall girl who has a high pitched voice is nice-ish but fake. Sometimes messes up the order and will often forget about you as she chats it up with Douchebag #1 and occasionally, Douchebag #2. The blonde guy also sometimes messes up an order, and forgets about you often. He's eh when it comes to niceness. None of them actually acknowledge me--they just take my order and give the food (sometimes incorrectly) with a barely passable decent demeanor. It makes me uncomfortable to even come to this place, especially when it's not jam-packed because it's even more obvious that they could give a crap about this regular. I think I may stop coming here, though I love the food so, and start going strictly to Nookies Tree on Halsted--the waiter, Deda, is MUCH warmer and friendlier, even bubbly. The other waiters...eh. Nookies, I suppose, in general, could use an overhaul when it comes to their waitstaff and "hosts." The food is sooo good and affordable, but the customer service just blows it for them--2 stars.
(2)
Serena S.
Love it! I get so excited anytime a family member comes to visit from my hometown so that way I have an excuse to go here for breakfast. So much food for your money, I have yet to clear a plate. Yummy seasonal fruit and veggies. My favorite breakfast place.
(5)
Unity O.
Ah Nookie, Nookie, Nookie! Talk about being leaving a place satisfied--ah!!!! The eggy goodness covered in the sinfully creamy cheese, the tart artichoke adding a ting of sass--ahhhhh!!! Someone hand me a cigarette--oh wait! I don't smoke--drat!! For some reason I have been on a brunch kick lately--must find good brunch food at affordable prices or will die--this is my mission. Once I find a brunch spot the inevitable inner argument occurs & it can be killer sometimes: SWEET OR SAVORY?!?!?!?! my sweet side & my savory side really duke it out--you should hear it & the language--good lordy, lordy. I am utterly ashamed of myself for having worked near enough to the place for the past 12 years & NEVER having been--someone slap me! Upon entry, I was pleased to discover how humongous the place is. You would never guess the size of the dinning room from the outside--I am guessing this comes in handy on the weekends as I imagine it gets packed. My friend & I were seated right away and promptly served coffee--already this place was winning in my book. Our server was quick in assisting us with the menu & ready to give suggestions (personally I love that). He was very attentive to our needs and made the experience ever so enjoyable. He even displayed a ton of patience as the war of savory vs sweet waged on in my head (this little spats can take a bit of time). Savory won out on this trip & I ordered the artichoke frittata. It was delicious and the portion was MASSIVE. My friend ordered the Amy omelet with fruit cup and of course we shared (why go out with people if you are not going to sample each others plates?!?!?!?!). Both dishes were delicious--a word to the wise if you do not like lots of cheese be sure to tell them go to lite on that stuff. My only negative is the coffee--while I thought was Okay--I have had better. Trust me though, that won't keep me from coming back. The sweet side of my brain must have its day! So the run down is this: Place--spacious & comfortable. Staff--friendly & super attentative Food--comes out hot & quick and is utterly DELICIOUS! If in the hood--check them out or heck make a special trip.
(4)
Carl D. S.
When it comes to neighborhood brunch spots, Nookies is high on the list. Delicious food at the right prices, with a staff that is friendly and takes care of it's customers. There's a reason for the line on most weekend mornings. Either for 2 or for 8, Nookies can accommodate. Stupid rhyme. The inside, although a little hotel decor, is what it is. There's a counter to hold around 12, but the place goes far back filled with tables. It's just what a place like this should be, ready to rearrange at any moment depending on the groups coming in. They do a great job at getting people in and out, as the line outside can keep you waiting around 30 minutes. You'll notice, most people wait and done give up. The food is well, well done and at a price that is decent. Pick any breakfast and you'll be pleased. From the standard pancakes to their giant omelets, Nookie will surprise you with ingredient combinations galore (try the one with apples in it). The specials change often and contain items truly deserving of being listed "special". The same goes for lunch and dinner, anywhere from a Turkey club to a full on fish dinner can be ordered. Go for the burgers, as the combinations are incredible. The Amsterdam...gouda, garlic, mushrooms...on a burger?? Yes please! Plus, the side is their homemade potato chips, which should be ordered extra crispy. Another highlight is that Nookies is BYOB, so get your Mimosas flowing or your cooler of beer close at hand. If you're looking for a quick bite, or for a friendly brunch, at a neighborhood establishment, Nookies will cover your needs. Hold out through the wait, as it'll be well worth the hospitality and good eats.
(5)
Timothy H.
Came here for brunch with a bunch of friends, many who were out-of-towners. Nookies is A-OK, but too far from where I live to warrant coming back. The food is good, and reasonably priced, but I was irked by being charged $3 extra on my 2x2x2 for blueberry pancakes and chicken sausage. 1) I didn't need the chicken sausage, I improperly assumed that was their sausage option. 2) really, $1.50 to add blueberries to the pancakes? Fine, my fault. I paid my share, I just wasn't expecting it. The place is much larger than it appears from the outside and I think the wait never exceeded a half hour. Their coffee sucks. If someone from Nookies reads this, I don't know what you're doing when you make the coffee but it needs to be stronger. Very much. Stronger. Oh, and the Huevos Rancheros? Underwhelming. Pancakes are ok. Eggs are undercooked. On the other hand, the corn flake crusted french toast, and sweet creme & cheese crepes and very good.
(3)
Nathan M.
Recently moving from San Francisco, I was eager to find some local eats beyond the misery of Denny's & IHOP. I fell upon Nookies this last Saturday & thoroughly enjoyed it. Although the atmosphere was a bit bland...the food was far from it. While there, I enjoyed one of their many omelets filled to the brim with fresh spinach, crispy bacon and melted cheddar cheese. It was delicious. Pared with a hearty batch of hash browns (a little underdone for my taste) and choice of bread; my stomach was fully satisfied upon leaving. This seemingly retro diner has a quaint feel & a warm staff that made the experience overall enjoyable. I suspect that I will be back soon.
(4)
Penelope S.
I love their fresh squeezed orange juice!! The food was awesome and the host made my children feel so special! Great music and great wait staff!
(5)
Brenna M.
My parents are visiting for Father's Day weekend, we wanted to get brunch on Sunday morning, but my Dad's not really a "foofy" brunch kind of guy. Aka, he'd take a greasy spoon diner over Toast, any day of the week. So, Nookies seemed like the closest thing to a Diner I could find in Old Town. We sat down at 10am, with no wait. The service was prompt, and our expectations were...honestly we had no expectations. So let me tell you we were BLOWN AWAY by the food. I had the roasted veggie open face frittatta, and the eggs were fluffy and the veggies fresh and full of the grilled smokiness. The summer specials were incredible too. Do me a favor and get the Trio of: berry french toast, peach/cocunt hotcakes, and almondy pancakes. We split it among the 4 of us, and they were all so yummy! You'll have food to go. Learn to love leftovers, I'm eating mine right now :)
(5)
Billy B.
Look, I know that people really like Nookies but I am not entirely certain they have eaten good breakfast before. Sure, Nookies is good for an average breakfast that costs $12-14 with coffee. If you want really good food and atmosphere this aint your place. Instead, trade up and go to Tavern, stay in the same price range and go to Yolk, check around the corner at Toast (typically a wait), or go to Bar-Ba-Reeba. My point is really that all restaurants cant be 4-5 stars and there are much better options than Nookies. Will I go back? Sure, but I certainly have experienced better.
(2)
Damian C.
Every time my friends want to go to Nookies I throw some kind of protest. Not cause I am a brat, but because I don't really see the hype in this restaurant. I am not a breakfast person, so maybe I am missing out on something amazing, but a good restaurant has to make sure quality covers all bases. The first time I went was the mid-morning after a shackfest. I was told it was a "cute little restaurant" and immediately pictured a small quiet place to eat and have conversation. Instead, I found myself walking into a cram-packed little room with tables that were so close I could practically taste test their meals (though they were eating breakfast food so I wouldn't have anyway). My BBQ chicken sandwich was ok. Just ok. A little sloppy with sauce, but nothing worth noting. I was disappointed again when the check came and the waitress said "Oh sorry, we only accept cash." ARGH! I would say 3 stars for that. But LUCKY for me 4 of my friends wanted to go another night. I put up my protest, but could not get out of it. Heck, why not give it a second chance and see if it would be better on a random weeknight. I was in a sour mood, so I was pretty critical of everything. While there were less people in the restaurant, they only had one server working. I had a major chili craving, so I ordered the chili bowl. Other minor things happened to throw off the whole meal, and worst of all for me, my chili was pretty cold. Another disappointing experience. Maybe the third time is the charm? Who knows. I'll likely put up a fight before that happens though. Sorry, Nookies. edit: 3/18/07
(3)
Bob F.
Excellent food for breakfast. Can't comment on lunch or dinner. Depending on when you go, there might be a wait. I will go here anytime i'm in the city for breakfast. (or breakfast for lunch!)
(5)
Jacquelyn C.
Oh Nookies, How do I love thee, let me count the ways.... #1. Your outdoor seating on a glorious summer morning. #2. The fact that you have those buzzer things like Buffalo Wild Wings (for food) when our table is ready. #3. Your omlets. #4. the tiny chunks of fruit cooked into my panckes. (I never thought I would be the kinda gal to enjoy chunky anything, wow, was I wrong) #5. The fresh squeezed O.J. (and the 7 refills I usually get). #6. The huge meals at super uber skaduber cheap prices that allow me to share with a friend or take some home for later. #7. Your baller staff. I could go on and on. I love you nookies! See you next week!
(5)
Pamela D.
This place is GREAT for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!! On the weekends it is crowed but worth the wait!! I went there for lunch today and had a veggie burger topped with THICK blue cheese and slices of apples, and homemade potato chips!!! The have great coffee and fresh juice!! Under $10 for breakfast and over for lunch and dinner!! BYOB
(4)
Airetta B.
I will be telling my age but at my age who cares - Nookies was 'THE' place to go in the '70's for breakfast after a Saturday evening 'good' date. Nookies is still good for breakfast - now with my husband as the 'good' date!
(4)
Sam R.
I've come here twice before, both times I got tuna and both times I was sadly let down. My boyfriend got the burger and thought it was absolute paradise though. The cream of spinach gets 5 stars from me though YUM!
(4)
Roman M.
I wanted to give this place more stars because it's my local spot now, but it's just gonna get 3 from this guy. The service and overall attitude of the place is great - no frills and nice people. The food is very average though...but I guess I shouldn't expect much more from a diner-style place. Nothing was bad but nothing was great. If you're looking for a solid brunch spot this works. I haven't been here for lunch or dinner though, so take it with a grain of salt.
(3)
Stacey A.
A series of brunchy haikus: Devine brunch trio: Two kinds of pancakes, french toast I might drool too much... Cinnamon pear toast from France was the clear winner I ate every bite And wished for seconds - it was so fucking tasty. Must make this at home. Pumpkin pancakes, next. Not as good as the french toast but solid flavors. Reminded me of pumpkin spice from starbs only much better. Third plate was too much - cherry-apricot pancakes. Okay - but not great. Everything on the menu sounded like sex in my mouth. For real, yo. Too bad I got lost trying to find the place and walked down Sedgewick. Oops? Please remember this: Nookies is on Wells - order their French Toast items.
(4)
Jeri J.
I couldn't ask for a better neighborhood, family restaurant in the middle of the city! I have eaten here for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and take out. Everything I've had at Nookies is really good. The eggs benedict is a tad lemony, but thats how I like it! The turkey burgers are my favorite non-breakfast item. My boyfriend and I even brought Champagne and made our own Mimosas to have with our breakfast...best idea EVER!!! The only downside is that it gets really crowded on Saturday and Sunday mornings so I suggest trying on a weekday or saving time to wait (it's worth it!)
(5)
Trevor M.
I live right down the block from nooks and as i am usually a fan of coney island style dinners I thought I would love having this in my backyard. I have eaten here a few times each trying something different in hopes of finding something good to eat. My first experience was with their skillets that were really nothing to talk about. Just a bunch of stuff thrown into a pile for you to eat. The next and sad to say last time I went there I took my girlfriend with me. It was pretty busy but I had 2 eggs toast and sausage and my girlfriend did the eggs benedict. My food was alright, definitely nothing I wouldn't be able to make for half the price. My girlfriend however is why we probably will never go back. It was obvious from the first look as the waiter was bringing it from across the room that they hollandaise sauce was straight out of a can. Had a terrible off yellow color that looked more like bile then hollandaise. When we asked our waiter if this is made fresh he kind of rolled his eyes and laughed. That just leads me to believe everything here is either frozen, canned or just plan cheap. I prefer simple things like hollandaise and mashed potatoes to be made fresh and not instant. When we notified the manager that we were unpleased that they couldn't take the extra 5-10 mins to make it right, his answer was something along the lines as you can't win them all.
(2)
Tim Y.
Good diner food served fast. I had the BBQ beef (can you tell from my previous review I had a taste for it?) and enjoyed it a lot. Lots of beef on a potato like bun, cooked in a sweet BBQ sauce that wasn't too sweet, not too spicy, but just right. For a side I chose cole slaw that didn't disappoint but compared to the portions of other sides I saw, it was a bit skimpy and I could've gone for more. Avoid the tap water. It's nice that they keep a full carafe at each table, but it tastes really nasty.
With a name like Nookies, I expected a much more hole-in-the-wall place than it was. Felt a lot like First Watch, for anyone who has lived in Northeast Kansas/Kansas City. But that's not a bad thing. Walking up Wells to Nookies on December 21 at about 9:30 AM, I may have been colder than I've ever been in my life, and I grew up in WI. Below zero temps with a 40 mph wind is unbelievably cold. But anyway, it was worth it. The menu's got all the requisite breakfast fare and I ended up having a Mexican-breakfast casserole thing; it was delicious. I'd go back if I lived in Chicago...
(4)
Hard L.
The food is better than average, quick, inexpensive and comes in large portions. What really makes this place one of my favorites is the unique diner atmosphere and great staff.
(5)
Robyn T.
You think Nookies. You think eggs. Breakfast. Weekend crowds. Do you think...dinner? Chances are probably not, but this diner-esque haunt has some solid sandwiches, wraps, salads and entree items. Surprised? I sure was. First off they have a rockin good strawberry milkshake with huge chunks of berries. Yum. Second most of their entrees include a bowl of soup (last night option included lentil or cheddar broccoli) and some really good fries (potato slices) and a pickle accompany the massive sandwiches. I loved my grilled chicken with avocado sandwich (it was so big I didn't even eat half the bun) and my friend liked her tremendous wrap so much she took the other half home. If you're looking for an affordable, family friendly dining option for any meal check out Nookies. Bonus? Outdoor dining and friendly service!
(3)
Vanessa G.
Had the scrambled eggs with hash browns, and toast- simple breakfast but it was delicious! The staff was very friendly and efficient. Even though it was super busy, I never had to wave our waitress down like a crazy person, or wait for a re-fill on my coffee... Come to think of it, the guy that re-filled my coffee was like a coffee ninja, he came out of nowhere with a re-fill :) The location is great, but keep in mind that you'll probably have to wait for a table on the weekends. I'll definitely go back to Nookies, especially on a warm day when I can sit outside.
(4)
Natalie M.
I honestly dont have much to say about Nookies(can you imagine- ME not having a lot to say??) Food- good, not great, but hearty and filling. I am especially fond of their omeletes which are LIGHT and FLUFFY. The other reviewers are correct- they do NOT skimp on the cheese. The hashbrowns are just OKAY, the fruit in their fruit cup is fresh and filling(not any of that nasty gross fruit-cup type thing you probably got in grade school). Service was attentive without being intrusive. Solid four stars for Nookies............... I just wish the place was a tad PRETTIER inside but OH WELL!
(4)
Troy B.
Today was the first day visiting! The food was absolutely divine. The service was also top notch! Will be back!
(5)
K. A.
Favorite! Favorite! Favorite breakfast place in Chicago!! I could honestly go to Nookies every weekend!! Their brunch is so good, I've never had something I didn't like and the staff is always friendly!! There are healthy brunch options as well as those more unhealthy options for those with a sweet tooth, so this place covers all the bases. I just keep going back! And still LOVE it!
(5)
Jennifer B.
Get. Here. Early. Thank goodness we arrived by 9:15am on Saturday morning....when we left there was an hour wait! And for good reason, this place serves really delicious food! The food....every fruit-type pancake you can think of, and killer omelettes. Killer! (in a good way). The orange juice is freshly squeezed and really, I can't think of many better breakfast spots in the city. The only downside is the "decor"...if you will. It is basically a really bare space that has some tables and chairs and then filled with people. Not exactly quaint. But hey! With fresh fruit and whipped cream on top of your waffle, who can complain?
(4)
Christine F.
Good, solid breakfast food. It's the real deal. Benedicts. Waffles. Pancakers. The ambience is eh and the food won't completely wow you, but it's solid. I had a California Benedict without bacon (english muffin, avocado, poached eggs and tomato with a hollandaise sauce). Not bad at all. Can't go wrong with avocados. If I am in the neighborhood for breakfast I would definitely go back.
(3)
Alex R.
Nookies is a great place to bring your out-of-town friends and relatives. Ok, it's not Toast by any stretch of the imagination, but it's certainly worth visiting regularly. The food was mostly great, especially if you get their skillets -- the hash browns are amazing! They have freshly-squeezed OJ, so get that, too -- but stay away from the AWFUL coffee (no amount of creamer or sugar could masquerade the taste). I'll definitely be coming back again.
(4)
Kevin D.
The best of the Nookies for sure, but the food is still very mediocre diner food...
(2)
Cheyne N.
Solid breakfast spot. Place was slammed. Very good-looking & attentive staff. Food was banging and my bill was $20 for 2 people. Rad. First time in town and pretty damn impressed. Just please have some Tapatio or Cholula to go with my Chilaquiles next time please. Thanks
(4)
A R.
I went here early Sunday morning with a large group. There were 8 of us and it was about 8:00 in the AM. As there were other groups ahead of us (big events going on nearby, so large crowds), they said we had to wait until our complete party was here. So we awkwardly stood around, unintentionally hovering over the tables nearby as there was no real area to wait. It definitely was an older crowd at that time. Everyone was in their 50's or 60's it seemed, reading their morning paper and sipping their morning coffee. The atmosphere kind of reminded me of your typical suburban American restaurant--nothing impressive with regards to the decor. I was skeptical about the rave reviews my friends gave this place. Finally, everyone arrives and they seat us. I start with an orange juice, which happened to be freshly squeezed. Delicious. Then I order the cheese stuffed crepes, with one cinnamon/apple one and a side of bacon. Pure dessert. The cheese crepes were very tasty and super sweet. I definitely enjoyed them but maybe too sweet for the morning. The bacon was perfect too--having a slight maple flavor to them. I tasted my friends eggs and they were cooked to perfection. I wish I had the chance to try more food, so I could rate them more thoroughly, but I have to say, if you want an all-American breakfast, moderately priced, this is the place to go. I'm not sure if I would come here again, though.
(3)
Sylvia I.
Came here for brunch with a party of 4, and the wait wasn't too bad. We were all starving, so the prompt service with coffee as we sat down was great. Really good coffee too. Would be great if they could just leave a pitcher of coffee at a table....we were going through coffee pretty quickly. We all wanted something sweet and salty...so each couple ordered a 1-2 main dishes + pancakes to share! I ordered the chocolate chip pancakes and then shared a denver omlette with my husband...who got their pancake special that was super sweet. I wasn't a huge fan of the denver omlette....maybe because the eggs weren't too fluffy? Or maybe because I'm spoiled and my husband can make really good omlettes?? Would recommend coming here, especially if the wait here is shorter than Toast. We couldn't get into Toast, so walked over to here and got served within 20 minutes.
(4)
Jorge M.
I go here for lunch 2 to 4 times a month. The food comes out fast and the service is minimal, but they are very helpful. I've never been during their busy time so I don't know if thinks take a long time. Portions are huge and prices are cheap for the area. Their patio is small but nice. Great place to get full before walking around the zoo or the park.
(4)
Becca S.
I've lived 2 blocks from Nookie's for 9 years and have been many times. It started to lose its luster for me a couple of years ago for a few reasons. One was that they only take cash (that has since changed), secondly any time you'd want to go there's a minimum of a one hour wait, and thirdly there are so many brunch places that Nookie's really isn't up to par. I went recently for what I think will be my last time. I'm not a fan of any of their NON breakfast foods. I have had a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches, and nothing begged for a second chance. Their breakfast is good but again, nothing spectacular. The omelettes are always a little dry and the potatoes are bland. And why can you only get sweet potato fries in the after noon? The last time I went my waiter seemed to be in a training program for Ed Dbevics. He was rude but clearly in an attempt to be funny...he just failed. It's a bummer it's so close to my house but I can't see myself ever going back.
(3)
Dan R.
This place is awesome. never had bad food. and its BYOB breakfast place which is very helpful on a sat. or sunday morning. expect about an hour wait on sundays i like to bring some champagne and make mimosas with their fresh squeezed OJ. BAM!!
(5)
Gfiddy F.
Excellent brunch.
(5)
Beth P.
Also, if you've ever found yourself in need of a gallon of ranch dressing stat- nookies is your place. PS- "Frisco sandwich": If you're not dieting, put it in your mouth now.
(4)
Laura K.
I love Nookies! I've been coming here every month for my book club for nearly two years. They don't normally accept reservations, but the manager has always been really cool---call sometime in the day and give them a heads up and they pull tables together for us. They even do individual checks, which is a HUGE plus with a group! One waitress handles a group of 14 with ease and the busers are very attentive to refill water carafes for us. They let us linger as long as we want, never felt pressured to clear out. Even if they have other special events (another group, filming for something), they try to accommodate us as best as possible. They even let us do a special event with an author and 30 attendees without a problem. I tend to stick to a handful of favorites, but I've never had a bad dish. Nookies serves breakfast all day and I love pancakes for dinner on occasion. Pancakes, crepes, french toast, waffles----all yummy with large servings. The only dish I've ever heard any of my group not like was spinach pie. Otherwise, we've tried almost everything---salads, burgers, pasta, eggs, sandwiches, soup, etc.----with happy results. Good diverse choices for vegetarians as well. I've been here once for the typical Saturday early afternoon rush. The wait wasn't too bad. I tried a seasonal pumpkin pancake and it was really good. Good service. I could rave forever. There's a reason my book club has stayed put in the same spot for nearly two years. Everyone is happy and the staff is outstanding!
(5)
Jonathon C.
We strolled into Nookie's on Sunday around noon. Place was jammed but we were able to get our party of seven seated fairly quickly. Staff was friendly and the food was fantastic. My veggie omelet, crunchy hash browns and byo bloody mary hit the spot. This place has definitely been added to my list of places to eat in Chicago.
(4)
Rebecca H.
We went for lunch here last week and was pleasantly surprised, there was no wait, we got a sweet little table by the window and the waitress was so nice. The service was very good, and the place has a comfy feel to it. We both got the veggie burger, with a cheesy option, very good. The fries are like whole potato slices... mmmmm.
(4)
Joshua K.
We were looking for a low-key meal on Friday night, I was craving breakfast food and my wife was open to anything so I hopped on Yelp and came across Nookies. It was exactly what we were looking for! I get pancakes nearly every time I eat breakfast out, but I like a multi-grain pancake with fruit and nuts. Our waitress (who was very friendly and helpful) said I could mix and match, so I created the perfect pancakes multigrain with bananas, blueberries, and nuts topped with real maple syrup. BEST pancakes i've had in the city, outside my own kitchen anyway :-) My wife got a turkey burger which was also very good. There menu is pretty big, and is priced right. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Tiffany K.
i don't know which omelette i got but i do remember it being good. also remember the long wait. cute brunch restaurant. perfect for families, couples, dates, everyone!
(4)
William H.
The food = Awesome. Wait staff gives alright service. Operation hours are optimal. I went here two nights in a row. I came back cause of the good service and great food I had the first night. First night I had a very attentive waiter. It was perfect. I had a sirloin steak that came with those awesome cottage fries, soup, and spinage. the quality of the food was great! So delicious for only $15.00 Second night I came in I had a ham and cheese sandwich. The waiter didn't ask me what sides I wanted so instead of the fries which I had a craving for, I was given coleslaw. That's alright though, it's a healthier option and it was the best coleslaw I have ever had. My dinner guest asked for catsup for his fries which he never got. All in all, I love the food here. It's all delicious! But I wish I had a different waiter.
(4)
Julie S.
Best omelettes in the city. Period. When they say "fluffy," they aren't kidding. Great ingredient choices too. Delicious! Our brunch club showed up with 11 people, right at prime seating time. The folks at Nookies were kind enough to let us call ahead to get on the list so the wait was really short. When we have such a large group, we kind of expect the service to dip a little. Not here. Our server went above and beyond for us. She was so attentive to every little detail. That means a lot to us. Thanks, Nookies!
(5)
Marie B.
So, my co-worker suggested we meet here for a working meeting...omelets & home fries are great brain food, didn't you know? Anyway, she is a walking encyclopedia of restaurants in the city, so I deferred to her opinion. I was not disappointed. The service was good, although the restaurant was rather crowded, it wasn't noisy...not something you can say about alot of places anymore (when did we all start talking so loud!?). At any rate, the food was very plentiful. I had this huge, huge omelet that was stuffed with yummy fresh veggies. It came with a large side of home fries (my favs) and toast. Although my co-worker is a bit of a health/diet freak, I ignored her scowls and ate at least half of everything (which was no mean feat!). Overall a good place for breakfast/brunch. The only drawback: Attempted to go back on another day and could not find parking...anywhere!?
(4)
Elizabeth S.
Once again YELPERS were great HELPERS! First went to Toast (it was 2 PM on Saturday afternoon). Walked in the door where there were 3 people waiting and the hostess immediately said "It will be an hour. . " According to other reviews, this is obviously a standard response. Walked over to Nookies. Greeted by a lovely and funny woman, who immediately seated the 3 of us in a window booth - SCORE! Food was great (LOTS of it), service was EXCELLENT - our server was sweet, nice, and really attentive when we needed it but never made us feel like we needed to hurry at all. I wanted to go back on Sunday but alas- we needed to try out somewhere else to complete our weekend!
(5)
Colleen C.
Okay. I'm a huge fan of the occasional trip to Nookie's for nice diner food in Boystown. But this one...Seriously? In a nutshell: awful service, rude waitstaff and management. Here's what happened... I walked in after a dentist appointment (yuck) for a salad and a nice read all to myself. Well, this didn't exactly happen. For one, it took FIVE MINUTES to wait to be seated...and then, I wasn't seated. See, after waiting that whole time, NO ONE even LOOKED at me or bothered to say, "Someone will be right with you," or "Can I help you?" It was NOT crowded. At all. So, I figured, maybe I'm expected to seat myself? Doesn't seem like it, cuz I know how the other Nookie's works (see: someone at the counter ready to seat you immediately), but I think, "Whatever, who knows," and seat myself. It became apparent that I was NOT supposed to do this, as every waiter and bus boy walked right past me paying me no attention / not knowing how I got there. So FINALLY, after 10 minutes, some waitress says something to the manager guy at the counter, clearly pointing at me. He shook his head and said something. She turns to me and says, "Excuse me, do you need a menu?" I said I did. With that, she turns around and storms off to the front, shaking her head and throwing her hands up in the air in annoyance. At me. As if I wouldn't see this? Then she hands me the menu and, in a fake-nice voice, but loud enough for everyone to hear, says, "Next time, just make sure you check in at the counter, okay?" I responded, "Yeah, well no one helped me for five minutes so..." And she WALKED AWAY as if I hadn't said anything. I should've left. But i was starving and already there. So I stayed and ordered my salad. The rude waitress decided she should be nice to me from then on out, clearly remembering that she needed a decent tip at the end of all this. (Which, she did not receive nor deserve.) I must say, I've never felt like such a nuisance to a waiter or waitress like this until the Old Town Nookie's. And all because I got confused by the lack of attention to be seated, and assumed I might need to seat myself. So, I will NOT be going back to this location. Ever. Very rude and unprofessional. If I have a craving for Nookie's next time, I'll make sure it's at the Boystown one, where they actually, you know, SEAT you in a decent amount of time and are kind to you.
(1)
Jesse S.
I've been to this Nookies two or three times, and have been consistently whelmed by just about everything--quality of food, quality of service, decor, other customers, other customers' orders, and so on. Word on the street is, that you got a weakness for breakfast food items, and well, I'll be damned if that's not true, but wouldn't you know it, I don't think I've ever actually had breakfast/brunch here, and, well, if I did, it was one time (that "or 3"rd time) and it wasn't very notable. Otherwise I've had the sandwiches. Pretty sweet if you like sandwiches with shit piled on top of 'em. For example, when I went last week, I got a tuna melt. That's right, tuna on english muffins with tomato slices and some nuclear orange cheese melted on the top. It was pretty good--the tuna's real mayonnaisey if you're into that. I usually prefer a drier tuna. Because I'm weird. The fucked up thing is, though, that I could barely eat any of the GD sandwich because I had a bowl of split pea soup that preceded it. NOW IS THE TIME WHEN WE DISCUSS THE MAJESTY OF THE SOUP. Seriously, this split pea soup was thick, creamylicious, hammy, oh my oh my oh tasty good. On its surface floated big as hell sourdough croutons, nary a sogged by the viscosity of their home waters. The croutons were buttery, a bit garlicky, basically fucking incredible. And the soup, oh, heavens, the soup. I tell you, I have never had it taken out of me so bad from a bowl of soup before. I'm a huge fan of soup, and it usually sates me, but, like, Campbell's doesn't cut it unless you also--in addition--hook up some cheese and crackers with that bitch. Now, the type of cheese and the type of cracker are HIGHLY context specific with respect to the particular soup, but their copresence is near mandatory, in my soup consumption book. But I'll be damned if this split pea didn't get a full fucking pass with crusty croutons alone. And then I was too full to eat my sandwich. THANKS NOOKIES FOR FEEDING ME THIS SOUP IT IS THE SOUP OF HEAVENLY DELICIOUS DELIGHTS BUT NOW I HAVE TO TAKE THIS SANDWICH HOME AND I HAVE TO BE ONE OF "THOSE PEOPLE" TAKING HOME TAKEOUT CONTAINERS OF STINKY FOOD ON THE EL AND EVERYONE EVERYWHERE PRETTY MUCH IS 100% SURE THEY KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN EATING AND THEY'RE JUDGING ME FOR IT. Thanks a lot. And what the hell is with those slices of potatoes you pretend to pass off as french fries? That shit's like trying to call a sow's ear a fuckin' silk purse. (2 stars on an everyday, 3 for the soup.)
(3)
ZZ K.
This spot located in Old Town is simply put...AWESOME!! The wait is often long when you go during prime time eating hours (usually breakfast), and even worse in the summer (they do have some outdoor seating). It is all worth the wait to eat here and the service is good - they always greet you with a smile. My boyfriend and I walk here (40 minutes) and grab breakfast and or lunch often. Its worth it and we get a chance to prepare for the mound of calories we intake...well worth it!! They have great breakfast dishes, which have not compared with any other breakfast place (maybe Wishbone) that I have been to in the city...really. They are better than Toast, Orange, Le Peep, Lou Mitchel's...I can go on, but I'll spare you! They have some creative seasonal menu items including AMAZING stuffed french toast in the summer, which I highly recommend and great egg dishes. Even their salads and burgers are fantastic! Their portions are large and the prices are well worth the quality and quantity you get. It's a great spot for a large or small group and we never feel rushed. They take good care of you and will make sure you get exactly what you want. Please note that parking is a pain around here!
(5)
Sopla R.
This was our 2nd time here and probably last. The breakfasts' are decent here. Portions are huge and service is OK. However, we stopped in for a late lunch last week and it was really just so-so. I had the roast chicken and veggies and mash pots.. well the chicken was good.. but the veggies were WAY undercooked (an no.. not even remotely al dente) the potatoes were ice cold in the middle.. which means.. that they were not properly heated up (as in slowly) I tasted my SO' s food and the fries were lukewarm as well.. so timing is an issue here.. bringing the food up at the same time not putting it up at different times in the window) I thought I had recalled that it was much better than it was....and I think really the only reason to come here again would be for breakfast but actually there are SO many 4 & 5 star breakfast places to go to (that are same prices or less) there's really NO reason to come back.. PS..tell your waitstaff, bussers etc.. not to pick up glasses by the rim! It's SO tacky and SO unprofessional.. even for a casual place like this.. service 101.
(2)
Cecilia T.
My running club has come here a few times on Saturdays around 11 after our runs, so we're starving and want warm yummy food. Despite the size of our group, we're able to find seats with little wait time. Their menu selection is large and varied so youc an pretty much find what you want and the portions are very large. At our last outing, I ordered their French Toast and finished only a third of my meal! Their coffee is pretty good here as well.
(3)
S. Brian F.
Great neighborhood Resturant. These people really take of you. Great food, great service. Very friendly .
(5)
Michael O.
This place is packed at 10am when I arrive! A rather good sign, considering Chicagoeans know their brunch places. Service here is moderate at best - my server seems pretty stuck up. When I tried to ask for recommendations, she did not offer anything at all (by claiming "everything here is good"). Since this is my first time here, I'm not even sure if she is correct. One thing for sure - freshly squeezed OJ is great! Breakfast was moderate - not sure what's the hype about this place. I won't want to go in a group here because the line's pretty long and the food's alright. Maybe another visit (and another waitress) might change my opinion?
(3)
D F.
Not only is the food consistently tasty, its also friendly on the price. Food is seriously the best hangover/morning meeting place/old friends rendezvous, well you get the picture. This location is consistently busy and consistently good. What else could you ask for. Things to try: Ernesto's Chilaquiles Any of the skillets Crepes Never have had lunch here, but benefit of the doubt its probably really tasty!!
(5)
Kelly K.
I lived around the corner from this place for a while and I always wished it was open for dinner during the week! The brunch is fantastic- even when I stray from my usual selection of an omelet, I've never been disappointed. The salads are also delish and they have a great $5ish special where you can get a blt with soup. Yum!
(4)
Alayna H.
Nookies is probably my second favorite breakfast place in the city...Cornerstone holds the #1 spot, they don't have the same variety, but they're walking distance from my place and the service is as good as it gets. Anyhow, back to Nookies...sometimes there's a bit of a wait in the AM, but it is SO worth it. They have a great variety of egg dishes, and any omelette that your little heart could possibly desire. Also got the crepes here once and they were amazing as well. I normally come for breakfast/brunch, but I came for lunch once and got the rueben, I do NOT recommend it, the meat was hard and slightly scary looking, and tasted like leftovers from a week ago. That being said, that was my only bad experience and not worthy of knocking the review down any stars when compared to all of my other experiences here. I now know that if I'm craving a reuben, Jason's Deli is the place to go, not Nookies. Also, it's BYOB, one morning I saw a very clever group of people making mimosas...I'm defintely following their lead the next time I head to Nookies.
(5)
Stephanie K.
Sweaty and hungry, my friend and I wandered into Nookies after the Run for the Zoo 10K. Although I've never been to this location, I'm familiar with the Nookies organization and thought it would be the perfect diner-type breakfast as an after-race reward. I tried the Gouda, Egg, Shroom & Spinach sandwich, which was great. I'm sorta picky about my omelettes, and usually walk out disappointed or wishing I had chosen something different. However, Nookies is pretty darn consistent with their menu. Everything I've ever ordered - or tasted off another's plate - has always been tasty, satisfying and the perfect amount of grub to satisfy a grumbling tummy. Note: One star lost for cash-only.
(3)
Marlene S.
Wish there was a Nookies in my neighborhood so that I could try everything on the menu. Went to the Wells St. location for the first time on a Saturday around 1 pm. Very short wait. Decided on the apple cranberry crunch pancakes. Yummy! Took half of my daughter's chicken salad sandwich home for dinner (portions are big and it came w/soup) and it was delicious. Nice variety of items on the menu - eggs, crepes, pasta, salads, burgers, and even pork chops. Their motto is "fresh and friendly" and that was true for me.
(4)
Anna P.
Same good food and service as the other locations (larger than Lincoln Park location, which is nice). I like this place because it has great brunch options (especially love the omelettes) and actually some great lunch options as well (the turkey burgers, which are usually tough to nail down, are surprisingly good), which can be tough at a brunch place.
(3)
Rebecca H.
Great breakfast spot. Healthy and greasy options so me and my SO don't argue. You could pay more at a crappy diner on any other corner in Chicago and miss out. The name is "Nookies." That alone would win me over for at least one visit! But I'll keep coming back and you should, too. They even honored my NPR Membership card without complaint.
(4)
Amy D.
Very disappointing experience at Nookies with just ok food and horrible customer service from management. There are too many great spots in this city to waste time going to this location. If you're in the Old Town neighborhood, head over to Elly's for great food that comes along with a better managed restaurant including excellent customer service and a friendly staff.
(1)
Madelyn H.
nookies looks like a typical diner inside - but the food i had was not typical. i had one of the specials - the parisian benedict - and it was delish. it was on brioche instead of english muffin and was topped with asparagus and truffle oil. there is always a wait involved but seems like that's par for the course for brunch. if you need brunch in this area, it's a really good option.
(4)
Natalie F.
nice place for breakfast, but our croissant was not as soft and fluffy as we hoped it would be
(4)
J S.
Rock on. Awesome food crappy parking. Park at pipers alley (second city) and walk.
(4)
Annie S.
I love eating at Nookies. I'm not giving it 5 stars because the wait is almost always really long and it's very annoying that they don't take credit cards. Ugh. Ok so the food here is really good and pretty cheap. This is a diner so they have almost everything anyone could want. From breakfast food (eggs, skillets, breakfast burritos, pancakes, omelettes), then salads, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, pasta, etc etc etc. The food is always hot and taste really good. My favorites: Multigrain Pancakes (always get them with fruit and yogurt) Crunchy French Toast (really good!) I would recommend coming here even though parking can be a real hassle.
(4)
Tammy Q.
After my mediocre experience at M. Henry, I was a little hesitant to try Nookies, even though the reviews were good. I came here this weekend with two friends and we basically tore everything up. I had the ham and gouda croissant and it was yummy and flavorful. I like my hash browns to be a little crispy on the outside-- and can never seem to get it that way unless I make it myself. Nookies hit the spot -- perfectly made. We also ordered the trio of sweet pancakes and the Napoleon is the one that stands out for me. Warm French toast covered in sweet cornflakes and stuffed with ripes strawberries and a yogurt-y substance -- who would have known it would be so good!?! It was -- everyone must try that!! The pineapple upside down pancake tasted just like its cake ancestor. The banana/toffee pancake was a little too sweet for my tooth (the horror!) Service is swift here! The food came out in less than 10 mins and coffee service definitely made its round around us!
(4)
Shawn Z.
Love the omlet, wild blue. I'm. sucker for good cheese. Great food, good price
(4)
scott s.
Hey We dont accept Credit Cards Our food isnt too good either
(2)
Lauren G.
So far I've had some of the seasonal specials (caramelized pear crunchy french toast & ginger pumpkin pancakes) and only their breakfast food, but their fare is beyond delicious. The orange juice, though the color might throw you off, is fresh and highly recommended. The atmosphere is subdued and yet homey, in a modern sort of way (more so for the one on Halsted than this one though). Quick service, extremely reasonable prices (especially for the area). My only gripe is in regards to the portion size. I would like a smaller option as I've no desire to reheat french toast at a later time after it's been soaking in syrup, and I don't want to waste food either --it makes me feel even more privileged and guilty, as if stuffing my face with gourmet breakfast food wasn't enough.
(5)
Jessica D.
Holy Mother of taste buds! I had one of the top 10 meals of my Chicago life here today. My boyfriend and I shared our dishes. The seasonal specials including an omelet with mustard greens, sweet potatoes, ham, peppers. The tang of the greens mixed with the sweet of the yams and the saltiness of the ham was unbelievable. On top of that, we had a sampler of the seasonal pancake/french toast items. The flapjacks were moist, creamy pumpkin pancakes with roasted pecans. The pecans were toasted and mildly charred for a delicious burnt sweet taste. The french toast was good had incredibly fresh spiced apples and struesel cumblies. Oh, and their orange juice was the best fresh squeezed I've ever tried- EVER.
(5)
Katie G.
Oh Nookies, I owe many a drunken night and sickly mornings to you. You have been there for me always delivering delicious breakfast, soup, or burgers. You are by far the best diner type place in the neighborhood. Always open and always satisfying. Definitely 4 stars in my book. Even better: TRY THE BRYN MAWR LOCATION.
(4)
Erika G.
The original Nookies. I had a boyfriend, back in the day, that was obsessed, OBSESSED with this place. Every time he'd visit me in Chicago, we'd go here. The breakfasts are very good, really, but not worthy of an obsession.
(3)
Lauren H.
A wonderful place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!!! Prices are perfect and you can always find whatever you are craving at the time on the menu and you won't be disappointed. I have lived in Chicago my whole life and I have been eating here since I was 5 years old and I am 28 now.
(5)
jenn m.
Super cute little corner restaurant. It definitely has that "homey" feeling. The staff are very nice and accommodating. You certainly see a lot of regulars here. We like to sit at the little bar area and read our newspapers and drink coffee. The menu is pretty standard when it comes to breakfast affairs, but I do enjoy it. Eggs, bacon, coffee. That'll get er done. ;)
(4)
Christina D.
I had a great dining experience at Nookies! It's an awesome, no-frills diner with a cozy atmosphere, nice staff and pleasant music. Oh and the food is pretty great as well! Nothing revolutionary but there's no need to be groundbreaking in order to be awesome.
(4)
Meghan G.
Still love Nookies- just simple fresh diner food for dinner and lunch, amazing treats for brunch! It is BYOB, and they DO take cards now, so stop by and enjoy!
(4)
Caroline M.
Strolled by the venerable Nookies a few times before I actually ate here. Every morning on the weekend there is a good crowd of people lingering outside the door. The place has a great family diner feel to it with a bit of a sophisticated edge. As for the food, I fell in love with the croissant french toast (w/ vanilla mascarpone cream and strawberries), a marvelous breakfast special they have in the spring(perhaps best eaten as some sort of special occasion or celebration -it is definately a sweet treat!). Frittattas, omelettes and eggs are consistently good as well.
(5)
Huey K.
For such a long wait, I wasn't impressed. The food here *looked* great, but I was really disappointed with my bacon, chicken, and cheese frittata. Although the eggs were cooked well, it was way too cheesy.
(2)
Patricia K.
This place feels somewhat tucked away despite its Wells St address. The wait on a weekend morning is rough. During the summer, it is made bearable by the ability to wonder around outside while waiting for your table. However, in the winter months, you are caught crammed in the front area with nowhere to sit during your long wait. Their menu changes seasonally, which always made each cruise of the menu feel like your first time there. I am a particular fan of the Croissant French Toast Napoleon in the spring.
(4)
Meghan H.
This is my favorite spot for Sunday brunch. I often go with a good book and sit at the counter. They have a huge menu and I think it is comfort food. I love it - an easy go-to morning diner.
(4)
Stephen Z.
Nice little place to grab a latte before a walk down wells
(4)
Brandi T.
Hmmm. I was less than impressed with this place to put it nicely. We only had to wait around 18 minutes, which was probably too long considering the food. First off, everybody felt their food was under seasoned. Isn't that the number one sin when cooking? Season your food! The hash browns were alright, although a bit on the oily side. I had crepes and they were pretty dry and more like thin pancakes then true crepes. My husband felt pretty positive that all the vegetables in his breakfast came from a can. Service was so-so. Atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired. Had the food been great, the atmosphere would have been fine, but it's just humdrum. Meh. Oh yeah.. AND they don't accept credit cards. Who doesn't accept credit cards nowadays?
(2)
Kevin S.
We got seated right away on a Saturday afternoon but we had to wait for probably around 20+ minutes for anyone to even approach our table. The portions were enormous and were decent tasting, but I like my omelets to have that oily or buttery quality to it. These omelets tasted like they were cooked with no grease, or baked or something. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, I'm sure it's much more healthy and lots of people like it better that way, but it's not for me. The ingredients all tasted really really fresh. The orange juice was delicious and perhaps the best I have ever had. If I'm in the area I would consider coming back.
(3)
Rick E.
For those lucky enough to visit New Jersey and indulge in the Diner gastronomic experience, Nookies in Chicago will renew your hope that good food, lots of choices and great service without paying five-star fine dining prices still exist outside the Garden State. After finally visiting the Lincoln Park Zoo (Free admission! Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!) we ran across Nookies on Wells and couldn't have been more pleased with our experience. Not only were the sandwiches we ordered delicious, the ones we saw on other patron's plates made me want to swipe a bite. Lots of young professional couples in their non-office casual wear gazing deeply in each other's eyes gave one the perfect opportunity-but I was raised better than that. Suffice to say this place is goooood. Great looking food, better looking waiters, fast and friendly service. What else is there?
(4)
Kassie C.
Great menu. My boyfriend and I both got omlettes and loved them. Service was excellent. We will be going back soon :)
(4)
Christopher D.
Awesome food every time. Doesn't hurt that my favorite is breakfast.
(5)
Jessica S.
Having walked by it a dozen times, I finally stopped in this morning/early afternoon for brunch with a friend. Seeing as how it was a Tuesday morning we were sat right away (it was too hot for outside so we ate in). I opted for the above the border omelet (Canadian bacon, apples and cheddar) with the fruit and an orange juice to drink. The orange juice was very good, I'm guessing very fresh as well since I found seeds in mine ;) My friend went with the tuna salad in an avocado (which they peeled so it was easy to eat) and ice tea. He wasn't a fan of the ice tea. Other than that no complaints. The menu is rather large so I might have to come back and try something else another day.
(4)
Norman C.
I had the smokehouse fritada which was incredible! I enjoyed every bite and that was definitely worth the wait. Unfortunately, almost everything else was a drag. First, the wait - I realize it's a weekend around 11:30 so that's my fault, but the 30 minutes to get our food after we ordered was a bit crazy. I ordered an iced coffee which along with their coffee is pretty pathetic. The iced coffee looked like iced tea but our server replaced it with a hot cup of almost as watery coffee. Oh well. Lastly, my wife ordered the chicken salad which wasn't that tasty! The chicken should have been grilled instead it was poached and flavorless.
(3)
Jaime S.
Really delicious seasonal specials. The lines are quite long, but they give you a realistic wait time right when you walk in and put your name down. Not great for groups as the seating seems like everything is meant for 4 or 6 max.
(3)
L E.
At least 100 visits here (I lived across the street 4 years), during all days of the week & hours of the day, I regretfully boycotted Nookies many many times over & over again. 2 stars for menu options & staff friendliness. Zero stars for drastically declining food quality over the years. Being masochistic & returning ONE LAST TIME (every time) to give Nookies another shot is just plain self-destructive & abusive. The omelets are always wet, undercooked, & halfway raw (as are the "hashbrown" aka microwaved raw potatoes) & swimming on a plate of greasy water. The cottage "fries" are either burnt char, like chewing a plank of deadwood, or a dead wringer for "hashbrowns" & raw potatoes nuked in microwave. Medium-cooked hamburgers are ALWAYS well done, needing a vat of ketchup or sloppy toppings to choke them down like a bucket of peanut butter blobbed in your throat. The waitress, god love her 2 braincells, always giggled how "thirsty" I am every visit, drinking 3 pitchers of water & hot tea. No, ya twot..... I am hoping this beef-jerky overcooked cow will dissolve enough for digestion!! Hence the plate of lemons to break down the rotting meat in my gullet. Note to self: McDonalds and Subway are 2 blocks down the street and comparable in quality for 1/5th the price. Or, there's always Walgreens for a protein bar & Diet Mountain Dew. At least I won't be nauseous & sorely disappointed by my 20th, 50th, & 90th repeat offense visits.
(2)
Shane H.
Always up for a spot of Nookie! I had been to Nookies Too on Halsted so I knew that the original must be very comparable. And it did not disappoint! Surprisingly, the wait was considerably shorter than at N2. Perhaps its because they are not in a high shopping traffic area. And hey, that is great with me. It is just less time that I have to wait for my mountain of a Sundae-esque breakfast. Full of gooey goodness and whipped cream. I felt like putting a sparkler in it and singing happy birthday to myself. Ohhhhh the sweetness! You must go now. Why are you still reading this?! I said go. GO!!!
(5)
Steve L.
My biggest problem with a restaurant after terrible service is inconsistency in dining experience. If a place is mediocre 10 times out of 10, that's fine because I expect mediocrity. If a place is awesome my first time and all over the spectrum for the rest of my experiences, you're not going to be my first choice of restaurant. I don't want to play a guessing game. Point being, the food at Nookies is better on the weekends. There is no doubt about it. If I've been to nookies 10 times, twice have been weekends and the food quality is LEAGUES better on a Sunday for brunch. Yes, a Reuben on a Tuesday is worse than a Reuben on a Sunday. It's not terrible on a Tuesday, it's just better on a Sunday. Don't do that, please. Just be consistent! That said, I've never had a BAD meal at Nookies. The service is always courteous as well, but on a weekday lunch you may be waiting a bit for a drink refill. If you're going to go, make it a weekend and be prepared to brave a wait.
(3)
Abby D.
Always a short wait, but it's worth it. The portions are huge and will likely feed two mouths.
(5)
Eitan S.
Gigantic portioned plates, with a decent price to match. Definitely doesnt worth the wait... esp' when you consider the quality isnt top-notch. I've never understood whats all the fuzz about. I agree it might be a good deal, money wise. but i'm not eating in order to get the best deal, i'm eating in order to indulge myself. its always busy, always crowded, and i rather start my weekends elsewhere.
(2)
Blair B.
Awesome place ! I hear a lot of complaints about the wait here, but honestly if you'd get yourself out of bed before 10 AM there is no wait. I showed up at 9:30 AM for a party of 3.. sat down right away.. so there you have it, there isn't always a wait here! I tried the summer trio (mango pancakes, berry french toast, and peach/berry pancakes).. YUM.. also tried a frittata with mushrooms, bacon, and gouda cheese... also delicious. Service was good, coffee was constantly refilled.. prices were great. If you are looking for a solid diner with an expanded menu of interesting choices, I can't recommend this place enough.
(4)
Sonal M.
Amazing. Although there was a bit of a wait to eat here, it was completely worth it. I tried two items on their spring seasonal menu. The first was an omelette and the second, an AWESOME french toast dish. The french toast was probably the best I've had anywhere. French toast, strawberries, and a whipped cream sauce and huge proportions too! I'm definitely taking any friend who visits to this joint. Love it! Nookies, you're my fav.
(5)
Jayson F.
1. The food - They have a great kids menu & my two daughters loved their p.b.j. with the crust already taken off. That was a nice touch that you don't always get. The chili is very delicious. Don't order it if you don't like spicy. Their fries were too soggy for my taste. I like them crispy and these were more like warm, slightly fried potato crisps. My wife and I split a cheeseburger. Between the cups of chili and the cheeseburger, we were more than full. 2. The service - The waitress was not very friendly. However, she kept our drinks refilled constantly (for free) and made sure that the cheeseburger that my wife and I split each had its own plate with stuff on the side. 3. The atmosphere - I think they're going for upscale diner. Its the only diner I've seen with granite counter tops. However, the place is VERY kid friendly, and I appreciate that. It is just a short walk from the Lincoln Park Zoo which is a plus if you're out at the zoo with your family.
(4)
Gigi L.
I work in the neighborhood and whenever I make lunch plans with someone at the office, I totally suggest this place. I really like it! Portions are plentiful and everything is fresh. I am stuck in the Greek omelet rut, but someday I will bust out and try other things. Seriously, it's delicious and popular, and a great place to go to grab something before or after the movies at Piper's Alley, or breakfast anytime.
(4)
Katelyn C.
ultimate hangover cure.
(4)
Lesley S.
What I had at Nookie's was good, but I totally regretted my order as soon as I saw what the guy next to me was eating. I ordered an omelet with cheddar, bacon and spinach. Tasty, but an omelet is an omelet. The guy next to me ordered the special french toast- it looked like it was coated in some type of crunchy cereal and layered with berries and marscapone cheese. I couldn't take my eyes off his plate. So my suggestion: order off the specials menu- they have some more interesting items and the pricing is the same as most of the other items. The whole menu looked delicious though, I had a really hard time choosing my meal! Downside- long waits on weekends. If you're just with one other person try sitting at the breakfast bar like I did.
(4)
Aileen O.
I'm always on the hunt for good brunch places. Since I've moved to Chicago, I've been constantly amazed at the number of breakfast and brunch places this city has. And since breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, I always look forward to the weekends when I get to try a new breakfast spot. My mom and aunt came to visit me in my new digs. I brought them to Nookies after reading such positive reviews. It's super close to my apartment so the drive was not very bad (and of course - less chance for me to get lost!). Plus, it's proximity to the farmer's market had me sold (my mom and I are big farmer's market lovers). Standouts were the silver dollar pancakes with mangoes (seasonal special) and the mixed berry pancakes. The pancakes were light, fluffy, and didn't feel like rocks in my tummy. The sweet fruits complemented them well. Even though the place was buzzing on that Saturday morning, our server was very attentive. She often came by to refill my coffee cup! We were very satisfied with our breakfast experience. Great food and staff. The wait can be a drag, but it flies by. Grab one of the newspapers outside and take a seat in one of their outdoor chairs. Or if it's really bad on a Saturday, head over to the farmer's market to kill some time.
(4)
Susannah H.
FALL Pumpkin flapjacks. Creamy spicy pumpkin-y goodness topped with some type of carmelized nut. Holy crap. SPRING Croissant French Toast Napolean Flattened corn-flake dipped croissants delicately balanced atop dollops of marscapone with fresh strawberries on top. LISTEN UP. I know the big menu has a lots of pretty, shiny-looking foods, but take the tiny one with "seasonal specials" printed on it. Otherwise you will leave foodgasmless and never come back.
(4)
Joscelyn M.
I really don't get the crazy appeal that draws HERDS of people so early on a weekend. Don't get me wrong - the food isn't bad, but it's just standard breakfast food. Really?
(2)
Christine M.
I really like this place. I moved here from Ohio a few months ago and this is the best breakfast spot that I've found so far. I saw on here that the crepes were good so I ordered them. I didn't really love them like other yelpers have, but the cream filled ones were pretty good. I had the Huevos Con Chorizo and it was TO DIE FOR. I've seriously never had better Mexican-style breakfast food. Absolute must try. You should be advised that it's BYOB. We wanted mimosas, so we had to bring our own campaign. Plus, I love old town and any excuse to venture over there is great to me! It's kind of a happening place too (for a brunch spot); you never know what local celeb or politician you may see!
(4)
Shelly W.
Best part about this place wait was the less than 5-minute wait for a table at 11:30am on a beautiful Sunday morning. It was pretty busy inside and all of the tables outdoor were full, so I was pleasantly surprised to be seated almost immediately. Service was great, the menu was huge and I loved that they had about 8 items on a seasonal menu. I really enjoyed my meal too - I'd gladly go back.
(4)
Kurt O.
It bothers me that this place does not accept credit cards. It's in the middle of Old Town. The ability to use a credit card is part of the service that customers expect in the 21st century. Locals don't care because it's convenient to walk there.....
(3)
Sunshine H.
This place is solid for brunch - big portions, many choices, lots of good food, and great price. Also the service is excellent. I highly recommend it and have been going here for years - it's always consistent.
(4)
Erin V.
I have only been to Nookies for breakfast, so I can't comment on the other meals of the day, but breakfast is pretty reliable. They have lots of choices and all are pretty decent. I don't think I'd travel from another neighborhood in the city to get here (especially if you live by Orange), but if you are in Old Town, it's a good standby choice.
(3)
Jen N.
My parents have been bringing me there since I was a baby and I remember coming here when I was little. It is a great breakfast, brunch, lunch spot. They have enough on the menu so everyone can get what they want from breakfast to dinner food. The potatoes are good, better than your regular hash browns, fresh orange juice, good sized portions. Just a really good place, I've always had good service.
(5)
Jim W.
Nookies is a fabulous spot for brunch all day long! I have been to two of their locations, which are both cute and seem to have the same menu. Their omelettes and fritattas are delicious, but my favorites are the crunchy french toast (french toast covered with corn flakes and honey) and the smoked gouda breakfast sandwich. Also, don't pass up on the orange juice - it is fresh squeezed and without added sugar as far as I can tell.
(5)
Josh M.
Great breakfast place....also gets very crowded on the weekends. There is an older, foreign server who is very rude....wears glasses, never smiles. Not sure what her name is. Other than that...unique take on food.
(4)
George H.
My goto place for omelettes. Too crowed on weekends but decent food.
(3)
karen l.
I loved this place..great coffee, great food..wonderful service...excellent atmosphere...i am naming my first born Nookie!!! Please, if you haven't been..please go!!! and go fast!!!!
(4)
Brianne W.
I have eaten at Nookies so many times and never once had a bad experience. Their fries and their blackened chicken sandwich with mango chutney might be two of the greatest creations on earth. Living right by them is a major perk because we order take out frequently and it never takes more than 15 minutes. They are very accommodating to my picky orders wether I am dining in or taking it to go. I work in the service industry and I see the hard work their staff has to do. No matter what time or what day it is, you are greeted by a smiling face. I feel privileged to share a neighborhood with such a great family-owned establishment.
(5)
Marianne S.
Three for the food. This place is not as warm as the Halsted (LP) one. I'd rather go to the one close to Armitage, at least I get more smiles in there.
(3)
Marie D.
Was very excited about living across the street from a breakfast diner! Keeping in mind I am 9 months pregnant, I went there specially for a milkshake and french fries with my husband. At first I was a little panicked because I did not see milkshakes on their menu, but then I finally saw them so I knew I would be ok. When the waitress came over and I ordered a shake, she said "sorry we don't have milkshakes." I showed her the item on the menu and she said "oh yeah, our machine is broken so we don't have them." WHAA?? This is a diner! Get your freakin machine fixed! ugh. So then I settled for chocolate milk knowing I could have my fries. Well, they weren't fries! They were crunchy potato chip looking things. I have braces and wanted soft, hot fries, but they did not serve them! ugh. Bad afternoon.
(2)
Kimberly S.
LOVE Nookies! Best breakfast in Chicago! I've tried them all, and this place wins. Consistent good food and nice friendly servers. Not the fanciest of places, but the prices don't warrant an expensive build out. I'm a big fan of good food at a great price every time you sit down, and that's what you get here. No surprises! I LOVE Nookies! I've even been for dinner. Shhhh, don't tell anyone. ;)
(5)
J D.
Went here this morning for brunch and the food was perfect! Had the summer vegetable frittata; it was to die for! Seriously, if I had to have one egg dish every sunday for brunch, it would be that. Perfectly cooked with the awesomeness that is feta cheese sprinkled all over. delish! The wait, however, was HORRENDOUS, well over 40 minutes for a table of three. I was a bit dismayed to see plenty of empty tables in the back when we were FINALLY seated. The waitresses looked overworked and understaffed; the bus boys, super great with the water and coffee. Four stars for the food but definitely -1 for the insane wait. I'd go back but only after 2 pm on the weekends.
(3)
Betsy J.
I've ordered about 1/2 the menu here and the only time I really liked what I had was the first time I tried the grilled chicken wrap. I've ordered the same wrap several times since then and each time it's not as good as the first. I guess the first one was a fluke. Everything else I've tried is just ok, except for the spinach pie thing which was so nasty I not only pushed it away after a few bites, I actually got sick just from the smell of it sitting on the table. Now when my friends suggest this place I put up a fight to go elsewhere.
(2)
Corby G.
Not bad, not great. It's billed as a diner, but its really more of a super sterile cafeteria feel. The food was good (eggs benedict and blueberry pancakes). The cakes were light, fluffy and sweet, The benedict was pretty good too. A bit pricey for what you get- we had two entrees and two coffees- with tip is was $35. I woudln't search it out, but nothing here to complain about.
(3)
Kevin B.
Nice quaint little breakfast place. And everything on the menu is delicious. I am a big fan of the spinach artichoke frittata with carmelized onions. But the French toast and pancakes are yummy too. You really can't go wrong. Used to be my favorite restaurant place, but they've gone downhill. Prices are great. I would still recommend for a lazy Sunday brunch.
(4)
Dan H.
I ordered the Wisconsin cheddar burger with sauteed mushrooms. It's literally the best burger I've ever eaten. It is big, juicy, the cheese and mushrooms were the perfect mix of Sharp cheddar and salty mellow shrooms. The fries were crispy and excellent. I can't wait to go here again!!!
(5)
S G.
make sure you have their chili! it's so damn good!
(5)
Greg M.
Nookies I remember the first time we met. It was the day after some hard core booty shaking at Berlin to Madonna. I still had Like A Virgin stuck in my head and that was exactly what I was when you and I first met, a virgin. I walked in still sleepy eyed and you just about instantly woke me up with that first cup of warm in the tummy coffee and your nice smile. I ordered up the french toast piled high with mixed berries. No need for syrup with this little dish. NO MAMA! Oh wait I'm gay, I mean NO DADDY! Every bite was like haven, pure bliss and warmth running down my throat like um something X rated. Nookie honey sweety poo I can't wait till April when we can be reunited once again and you can fill up my tummy with your sweet sweet lovin plate full of naughty food!
(4)
James C.
New Fav for Breakfast in Chi! I am a hands down lover of the french toast! You have to try the crunchy french toast. There are corn flakes mixed in with the batter. Trust me its just amazing! There would be 5 stars but a lot of the breakfasts dont come with the full meal and you have to get sides like bacon and tators extra. Bummer.. but in the end its worth it! Close 2nd place for French Toast is "Toast"
(4)
David D.
Yummy good stuff. Get there before 9AM on weekends so you don't have to wait!
(4)
Chayla B.
Nookies is the best. This is the original (I believe) and it's better than the one in Lincoln Park, I cannot comment on the Lakeview location. Everyone is nice. The omelettes are enormous! So fluffy, so good- I love Amy's omellete. The don't accept AMEX, which sucks when I want to do work stuff there. A great place to bring out of towners. I will say the best brunch in the city. I want Nookies now. I could eat Nookies all day every day. Go to this one, though, the Lincoln Park one isn't as great- not bad, but definitely a trade down from the Wells location.
(5)
Liz B.
Awesome breakfast menu served all day long. Out of the 20+ times I have been, I have only ordered something besides an omelet 2 times. The omelets are so good! There is a wait on weekend mornings, but they are efficient with seating and service. The one time I had horribly slow service, they ended up giving us our meal for free.
(5)
John M.
This is a diner - but what a diner it is! Everything on the menu is wonderful and you are going to just love it. I personally love to come here for dinner as they have a great menu for the evening meal and the service is always good. The Honshu Salmon is exquisite and delicious. They also serve it grilled with you choice of sides and they have great side dishes to choose from. If you are traveling on business and looking for a place where you can get a great meal and spend an arm and a leg, this is your place. I have been to the other Nookies a lot and have only recently been frequentling this one, but they are all outstanding and this one shines.
(5)
lindsay a.
French Toast I adore you!! Went to Nookies in Old Town in Chicago this past weekend and had quite possibly (or very close to it) the best french toast of my life!
(3)
Jonathan C.
I had the opportunity to eat here at about 9am on a sunday morning. It wasn't busy at all, but on my way out there was a small line. The place is nice inside, with nice outdoor seating. Portion size is pretty good (I couldn't finish) and prices resonable. Service was good for me and the Corned Beef Hash i had was amazing 5 star stuff. Granted, the 5 star rating overall was for one plate of hash, so this may decrease in the future. My hash browns were actually crispy (the way I like it)! Its a very nice place and its not hard to see why it has a large following.
(5)
Kate B.
I love breakfast. Its my favorite meal, and its even better when I have it for dinner. That being said, I live right around the corner from Nookies and when I need that homemade breakfast fix and have no desire to make it for myself I eat here. In the summer they have the best frittata ever to cross my palate, its made with fresh vegetables, feta, and I like it with egg whites as its a little fluffier. I have brought many a guest from out of town here, and every time they return, we always end up at Nookies! Plus every time I eat here with my dad he reminisces how he used to eat here in the seventies, and memory lane + a good breakfast is always a good time.
(4)
Kristine M.
Went late morning yesterday, and there was a wait of course, but worth it. I had the "sweet" fall special and was in absolute heaven. Pumpkin pancakes/French toast with pears/and some other kind of hotcakes. YUM. My friends who drank coffee and orange juice loved their beverages. I wish I lived closer!
(5)
Nathan W.
I AM A MONSTER. Men were not meant to eat brunch so often! I must be stopped before I stumble into a mimosa driven state of babbling about croquet and organizing charity event's for those smelly less fortunate people. I called the host/cashier guy sir, and he corrected me that sir is his father. If it weren't for this man keeping it real, I may never have been able to talk without sounding gentÃle again.
(3)
Wo w.
I am always surprised at how long the line is at this place each weekend. The food is nothing but ordinary brunch food and the scene is pretty blah. Chicago has much better brunch options, but I guess only a few in this neighborhood.
(2)
Stephy W.
Nookies was quite possibly one of the best breakfasts I ever had. Considering I have only been there once I will go back again (and again and again) and revise this review most likely. I ordered a Smokehouse fritatta which was large, wonderful and exceeded my expectations. The fresh squeezed orange juice, while pricey at $2.75 for a large glass seemed pricey for me, but worth it. I prefer my orange juice to be cold as well, but since this was fresh, it was room temp. Maybe they could refrigerate/freeze their oranges? The bacon there is tasty and thick cut, but crisp enough and has texture. Being a bacon fiend, I can only say that this was probably some of the better/best bacon I have had. The only problems encountered was that the restaurant was rather crowded and understaffed, thus slow and that we discovered a very small fruit fly in one of our glasses of water. This was taken care of quickly and professionally. All in all, good value despite the wait and lots of food for a good price.
(4)
Kim A.
this is my favorite place breakfast!!
(5)
Kiyana B.
This place is GREAT!! My boyfriend got the "sampler" breakfast platter that had MANGO COCONUT pancakes, peach almond pancakes and berry french toast....I had a great veggie omelte with the best breakfast potatoes. This place serves breakfast all day, not sure how the rest of the menu is but their breakfast choices are delious. I would highly recommened the food here! It looks & feels like a regular corner diner but it's oh so much more once you start eating thier food. (prices are decent, you get a LOT of food)
(5)
R C.
Nookie's is a hella good diner that is perfect after a late night at the bars or clubs in Boystown. It's open 24 hours on Friday and Saturdays. I'll echo some of the sentiments of the other reviewers and say the service is a bit subpar, especially the host(ess). Nookie's is still a diner my friends and I would frequent for a late night fix! You can't go wrong with a $4 breakfast platter (hash browns, egg and toast) at 2 AM :)
(4)
Christian P.
hungry? tired? cold? hungry? no matter what the wait, go to nookies and you'll be cured This isn't a breakfast place to go for super fancy, overly conceptualized food. It's just the normal staples of breakfast, but prepared superbly with tasty ingredients. The omelettes are huge, but perfectly cooked (the egg white versions could not be fluffier and still tasty!!). atmosphere is totally laid back and easy going...show up ready to go for the day, or fresh from your 4am arrival back home after a long night out. even if you have to wait for a table, just do it, you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Becky S.
This place is amazing, but be prepared to wait! There is always a line here. People in chicago love their brunch and this is one of the better places! While we waited we walked down the block to treasure island to get some alcohol as it is byob and we made bloody marys at brunch. I got the veggie omelette which was overflowing off the plate - probably enough for 2 - 3 people even! I want to try Nookie II although Im sure there line is just as long!
(5)
Elizabeth B.
Even though we live only a few blocks away, it has taken me a few years to finally get to Nookies, and now I'm going to go all the time. The portions are huge, everyone is nice, the service is quick and efficient and the food is really good - exactly what you want in a neighborhood spot. We went for a late Sunday brunch, which was perfect because we apparently missed the crowds, and sat immediately by the front windows. I had a big, fluffy egg white omelet that came with fresh fruit and really good whole wheat toast - and can't wait to go back to try more.
(4)
Dov B.
Based upon my previous review, the owner of Nookie's contacted me. I really appreciate that he took the time to do that, although what I really needed was for someone to care at the time of the incident. I hope that my experience can be used as a teaching tool and won't be repeated for other customers. At least I know someone cares, if a little too late.
(2)
Elizabeth C.
Nookies almost ties with Tempo for me in regards to best breakfast spot. There are lots of trendy and good breakfast places that have popped up all over the place but Nookies keeps it real. They have consistently stellar fare. Classics well executed time and time again and a friendly low key atmosphere.
(4)
S K.
Just got home from Nookies. The food was excellent, everything tasted so fresh. Service was perfect, the employees were friendly,and the price was right! The breakfast includes a side and the individual sides are reasonable. I fed two adults and a child for under 35.00, which is impossible anywhere else because they basically get you with the side dish and drink prices. In fact, I have never spent less than 45 at iHop for the three of us, and you can't even compare the two restaurants quality wise.
(5)
Laura H.
My husband and I love this place! They have such good breakfast. The omelettes are the best ones I have ever had. The sweet cream crepes were so good. I'd highly recommend giving this place a shot.
(5)
Patrick W.
Things always taste better when you're as hungry as I was when we stopped in for a late, late breakfast en route to a day at the zoo. But this place is legit! I ordered the banana nut pancakes, then regretted not getting a side of bacon. Mmmm. Bacon. So the pancakes arrive, and I actually couldn't... finish... all of.. them (this pains me to admit it). I left food. I haven't done that in years. The fact that I helped my princess with her croque monsieur- equally delicioso- is my saving grace... I could have polished off those pancakes if it wasn't for the old standby of what to tell your high school french teacher you like to eat when you can't think of the word "pamplemousse" or "bifteck". We'll definitely be back, and I will conquer you, you giant stack of banana pecan pancakes you. Really good coffee, so good it bears mentioning.
(4)
Andrea R.
Most of my friends seem to be a huge fan of this popular brunch spot so we end up here pretty often for brunch. After spending 3 1/2 years across the street I've spent way too many hungover weekend mornings there and got too know their menu way too well. They recently changed their menu, which was exciting because the farmers skillets are awesome and the perfect way to cure a hangover! :)
(3)
Mark L.
I love this place for breakfast. I trek there from my house even when I am hung over. The prices are very reasonable, the food is delicious and the service is fast. Its in a lovely neighborhood - very quiet and clean. They have a full menu, so u can go anytime, but I always find myself here for breakfast. Check it out one day you will return for a second trip.
(5)
Jasmine L.
I have been holed up in Champaign, IL because of school and had been craving Walker Bros like mad. I treked down to Lincoln Park this past weekend and was introduced to this amazing place: Nookies too! Completely satisfied my Walker Bros cravings (well...not entirely of the German Pancakes, but who cares!) My sister got the artichoke frittata, I got the Low Down Omelette and cup of chili (with crumbled pieces of real cheddar and fresh diced onions!!!), and we shared the Pumpkin Pecan Flapjacks. HEAVEN! The Low Down wasn't that good, but it had 4 pieces of melted pepperjack cheese on it, so that made up for the slight dryness of the omlette. But...OH MAN! The Artichoke Frittata was sooo good. I normally don't like artichokes, but I could have this one all the time. The flapjacks tasted like gingerbread cookies (me) and pumpkin pie (my sister). Fluffy and not too sweet, they were powdered with sugar and decorated with roasted pecans. The service wasn't too bad - we went on a Saturday morning and only had to wait about 15 minutes. The crowd is HUGE and the place isn't that large - and the waiter was funny and had lots of recommendations. Overall, wasn't that pricey, and had a huge stuffed meal. Highly recommended!!!
(5)
Jen S.
Nookie's is my go-to breakfast place, mostly because it's near my place, but also because they make a MEAN MONTE CRISTO. I dream about it. Pancakes are generally the item I use with which to compare breakfast places, and they're okay at Nookie's, but this Monte Cristo is really what saves them from mediocrity. I've never had bad service (it's actually great most of the time), they have outdoor seating (how I long for summer!) and I feel relaxed when I'm there.
(4)
Zach C.
First of all I must say that I am biased because I think I might have fallen in love with my waitress. If I factored her beauty into my review they would have well over five stars. Otherwise this still gets a great review. Our service was prompt and the food was great. I got the steak and eggs. It was an actual steak and not some tough piece of meat that a lot of restaurants pass for steak in the morning. It was a little over done but still very tasty. The eggs were perfect and the hash browns were buttery and delicious. Even the rye toast I ordered was good and the butter packets that came with it were pre-melted so I didn't have to worry about tearing up the toast. Very relaxing environment, no wait, and prompt service. Can't go wrong.
(4)
Cameron C.
Great breakfast/brunch place. Staff is very friendly. Great Frittatas! A weekly must for me.
(4)
Jamie P.
Sunday brunch is one of the things I love about living in Chicago...and there are so many places to choose from! Nookies is one of the best. There is always a wait during prime brunching hours, but it's worth it. The food is fantastic, the portions are huge, the service is fast, and the prices are definitely reasonable. My go-to entree is the Amy's omelet...smoked gouda...yum!!
(5)
Ji K.
I've been meaning to come here for years now (sad that it took me this long, I know) and I finally got to check it out this weekend with two girlfriends who thankfully share my love for breakfast. We each ordered a salty entree (I had the chilaquiles which were delicious) and then we decided to share the specialty dessert trio (of which the French toast Napolean with strawberries was to die for). Service was great, the wait wasn't bad (considering it was a cold, snowy spring day), the food and coffee were so good, and the bill didn't hurt us either (they only take cash, but a 20-dollar bill apiece more than covered it). All in all, I like this place a lot. I shall return.
(4)
Tom T.
Love this place, in my hood. Great bar to sit at if you're solo, super nice waitstaff that have been there a while, and great food, decent prices, and good selection of meals. I was there last night and noticed I really liked the music too, hadn't noticed that before.
(5)
Scott M.
Good gawd this place is crowded on the weekends. Expect to wait 45-60 minutes for brunch on Sat/Sun. Grab a seat at the U-shaped bar where it's first come, first serve if you're eating without an entourage. The food is okay. The portions are large. The staff is cute and mostly attentive.
(3)
Kristen D.
This is my favorite breakfast/brunch place. Their omelets are great, as are the frittatas. Some of the sandwichs are really rich (my boyfriend couldn't even come close to finishing his monte carlo, and trust me, he tried). The place is cash only, and also has a handful of tables outside. Make sure to grab some candies by the door on the way out...they're great! This place is very popular, so be prepared to wait for a little while if it's before 1pm on the weekends.
(4)
Linda L.
this is a pretty casual little brunch spot with incredibly delicious food. i had the smokehouse frittata and my bf had the crispy french toast. both dishes were probably the best breakfast dishes i've ever had. the smokehouse frittata comes with caramalzed onions, eggs...and i cant remember what else cuz i went there a while ago. i think i said "mmmmmmm" and did a little happy wiggle in my chair after every bite. needles to say i left feeling extremely full and satisfied. will definitely be back for more!
(4)
Kelly W.
I've been to this restaurant a few times and haven't really been wow-ed. I had high expectations because there is always a crowd. The food is good but not great. The wait staff doesn't seem all that friendly, especially for a neighborhood place. And I feel it is quite old fashioned that they don't accept credit cards. I think 3 stars is an adequate review.
(3)
Emily C.
Great Brunch spot. Quick service, very friendly servers and great coffee. Perfect place especially if you're in a hurry like we were. Huge portions for a great price, when you're just wanting to get stuffed, drink coffee and have one-of-those Saturdays. Had an amazing egg white veggie omelet: loaded with numerous vegetables and cooked to perfection. Friend had north of the border omelet which she loved and could in no way finish so you may want to share. Great location with street parking. Perfect for a few friends or a large group.
(5)
cara r.
Perfect breakfast food and well worth the wait. The asparagus and blue cheese omelet is so rich and creamy and good, and the orange juice is great. I haven't tried the crepes yet, but after Maggie's review, I'm going to have to get them next time I'm at Nookie's. Which will hopefully be this weekend!
(5)
Katrina S.
This is a great place for breakfast. My boyfriend and I go here just about once a week. You gotta try their seasonal specials--they always do a trio where it's a little bit of all three! Yummy!
(5)
KM I.
Ugh.....why is this place so popular....I was not impressed with the surroundings, service, my salad, OR even my company. Haha will not willingly be back
(2)
Amy M.
If you can get your stroller through the door without running over people's toes, than this is a pretty good breakfast/lunch spot to bring baby. There is usually a spot to park your stroller next to the table and they have highchairs. Just stay away from this place during the prime breakfast hangover time on Saturday and Sundays (which should be alirght because this usually coincides with nap time). Favs: Their seasonal specials are usually really good. Good diner coffee. Overall, good diner food. 3.5 Strollers**** (1-5 stroller rating system based on how baby friendly establishment is)
(3)
Amanda L.
Wow, I forgot about Nookies, Great little place with good prices, Service and the place is clean inside, Great place to people watch as well.
(4)
Justin K.
Great place for feel good food on the weekends! Be ready to wait for a table but its worth the wait! I always get breakfast and they have some amazing things on the menu. Check it out...well worth the wait and the price is within reason!
(5)
Laura W.
I live in the hood and within walking distance of Nookies. This place is not only great for brunch, but we were sort of lame last Friday night and went there for dinner. It was cold and rainy and we just wanted to sit somewhere quiet, catch up on the week, and have as close to as a home cooked meal as possible....this hit the spot! The open face hot turkey sandwich was really good. The BF had the burger and that was decent as well. I have heard that they have superb grilled cheese sandwiches. They have a lot on the menu (as well as for breakfast) and the staff is really nice.
(4)
maggie c.
Superb! Delicious! Incredible! I cant find enough adjectives to describe my love ( or obsession) with Nookie's. I have been on the prowl for the perfect crepe, and let me tell you it is not an easy task. But then, I remembered ( or a flashback ) that Nookie's just doesn't serve the drunk, but also the sober. I cannot tell you what a beautiful crepe I experienced. I am not one to eat leftovers, in fact I despise them. However, I could not leave my unfinished crepes to be tossed in the garbage. The prices are a little high, but you will realize that every dime you spend is going towards a fresh ingredient. The service is fast and for the most part friendly, but can be a little cranky sometimes. Who can blame them though? I can't tell you how many people come here to just sober up, and if you do...please be nice. I don't want anyone ruining the karma around my fantastic crepe.
(5)
Esme W.
When you're hungover on a Sunday and don't want to think about putting clothes on let alone where to eat, Nookies should always come to mind. It's a fail-proof standby brunch spot. Try it. You'll feel much better.
(4)
rachel c.
Nookies is just blah... basic greasy breakfast food, and jack-of-all-trades lunch and dinner menu. Each time I've been there I've experienced a range of emotions from unimpressed to disappointed. It's about 50 steps from my house, so I've been there about 5 times, which is ample opportunity to have a redeeming experience. My boyfriend and I finally decided that we were not giving it another chance.
(2)
Rose K.
Excellent breakfast hangout, services is fantastic, everyone there is attentive and pleasant to ensure that your experience is great. Sometimes you have short wait for a table, but it is well worth it. I love the omlettes, pancakes, salads, etc. I like breakfast at Nookies more than Lou Mitchells and that saying alot!
(5)
michele l.
A reliable brunch spot - omelets, french toast, skillets served all day... The seasonal sweet trio available on weekends is worth trying. The breakfast food is superior to the lunch and dinner menus. As with most popular brunch spots, be prepared to wait at least 20 minutes during weekend brunch hours. The relaxed atmosphere and basic-brunch-comfort-food menu is a nice alternative to some of the trendy, dessert-disguised-as-breakfast spots.
(3)
M J.
Good quality, homey environment, GREAT pancakes with fresh fruit... Really what more do you want from a diner? But honestly, Nookies is great because you get your pancake/burger/whatever fix without as much grease OR grief. Definitely one to add to your rotation. But bring cash...credit cards are not accepted!
(4)
Helen N.
I love this place. The food is good, staff are friendly and the menu is varied. Although I can never finish the pancakes, I always leave feeling well fed!
(5)
Mexicutioner s.
Nookies has been mexipardoned for an overall excellent job. I strolled over to nookies after going to the farmers market on a Saturday around 11, the wait was only five minutes And I was able to squeeze in a mexicution in the meantime. We were seated and right away got some fresh squeezed orange juice, a little pricey but well worth it. We followed the advice of other yelp reviewers(thanks a bunch I will remember if you are ever on the chopping block) and ordered off their specials menu. The trio (which is a smaller portion of their 3 sweet breakfast items) was awesome. hotcakes with mango and coconut, stuffed french toast brioche with mascarpone and a mound of fresh berries, and pancakes with apples, almonds, and spiced butter. at 12 bucks they were all full of flavor, creative, and made with obviously fresh and quality ingredients. The portion was a good size and I did not finish and had to leave with a doggy bag. My partner ordered a vegetable fritata with hashbrowns which was also solid. Eggs were fluffy, veggies were yummy, and hash was solid. Also a very large size. I wish I could have had a bloody mary or a mimosa with my breakfast but they are BYOB. Excellent job nookies, I will be back
(5)
Eddie O.
I can always count on Nookies for a decent brunch, although I think the rest of Chicago can as well based on the line this morning. We were seated after a half hour wait...I guess it's not too bad since we were waiting for a table to fit 7 people. I had the vegetable frittata (a summer special)- it was really good and a very nice sized portion as well. The skillets are good as well and the seasonal specials are always great.
(4)
Abby L.
Breakfast, lunch or dinner- Nookies has a ton of options for any meal. I like going here at off times, like at 2 pm or some random time like that because it isn't too crowded then and your food will come out faster. I always get breakfast when I come here though, and have tried their omlettes, pancakes, french toast, and breakfast skillets. Favorites include the spinach and tomato omlette, the banana nut pancakes and for lunch, even though I've only ordered it once, the BLT. YUM.
(4)
Mindy S.
I used to not be the hugest fan of Nookies because I just thought everything on the menu was pretty average. It's still good here, just nothing overly excited me. Then one day my friend introduced me to the smokehouse frittata. I love it! It's so good, you have to try it!
(4)
Aubrey K.
This place is a always reliable for a solid brunch. I live for their omelettes and fritattas here. Also, they change their menu and tend to offer some great egg specialties. Be prepared to wait if you want to grab breakfast on the weekends, but I promise you it is worth it!
(4)
Sue N.
A must! Nookies is the place for anyone who wants great service, great food, and a great atmosphere. It's the best place in the city for casual dining. The place is alive with people who gather there to catch up and have an outstanding meal, but it is also a great place for a quiet meeting with great food. Nookies' service is top notch, and you never have to wonder where your waitress/waiter is. Bob, the manager, is the best. He multitasks seamlessly and makes sure everyone is comfortable and taken care of. It's the best spot, not to be missed!
(5)
Grace K.
I had the pumpkin and walnut pancakes and this crazy omelette that had collard greens in it or something, I forget! All I know was that it was DELISH! Every weird thing I ordered, I loved. It's in a cute neighborhood, the restaurant itself it very cozy and no frills, and they have a little semi-circle bar that I want to eat at one day. Just 'cause. I have to say, though. that I went on a Tuesday at 10ish so I didn't have to deal with a wait, which always makes any dining experience so much better from the outset.
(5)
Sarah S.
This place looks very cute from the outside, but looks can be deceiving. When we walked inside, the front area looked nice also but the waiter took us to the very back of the restaurant. It looked very run down in the back seating area. I opened my menu to find a bug smashed in between the pages. I immediately was grossed out but really hungry so I ordered food anyway. I asked for fruit with my meal and after eating one grape, I realized that there was mold on the other grapes. I could not finish my meal after that. When I told the waiter, he apologized and said that they would pay for my coffee. Woohoo I am on the verge of puking and they will pick up my $1 coffee. I was not impressed by this place at all and I will not be returning.
(1)
Nicole L.
You'll usually find a bit of a wait on a weekend morning, but trust me, it's well worth it. The scene is not too overwhelming (bring gear for going incognito should there be someone you are trying to avoid - chances are, they are here!) and the service is fast and friendly. I love the variety on the menu and while I keep saying I'm going to try one of the many other options to dine on, I keep going back to my favorite - the flavorful Smokehouse frittata - an omelet type dish with the works. Keep in mind that they won't seat you until your whole party is present, so make sure your friends are on time for this one - I've tried to get away with having strangers say they are part of my party but the manager totally knows my ploy!
(5)
Nick S.
Nookies is a local favorite. One of my cousins turned me onto this place. They had a some interesting breakfast entrees. The wait can get pretty bad.
(4)
Kelli B.
Aaahh...the forgotten BYOB a block from my condo. Always clean, always pleasant service, always a line on Saturday and Sunday morning. The have great crunchy French toast and I love their cottage fries. No corkage fee is a plus. I always find myself getting the honey mustard grilled chicken. The bf had a stir fry dinner that was on special about a month ago and he said it was excellent (and we eat a lot of Asian food!) There's a cute little patio for summer alfresco dining. Bring a six-pack and enjoy a good burger, it's cheap!
(4)
Jenny M.
Love, love, LOVE Nookies! Aside from the cute name, they have some of the best breakfast food around. Since I've been in San Francisco, my husband & I have been craving Nookies. I love their seasonal breakfast items & usually get the seasonal carb trio (typically an assortment of pancakes & french toast). The orange juice is also quite tasty. My husband loves the omelettes & the hash browns. Portions are gigantic, so you probably won't need another meal for the rest of the day. The service is hit or miss. The last couple of times it's taken a while for a server to acknowledge us, but the food is so good that we usually overlook that factor. Weekends are a mob scene, so unless you are willing to get there pretty early (before 10:15), be prepared to wait. My husband & I usually bring a football & throw it around in the courtyard next door just to kill time.
(5)
Julia L.
What's with the hype? It was good, solid food. Not badly priced. But the 30 minute wait and hype are a little baffling to me. It's like a less greasy IHOP. On the plus side, when I asked for my bacon extra crispy, it was totally extra crispy, and our server was hottt.
(3)
Ang R.
Same as Nookies Too, only the interior is way larger, and less inviting. I thought, anyway. I had corned beef hash, which was delish. Good toast, good eggs. The hash browns are always a little undercooked though, which sucks. If you're a hash brown person, you may want to try elsewhere, though it is impossible to find perfect hashbrowns anymore. Also, go early. The later you go, the less chance you'll be inside the building while you wait.
(4)
Katie R.
Food is pretty much the same as Nookies Too. The pancakes are amazing. Eggs are always good. And, one of the most important items the bacon, was crispy! I hate limp bacon. Interior is kind of blah. Can get really crowded. And the hash browns aren't all that interesting.
(4)
Misse D.
After all the hype from friends that love this place, I had higher expectations. I went for lunch. My sandwich was good, but nothing worthy to write about. One perk was that we occupied a table for over two hours without a complaint or an attempt to boot us.
(3)
Jennifer S.
a GREATTTTTT brunch place... if i was living in chicago, i'd say, this will have to be a favorite of mine....DEF a local joint... they have the best frittatas. i've had the opportunity to try their seasonal spring frittata, but they have 3 on their regular menu... for $10, i was extremely satsified and extremely full after a great meal... because this is located in lincoln park, the yuppy area, i didn't feel all that ansy but the people inside nookies did. bunch of elder folks in their 50s to late 80s. BUT, don't let that discourage you. my friend is a young fella, in his early 30s. that just shows it's a mix crowd:)
(4)
Miinno N.
We lived very close to the restaurant. It is reasonable, but there is nothing to write home about. You must have cash and you have to make sure that you are ready to wait for a long time if you are there for brunch on weekend.
(3)
Chloe M.
Nookies has a fabulous brunch! The best things on the menu remain their specials...they change it up every season and have some really interesting and tasty dishes!
(4)
Carly M.
I think Nookies is a great brunch place that never disappoints. It does get crowded but it moves along nicely so you don't have to wait too long like some other places. I recommend the spinach/cheese omlette or the strawberry or banana pancakes. For lunch they have great burgers or BLT's, and their salads are great.
(5)
Zoe H.
I live nearby and frequent Nookies. Classic neighborhood diner done with excellence. I highly recommend.
(4)
Lauren R.
Finally made it to Nookies on a Wednesday morning at 7am. Very good food and nice staff. I had the Jalisco Breakfast Burrito with cheese. I asked for toast instead of the fruit cup or hash brown option and the waiter happily accommodated my request without charging us extra. The burrito was so simple, salsa, egg, avocado on a tomato wrap, yet it was delicious and HUGE. My husband enjoyed his Denver omelette with hash browns and commented on how big the portions were for the cost. There wasn't anything fancy or out-of-the-ordinary, but the flavor was still very good and the atmosphere was welcoming. I would not hesitate to recommend Nookie's for breakfast, and will definitely be returning.
(4)
Melissa L.
My friends and I decided to try Nookies based off of its Yelp reviews, and it was a wonderful spot for brunch on Valentine's Day! We got there around noon, and after a short wait, we were taken to our table and soon had menus and coffee in front of us. I was a little disappointed by the coffee (bitter to the point were cream couldn't even help), but the rest of the menu made up for it. There were a ton of options ranging from the basic toast and eggs, to sandwiches, to steak. I didn't get the sense that this was the healthiest menu in the world, but I came with the intention of treating myself - so, I ordered the blueberry pancakes and a side of whole wheat toast, scrambled eggs, and hash browns. In our group of four, I was that person with three enormous plates of food in front of me (and all for less than $20). The portions were very generous, and the pancakes were fluffy and full of fresh berries. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't clear any of my plates. In short, as long as you aren't diligently watching your calorie-count, Nookies is great for a laid back meal with friends or family.
(4)
Stephen S.
Went on Monday - no wait - great vibe and quick service. Your standard greasy spoon with a little flair - had it's mix of tourists and regulars. We split the Farmers Eggs Skillet - a huge portion... I asked for the hashbrowns well down (and they just brought a side of hashbrowns). It was a great portion size for two people - but a little undercooked. Coffee was great and the lemon in the water was a nice touch. Nothing eggstraordinary here but exactly what you'd expect at a neighbourhood joint.
(3)
Sam S.
A great diner with amazing food! Was exactly what we needed!
(5)
Jeff S.
Nookies was suggested to us by a native and it just happened to be walking distance from our hotel. We came here for our breakfast our first morning. We were greeted and seated immediately by a very friendly manager. The breakfast menu had some impressive creations, Jess went with the special for the day, a trout skillet, and just for the heck of it I had a pecan Belgium waffle. The food was great, our service was impeccable. They kept the water and coffee filled. (Warning - the coffee was pretty strong, it made for an interesting rest of the morning.) We were really happy with this breakfast, and I'll definitely come back when I'm next in town!
(4)
Anjel P.
My boyfriend and I went there today since we are trying to do a brunch thing every Saturday and since we saw that they had good reviews, we said why not. We got there around 2pm and were seated promptly. Our server (forgot this name) was very nice. We both ended up ordering the 2 eggs, 2 sides of bacon and 2 pancakes meal, which to be honest, it was nothing I couldn't make at home, if not better. The price was I believe 8.95 for that meal, which isn't bad but it was basic. We then ordered a thing of crepes and the flavors we got were apple cinnamon, strawberry and creamy cheese (or something like that) The strawberry and apple were very basic as well, it was a crepe with fruit in it essentially, no whip cream or any kind of drizzle but the creamy cheese was amazing, I would recommend that over the others! Aside from the food being basic, the place itself seemed worn down; the carpet was disgusting as well as the tile. When I walked into the bathroom, there were two stalls, one stall had poop alllllll over it, and it was disgusting. That took off sanitary points for me. Overall, I would not ever go here again and I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone as well. I didn't have a bad experience or bad nor great customer service but the food is sub par and the place felt dirty.
(2)
Sarah H.
I had the Apple Bread French Toast and my husband had the Low Country Omelette. Loved the food, fresh and tasty. Service is good and attentive without being overbearing. We were greeted right when we came in the door and everyone is friendly. The whole staff supports each other- nice to see.
(5)
Alan L.
Here's a typical Sundays involving Nookies. Wake up, roll around in bed for a while, fall back asleep and roll around some more, probably realize around 11:30 I'm late to my scheduled brunch. Run to the Walgreens to pick up an $8 bottle of Barefoot bubbly and then get the brown line stop to catch the train up to Armitage. Get to the restaurant about 30 minutes late. Apologize profusely. Offer the champagne as a peace offering. Thankfully, the rest of the party is still outside waiting because the wait on the weekends is long and the restaurant is pretty small (~20 tables). Eventually, we get seated and the food is solid. Can't go wrong with any of the pancakes or the omelettes. A personal favorite is the Paris Benedict. Get stuffed full and then ask for a box to take the rest home for tomorrow (or tonight). Take a leisurely stroll back to the brown line, get back to the apartment, and then pass out from the food coma.
(4)
Belle L.
Great portion. Superbly bland in both visits. Carb centric menu. Flavor is derived from ketchup, sour cream, hot sauce and a side of greasy salty bacon. HUEVOS CON CHORIZO ($9.45) -- flour tortilla was the sign. Beans tasted from can. Greek rice pilaf instead of Mexican rice. Bland chorizo was nicely blended with egg. BLACKENED TILAPIA -- overcooked tilapia, spinach overwhelmed by garlic slice, and the questionable sweet potato mash. BOTTOMLESS COFFEE ($2.45) -- in both instances: slow refill, coffee is barely hot. Ordinarily bitter. SWEET AUTUMN TRIO -- love the tasting concept that is loaded with 100% empty carbs. MENU -- a whole lot of nothingness. VENUE -- dining floors are unreasonably dirty at 11:45 am, even though they opened at 6:45 am. SERVICE -- the only reason for 2 stars. Wally is great as he is conscientious of coffee refill, helpful, a team worker. Ruben showed up and disappeared. The Host Dude seats you at table first, then counter.
(2)
Tetiana G.
Came tonight with my friend who highly recommended me this place for dinner and left highly disappointed. The waiter came to take our order but we were not ready and then ignored us for good half an hour. When he finally came back to the table, he took my order and totally ignored my friend. I told him that my friends wants to order some food as well, and he just ignored me and left to take care of the other table with words :"I don't understand". Totally unprofessional and rude! We did not have any other choice but leave and go find some other place to eat, since we were starving. Please, save your time and go somewhere else if you want to have your dinner the same night!
(1)
Zoraida V.
It was good, but not amazing. My omelette was average (southwest?). The pancakes were...simple... like eating breakfast at IHOP. I was expecting a little more... The location is nice, quiet. If that's your thing, then you're going to like this place.
(3)
Will T.
I love Nookies! I ate there every day during a stay at Hotel Lincoln. I went for lunch my first day in town, ordering an iconic Midwest dish, a hot open faced roast beef sandwich. I grew up in Iowa eating this dish at truck stops and it's an all-time favorite. Nookies served a generous portion of roast beef with homemade skin-on mashed potatoes and gravy and their version might be the best I've ever had. During the rest of my stay I started every day with breakfast at Nookies, sampling eggs, pancakes, chicken sausage, oatmeal, hash browns, fruit and homemade wheat toast. My one breakfast special, peach and raspberry pancakes with caramelized butter, was to die for. The food was fantastic but so was the staff. Top to bottom, from the manager to the wait staff to the busboy to the kitchen, they were all awesome, cheerful and efficient, showcasing great customer service. They know their regulars and call them by name. Nookies is a casual neighborhood restaurant that really delights.
(5)
Elaine P.
Good food! I wish we would've sat outside to enjoy the scenery. buuuut I still loved what I ate! Everything tastes homemade & delicious!
(5)
Joel K.
Fresh OJ that is so perfect with one of the best Monte Cristo sandwiches I've had in many years. In fact I'm having my local brunch place try to recreate it as I write this review. Fruit plate was freshly cut and not store bought and dumped in a bowl. Next time on north side of Chicago I will make sure to eat here again.
(5)
Andy S.
The beast breakfast in Chicago, but it doesn't stop there. I have tasted many burgers but this restaurant has the holly grail of burgers
(5)
Fletcher M.
Solid, well priced eats. Probably too many options, but all good. Just remember to grab a bottle of champagne and enjoy some mimosas!
(4)
Craig S.
Really good diner food and huge portions for breakfast. Overall, the price was great, but they do charge $2.45 for a cup of coffee--without telling you--and for every refill (which we didn't ask for) afterward. That was a little disappointing and spoiled the experience a little bit. The huevos chorizo was phenomenal and was enough for breakfast the next day.
(4)
Sarah P.
I'm perplexed by the high ratings Nookies gets. I'm seriously disturbed, no really. We came to Nookies based solely off of the four star rating. We were wandering around the city and did not know any places nearby, so I did what Yelpers do - I did a search for nearby restaurants and chose one that was close and had high ratings. Nookies looks great from the exterior, but once you walk in you see it is quite old school, which is not a bad thing. The front looks like a more traditional American diner from a time long gone, with the U shaped seating around a main "bar" and stools for seating. There is also regular tables stretching into a back room. We were seated at a table. I think one of the main rules of thumb for any customer at any establishment (at least for me) is to judge the place by the cleanliness of the bathroom... Dirty bathroom.... most likely dirty kitchen - maybe poor food handling on top of it. If staff can't keep the bathroom decent why would they have the discipline to maintain a quality kitchen? The bathroom at Nookies was a mess. There was garbage on the floors, the soap taken out of the dispenser and placed on the sink, water running for no apparent reason, and unappealing toilets. The handle was broken and would not flush. Does this make you want to then go into their dining room and eat their food? Nookies serves up breakfast and lunch. Hubs ordered the Belgian waffle, I ordered the Frisco grilled chicken sandwich with cottage fries. It was not served the way it was described on the menu. It is supposed to be served with Romaine, it was served with iceburg. Not only that, but it was served with the large white "stalk" of the iceburg, not the actual lettuce. It was plain, boring, and I could have made a far superior sandwich at home. The Belgian waffle was so basic, nothing special at all. If I can make it better at home I feel I've wasted my money going to a restaurant for it. Next up.... the diners next to us waved our shared waiter over, and whispered something in his ear. Naturally I was intrigued. I paid attention to their table and watched as the waiter casually walked over to a wall the diner was pointing to, and proceeded to smash a roach. He then stated "oh those ones aren't as bad as the others I've seen." Appetite lost completely.
(1)
Rob J.
Good for BYOD. Probably should have redecorated about 10 years ago as it looks like the late 90's in here! Still, it's not terrible and the food is average to fair. Eggs were basic as was the fruit, but hey what you gonna do. If you're in a hurry try elsewhere.
(3)
Kyle D.
Overall: Great restaurant mini-chain that is consistent and always good. Great neighborhood spots. The good: Tons and tons of options, sandwiches, salads, pastas, entrees, breakfasts, brunches, everything. Big portions and it's all moderately priced. Breakfast served all day I believe. Fast and friendly service and a good atmosphere. Reasonably priced too. The bad: Nothing really "bad" about this place. Just doesn't warrant my hard earned 5-stars. Great spot regardless. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 10/10 Food: 8/10
(4)
Jinn L.
Such a lovely neighborhood diner and it opens for dinner also. The food is wonderful and I love their corn beef hash! Price is probably one of the most reasonable among the old town area. The wait staff has been wonderful and the portion of the food is plentiful. I also tried the North of the border omelette with Canadian bacon and apple! It was actually a great combination! Definitely it is one of our fav place in old town and we are the regulars. Very popular and sometimes have to wait but not too bad.
(5)
Rits M.
Nookies is great food. The one thing I would say is that the food isn't super imaginative, but if you want great comfort food, with interesting and great quality ingredients, this is your stop. I went there for Sunday brunch in fall. They had some fall specials on- I had the Croque madame, and boy that was one BIG madame indeed. 2 slices of brioche bread, gruyere cheese, canadian ham, with an over easy egg on the top, with Chipotle hollandaise sauce. Really well cooked and prepared. Comes with spinach potatoes, delicately flavoured. Mum had the apple cranberry pancakes, with granola in it. Granola added a nice crunch and the pancakes were well made, not stodgy at all, despite all the fruit baked into them. The place itself is rather nookish- lots of small separate eating areas. Looked like it could have been a largish apartment at some point. If you want a good solid american brunch place, this is it. Total bill w/o tip- 24$
(4)
Kay Z.
Favorite local brunch spot for after drinking-indulgence. Byob is a fun way to have mimosas and a little "hair of the dog"
(5)
Kris U.
After trying out the breakfast/brunch options in the attached restaurant to my hotel (Hotel Lincoln) I inquired with the front desk staff about a good place to go for a quick breakfast. Without hesitation they pointed me in the direction of Nookies. Walking in it resembled a traditional breakfast/brunch diner but upon opening the menu I immediately took notice of the certain Latin flair to the menu. Huevos rancheros, Huevos with black beans and chorizo used in virtually every breakfast dish. YUM!!! I opted for a chorizo type egg scramble which came with beans and tortilla's. Paired with Freshly squeezed orange juice (which was delicious) I started my morning off the right way. Score one of Mexican inspired breakfasts! I am forever a fan so bring on the beans any morning! Arriba! Mexican Eatcrest Out!
(4)
Richard B.
Got the Greek salad, pretty good and a huge portion. Everyone else's food at the table looked ok and decent portion sizes as well. Their coffee stood out from other house coffees which is refreshing.
(4)
Tina A.
Absolutely delicious cornflake crusted french toast with bananas and strawberries, incredible! Good service, cozy atmosphere.
(5)
Emily J.
I have finally found the best breakfast place in Chicago, and I wasn't even at Nookies for breakfast! After having drinks but no food at the J. Parker, my boyfriend and I were in desperate need of dinner. He used to go to DePaul so he knew Nookies was the place to go. And he was right (one of the only times this has ever occurred-kidding...). Nookies is everything a breakfast place should be, most importantly they have huevos rancheros and a breakfast burrito and serve breakfast all day. I got the huevos with chorizo and was not disappointed. It was so good and just what the doctor ordered. The restaurant is so unassuming and everything you want a neighborhood breakfast place to be-small, with a diner bar and open kitchen. It's just perfect! Our server, Tyler, was so kind and talked to us through our whole meal at the bar. We were lucky enough to even meet the owner as well and chat with him a while too. My sister is coming into town in a few weeks and Nookies is the first place I'm going to take her, no matter the time of day.
(5)
Lauren R.
A great little diner with good food, big portions and decent prices. Someone in the kitchen really knows how to poach the perfect egg. The Southwest omelet and Southwest Benedict were both delicious. Highly recommended.
(4)
Kristine N.
Ordered takeout from Nookies to try it again and the food was a lot better than when we dined in. The ham and cheese omelette, yum. Big chunks of ham with tons of cheese. Potatoes were still a little soft for my taste, but it was takeout so that might be the problem. The banana nut bread pancake, to die for! We were really satisfied this time.
(4)
Pamela M.
The food was ok. The Eggs Benedict was good, but relatively classic and not remarkable. Personally, I don't get excited about country potatoes. I prefer hash browns. I dined near the entrance and found the ambiance to be reminiscent of Perkins. It is a very busy restaurant, but I just find the interiors to be a little on the sterile side. Our server Selina was great! She was super nice and welcoming. Not to mention, her accent was lovely! Perhaps, I need to come back and try the cornflake crusted French toast in the photos because that looks delish!
(3)
Mike W.
Gotta love Nookies! Best place in Old Town to go for breakfast or brunch. I've had some of the skillets, steak and eggs, and pancakes - all excellent. Friendly service with good coffee. BYOB too so bring some champagne and OJ!
(5)
Deborah N.
AMAZING Brunch!! The Huevos Con Chorizo are to die for - YUM!! It could have been a little spicier seeing as the salsa is pretty mild, however; that's my fault seeing as I didn't tell them to add a little KICK!! All-in-all, great little BYOB spot. Super nice and sweet staff. Thank you for the awesome brunch!! xo
(5)
Sarah M.
Went after church on a Sunday morning and immediately sat at the bar at 10am. Service wasn't fabulous but for a quick breakfast place that's what id expect. We got the goat cheese pesto scramble to split between the two of us. It was really good especially with the grilled tomatoes. I recommend it to anyone wanted something more flavorful than plain eggs.
(4)
Cullen B.
Nookies is a good family friendly restaurant to stop at and get something to eat. The service and food were great. I have the bacon burger and the blueberry waffle, both had lots of flavor and very tasty. The only reason I don't give five stars is because nothing popped to me. Everything was good but nothing had a pop. In the end it was a wonderful place to eat
(4)
Bethany A.
I came here with a friend for breakfast food in the afternoon. The restaurant was pretty empty but the staff was still really attentive and we had great service. It was pretty obvious that Nookies has been doing brunch food for a while and we didn't really have any complaints at all. I ordered the Farmers Eggs Skillet with scrambled eggs and I really liked it. The best part was probably the bacon, which was perfectly cooked. I really liked the hash browns as well. Overall, really yummy food. I'd like to come back in the morning sometime and maybe try the pancakes and French toast.
(4)
Shin L.
Nookies... nookies... nookies... It's unfortunate that your name just reminds me of Limp Bizkit and sexual intercourse... something which I'm usually not in the mood to think about until my tummy is full. It's also unfortunate that you are so busy that we waited over 45 minutes for a table. Give it up to the guy at the front counter seating people. He was courteous, apologetic, and attentive enough to let our party of six order some coffee and drinks while we waited. This guy was classy and deserves a promotion if he doesn't own the place already. It was unfortunate for him to have a party of 3 and 2 kids sitting for 45 minutes after they finished eating talking about god knows what... probably something boring... like bridge club. So, on to the food. It was okay. I had the Eggs Benedict as usual, and I've got to say. I've got a real gripe with places that do a real THICK slice of canadian bacon/ham on my Benedict. I mean, this thing was almost half an inch thick. It was unbearable after the first half. The hash browns were awesome though. Wider shredded potatoes than usual and cooked to perfection with a crisp. Everything else in our party was so-so. Meat loaf? So-so. The mac and cheese? So-so. We probably all ordered the wrong things, but no one was raving about their meal. I was disappointed as this place seemed to be well rated. They have another Nookies less than a mile away for god's sake, and they had a wait, too. I'd literally have given this place 2-stars if it weren't for the gentleman at the counter. Just goes to show what a lasting impression attentive service can leave.
(3)
Paul S.
I don't get why people are so in love with this place. What am I missing. I live across the street and have been here a number of times, but I'm underwhelmed. I made the decision after a recent dinner trip to no longer go here. The breakfast is fine and completely acceptable. It's typical breakfast food so when you read other reviews here that rave about the breakfast keep that in mind. The non breakfast items is where the menu breaks down. I've had the chicken served overcooked. The spinach pie is some weird contraption that's nothing like a regular spinach pie. It's unique qualities do not make up for the water infested spinach inside the pie. If I thought it was terrible here I would give it a one star, but two is appropriate. Specifically for the breakfast, Nookies now has a lot of competition with others serving breakfast on Wells. I don't see the lines I used to see on Sunday mornings. There's also a reason why their dinner crowd is so light. There are lots of opportunities here. Nookies should focus on quality and less on a menu with quantity.
(2)
Jennifer L.
My boyfriend and I stopped by here after shopping in the area. I left feeling totally underwhelmed especially after the positive reviews I had read. Pros: The autumn trio that I had tasted great and the flavors were unique. It came with pumpkin pancakes, pear french toast and apricot-cherry pancakes. My boyfriend had the Southwest Benedict, which had spicy black bean cakes on it. Also, the location is perfect! You can walk to the shops after you eat to burn off all those calories. Cons: The portions were way too big! Each type of pancake came with three pancakes each and there were two slices of french toast. Our server was efficient, but not very friendly. And, I did not like the interior of the restaurant at all. It looked dated and dirty. The tile floor looked gross and overdue for a deep cleaning. Overall, I have been to better breakfast places before. Maybe I'll give them another try if I'm in the area. Or, maybe I'll try their other locations.
(2)
Samantha J.
This is the perfect little cafe for a nice quick breakfast that won't tear your wallet in half. Service was extremely friendly and the food was tasty, albeit I had the self control not to order any of the amazing specials they had (I'm a scrambled eggs and hash browns girl). Their hash browns were perfectly crispy, not like those soggy ones you can get at the mainstream places. They sub'd fruit for toast (go Paleo diet!) for no extra cost which is almost unheard of. Definitely coming back!
(4)
Khamie W.
Terrible. I took my partner here for valentines day weekend and it was not a great experience at all. The server rushed us to order our food then I had to track the waiter down." My spouse wasn't please with her meal and he acted as if it was a inconvenience
(1)
Shannon C.
Super tasty breakfast!!! Would recommend to anyone!
(4)
K S.
We went here for Brunch on Saturday. It was a short wait maybe 5 min tops. The place was good. Nothing mind blowing. I had the waffle and hashbrowns and my bf had the cornbeef hash skillet. Decent prices. Wouldnt make this our regular spot but wouldnt be against going back here again.
(3)
Tigistu A.
Had a brunch with my family on Saturday 30/09/14, the food was excellent and the staff very friendly. Thanks
(5)
Christopher S.
I have been a frequent and loyal regular for 10 years. It is hands down my favorite breakfast nook in the city. The staff is the friendliest in town, and the food is well made classics. This is the place to go if you want normal French toast, incredible omelets, etc.
(5)
Robin S.
Yuck. I'm not sure what the big deal is about this place. I ordered chicken salad which should be a fairly safe dish. My cukes were rotten in the middle and the avocado was brown. The cole slaw was warm and the potato salad was bland. No reason that should have come out of the kitchen. Son had the BBQ sandwich and he couldn't eat it. Others had a burger which he said was "ok" but girls enjoyed their grilled cheese. Service was excellent and responsive to food being sent back. He did remove it from our bill. We won't be back. Maybe breakfast is a better choice.
(1)
Chris H.
The staff was friendly, and the service was prompt. However, the food was just so-so. I had the Farmers Skillet. Basically 2 fried eggs over hash browns, bacon, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and cheese. I thought it would be a slam dunk, but it all seemed a bit bland. That, and the bacon were 2" chewy strips of limp bacon mixed in with everything else (not the greatest). My girlfriend ordered the chilaquiles. She also said they were just "okay." A little too sweet and missing the acidity that makes chilaquiles so great. The upside of this place is that its BYOB.
(3)
Jim K.
Came in here searching for an ATM fairly early on a Saturday morning, and decided to stay for breakfast before hitting the farmer's market. I had the 2 egg (whites) and hash brown breakfast with chicken sausage. Overall, a decent breakfast: the chicken sausage was quite good, and the eggs and hash browns were fine. I had sourdough toast, which came slightly torched, and, frankly, didn't taste like sourdough. Nookie's itself is quite charming, comprising of what seems like an endless collection of small dinning rooms connected together. It's absolutely a family restaurant, but, even with a screaming baby a few tables away, the room wasn't too loud; perfect for breakfast. There IS outdoor seating, however, I only counted 5 tables, so I wouldn't count on these. The service was great, especially for a breakfast nook (see what I did there?). My server was attentive without being overbearing. I'd probably go back for breakfast again, but Nookies just didn't wow me as a "must go" kind of place.
(3)
maimuna s.
Delicious brunch! The service was great and they kept the coffee coming. The food was great and they were really sweet.
(5)
Margaret G.
This little piggy went to nookies This little piggy stayed home This little piggy had delicious fruit crepes This little piggy had none This little piggy cried weewee all the way home. This little piggy went to nookies This little piggy sat in the corner This little piggy grew inpatient This little piggy did too This little piggy cried "why? why was I ignored the entire breakfast?"
(3)
Grace C.
I went this place for brunch. Very clean place and tasty food. Portion is not big (small compare to other brunch/ diner) but it is a fun place to check out and go for a casual relax brunch.
(3)
Benjamin D.
Came here because there wasn't much else open in the neighborhood. Had heard good things and I've walked by it plenty of times. Service was pretty lousy. The server pushed some of our stuff out of the way to put down silverware. Not the end of the world but annoying. There is a lot on the menu (including three veggie burgers!) and most of it looked good. I got a burger, with mashed potatoes and cream of broccoli soup. It was a lot of food for the money. But the soup had part of a fingernail in it. Absolutely ruined my appetite. The burger was OK, kind of bland, but everything else looked good. I couldn't eat a whole lot after the fingernail. But they took my whole meal off the bill. So it worked out in the end. All that said, probably won't come here again. Lousy service, grossness in the food and better options in the area.
(3)
Katie W.
BYOB! Attentive service. Coffee was filled within 30 seconds of sitting down. Huge portions. Hot food. Great diner!!
(4)
Bryan J.
Terrible and crowded. They have a great location in Lincoln Park and their prices are low, and that's about it. The food is in the range of "nothing special" to "didn't even try". For example, the blueberries on my cardboard-like Belgian waffle were still frozen, and the Eggs Florentine had all the ingredients stacked in the right order, but was all but inedible. The owners and wait-staff have an indifferent attitude, as if people will still flood in whether they try or not. And fortunately for them, there is an amply supply of 20-somethings in the neighborhood who do not seem to know the difference. There are much better places in the neighborhood if you care about the qualify of the food and and service.
(1)
Sarah N.
BYOB champagne for mimosas if you want them with their fresh orange juice otherwise this brunch is more than enough to satisfy your taste buds! Come prepared to eat, that's for sure! There might be a line but the service does the best they can to get you to a seat and they do not rush you out of it, which I appreciated it! Great for all groups and people!
(4)
Michele L.
I'm absolutely obsessed with this place - I work remotely, so its nice to have a place where I can get a good meal and be able to get work done at the same time! The staff is also amazing, I never feel rushed or just because I'm sitting here doing work ever neglected - even after the bill is paid. I highly recommend Amy's Omelet - they're chicken sausage is super yummy :)
(5)
Debby S.
"We goof up every once in a while, it wasn't intentional." That's a direct quote from the manager. He graciously didn't charge me for the coffee that was never refilled during the half hour I was there. The food is fine, but not memorable. The service awful! The place was half empty and there was enough staff. I won't be back. FYI - I LOVE the Nookies in Edgewater. It's hard to believe these two restaurants share a name.
(2)
Lauren H.
Great breakfast place! Their menu is absolutly huge. So many choices. I would say get there early because it can get very crowded after church.
(5)
C R.
Excellent brunch. The skillet was great, and all the other food that I saw looked just as good. Cool spot in lincoln park, and looks like it would be a great place for any casual meal.
(5)
Adrienne N.
Love Nookies! Always stop here when we're in Chicago. Great breakfast/diner food.
(4)
Scott W.
When my girlfriend and I lived in Chicago, Nookies was a weekly brunch spot for us. Now that we're living elsewhere, we totally miss the place! Nookies has some of the most consistently fantastic comfort food I've ever had. Always good for all-day breakfast options, lots of interesting picks for lunch and dinner, and brisk, dependable service. We also got to know the management team well, including Spiro, who's the absolute best! I'd highly recommend Nookies - and if you go, hope you like it enough to keep going back like we did.
(5)
Ryan W.
Great breakfast spot in Chicago! Went there while on a business trip and staying a block over at The Lincoln Hotel. Everything was amazing (had a breakfast meal.) One suggestion, which would give it a 5 star rating is to ask for the home fries WELL DONE. They were a bit on the light side, and my colleague who took me there knew what was up. I only wished she told me. But a great place, with an awesome staff. They had an ambient mix playing when we went (at about 7:30pm), and the first song I heard was Zero 7's 'Waiting Line' which is one of my favorites! Such a chill atmosphere, I can imagine the crowds for breakfast must get crazy. Next time I'm in Chi-town, I'll be sure to hit this little gem up. Thanks Nookies!
(4)
Julia W.
Good Food, Good Location, Friendly Owner and Staff, love this place ,my favourite, come here every week. it's my favourite breakfast place
(5)
Renessa F.
As a party of 6 we waited almost 25 mins for a table though it was almost 1pm. Since Nookies is our staple we hung around. After being seated we had to get our own menus because no one checked on us for 5 mins, slightly frustrated but we were hungry and service is normally fast. We waited 15 mins to order and almost 40 mins for our food. In the meantime the table of 4 next to us, that was seated after us received their food before us. That was the killer. As a group we recalled how long we were waiting at each point because we were starved when we arrived and hungry customers are good at keeping time. In the past Nookeis was our reliable go to place but after this experience we won't be going back again.
(1)
Paige W.
After leaving a negative review of the chicken fingers, one of the owners saw me walking by, and he ran after me to apologize. Gestures like that go a long way. He obviously really cares about his customers and the store. I'll definitely be back to eat something else. (Not the chicken fingers).
(5)
DiAna E.
Nookie's is great for a late afternoon brunch! The blueberry pancakes and scrambled eggs are delicious. And....it's BYOB! Add champagne and orange juice for a perfect meal!
(5)
Krithika R.
Food so good, it had me smiling from ear to ear! A quaint cozy place - definitely recommend!
(5)
Alexandra K.
What can i say about Nookies? It holds a huge piece of my heart. I love brunch and can't think of any time where Nookies has failed me. I first became acquainted from visiting Nookies Too in Lincoln Park. Nookies has the same menu, and a larger space for seating. You can't go wrong with the menu. I day dream about the hashbrowns. I love their seasonal trio special - no matter what it is - it's always a must have. I can't recommend it enough! It is worth the wait!
(5)
Emily S.
I always have a wonderful dining experience here. The food and service are great. The staff is all very attentive, friendly, accommodating (my order can occasionally be high maintenance), and knowledgeable. They also have dijon mustard and siracha for my omelets! I am also impressed how busy it is at all times during the day, independent of the day of the week.
(5)
Dan S.
What a great experience... Was visiting Chi-town the other day and happened across this place by my hotel. Checked out the reviews and went in for some lunch. Super friendly staff and excellent and attentive waitress. The soups; delicious. The breakfast plates; perfect. The burgers; hot and fresh. Love this place...will definitely be back.
(5)
Kirby M.
i love Nookies. It's a neighborhood gem. The staff there are always kind. The food is typical diner food - it's not going to blow your mind but it's solid. I'm a big fan of all of the skillets. I'll take great service with reliable food over an alternative any day. Not to mention incredibly affordable. Thank you, Nookies. You've always been good to me. My only wish is that they'd make better coffee.
(4)
Eunice J.
Hearty portions - great place for brunch, but would not recommend it for amazing dinner food. They're a great place if you're looking for comfort food though!
(3)
Max P.
Nookies has the staples of a great diner experience down: great service and pretty good food. Our server, Todd, was polite and attentive to our needs. I ordered about the most basic diner food-cheeseburger with cottage fries-and it was delicious. The restaurant had plenty of room to accommodate our group of 8 and our food was done quickly. Next time I'm in Lincoln Park and looking for a reliable and relaxing option, I'll definitely hit up Nookies.
(4)
Bridgett F.
Went in excited for good service and good food.. They wouldn't seat us if we expected one more person because they didn't want people hogging tables. They were not warm or welcoming and just didn't seem they like they cared that much about customers. Wound up going to a different break fav place that was SO much better. So thank you :)
(2)
Ken B.
We stayed at the Hotel Lincoln just down the street, and this is just around the corner. Great for breakfast with good, fresh ingredients. Attentive staff, even thought they were very busy.
(4)
Mary B.
We went to Nookie's on the Monday after the Chicago marathon for a late breakfast. It was the perfect time to go. There was only a 5 minute wait, and we got a great table inside. The menu had a great assortment of choices, which I always love. I ended up with a Southwest twist on Eggs Benedict. There were two huge black bean cakes, topped with poaches eggs and a chipotle hollandaise sauce. It came with toast and hashbrowns on the side. I only ended up eating half of it - I would definitely split it next time! Everyone in my group ordered dishes that looked fantastic - crepeps, frittattas, pancakes - it was all amazing. Next time I go to Chicago, I am definitely hitting up Nookies again!
(4)
Ray D.
Solid breakfast go to! Great eggs, pancakes, corned beef and hash etc. Never been their for lunch or dinner but staff is always friendly. You may have to wait a little for a table on the weekends but well worth the wait. A true dinner experience that you can't find often in the Midwest let alone the city.
(4)
Dorotka K.
I have become somewhat of a regular here. Great food and excellent accommodating staff.
(5)
Janice R.
The peach and raspberry pancake special was delicious last summer, but tough and chewy today. The waiter did not come back to pour coffee refills after he served us.
(3)
Jennie C.
The stellar reviews set my expectations too high, so I was rather disappointed in my Nookies experience. Sure it was a cute place, and the wait wasn't that bad (15min around noon on Sunday). But the food was just ok...I had the mushroom fritatta, it was rather greasy and covered in barely melted cheese. Friend had the eggs Benedict, the hollandaise sauce was very vinegary, though the eggs were at least cooked properly. If you live in the neighborhood and don't have to worry about parking, then it's an ok choice. I wouldn't make a special trip for this.
(3)
Molly V.
Nookies, Nookies, Nookies; oh how I wanted to enjoy this experience just a bit more than I actually did... I was visiting Chicago (home) this past week and a friend of mine lives by the Nookie's on Wells St. We decided to check it out, as I had heard there was a Nookies that recently opened near where I had lived previously. It was mid afternoon so I ordered lunch items and my friend ordered breafast items. I been told before that their breafast was pretty good - but I was just not in the mood for it. Anyway, my friend ordered standard eggs and bacon with hashbrowns. I ordered soup and a tuna melt. I can't speak for my friend's food, but everything was just mediocre. For all the hype that I had heard about this place, I thought the decore (which definitely left something to be desired) would have an edge. I think I simply just had much higher expectations. The food was edible - but nothing to write home about. The ambiance/decor was that of any other diner type restaurant. Next time I a in Chicago I will probably not make it a priority to come back and visit a Nookies.
(3)
S t.
The best breakfast place around. Always consistent and friendly, thank you nookies!
(5)
Annie M.
If you're looking for good breakfast in the Lakeview, Lincoln Park, or Old Town neighborhoods, you can't go wrong with one of the Nookie restaurants. The Old Town one is usually my go-to but I've also been to the Lincoln Park location several times too. They've always provided quick, friendly service with great food to match. The regular menu is good, nothing too special, but it's a good amount of food for a fairly cheap price. Perfect for families, especially with kids. Their seasonal specials menu is definitely worth checking out too. The fall menu has pumpkin flapjacks that are AMAZING! They always have at lest 3 season options between pancakes, waffles, and french toast and they always sound super tasty. However, the spring menu had a trout skillet which may have been one of the worst meals I've ever had (in all fairness, the service is so good that I'm sure they would have brought me something different had I asked, but I didn't.) I'd be pretty cautious to order anything with fish from Nookies again after that. But my favorite thing on the menu is definitely Ernesto's chilaquiles. Combining Mexican and breakfast is just a beautiful thing! All in all, Nookies is such a good breakfast place that even a horrible meal didn't scare me away, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone!
(4)
ali a.
Although I think nookies is good, I think I go there more because its convenient. The food is good, not great and the service is pretty decent. If you are looking for a basic brunch place that's pretty good, check it out. I think there are some other brunch places in chicago that are a little more original though.
(3)
elizabeth n.
This is one of my favorite brunch spots. The place is very cute and a low key spot to grab a good bite to eat. They have the most amazing banana nut pancakes and the omlettes are delicious! The wait is worth it, and I've never had a bad experience there. They do not take credit cards though so bring cash or your ATM card because you'll need it!
(4)
Jason K.
The best breakfast I have ever had. I went there the saturday of St. Patty's so it was crowed. Even with the big group of us we were able to get a table in 15 minutes. The orange juice is fresh made with real oranges behind the counter. Do yourself a favor and get the best breakfast around.
(5)
Arjun C.
Nice brunch -- waited less than 15 mins, got fritata and two pancake flights which were delicious but too huge to finish. Moving to the top of my brunch favorites.
(4)
Mama L.
This place is breakfast perfection. It is always busy during the weekend but worth the wait. OMG- the eggs and french toast are too die for. The staff is very friendly. The fruit is always excellent! LOVE this place!
(5)
Liliana S.
Great choice for breakfast. Great frittatas as well as omelettes..
(4)
Design G.
Why only 4 stars? I wish they would break down and let me use my bank card! Otherwise, this is a cute, humble and unpretentious place to duck off wells and have a bit of brunch, lunch or dinner for a very reasonable price. There is always a line on the weekends and rightfully so... nice staff as well. Give 'em your dollars... until you can give them your card ;)
(4)
Anne Marie J.
Went on a Friday for brunch (spring break, yay!) and it was perfect. We were seated immediately and the waitstaff was quite attentive - full cups of coffee and water at all times. Even 20 min after we were done with our meal, we felt no pressure to leave. Food was FANTASTIC. The 2009 french toast special (crunchy croissant napolean?) had a lovely filling of strawberries and vanilla marscapone and the crunchiness of the corn flakes added a much desired texture to french toast. Had a bite of all my friends' dishes: huevos con chorizo and the corned beef has were all fresh and plentiful. I'm sure if this had been the weekend it would be a diff story. But based on my experience, I'd recommend this place to everyone.
(5)
Andrea G.
Quite possibly just experienced the best BLT of my life. Get down for the Nookie people, get down.
(5)
Katie C.
What probably originated as a neighborhood tradition has grown into somewhat of a breakfast phenomenon. This Nookies, which obviously has two other locations, is on the quiet part of Wells that it's fairly uncommon to drive down--and if you were looking for the place during any other time besides brunch, it's possible you might miss it. Standing outside for brunch on a Sunday at 10:45am meant one thing: a 20-25 minute wait. Now, this really isn't bad compared to say, Overeasy Cafe up in Ravenswood (and hell, it's worth it) but it can feel significantly long if you're waiting for a cure-to-your-hangover breakfast as we were. Once we were seated, though, things started to roll. Our server was friendly, and although a little to begin service, she checked back up on us a couple of times and made small talk. The food? Nothing special or unexpected--but Nookies isn't the kind of place where you're going to find ancho-butter with your toast. It's predictable, good, hearty, short-order cooking, and you pretty much know whatever you order is going to be solid. I ordered the chilaquiles which were warm, tasty, and the portion was far more than enough. My boyfriend ordered the eggs, hash, and toast (a LOT of food for $4.45) and couldn't finish it all. So, say you're a little low on cash, don't mind waiting to put something in that belly of yours, and would like to partake in a friendly neighborhood's offerings? Nookies is the place to choose.
(4)
Vanessa M.
First timers here... Loved this place! 5 stars from me, 4 from the husband. We walked up and I loved it from the start. Very cute and has a nice patio area; we knew it was gonna be good because of the amount of people standing around outside waiting for tables. We figured we would be out there waiting for awhile- but it was only 10-15 minutes, just as the host had said. We were seated inside. The place has such a great diner feel- but different because its a bit more classy. Our waitress was super friendly and kind, and took great care of us! Thanks to other Yelp reviews, we got the fresh squeezed orange juice... it was SO GOOD. We are from Florida and recently moved here to Chicago. THIS is the stuff Floridians live for. It was perfect. We also enjoyed watching the juicing machine. They were putting whole oranges in, peel and all, and juice came pouring out. Intriguing. I ordered the Chili-Avocado fritatta with hash browns. It was phenomenal and such a huge portion, I barely finished half. I wasn't a huge fan on the hash- kinda tasteless and needed quite a bit off pepper. I didn't eat much of it. The fritatta though. Oh. My. Word. I wanna eat that for breakfast every morning. Just as the waitress described it- a bed of eggs with chili, all this awesome melted cheese, and avocado. Yum. My husband had the Bistro burger. Bleu cheese and carmelized onions on a 1/4 lb beef patty. He really liked it, although it wasn't exactly cooked how he had asked. He asked for medium, and it came out almost well done. Not a huge deal, and he was starving and just wanted to eat, haha. Overall he said it was a pretty good burger. One thing that my husband would like me to add is that he was so sad he didn't order the huge stuffed french toast stuff we saw come out of the kitchen soo many times. Seriously, he is very remorseful. We will definitely be back to Nookies (can I just mention how much I love that name?! so cute) and we will have to try the french toast :)
(4)
Mike G.
Well, it has been a few years since I visited Nookies and nothing has changed. The food is even better than I remember. I have a different perspective now as I have an 18 month old son. My review is a little different this time but it still keeps its 5 stars. Their childrens menu is great. He had the pigs in a blanket (pancake wrapped around a sausage link). He loved it and it came with a chocolate milk, all for only $3.50. They were accommodating to all kids (there were a ton there) and it just made the experience even better. If my son could actually say sentences he would say "This place rocks!!!!"
(5)
AB H.
I found Nookies to be good, not great. I had the steak and eggs special. The steak was overcooked, and quite a few pieces were grizzly. The guac and scrambled eggs were good. The refried beans and rice were fine - nothing special. One thing that I found annoying about the menu is that breakfast options are listed in a number of places, so you have to hunt around a bit. This place was great for kids - the chocolate chips pancakes were a hit and cheap. If I were eating carbs, I would try the french toast dipped in corn chips. That sounded really good.
First breakfast in Chicago. Must say it was very delicious. I ordered eggs over corned beef hash. Cooked perfectly. Only reason I don't give 5 stars is because I prefer home fries over the shredded potatoes. However; the shredded potatoes were very delicious!
(4)
J L.
Nookies is hands down my favorite brunch spot in Old Town. Nice outside seating for those who like the outdoors and people watching. It gets very busy on the weekends. But I've found no difference in the service or taste of food. My go to dish is the farmer's skillet. Yum! Can't go wrong with big portions and byo champagne for mimosas :)
(5)
Tad D.
I think people take this place for granted so it's important to mention a few things. The staff is polite, fast, and awesome. The food is great and it comes up fast. The place is usually very clean. It's not hard to see why it's a been a Lincoln Park / Old Town favorite for so long. So many restaurants can't get these basics down pat, so I'm happy to wait in line for a great experience on the weekend. Try the chilaquiles, they've been my go-to for years now. Also, consider bringing out-of-town guests here rather than some tourist trap.
(5)
Kent B.
I came in for breakfast. The meeting you had some great choices . The waitstaff was very friendly. I got the pancakes and an egg dish. The pancakes were a bit overcooked . Eggs were fine. But the house was undercooked. I was hoping for more out of this place.
(3)
P 3.
Awesome place and good service. Food was tasty and everyone was nice. Good neighborhood place to grab brunch on weekends.
(4)
Candace M.
I was looking for a brunch place close by to Second City and found this. I would probably give it 3.5 stars if that was an option because it wasn't bad (I would go back) but it also wasn't anything exceptional either--it's just a standard brunch/American spot. My boyfriend and I split the tuna melt and an omelet. The tuna melt was pretty good (classic tuna on an english muffin with melted american cheese), but nothing that I couldn't make easily at home. The omelet was great: huge, veggie-stuffed and super cheesy, but again, nothing different than any other omelet I've had at a brunch place. With our orders, we also got a side of onion rings (yummy but greasy) and hash-browns (eh, only okay, I've had better). One particularly frustrating/bizarre thing about our meal was that the tuna melt comes with a side of chicken & rice soup, but we are vegetarian. We told the waiter that we can't eat meat and asked to sub it for a side salad or a different side instead, but the waiter told us: "no, we can't do that because the soup is just complimentary." Seriously, what's up with that? Kind of ridiculous...
(3)
Jeffery H.
After having brunch here, I am shocked that this place has four stars. I had scrambled eggs and hash browns, which should be pretty difficult to mess up. However, both were covered in Pam kitchen spray, as if it had been used instead of butter or oil to cook with. My boyfriend had a daily special, which was a Mexican inspired steak and eggs. It was edible after adding quite a bit of hot sauce. We also ordered two coffees. After asking three different people at three different times for milk or cream it never arrived. Overall, not a four star place by any means.
(1)
M. C.
So the only reason I'm giving this place a two is because it was close by and we got sat relatively fast on a Sunday morning. I was visiting from out of town and yes....the portions are large. Yes the prices are low for the area. What wasn't great was the flavor... My cousin ordered a ham, cheese and broccoli omelet, tasted like broccoli....and only broccoli. I ordered chocolate chip pancakes, chewy. Enough said. And I also got the biscuits with gravy on them....bland. I am a huge brunch fan....and for my last meal this was a really big disappointment. Coffee....sour. Something was not right. I wish I could say something good about some part of the meal but I cannot. Service.......wow. Not only did the waiter never make eye contact he walked away when I was still ordering. He seemed to be in a pissy mood....learn to act like ur happy even if you aren't, you work in the service industry! This is not my only review during my trip so I am not being biased...I had plenty of great meals in Chicago. Visit Kanela breakfast club instead!! It's within walking distance
(2)
Adri A.
perfect food & service. Visiting from California ran across this place on the way to the zoo. So glad we stopped. Server made great suggestions. Fresh squeezed orange juice was amazing... the plus we met Aaron Franklin from bbq pits here. You know food critics don't just eat any where ;) Ps. My bothers said to make sure I add finger kicking good (: Thank you Nookies!!
(5)
Kiki Z.
We ordered the seasonal trio breakfast sampler, and it was absolutely amazing! It was such a sweet treat. The fruit was incredibly fresh and perfect on top of the French toast and pancakes!
(5)
Carla H.
Always a quality meal for a decent price! Service is always good. It's a great neighborhood spot, wish there were more Nookies.
(4)
renje g.
++ - It's a cool diner - They give you LOTS of food - Orange juice is very good and very fresh - The 'Daily Special' menu allows you to do a sample of all three; which is a lot - During my day it was peach hotcakes/bluberry marscapone french toast/coconut
(3)
Carolina N.
Nookies! What can I say I had such a delightful experience this afternoon for brunch. This was my first visit but I heard many nice things about Nookies. I was surprised to find out how large the place actually was since it looks small from the outside. I love the small diner vibe and it seems like this is a family business which I always love about a place because you can feel that lovin' energy when you're there and it definitely reflects on the service and food. I ordered the Spring sampler special (pancake, french toast, and a some other sweet bread), it was fantastic! My boyfriend ordered the Paris benedict (broiche, bacon, asparagus, egg, and a gruyere gravy) - phenomenal. This meal may have been one of my best brunch experiences ever. I have to note that the service was really great. The host(s) were incredibly sweet and accommodating. My boyfriend dropped me off at the front so I could put our name down while he looked for parking and the host was kind enough to just let me know that as soon as my bf walked in he would have our table ready, I was surprised to even find out that there was no wait! Brunch on a Sunday can be treacherous at so many places! The only con I can think of was that menu is kinda pricey.
(5)
Bennie B.
I couldn't wait to eat here. We showed up for Sunday breakfast to sit outside (had a dog) but outdoor was not set up, so we had to go elsewhere. Maybe next time. Restaurant should prepare outdoor seating before restaurant even opens!!
(3)
Dominique A.
Just went here yesterday.... It was a decent little mom and pop spot.... But for me personally... Nothing to rave about
(3)
Lindsey M.
Yum! Went there yesterday and had the Gouda, mushroom, onion and bacon Fritatta. My husband had the raspberry peach French toast. Good coffee. The only negative was that they had a group of summer special items that sounded great but most weren't available until 9am. That's on the late side if you have a toddler, which we do, so we were there around 8am. We don't live in this area but still would come back during our next Chicago visit.
(4)
Letta M.
We head out from Public Chicago to Nookies and went the wrong way, but we were determined to find it so what should have taken a 15 minute walk, took us about an hour. We got there famished. I ordered the french toast and it was AMAZING! The crunch was just right. The whipped cream was super tasty and not too sweet! A perfect balance. There was a slight wait time but we opted to sit at the bar and that took no time.
(4)
Mary A.
The food was very good. We both got Cajun eggs breakfast special. It was so delicious. The orange juice is also very good. You can tell its freshly squeezed. The only thing was that I asked the waiter if there were onions in my food and he said no. I did see a few onions in my food. I simply pushed them to the side because the food was still really good. The waiter was friendly and he continued to check on us. I would definitely recommend this place. The music is very fitting. It's an old school feel. Very relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. The tables are slightly close to each other but besides that the layout is great.
(5)
Dave P.
I really LOVE this place. I've been several times and its always consistent. (casual breakfast place that pumps out GREAT creative dishes while still doing the basics right!) In its class, It's a five star for me!
(5)
Sharon C.
I came here in the afternoon (which I think now was a bit of a mistake) after spending a morning at Lincoln Park Zoo with a friend. We both ordered breakfast: I had the Dixie Biscuits, and she ordered a skillet (I forget which one). While the potatoes were pleasantly burnt, which I like in my hash browns, neither the potatoes nor the biscuits seemed all that fresh to me, which is why I'd probably try this place again during the breakfast rush - maybe I shouldn't have gone for a breakfast food in the afternoon, but, given the choice, I will almost always choose breakfast. The sausage gravy was a lot more gravy than sausage, but the eggs were poached perfectly. The entire place smelled delicious, like fresh oranges, and we were greeted very politely (and exuberantly) upon entering. Our server was also patient and came back to check on us. I hope it was just that I ordered breakfast at the wrong time of the day!
(3)
Rach G.
My friend and I travelled to Chicago from Boston. We are spending the day in Lincoln Park and decided to stop off at Nookies for some brunch. I was so pleasantly surprised at the high quality of everything from the aesthetics, to the very friendly (and attractive) staff! And of course I cannot even put into words how phenomenal the food was! My friend and I had some vegetable soup; best damn vegetable soup soup of my life! He had the bbq chicken sandwich and I had the farmers egg skillet... both of which were brought out super quick, but you could tell it was all very well made, and tasted out of this world! If you are looking for a homey diner with that retro feel and amazing inexpensive food this is for sure the place to go! Families, old people, hipsters, whatever-this is the place for u!
(5)
KJ V.
When I'm near the area, I always make a stop here. Food is fantastic. Staff is energetic and friendly. Go early or you will have to wait but if you do have to wait, it's well worth it!!! You can't go wrong with any of the omlettes or fritattas for breakfast. Make sure you have a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice too! I've also has the pulled pork sandwich, the Reuben, and monster melt. All are very delicious. As you can see, no matter what your in the mood for, your meal will be made fresh and with love!
(5)
Jessica P.
I came here for brunch after my 5K run on a Sunday at around 1PM.. Upon arrival, we (3 ppl) had a 10 minute wait (not bad)...not much waiting space inside the restaurant, but if it's nice out.. there are some seats outside so you can wait while browsing the menu.. Food: definitely sooo many options and they have seasonal specials too!! Denver Omelette with hashbrowns (you have more options like fruit if you don't want to eat hasbrowns..) and your choice of toast, english muffin..: the Omelette is huge as you can see from my photo..the food was overall good although they do tend to toast your bread a little too much depending on your preference..so it'll be perfectly crunchy...the omelette was pretty good..and hashbrowns go well with anything! Customer Service: our waitress was kind and attentive.. Wait time: to get seated isn't too long...wait time for food seemed to be a little longer (but it may be because we were extremely hungry)... Costs: ~$9+ (excluding tax & tip) depending on what you order It's located close to the 24hr Starbucks so if you want to grab a bite before studying.. I wouldn't mind coming here.. :) I'd come here again for brunch if I was in the area, but I definitely want to try out the other hot spot brunch areas in the area first!
(4)
Mark E.
Always a good spot to grab breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is BYOB and has a diverse menu so vegetarians and gluten free eaters will find something to eat. The Dixie Benedict has exceptional sausage gravy and the eggs were perfectly cooked sunny side up. The service was spot on and the server was willing to split our bill 4 ways. Will be going back soon
(4)
Sreerupa B.
Delicious brunch spot close to the Zoo. Got the Paris Benedict and tried the crepes combo (strawberry, cheese, Apple). Both items were great!
(4)
Megan H.
I love Nookies! It's the best place in the neighborhood to grab a quick and simple breakfast or lunch (and dinner, but I've never been there for dinner). I believe they serve their entire menu all day, which is really nice when you sometimes have the tendency to wake up after 2pm and all you really want is bacon and eggs (over medium with one of the best English muffins I've ever had in my life). Plus it's BYOB! Also their patio is nice in the summer and dog friendly, so inevitably I try to bring my dog whenever possible. Definitely can't wait until it warms up so I can hang with my dog while drinking my own champagne and noshing on some eggs and bacon!
(5)
Sean M.
Exceptional...the breakfast items had both classic and unique options, all absolutely well worth trying and enjoying. Very fresh ingredients. Great helpings, service was superb and I agree with a fellow person, the fresh OJ is a must to order!
(5)
Jed B.
Went there twice for breakfast. First time I had an omelette with spinach bacon and sausage. The second was a veggie omelette. The potatoes were lacking but the service was excellent.
(4)
Kevin F.
My wife and I stopped here for breakfast and really enjoyed it. Nice area to walk around after as well. Staff was friendly and the service was quick. The food was great and I would stop here again.
(4)
Emily J.
This is your typical diner. I went here before checking out the Chicago History Museum. Nookies has diner food and good diner service. Absolutely nothing outstanding or something to make this a must try. The only reason I can think of why it has such a high Yelp review is because everyone in the neighborhood rated it. If this was in my stomping ground - I might give it one more store - might. The staff was friendly and very quick to step. We were seated immediately on arrival. As I said, it was typical diner food with typical bad diner coffee. I had the trio breakfast which is a sample of three types of pancakes. The only one I really liked was the carrot cake. I also had a lemonseed pancake (Meh) and some kind of plum pancake (pass). Every neighborhood should have a diner. But unless you live in the neighborhood, go somewhere else. You will not be pleasantly surprised at Nookies.
(2)
Emily W.
This is my go-to breakfast spot. Anytime family is visiting or I need an afternoon to myself, I find myself in Nookies. With their seasonal menu and consistently amazing food I keep going back. I love the outdoor seating, the big windows in the front, and the strong coffee! This is the perfect place for a cozy date in the dead of winter, or a sunny sidewalk breakfast for summer.
(5)
Danielle Y.
The French toast was really good! I enjoyed the special french toast with the vanilla bean cream cheese especially. :)
(4)
Michael S.
Had the chance to come across Nookies while looking for a lunch spot to complete some work at. Great place, and great food. I had a simple BLT on Wheat with the cottage fries, and it was simple, well prepared, and yummy. Service was good as well. The server didn't hover nor was she completely gone throughout the time I was there. Another bonus? Free parking across the street all day! Granted, it's street parking which is limited, but I was able to park all day and explore the neighborhood afterwards!
(4)
Romana Y.
The service here is unbelievably cheery and uplifting! The aroma is fantastic, and was the selling factor to saunter in. The Tuscan Chicken Salad was a large serving of mixed greens, melted goat cheese, chunky bites of chicken, and lightly dressed. The omelette with veggies and meat was great, as were the hash browns, large slice of ham, and the side of fruit. The coffee was decent, and the patrons were free spirits. Fun breakfast spot, with cheery waiters!
(4)
Sam A.
I like omelets as much as the next guy, but I've never been wowed by one. Until Nookies. The southwest omelet was insane. Fluffy, flavorful and an almost too generous portion of guac. And the hash browns...crispy and golden brown to perfection. Oh, and it's BYOB, so I'm enjoying a bottle of Zombie Dust with my meal. I'm headed here tomorrow morning.
(5)
AJ D.
Excellent freshly squeezed orange juice, good coffee that is topped up regularily, can't go wrong breakfast place with a large variety and large portion sizes. Good/Very Good service. Great for family brunch. Long line, no worries, you'll get seated fast, often well before estimated time. Check out the new 'fall specials' photos just posted.
(4)
Sacha F.
I've only been here once and it wasn't bad! Their menu is huge and offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and side options. I ordered takeout, but the interior was cute and they had nice outdoor seating. I ordered their cream of potato soup and a chicken and cranberry salad with balsalmic dressing. I enjoyed the soup, nothing to write home about, and the salad was definitely enough for two people. The seasoning on the chicken could have been better, but it was decent. I would definitely try this place again, a lot of my coworkers go often and have great things to say about it.
(3)
Brian P.
Best freaking place in the city for breakfast. The best omelettes. Really... The best vegetarian omelette you can get. Incredible French toast. Their food is excellent. Stupid long wait on weekends. I love the U shaped counter.
(4)
Rebecca H.
Pretty good breakfast food. My kiddo had the chocolate chip pancakes which were great, as was my husband's omelet. The hash, however, tasted like it came from a can. The service was friendly and the location convenient.
(3)
Justin S.
I'm a little surprised that anyone could give this place anything above three stars. What am I missing? I don't really consider myself a picky eater, but this was one of the worst breakfasts I've ever had. Future diners, ignore my review at your peril. The coffee was sour, with a chemical aftertaste. The pancakes were dense and chewy. The omelette leaked oil and butter when I bit into it. And the hashbrowns were dry on top, and mushy and undercooked underneath. The entire meal was devoid of flavor top to bottom. Except for the English muffin, which was actually great. Also, freshly squeezed orange juice is a nice touch. Service was fine. I'd describe our server as someone who was told to be nice to kids but really didn't care for them. Which is fine. I've been to plenty of Chicago diners, but I'd avoid this one.
(2)
Sarah K.
A ton of food and quality materials, but poorly crafted (soggy sandwich and almost too much food making it all fall apart) and really lacking depth of flavor. It felt like they were too reliant on an overload of carmelized onions to make up for having no additional flavors
(2)
Suzanne T.
The food and the service were NOT GOOD. I stopped in only because it was around the corner from the hotel where I was staying. I asked about gluten free options and the server seemed at a loss, completely. He was utterly unhelpful during the entire meal, which was supposed to be chilaquiles, but had this awful, dishes need to be cleaned/old oil taste to it. Ugh. At one point I had to get up to ask someone for help because, even though I was one of two tables in the entire joint, waiter utterly vanished. I will not be back.
(2)
Madison P.
The atmosphere is not as great as I wanted it to be, but the food makes up for it! I was craving breakfast for dinner, and this was the perfect place. I ordered French toast, but it had a slight twist- the bread used was Raisin Cinnamon... Perfection. The chips that accompany their burgers are actually sliced potatoes. They are out of this world, and I am not a chip person!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast, Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No 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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J L.
Nookies is hands down my favorite brunch spot in Old Town. Nice outside seating for those who like the outdoors and people watching. It gets very busy on the weekends. But I've found no difference in the service or taste of food. My go to dish is the farmer's skillet. Yum! Can't go wrong with big portions and byo champagne for mimosas :)
(5)Tad D.
I think people take this place for granted so it's important to mention a few things. The staff is polite, fast, and awesome. The food is great and it comes up fast. The place is usually very clean. It's not hard to see why it's a been a Lincoln Park / Old Town favorite for so long. So many restaurants can't get these basics down pat, so I'm happy to wait in line for a great experience on the weekend. Try the chilaquiles, they've been my go-to for years now. Also, consider bringing out-of-town guests here rather than some tourist trap.
(5)Kent B.
I came in for breakfast. The meeting you had some great choices . The waitstaff was very friendly. I got the pancakes and an egg dish. The pancakes were a bit overcooked . Eggs were fine. But the house was undercooked. I was hoping for more out of this place.
(3)P 3.
Awesome place and good service. Food was tasty and everyone was nice. Good neighborhood place to grab brunch on weekends.
(4)Candace M.
I was looking for a brunch place close by to Second City and found this. I would probably give it 3.5 stars if that was an option because it wasn't bad (I would go back) but it also wasn't anything exceptional either--it's just a standard brunch/American spot. My boyfriend and I split the tuna melt and an omelet. The tuna melt was pretty good (classic tuna on an english muffin with melted american cheese), but nothing that I couldn't make easily at home. The omelet was great: huge, veggie-stuffed and super cheesy, but again, nothing different than any other omelet I've had at a brunch place. With our orders, we also got a side of onion rings (yummy but greasy) and hash-browns (eh, only okay, I've had better). One particularly frustrating/bizarre thing about our meal was that the tuna melt comes with a side of chicken & rice soup, but we are vegetarian. We told the waiter that we can't eat meat and asked to sub it for a side salad or a different side instead, but the waiter told us: "no, we can't do that because the soup is just complimentary." Seriously, what's up with that? Kind of ridiculous...
(3)Jeffery H.
After having brunch here, I am shocked that this place has four stars. I had scrambled eggs and hash browns, which should be pretty difficult to mess up. However, both were covered in Pam kitchen spray, as if it had been used instead of butter or oil to cook with. My boyfriend had a daily special, which was a Mexican inspired steak and eggs. It was edible after adding quite a bit of hot sauce. We also ordered two coffees. After asking three different people at three different times for milk or cream it never arrived. Overall, not a four star place by any means.
(1)M. C.
So the only reason I'm giving this place a two is because it was close by and we got sat relatively fast on a Sunday morning. I was visiting from out of town and yes....the portions are large. Yes the prices are low for the area. What wasn't great was the flavor... My cousin ordered a ham, cheese and broccoli omelet, tasted like broccoli....and only broccoli. I ordered chocolate chip pancakes, chewy. Enough said. And I also got the biscuits with gravy on them....bland. I am a huge brunch fan....and for my last meal this was a really big disappointment. Coffee....sour. Something was not right. I wish I could say something good about some part of the meal but I cannot. Service.......wow. Not only did the waiter never make eye contact he walked away when I was still ordering. He seemed to be in a pissy mood....learn to act like ur happy even if you aren't, you work in the service industry! This is not my only review during my trip so I am not being biased...I had plenty of great meals in Chicago. Visit Kanela breakfast club instead!! It's within walking distance
(2)Adri A.
perfect food & service. Visiting from California ran across this place on the way to the zoo. So glad we stopped. Server made great suggestions. Fresh squeezed orange juice was amazing... the plus we met Aaron Franklin from bbq pits here. You know food critics don't just eat any where ;) Ps. My bothers said to make sure I add finger kicking good (: Thank you Nookies!!
(5)Kiki Z.
We ordered the seasonal trio breakfast sampler, and it was absolutely amazing! It was such a sweet treat. The fruit was incredibly fresh and perfect on top of the French toast and pancakes!
(5)Carla H.
Always a quality meal for a decent price! Service is always good. It's a great neighborhood spot, wish there were more Nookies.
(4)renje g.
++ - It's a cool diner - They give you LOTS of food - Orange juice is very good and very fresh - The 'Daily Special' menu allows you to do a sample of all three; which is a lot - During my day it was peach hotcakes/bluberry marscapone french toast/coconut
(3)Carolina N.
Nookies! What can I say I had such a delightful experience this afternoon for brunch. This was my first visit but I heard many nice things about Nookies. I was surprised to find out how large the place actually was since it looks small from the outside. I love the small diner vibe and it seems like this is a family business which I always love about a place because you can feel that lovin' energy when you're there and it definitely reflects on the service and food. I ordered the Spring sampler special (pancake, french toast, and a some other sweet bread), it was fantastic! My boyfriend ordered the Paris benedict (broiche, bacon, asparagus, egg, and a gruyere gravy) - phenomenal. This meal may have been one of my best brunch experiences ever. I have to note that the service was really great. The host(s) were incredibly sweet and accommodating. My boyfriend dropped me off at the front so I could put our name down while he looked for parking and the host was kind enough to just let me know that as soon as my bf walked in he would have our table ready, I was surprised to even find out that there was no wait! Brunch on a Sunday can be treacherous at so many places! The only con I can think of was that menu is kinda pricey.
(5)Bennie B.
I couldn't wait to eat here. We showed up for Sunday breakfast to sit outside (had a dog) but outdoor was not set up, so we had to go elsewhere. Maybe next time. Restaurant should prepare outdoor seating before restaurant even opens!!
(3)Dominique A.
Just went here yesterday.... It was a decent little mom and pop spot.... But for me personally... Nothing to rave about
(3)Lindsey M.
Yum! Went there yesterday and had the Gouda, mushroom, onion and bacon Fritatta. My husband had the raspberry peach French toast. Good coffee. The only negative was that they had a group of summer special items that sounded great but most weren't available until 9am. That's on the late side if you have a toddler, which we do, so we were there around 8am. We don't live in this area but still would come back during our next Chicago visit.
(4)Letta M.
We head out from Public Chicago to Nookies and went the wrong way, but we were determined to find it so what should have taken a 15 minute walk, took us about an hour. We got there famished. I ordered the french toast and it was AMAZING! The crunch was just right. The whipped cream was super tasty and not too sweet! A perfect balance. There was a slight wait time but we opted to sit at the bar and that took no time.
(4)Mary A.
The food was very good. We both got Cajun eggs breakfast special. It was so delicious. The orange juice is also very good. You can tell its freshly squeezed. The only thing was that I asked the waiter if there were onions in my food and he said no. I did see a few onions in my food. I simply pushed them to the side because the food was still really good. The waiter was friendly and he continued to check on us. I would definitely recommend this place. The music is very fitting. It's an old school feel. Very relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. The tables are slightly close to each other but besides that the layout is great.
(5)Dave P.
I really LOVE this place. I've been several times and its always consistent. (casual breakfast place that pumps out GREAT creative dishes while still doing the basics right!) In its class, It's a five star for me!
(5)Sharon C.
I came here in the afternoon (which I think now was a bit of a mistake) after spending a morning at Lincoln Park Zoo with a friend. We both ordered breakfast: I had the Dixie Biscuits, and she ordered a skillet (I forget which one). While the potatoes were pleasantly burnt, which I like in my hash browns, neither the potatoes nor the biscuits seemed all that fresh to me, which is why I'd probably try this place again during the breakfast rush - maybe I shouldn't have gone for a breakfast food in the afternoon, but, given the choice, I will almost always choose breakfast. The sausage gravy was a lot more gravy than sausage, but the eggs were poached perfectly. The entire place smelled delicious, like fresh oranges, and we were greeted very politely (and exuberantly) upon entering. Our server was also patient and came back to check on us. I hope it was just that I ordered breakfast at the wrong time of the day!
(3)Rach G.
My friend and I travelled to Chicago from Boston. We are spending the day in Lincoln Park and decided to stop off at Nookies for some brunch. I was so pleasantly surprised at the high quality of everything from the aesthetics, to the very friendly (and attractive) staff! And of course I cannot even put into words how phenomenal the food was! My friend and I had some vegetable soup; best damn vegetable soup soup of my life! He had the bbq chicken sandwich and I had the farmers egg skillet... both of which were brought out super quick, but you could tell it was all very well made, and tasted out of this world! If you are looking for a homey diner with that retro feel and amazing inexpensive food this is for sure the place to go! Families, old people, hipsters, whatever-this is the place for u!
(5)Jessica P.
I came here for brunch after my 5K run on a Sunday at around 1PM.. Upon arrival, we (3 ppl) had a 10 minute wait (not bad)...not much waiting space inside the restaurant, but if it's nice out.. there are some seats outside so you can wait while browsing the menu.. Food: definitely sooo many options and they have seasonal specials too!! Denver Omelette with hashbrowns (you have more options like fruit if you don't want to eat hasbrowns..) and your choice of toast, english muffin..: the Omelette is huge as you can see from my photo..the food was overall good although they do tend to toast your bread a little too much depending on your preference..so it'll be perfectly crunchy...the omelette was pretty good..and hashbrowns go well with anything! Customer Service: our waitress was kind and attentive.. Wait time: to get seated isn't too long...wait time for food seemed to be a little longer (but it may be because we were extremely hungry)... Costs: ~$9+ (excluding tax & tip) depending on what you order It's located close to the 24hr Starbucks so if you want to grab a bite before studying.. I wouldn't mind coming here.. :) I'd come here again for brunch if I was in the area, but I definitely want to try out the other hot spot brunch areas in the area first!
(4)Mark E.
Always a good spot to grab breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is BYOB and has a diverse menu so vegetarians and gluten free eaters will find something to eat. The Dixie Benedict has exceptional sausage gravy and the eggs were perfectly cooked sunny side up. The service was spot on and the server was willing to split our bill 4 ways. Will be going back soon
(4)Sreerupa B.
Delicious brunch spot close to the Zoo. Got the Paris Benedict and tried the crepes combo (strawberry, cheese, Apple). Both items were great!
(4)Megan H.
I love Nookies! It's the best place in the neighborhood to grab a quick and simple breakfast or lunch (and dinner, but I've never been there for dinner). I believe they serve their entire menu all day, which is really nice when you sometimes have the tendency to wake up after 2pm and all you really want is bacon and eggs (over medium with one of the best English muffins I've ever had in my life). Plus it's BYOB! Also their patio is nice in the summer and dog friendly, so inevitably I try to bring my dog whenever possible. Definitely can't wait until it warms up so I can hang with my dog while drinking my own champagne and noshing on some eggs and bacon!
(5)Sean M.
Exceptional...the breakfast items had both classic and unique options, all absolutely well worth trying and enjoying. Very fresh ingredients. Great helpings, service was superb and I agree with a fellow person, the fresh OJ is a must to order!
(5)Emily J.
This is your typical diner. I went here before checking out the Chicago History Museum. Nookies has diner food and good diner service. Absolutely nothing outstanding or something to make this a must try. The only reason I can think of why it has such a high Yelp review is because everyone in the neighborhood rated it. If this was in my stomping ground - I might give it one more store - might. The staff was friendly and very quick to step. We were seated immediately on arrival. As I said, it was typical diner food with typical bad diner coffee. I had the trio breakfast which is a sample of three types of pancakes. The only one I really liked was the carrot cake. I also had a lemonseed pancake (Meh) and some kind of plum pancake (pass). Every neighborhood should have a diner. But unless you live in the neighborhood, go somewhere else. You will not be pleasantly surprised at Nookies.
(2)Emily W.
This is my go-to breakfast spot. Anytime family is visiting or I need an afternoon to myself, I find myself in Nookies. With their seasonal menu and consistently amazing food I keep going back. I love the outdoor seating, the big windows in the front, and the strong coffee! This is the perfect place for a cozy date in the dead of winter, or a sunny sidewalk breakfast for summer.
(5)Danielle Y.
The French toast was really good! I enjoyed the special french toast with the vanilla bean cream cheese especially. :)
(4)Michael S.
Had the chance to come across Nookies while looking for a lunch spot to complete some work at. Great place, and great food. I had a simple BLT on Wheat with the cottage fries, and it was simple, well prepared, and yummy. Service was good as well. The server didn't hover nor was she completely gone throughout the time I was there. Another bonus? Free parking across the street all day! Granted, it's street parking which is limited, but I was able to park all day and explore the neighborhood afterwards!
(4)Romana Y.
The service here is unbelievably cheery and uplifting! The aroma is fantastic, and was the selling factor to saunter in. The Tuscan Chicken Salad was a large serving of mixed greens, melted goat cheese, chunky bites of chicken, and lightly dressed. The omelette with veggies and meat was great, as were the hash browns, large slice of ham, and the side of fruit. The coffee was decent, and the patrons were free spirits. Fun breakfast spot, with cheery waiters!
(4)Sam A.
I like omelets as much as the next guy, but I've never been wowed by one. Until Nookies. The southwest omelet was insane. Fluffy, flavorful and an almost too generous portion of guac. And the hash browns...crispy and golden brown to perfection. Oh, and it's BYOB, so I'm enjoying a bottle of Zombie Dust with my meal. I'm headed here tomorrow morning.
(5)AJ D.
Excellent freshly squeezed orange juice, good coffee that is topped up regularily, can't go wrong breakfast place with a large variety and large portion sizes. Good/Very Good service. Great for family brunch. Long line, no worries, you'll get seated fast, often well before estimated time. Check out the new 'fall specials' photos just posted.
(4)Jed B.
Went there twice for breakfast. First time I had an omelette with spinach bacon and sausage. The second was a veggie omelette. The potatoes were lacking but the service was excellent.
(4)Kevin F.
My wife and I stopped here for breakfast and really enjoyed it. Nice area to walk around after as well. Staff was friendly and the service was quick. The food was great and I would stop here again.
(4)KJ V.
When I'm near the area, I always make a stop here. Food is fantastic. Staff is energetic and friendly. Go early or you will have to wait but if you do have to wait, it's well worth it!!! You can't go wrong with any of the omlettes or fritattas for breakfast. Make sure you have a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice too! I've also has the pulled pork sandwich, the Reuben, and monster melt. All are very delicious. As you can see, no matter what your in the mood for, your meal will be made fresh and with love!
(5)Sacha F.
I've only been here once and it wasn't bad! Their menu is huge and offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and side options. I ordered takeout, but the interior was cute and they had nice outdoor seating. I ordered their cream of potato soup and a chicken and cranberry salad with balsalmic dressing. I enjoyed the soup, nothing to write home about, and the salad was definitely enough for two people. The seasoning on the chicken could have been better, but it was decent. I would definitely try this place again, a lot of my coworkers go often and have great things to say about it.
(3)Brian P.
Best freaking place in the city for breakfast. The best omelettes. Really... The best vegetarian omelette you can get. Incredible French toast. Their food is excellent. Stupid long wait on weekends. I love the U shaped counter.
(4)Rebecca H.
Pretty good breakfast food. My kiddo had the chocolate chip pancakes which were great, as was my husband's omelet. The hash, however, tasted like it came from a can. The service was friendly and the location convenient.
(3)Justin S.
I'm a little surprised that anyone could give this place anything above three stars. What am I missing? I don't really consider myself a picky eater, but this was one of the worst breakfasts I've ever had. Future diners, ignore my review at your peril. The coffee was sour, with a chemical aftertaste. The pancakes were dense and chewy. The omelette leaked oil and butter when I bit into it. And the hashbrowns were dry on top, and mushy and undercooked underneath. The entire meal was devoid of flavor top to bottom. Except for the English muffin, which was actually great. Also, freshly squeezed orange juice is a nice touch. Service was fine. I'd describe our server as someone who was told to be nice to kids but really didn't care for them. Which is fine. I've been to plenty of Chicago diners, but I'd avoid this one.
(2)Sarah K.
A ton of food and quality materials, but poorly crafted (soggy sandwich and almost too much food making it all fall apart) and really lacking depth of flavor. It felt like they were too reliant on an overload of carmelized onions to make up for having no additional flavors
(2)Suzanne T.
The food and the service were NOT GOOD. I stopped in only because it was around the corner from the hotel where I was staying. I asked about gluten free options and the server seemed at a loss, completely. He was utterly unhelpful during the entire meal, which was supposed to be chilaquiles, but had this awful, dishes need to be cleaned/old oil taste to it. Ugh. At one point I had to get up to ask someone for help because, even though I was one of two tables in the entire joint, waiter utterly vanished. I will not be back.
(2)Madison P.
The atmosphere is not as great as I wanted it to be, but the food makes up for it! I was craving breakfast for dinner, and this was the perfect place. I ordered French toast, but it had a slight twist- the bread used was Raisin Cinnamon... Perfection. The chips that accompany their burgers are actually sliced potatoes. They are out of this world, and I am not a chip person!
(3)Lauren R.
Finally made it to Nookies on a Wednesday morning at 7am. Very good food and nice staff. I had the Jalisco Breakfast Burrito with cheese. I asked for toast instead of the fruit cup or hash brown option and the waiter happily accommodated my request without charging us extra. The burrito was so simple, salsa, egg, avocado on a tomato wrap, yet it was delicious and HUGE. My husband enjoyed his Denver omelette with hash browns and commented on how big the portions were for the cost. There wasn't anything fancy or out-of-the-ordinary, but the flavor was still very good and the atmosphere was welcoming. I would not hesitate to recommend Nookie's for breakfast, and will definitely be returning.
(4)Melissa L.
My friends and I decided to try Nookies based off of its Yelp reviews, and it was a wonderful spot for brunch on Valentine's Day! We got there around noon, and after a short wait, we were taken to our table and soon had menus and coffee in front of us. I was a little disappointed by the coffee (bitter to the point were cream couldn't even help), but the rest of the menu made up for it. There were a ton of options ranging from the basic toast and eggs, to sandwiches, to steak. I didn't get the sense that this was the healthiest menu in the world, but I came with the intention of treating myself - so, I ordered the blueberry pancakes and a side of whole wheat toast, scrambled eggs, and hash browns. In our group of four, I was that person with three enormous plates of food in front of me (and all for less than $20). The portions were very generous, and the pancakes were fluffy and full of fresh berries. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't clear any of my plates. In short, as long as you aren't diligently watching your calorie-count, Nookies is great for a laid back meal with friends or family.
(4)Stephen S.
Went on Monday - no wait - great vibe and quick service. Your standard greasy spoon with a little flair - had it's mix of tourists and regulars. We split the Farmers Eggs Skillet - a huge portion... I asked for the hashbrowns well down (and they just brought a side of hashbrowns). It was a great portion size for two people - but a little undercooked. Coffee was great and the lemon in the water was a nice touch. Nothing eggstraordinary here but exactly what you'd expect at a neighbourhood joint.
(3)Sam S.
A great diner with amazing food! Was exactly what we needed!
(5)Anjel P.
My boyfriend and I went there today since we are trying to do a brunch thing every Saturday and since we saw that they had good reviews, we said why not. We got there around 2pm and were seated promptly. Our server (forgot this name) was very nice. We both ended up ordering the 2 eggs, 2 sides of bacon and 2 pancakes meal, which to be honest, it was nothing I couldn't make at home, if not better. The price was I believe 8.95 for that meal, which isn't bad but it was basic. We then ordered a thing of crepes and the flavors we got were apple cinnamon, strawberry and creamy cheese (or something like that) The strawberry and apple were very basic as well, it was a crepe with fruit in it essentially, no whip cream or any kind of drizzle but the creamy cheese was amazing, I would recommend that over the others! Aside from the food being basic, the place itself seemed worn down; the carpet was disgusting as well as the tile. When I walked into the bathroom, there were two stalls, one stall had poop alllllll over it, and it was disgusting. That took off sanitary points for me. Overall, I would not ever go here again and I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone as well. I didn't have a bad experience or bad nor great customer service but the food is sub par and the place felt dirty.
(2)Sarah H.
I had the Apple Bread French Toast and my husband had the Low Country Omelette. Loved the food, fresh and tasty. Service is good and attentive without being overbearing. We were greeted right when we came in the door and everyone is friendly. The whole staff supports each other- nice to see.
(5)Alan L.
Here's a typical Sundays involving Nookies. Wake up, roll around in bed for a while, fall back asleep and roll around some more, probably realize around 11:30 I'm late to my scheduled brunch. Run to the Walgreens to pick up an $8 bottle of Barefoot bubbly and then get the brown line stop to catch the train up to Armitage. Get to the restaurant about 30 minutes late. Apologize profusely. Offer the champagne as a peace offering. Thankfully, the rest of the party is still outside waiting because the wait on the weekends is long and the restaurant is pretty small (~20 tables). Eventually, we get seated and the food is solid. Can't go wrong with any of the pancakes or the omelettes. A personal favorite is the Paris Benedict. Get stuffed full and then ask for a box to take the rest home for tomorrow (or tonight). Take a leisurely stroll back to the brown line, get back to the apartment, and then pass out from the food coma.
(4)Paige W.
After leaving a negative review of the chicken fingers, one of the owners saw me walking by, and he ran after me to apologize. Gestures like that go a long way. He obviously really cares about his customers and the store. I'll definitely be back to eat something else. (Not the chicken fingers).
(5)DiAna E.
Nookie's is great for a late afternoon brunch! The blueberry pancakes and scrambled eggs are delicious. And....it's BYOB! Add champagne and orange juice for a perfect meal!
(5)Krithika R.
Food so good, it had me smiling from ear to ear! A quaint cozy place - definitely recommend!
(5)Alexandra K.
What can i say about Nookies? It holds a huge piece of my heart. I love brunch and can't think of any time where Nookies has failed me. I first became acquainted from visiting Nookies Too in Lincoln Park. Nookies has the same menu, and a larger space for seating. You can't go wrong with the menu. I day dream about the hashbrowns. I love their seasonal trio special - no matter what it is - it's always a must have. I can't recommend it enough! It is worth the wait!
(5)Emily S.
I always have a wonderful dining experience here. The food and service are great. The staff is all very attentive, friendly, accommodating (my order can occasionally be high maintenance), and knowledgeable. They also have dijon mustard and siracha for my omelets! I am also impressed how busy it is at all times during the day, independent of the day of the week.
(5)Dan S.
What a great experience... Was visiting Chi-town the other day and happened across this place by my hotel. Checked out the reviews and went in for some lunch. Super friendly staff and excellent and attentive waitress. The soups; delicious. The breakfast plates; perfect. The burgers; hot and fresh. Love this place...will definitely be back.
(5)Kirby M.
i love Nookies. It's a neighborhood gem. The staff there are always kind. The food is typical diner food - it's not going to blow your mind but it's solid. I'm a big fan of all of the skillets. I'll take great service with reliable food over an alternative any day. Not to mention incredibly affordable. Thank you, Nookies. You've always been good to me. My only wish is that they'd make better coffee.
(4)Eunice J.
Hearty portions - great place for brunch, but would not recommend it for amazing dinner food. They're a great place if you're looking for comfort food though!
(3)Max P.
Nookies has the staples of a great diner experience down: great service and pretty good food. Our server, Todd, was polite and attentive to our needs. I ordered about the most basic diner food-cheeseburger with cottage fries-and it was delicious. The restaurant had plenty of room to accommodate our group of 8 and our food was done quickly. Next time I'm in Lincoln Park and looking for a reliable and relaxing option, I'll definitely hit up Nookies.
(4)Bridgett F.
Went in excited for good service and good food.. They wouldn't seat us if we expected one more person because they didn't want people hogging tables. They were not warm or welcoming and just didn't seem they like they cared that much about customers. Wound up going to a different break fav place that was SO much better. So thank you :)
(2)Jinn L.
Such a lovely neighborhood diner and it opens for dinner also. The food is wonderful and I love their corn beef hash! Price is probably one of the most reasonable among the old town area. The wait staff has been wonderful and the portion of the food is plentiful. I also tried the North of the border omelette with Canadian bacon and apple! It was actually a great combination! Definitely it is one of our fav place in old town and we are the regulars. Very popular and sometimes have to wait but not too bad.
(5)Andy S.
The beast breakfast in Chicago, but it doesn't stop there. I have tasted many burgers but this restaurant has the holly grail of burgers
(5)Fletcher M.
Solid, well priced eats. Probably too many options, but all good. Just remember to grab a bottle of champagne and enjoy some mimosas!
(4)Craig S.
Really good diner food and huge portions for breakfast. Overall, the price was great, but they do charge $2.45 for a cup of coffee--without telling you--and for every refill (which we didn't ask for) afterward. That was a little disappointing and spoiled the experience a little bit. The huevos chorizo was phenomenal and was enough for breakfast the next day.
(4)Rits M.
Nookies is great food. The one thing I would say is that the food isn't super imaginative, but if you want great comfort food, with interesting and great quality ingredients, this is your stop. I went there for Sunday brunch in fall. They had some fall specials on- I had the Croque madame, and boy that was one BIG madame indeed. 2 slices of brioche bread, gruyere cheese, canadian ham, with an over easy egg on the top, with Chipotle hollandaise sauce. Really well cooked and prepared. Comes with spinach potatoes, delicately flavoured. Mum had the apple cranberry pancakes, with granola in it. Granola added a nice crunch and the pancakes were well made, not stodgy at all, despite all the fruit baked into them. The place itself is rather nookish- lots of small separate eating areas. Looked like it could have been a largish apartment at some point. If you want a good solid american brunch place, this is it. Total bill w/o tip- 24$
(4)Kay Z.
Favorite local brunch spot for after drinking-indulgence. Byob is a fun way to have mimosas and a little "hair of the dog"
(5)Kris U.
After trying out the breakfast/brunch options in the attached restaurant to my hotel (Hotel Lincoln) I inquired with the front desk staff about a good place to go for a quick breakfast. Without hesitation they pointed me in the direction of Nookies. Walking in it resembled a traditional breakfast/brunch diner but upon opening the menu I immediately took notice of the certain Latin flair to the menu. Huevos rancheros, Huevos with black beans and chorizo used in virtually every breakfast dish. YUM!!! I opted for a chorizo type egg scramble which came with beans and tortilla's. Paired with Freshly squeezed orange juice (which was delicious) I started my morning off the right way. Score one of Mexican inspired breakfasts! I am forever a fan so bring on the beans any morning! Arriba! Mexican Eatcrest Out!
(4)Richard B.
Got the Greek salad, pretty good and a huge portion. Everyone else's food at the table looked ok and decent portion sizes as well. Their coffee stood out from other house coffees which is refreshing.
(4)Tina A.
Absolutely delicious cornflake crusted french toast with bananas and strawberries, incredible! Good service, cozy atmosphere.
(5)Emily J.
I have finally found the best breakfast place in Chicago, and I wasn't even at Nookies for breakfast! After having drinks but no food at the J. Parker, my boyfriend and I were in desperate need of dinner. He used to go to DePaul so he knew Nookies was the place to go. And he was right (one of the only times this has ever occurred-kidding...). Nookies is everything a breakfast place should be, most importantly they have huevos rancheros and a breakfast burrito and serve breakfast all day. I got the huevos with chorizo and was not disappointed. It was so good and just what the doctor ordered. The restaurant is so unassuming and everything you want a neighborhood breakfast place to be-small, with a diner bar and open kitchen. It's just perfect! Our server, Tyler, was so kind and talked to us through our whole meal at the bar. We were lucky enough to even meet the owner as well and chat with him a while too. My sister is coming into town in a few weeks and Nookies is the first place I'm going to take her, no matter the time of day.
(5)Lauren R.
A great little diner with good food, big portions and decent prices. Someone in the kitchen really knows how to poach the perfect egg. The Southwest omelet and Southwest Benedict were both delicious. Highly recommended.
(4)Kristine N.
Ordered takeout from Nookies to try it again and the food was a lot better than when we dined in. The ham and cheese omelette, yum. Big chunks of ham with tons of cheese. Potatoes were still a little soft for my taste, but it was takeout so that might be the problem. The banana nut bread pancake, to die for! We were really satisfied this time.
(4)Pamela M.
The food was ok. The Eggs Benedict was good, but relatively classic and not remarkable. Personally, I don't get excited about country potatoes. I prefer hash browns. I dined near the entrance and found the ambiance to be reminiscent of Perkins. It is a very busy restaurant, but I just find the interiors to be a little on the sterile side. Our server Selina was great! She was super nice and welcoming. Not to mention, her accent was lovely! Perhaps, I need to come back and try the cornflake crusted French toast in the photos because that looks delish!
(3)Mike W.
Gotta love Nookies! Best place in Old Town to go for breakfast or brunch. I've had some of the skillets, steak and eggs, and pancakes - all excellent. Friendly service with good coffee. BYOB too so bring some champagne and OJ!
(5)Deborah N.
AMAZING Brunch!! The Huevos Con Chorizo are to die for - YUM!! It could have been a little spicier seeing as the salsa is pretty mild, however; that's my fault seeing as I didn't tell them to add a little KICK!! All-in-all, great little BYOB spot. Super nice and sweet staff. Thank you for the awesome brunch!! xo
(5)Sarah M.
Went after church on a Sunday morning and immediately sat at the bar at 10am. Service wasn't fabulous but for a quick breakfast place that's what id expect. We got the goat cheese pesto scramble to split between the two of us. It was really good especially with the grilled tomatoes. I recommend it to anyone wanted something more flavorful than plain eggs.
(4)Shin L.
Nookies... nookies... nookies... It's unfortunate that your name just reminds me of Limp Bizkit and sexual intercourse... something which I'm usually not in the mood to think about until my tummy is full. It's also unfortunate that you are so busy that we waited over 45 minutes for a table. Give it up to the guy at the front counter seating people. He was courteous, apologetic, and attentive enough to let our party of six order some coffee and drinks while we waited. This guy was classy and deserves a promotion if he doesn't own the place already. It was unfortunate for him to have a party of 3 and 2 kids sitting for 45 minutes after they finished eating talking about god knows what... probably something boring... like bridge club. So, on to the food. It was okay. I had the Eggs Benedict as usual, and I've got to say. I've got a real gripe with places that do a real THICK slice of canadian bacon/ham on my Benedict. I mean, this thing was almost half an inch thick. It was unbearable after the first half. The hash browns were awesome though. Wider shredded potatoes than usual and cooked to perfection with a crisp. Everything else in our party was so-so. Meat loaf? So-so. The mac and cheese? So-so. We probably all ordered the wrong things, but no one was raving about their meal. I was disappointed as this place seemed to be well rated. They have another Nookies less than a mile away for god's sake, and they had a wait, too. I'd literally have given this place 2-stars if it weren't for the gentleman at the counter. Just goes to show what a lasting impression attentive service can leave.
(3)Paul S.
I don't get why people are so in love with this place. What am I missing. I live across the street and have been here a number of times, but I'm underwhelmed. I made the decision after a recent dinner trip to no longer go here. The breakfast is fine and completely acceptable. It's typical breakfast food so when you read other reviews here that rave about the breakfast keep that in mind. The non breakfast items is where the menu breaks down. I've had the chicken served overcooked. The spinach pie is some weird contraption that's nothing like a regular spinach pie. It's unique qualities do not make up for the water infested spinach inside the pie. If I thought it was terrible here I would give it a one star, but two is appropriate. Specifically for the breakfast, Nookies now has a lot of competition with others serving breakfast on Wells. I don't see the lines I used to see on Sunday mornings. There's also a reason why their dinner crowd is so light. There are lots of opportunities here. Nookies should focus on quality and less on a menu with quantity.
(2)Adrienne N.
Love Nookies! Always stop here when we're in Chicago. Great breakfast/diner food.
(4)Jennifer L.
My boyfriend and I stopped by here after shopping in the area. I left feeling totally underwhelmed especially after the positive reviews I had read. Pros: The autumn trio that I had tasted great and the flavors were unique. It came with pumpkin pancakes, pear french toast and apricot-cherry pancakes. My boyfriend had the Southwest Benedict, which had spicy black bean cakes on it. Also, the location is perfect! You can walk to the shops after you eat to burn off all those calories. Cons: The portions were way too big! Each type of pancake came with three pancakes each and there were two slices of french toast. Our server was efficient, but not very friendly. And, I did not like the interior of the restaurant at all. It looked dated and dirty. The tile floor looked gross and overdue for a deep cleaning. Overall, I have been to better breakfast places before. Maybe I'll give them another try if I'm in the area. Or, maybe I'll try their other locations.
(2)Cullen B.
Nookies is a good family friendly restaurant to stop at and get something to eat. The service and food were great. I have the bacon burger and the blueberry waffle, both had lots of flavor and very tasty. The only reason I don't give five stars is because nothing popped to me. Everything was good but nothing had a pop. In the end it was a wonderful place to eat
(4)Bethany A.
I came here with a friend for breakfast food in the afternoon. The restaurant was pretty empty but the staff was still really attentive and we had great service. It was pretty obvious that Nookies has been doing brunch food for a while and we didn't really have any complaints at all. I ordered the Farmers Eggs Skillet with scrambled eggs and I really liked it. The best part was probably the bacon, which was perfectly cooked. I really liked the hash browns as well. Overall, really yummy food. I'd like to come back in the morning sometime and maybe try the pancakes and French toast.
(4)Samantha J.
This is the perfect little cafe for a nice quick breakfast that won't tear your wallet in half. Service was extremely friendly and the food was tasty, albeit I had the self control not to order any of the amazing specials they had (I'm a scrambled eggs and hash browns girl). Their hash browns were perfectly crispy, not like those soggy ones you can get at the mainstream places. They sub'd fruit for toast (go Paleo diet!) for no extra cost which is almost unheard of. Definitely coming back!
(4)Khamie W.
Terrible. I took my partner here for valentines day weekend and it was not a great experience at all. The server rushed us to order our food then I had to track the waiter down." My spouse wasn't please with her meal and he acted as if it was a inconvenience
(1)Shannon C.
Super tasty breakfast!!! Would recommend to anyone!
(4)K S.
We went here for Brunch on Saturday. It was a short wait maybe 5 min tops. The place was good. Nothing mind blowing. I had the waffle and hashbrowns and my bf had the cornbeef hash skillet. Decent prices. Wouldnt make this our regular spot but wouldnt be against going back here again.
(3)Tigistu A.
Had a brunch with my family on Saturday 30/09/14, the food was excellent and the staff very friendly. Thanks
(5)Christopher S.
I have been a frequent and loyal regular for 10 years. It is hands down my favorite breakfast nook in the city. The staff is the friendliest in town, and the food is well made classics. This is the place to go if you want normal French toast, incredible omelets, etc.
(5)Robin S.
Yuck. I'm not sure what the big deal is about this place. I ordered chicken salad which should be a fairly safe dish. My cukes were rotten in the middle and the avocado was brown. The cole slaw was warm and the potato salad was bland. No reason that should have come out of the kitchen. Son had the BBQ sandwich and he couldn't eat it. Others had a burger which he said was "ok" but girls enjoyed their grilled cheese. Service was excellent and responsive to food being sent back. He did remove it from our bill. We won't be back. Maybe breakfast is a better choice.
(1)Chris H.
The staff was friendly, and the service was prompt. However, the food was just so-so. I had the Farmers Skillet. Basically 2 fried eggs over hash browns, bacon, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and cheese. I thought it would be a slam dunk, but it all seemed a bit bland. That, and the bacon were 2" chewy strips of limp bacon mixed in with everything else (not the greatest). My girlfriend ordered the chilaquiles. She also said they were just "okay." A little too sweet and missing the acidity that makes chilaquiles so great. The upside of this place is that its BYOB.
(3)Jim K.
Came in here searching for an ATM fairly early on a Saturday morning, and decided to stay for breakfast before hitting the farmer's market. I had the 2 egg (whites) and hash brown breakfast with chicken sausage. Overall, a decent breakfast: the chicken sausage was quite good, and the eggs and hash browns were fine. I had sourdough toast, which came slightly torched, and, frankly, didn't taste like sourdough. Nookie's itself is quite charming, comprising of what seems like an endless collection of small dinning rooms connected together. It's absolutely a family restaurant, but, even with a screaming baby a few tables away, the room wasn't too loud; perfect for breakfast. There IS outdoor seating, however, I only counted 5 tables, so I wouldn't count on these. The service was great, especially for a breakfast nook (see what I did there?). My server was attentive without being overbearing. I'd probably go back for breakfast again, but Nookies just didn't wow me as a "must go" kind of place.
(3)maimuna s.
Delicious brunch! The service was great and they kept the coffee coming. The food was great and they were really sweet.
(5)Margaret G.
This little piggy went to nookies This little piggy stayed home This little piggy had delicious fruit crepes This little piggy had none This little piggy cried weewee all the way home. This little piggy went to nookies This little piggy sat in the corner This little piggy grew inpatient This little piggy did too This little piggy cried "why? why was I ignored the entire breakfast?"
(3)Grace C.
I went this place for brunch. Very clean place and tasty food. Portion is not big (small compare to other brunch/ diner) but it is a fun place to check out and go for a casual relax brunch.
(3)Benjamin D.
Came here because there wasn't much else open in the neighborhood. Had heard good things and I've walked by it plenty of times. Service was pretty lousy. The server pushed some of our stuff out of the way to put down silverware. Not the end of the world but annoying. There is a lot on the menu (including three veggie burgers!) and most of it looked good. I got a burger, with mashed potatoes and cream of broccoli soup. It was a lot of food for the money. But the soup had part of a fingernail in it. Absolutely ruined my appetite. The burger was OK, kind of bland, but everything else looked good. I couldn't eat a whole lot after the fingernail. But they took my whole meal off the bill. So it worked out in the end. All that said, probably won't come here again. Lousy service, grossness in the food and better options in the area.
(3)Katie W.
BYOB! Attentive service. Coffee was filled within 30 seconds of sitting down. Huge portions. Hot food. Great diner!!
(4)Bryan J.
Terrible and crowded. They have a great location in Lincoln Park and their prices are low, and that's about it. The food is in the range of "nothing special" to "didn't even try". For example, the blueberries on my cardboard-like Belgian waffle were still frozen, and the Eggs Florentine had all the ingredients stacked in the right order, but was all but inedible. The owners and wait-staff have an indifferent attitude, as if people will still flood in whether they try or not. And fortunately for them, there is an amply supply of 20-somethings in the neighborhood who do not seem to know the difference. There are much better places in the neighborhood if you care about the qualify of the food and and service.
(1)Sarah N.
BYOB champagne for mimosas if you want them with their fresh orange juice otherwise this brunch is more than enough to satisfy your taste buds! Come prepared to eat, that's for sure! There might be a line but the service does the best they can to get you to a seat and they do not rush you out of it, which I appreciated it! Great for all groups and people!
(4)Michele L.
I'm absolutely obsessed with this place - I work remotely, so its nice to have a place where I can get a good meal and be able to get work done at the same time! The staff is also amazing, I never feel rushed or just because I'm sitting here doing work ever neglected - even after the bill is paid. I highly recommend Amy's Omelet - they're chicken sausage is super yummy :)
(5)Debby S.
"We goof up every once in a while, it wasn't intentional." That's a direct quote from the manager. He graciously didn't charge me for the coffee that was never refilled during the half hour I was there. The food is fine, but not memorable. The service awful! The place was half empty and there was enough staff. I won't be back. FYI - I LOVE the Nookies in Edgewater. It's hard to believe these two restaurants share a name.
(2)Lauren H.
Great breakfast place! Their menu is absolutly huge. So many choices. I would say get there early because it can get very crowded after church.
(5)C R.
Excellent brunch. The skillet was great, and all the other food that I saw looked just as good. Cool spot in lincoln park, and looks like it would be a great place for any casual meal.
(5)Scott W.
When my girlfriend and I lived in Chicago, Nookies was a weekly brunch spot for us. Now that we're living elsewhere, we totally miss the place! Nookies has some of the most consistently fantastic comfort food I've ever had. Always good for all-day breakfast options, lots of interesting picks for lunch and dinner, and brisk, dependable service. We also got to know the management team well, including Spiro, who's the absolute best! I'd highly recommend Nookies - and if you go, hope you like it enough to keep going back like we did.
(5)Ryan W.
Great breakfast spot in Chicago! Went there while on a business trip and staying a block over at The Lincoln Hotel. Everything was amazing (had a breakfast meal.) One suggestion, which would give it a 5 star rating is to ask for the home fries WELL DONE. They were a bit on the light side, and my colleague who took me there knew what was up. I only wished she told me. But a great place, with an awesome staff. They had an ambient mix playing when we went (at about 7:30pm), and the first song I heard was Zero 7's 'Waiting Line' which is one of my favorites! Such a chill atmosphere, I can imagine the crowds for breakfast must get crazy. Next time I'm in Chi-town, I'll be sure to hit this little gem up. Thanks Nookies!
(4)Julia W.
Good Food, Good Location, Friendly Owner and Staff, love this place ,my favourite, come here every week. it's my favourite breakfast place
(5)Renessa F.
As a party of 6 we waited almost 25 mins for a table though it was almost 1pm. Since Nookies is our staple we hung around. After being seated we had to get our own menus because no one checked on us for 5 mins, slightly frustrated but we were hungry and service is normally fast. We waited 15 mins to order and almost 40 mins for our food. In the meantime the table of 4 next to us, that was seated after us received their food before us. That was the killer. As a group we recalled how long we were waiting at each point because we were starved when we arrived and hungry customers are good at keeping time. In the past Nookeis was our reliable go to place but after this experience we won't be going back again.
(1)Ken B.
We stayed at the Hotel Lincoln just down the street, and this is just around the corner. Great for breakfast with good, fresh ingredients. Attentive staff, even thought they were very busy.
(4)Mary B.
We went to Nookie's on the Monday after the Chicago marathon for a late breakfast. It was the perfect time to go. There was only a 5 minute wait, and we got a great table inside. The menu had a great assortment of choices, which I always love. I ended up with a Southwest twist on Eggs Benedict. There were two huge black bean cakes, topped with poaches eggs and a chipotle hollandaise sauce. It came with toast and hashbrowns on the side. I only ended up eating half of it - I would definitely split it next time! Everyone in my group ordered dishes that looked fantastic - crepeps, frittattas, pancakes - it was all amazing. Next time I go to Chicago, I am definitely hitting up Nookies again!
(4)Ray D.
Solid breakfast go to! Great eggs, pancakes, corned beef and hash etc. Never been their for lunch or dinner but staff is always friendly. You may have to wait a little for a table on the weekends but well worth the wait. A true dinner experience that you can't find often in the Midwest let alone the city.
(4)Dorotka K.
I have become somewhat of a regular here. Great food and excellent accommodating staff.
(5)Janice R.
The peach and raspberry pancake special was delicious last summer, but tough and chewy today. The waiter did not come back to pour coffee refills after he served us.
(3)Jennie C.
The stellar reviews set my expectations too high, so I was rather disappointed in my Nookies experience. Sure it was a cute place, and the wait wasn't that bad (15min around noon on Sunday). But the food was just ok...I had the mushroom fritatta, it was rather greasy and covered in barely melted cheese. Friend had the eggs Benedict, the hollandaise sauce was very vinegary, though the eggs were at least cooked properly. If you live in the neighborhood and don't have to worry about parking, then it's an ok choice. I wouldn't make a special trip for this.
(3)Molly V.
Nookies, Nookies, Nookies; oh how I wanted to enjoy this experience just a bit more than I actually did... I was visiting Chicago (home) this past week and a friend of mine lives by the Nookie's on Wells St. We decided to check it out, as I had heard there was a Nookies that recently opened near where I had lived previously. It was mid afternoon so I ordered lunch items and my friend ordered breafast items. I been told before that their breafast was pretty good - but I was just not in the mood for it. Anyway, my friend ordered standard eggs and bacon with hashbrowns. I ordered soup and a tuna melt. I can't speak for my friend's food, but everything was just mediocre. For all the hype that I had heard about this place, I thought the decore (which definitely left something to be desired) would have an edge. I think I simply just had much higher expectations. The food was edible - but nothing to write home about. The ambiance/decor was that of any other diner type restaurant. Next time I a in Chicago I will probably not make it a priority to come back and visit a Nookies.
(3)S t.
The best breakfast place around. Always consistent and friendly, thank you nookies!
(5)Simmone S.
If you are looking for some good comfort brunch food after a night out (or not) I highly reccomend Nookies. The food is great and hearty. The staff on the other hand - rude and inattentive. I had to ask for coffee FIVE TIMES - trust me I needed it. If you are vegan, you probably should NOT go, but there are plenty of vegetarian options (eggs/cheese). Not a healthy place, but just a good hearty classic diner.
(3)Annie M.
If you're looking for good breakfast in the Lakeview, Lincoln Park, or Old Town neighborhoods, you can't go wrong with one of the Nookie restaurants. The Old Town one is usually my go-to but I've also been to the Lincoln Park location several times too. They've always provided quick, friendly service with great food to match. The regular menu is good, nothing too special, but it's a good amount of food for a fairly cheap price. Perfect for families, especially with kids. Their seasonal specials menu is definitely worth checking out too. The fall menu has pumpkin flapjacks that are AMAZING! They always have at lest 3 season options between pancakes, waffles, and french toast and they always sound super tasty. However, the spring menu had a trout skillet which may have been one of the worst meals I've ever had (in all fairness, the service is so good that I'm sure they would have brought me something different had I asked, but I didn't.) I'd be pretty cautious to order anything with fish from Nookies again after that. But my favorite thing on the menu is definitely Ernesto's chilaquiles. Combining Mexican and breakfast is just a beautiful thing! All in all, Nookies is such a good breakfast place that even a horrible meal didn't scare me away, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone!
(4)Emily S.
Nookies makes one heck of a breakfast! I ordered the crepes combos which included strawberry, apple cinnamon, and cream cheese crepes. They were delicious and the order was pretty big. I unfortunately had to leave about a third of it on my plate since it was so large. The prices are a little higher than what I usually like to pay for breakfast, but the big orders compensate for the price. I would imagine they get very busy on the weekends. I went on a Monday morning, but still had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. There great selection will definitely have me coming back for more!
(4)Mahsa T.
Nookies is darn good compared to some of the mediocre brunch places I've been going to lately. Their food is solid and service was stellar. I don't like that they have no waiting area so you have to constantly dodge people getting in and out of the restaurant while you wait 25 minutes for a table and I didn't like how cramped it was in there, tables and people are packed in like sardines. Some elbow room would be nice. But it's a small space with high demand so I can see why it is the way it is. Orange juice--fresh and delicious. Coffee--nice and strong. Nothing like good coffee to sober you up and good food to ease a hangover after a rough night. My friends and I shared the seasonal pancake/French toast special which included pumpkin pancakes with pecans--mouth-wateringly delicious. French toast with baked apples was fantastic. I special ordered an omelette with mushrooms, spinach and ham. It came with hash browns. I would have liked my hash browns more crispy and well done. Omelette portions are ginormous. They do take credit cards. For good food, I'm willing to overlook the small things. I'll definitely be coming back to Nookies.
(4)Gary M.
Wait on a Sunday morning at about 10.30 estimated to be about 15 minutes according to the host. The good thing is, you get one of those buzzers that serves as a human equivalent of a shock leash so you can go and stand outside, smoke, go grab coffee from the Starbucks up the street but just be ready when the thing starts pulsing to haul a$$ back to the restaurant. Staff are very friendly, a little rushed but that is why the wait was only 15 mins during peak brunch time. Ambience is nice too, the restaurant is bright and airy and they have a bunch of Old Town art festival pics dating back to the 80's - gives the place a neighborhood feel. Food was decent, I have the smokehouse fritata and my friend had pancakes with berries. I ordered hash browns with mine which basically came on another full sized plate. The portions are enough to feed a small family for a few days. Price was less than $30 for two all in which for a decent sit down brunch place is just right for me. Overall, good job, wouldn't be too concerned over wait times as the place is pretty big and has fairly quick turnover.
(4)Emily D.
Nookie's is my go-to breakfast-lunch-dinner-everything spot in the neighborhood. I live within walking distance and could easily eat here multiple days a week. I always bring family and friends here when they're visiting and request a trip here after every race I run. My brunch order is usually the farmer's eggs. A little veggies, a little bacon and lots of hashbrowns, how can you go wrong? Don't skip the fresh squeezed orange juice. Nookie's is also BYOB so you can bring champagne or vodka to kickstart your day. You also can't beat their sandwiches which come with homemade chips and soup or salad. It's nothing fancy, but delicious, no-frills diner food.
(5)Pat H.
There is no better breakfast place in Chicago than nookies. Been here several times and enjoyed everything that I've tried. Keep in mind that nookies is always crowded but rightfully so because it's worth it. Generous portions, great service, friendly staff, great food, BYOB make this place a "must" in Old Town. What's not to love about it.
(5)Mary L.
Very close to the hotel where we were staying. The place seems to be very popular for brunch. I love that they have a small "bar" looking area where you can just sit instead of waiting for a table. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The services was quick. I ordered the egg benedicts and my bf ordered french toast. Although, I didnt like their "hallandel souce" their french toast bread was very soft and delicious! I would totally go come back here again. The price is ok, around $10 per plate.
(4)Brian F.
Yum! I had their French Eggs Benedict special and really enjoyed it. The food is excellent quality and delicious and served with style. I just wish less people knew about how great a breakfast place this is because a 30 minute wait seems routine to get a table.
(4)Carly G.
Spinach salad ROCKS!!!!!!!! All breakfast items are awesome too. Great service, lovely location. Wish they had more of an outside patio though. My go to brunch place by the office.
(5)Meredith B.
My husband and I love going out for breakfast. Nookies is fantastic. We got the special trio (mango/raspberry pancakes, berry stuffed french toast, and coconut/mango pancakes) and the breakfast sandwich with eggs, spinach, and cheese. All of the dishes were amazing. The wait was about 15 minutes at 10:30 on a holiday Sunday morning. Staff was quick and mostly attentive. You can get a cup of coffee to bring out with you while you wait, which is awesome. The portions are huge. Normally for breakfast, my husband and I order 1 entree and a side or two. This is what we should have done instead of ordering two entrees. My only complaint is that the hashbrowns are not the super crispy kind, which is the kind I like.
(5)Ermelinda C.
A hidden gem indeed! Friendly service, great menu and affordable. The baby spinach salad topped with the grilled chicken was fantastic and so was the Smoked chicken sandwich was quite good as well. Nice tea selection, even though I almost wished I had notices the freshly squeezed OJ on the menu, but I surely smelled it ;-) Will definitely go back here!
(4)Kira M.
Nookies has a diner/hotel-cafeteria feel. The lighting is mild, the colors are modest and the space is simple. Imagine my surprise, then, when I discovered the following option on the Spring 2010 menu: Croissant French Toast Napoleon ("fresh strawberries and creamy vanilla bean Mascarpone stacked between layers of crunchy croissant French toast") (see photo). The physical dish was even more decadent than its description: a three-tiered mountain of cornflake-coated French toast, held together by sumptuous helpings of strawberries drowning in Mascarpone. (Estimated number of calories: a bajillion.) To call it "delicious" would be a severe understatement. It might rank as the single best brunch meal I have ever had. Ever. And, in case you're wondering: Yeah, I ate that sucka all by myself. -Pats tummy- Unfortunately, life is a balance, and with the good, comes the bad: My father does not really care for brunch food, so, as revenge for dragging him to the restaurant, he chanted, "I did it all for the Nookie(s)" under his breath well into the next day.
(4)Craig U.
An average breakfast joint, the food was fine, not great. BYOB brunch will always score points with this guy though. Would never avoid Nookies, but would not be on the top of my list to go to next time either.
(3)Amelia B.
Oh Nookies, I love you. Apparently so does everyone else in the city. As a result, there's always a wait (unless you come at an odd hour of the day), and its always noisy and bustling. But I will put up with that for the wonderful brunch--I highly recommend the omelettes and all egg dishes. I'm personally not much of a sweet breakfast person--I can handle like three bites of pancakes--but I've sampled friends' crepes and they are quite solid. Strong, plentiful coffee and fresh OJ. Service can be spotty during busy times, but brunch isn't typically a meal where I'm rushing. BIg downside has to be the wait, and the lack of any waiting area. It's fine in the summer where everyone just spills out into the street, but pretty miserable in the cold. I've never had lunch or dinner here, but would interested to see how it stacks up, especially given that it's BYOB...
(4)Rebecca N.
Great omelet and pretty inexpensive for city brunches! Perfect in between scrambled and fluffy. Great service and played Thievery Corporation all morning long!
(4)Patricia J.
Had the best burger at Nookies! I ordered the Bistro burger (with carmelized onions and blue cheese) and my friend had the Acapulco (with avocado, salsa and pepperjack cheese). They were happy to add avocado to mine and I don't believe they charged extra. They don't skimp on ingredients here. Be prepared to enjoy a deliciously, large portion. The burger came together in a wonderful way, with the sweet onions, but salty, rich blue cheese. I was in heaven! The only thing I'd say is that the burger seemed a tad dry, but since everything was so great it wasn't super noticeable. My friend said the Acapulco was amazing as well. Burgers came with the veggie soup of the day which was nothing to rave about but ok. There were chunks of veggies in a simple broth. Fries were great though! I've never seen fries cut potatoes chip style like that so they were a nice, crispy surprise. At a little less than $10, we were pleased. We came on Memorial Day and the place seemed pretty packed and lively, however we got seats in less than 10 minutes. They give you a buzzer so you can stand outside until it buzzes that your table is ready. I'll be back for sure next time I'm in Chicago.
(4)Casey A.
This place is a legend acc to my mom so when we came down one morning for a bite and we were on Wells, Nookies was it! We weren't looking for something too heavy but ended up getting 2 short stacks of pancakes (1 Multigrain and 1 FRESH blueberry) Fresh Blueberry pancakes are the epitome of delish in my book. No restaurant should offer blueberry pancakes unless they're FRESH!! Cute waiter, cozy corner, fun people watching.. 1 thing that put me off (aka 4 stars) was how dirty the light fixtures were. I've worked in quite a few restaurants and if it was important to them, the manager would put that on the cleaning list at least once a month. Unfortunate but something that could definitely be fixed:)
(4)Katie T.
Solid spot for brunch before or after the Lincoln Park Farmer's Market. We dined here with our two year-old son and were impressed by how friendly and accommodating the staff was. They do a brisk business of omelettes, pancakes and all your diner basics (I felt like I was in NY!) Our son was in heaven, ignoring his order from the super reasonably priced and fairly healthy kid's menu and polishing off two banana pancakes.
(4)Karen S.
Went on a monday morning (9:30 am) and there wasn't a wait. The specials all sounded good. A friend tried the peach pancakes w/raspberries and said they were awesome. The french toast came covered in berries (fresh, not frozen), and the hangover helper was quite tasty (even w/o being hungover).
(4)Brittany K.
My boyfriend and I went to Nookies because of the reviews that we read on here and I have to say, we were NOT disappointed at all. My boyfriend had the crunchy french toast (coated in corn flakes) and I had a Greek Omelet with Spinach and Feta, with a side of sliced tomatoes. The food was REALLY good, and there was TONS of it for a pretty cheap price ($20 for the 2 of us for food and drinks). I'd say that for as SLOW as they were when we got there, it took a little while to get our food. I read they are always busy but at around 10:15 on a Tuesday morning, there were like 5 other people in the whole restaurant and it still took like 25 minutes to get our food. For breakfast, that seems like a while. Overall, my omelet and my boyfriends french toast were delicious, but its the slowness of the kitchen that made me give it 4 stars.
(4)Mitch W.
Had a great breakfast here as we were waiting to check into Hotel Lincoln. Fantastic! Approx 15 minute wait on the weekend.
(5)Stefan S.
Good smoked chicken salad but AWESOME monster melt burger. Very local feeling and good prices.
(4)Rachel R.
Found this place after passing up some other, more expensive places. I only give three stars because I wasn't blown away by anything. Staff seemed a little put out, but otherwise the food was alright and it was a decent experience.
(3)Mike S.
Hmm...amazing. Always have a fantastic seasonal menu available for brunch on weekends. Loved the lemon poppy seed pancakes and truffle waffles. Has a healthy selection too. I am a dude, and I'll gladly say the Tuscan Chicken Salad is great as well. Awesome place to check out, Patio is open now! BYOB!
(4)Mark T.
On my way to and from the nearby Equinox, I've always wondered why there was always a crowd outside this place. Surely there's a reason why it drew so many people. So I decided to give the place a try. Went on a non-peak time on a Monday afternoon. Ordered a turkey open-faced sandwich, with a side of mashed potatoes/gravy and cranberry sauce. Yum...that's as simple as a way that I can describe the meal. Just like mom used to make it? Well, let's just say I love my mom's cooking on a very high level. Service was good. The place just looks and feels like a comfortable cafe/diner that you and a friend can sit and eat anytime during the day. I can only imagine how crazy this place can be during Sunday brunch! Would not mind going back.
(4)Ariana S.
As a self-proclaimed professional bruncher, I must tell you that Nookies is my go-to spot. Do the math here kids: -3 locations so you never have to travel far -ROCKIN breakfast food! Their specials are to die for! Think pumpkin spice french toast. -Delicious lunch food too! I am actually obsessed with the smoked chicken salad. -The Nookies 2 is open 24 hours and this place is KEY late night. Anywhere from Pancakes to Grilled Cheese to Chicken Fingers? Natural Crowd Pleaser -It's CHEAP! -BYOB!!!!! So what are you waiting for? No matter what time you are reading this, you should be at Nookies. Go. Now. Seriously.
(5)Donna C.
I have NEVER had a bad meal here. The omelets are fluffy and moist. Freshly squeezed orange juice is always a treat. Seasonal favorites are unique and delicious, especially the strawberry croissant French toast. Wait staff is always friendly and efficient. As long as they are open, I will be enjoying breakfast there!!!!
(5)Alicia D.
This has become my go-to breakfast spot in the neighborhood. The wait is never terribly long, the food is consistently good, and the service is superb. Everyone is friendly and there are multiple people who's sole job is to refill water and coffee. You will never be without either! Their menu is pretty typical diner fare (all bases covered), but they also have seasonal specials which are delicious!
(4)Kai Y.
During our long weekend trip to Chicago, we were thinking to have brunch around Lincoln Park neighborhood. We yelped and found out Nookies is quite popular among the locals. A good sign... Unfortunately they don't take reservations. However, the wait wasn't too long (5-10 minutes) when we went there around noon. Maybe we were lucky that day. :) The interior was pretty simple and kind of traditional. It was quite surprising given it is a restaurant located in the noticeably nice and hip neighborhood. We ordered a few omelette and a french toast to share. When the food came, we were very surprised how BIG the portions were! The omelette could totally feed 2-3 people IMO. :) But it was delicious. I tried my best wanting to finish it to do justice to the quality of the dish, but I failed. :( The french toast was decadently rich and tasty! We were very satisfied with our brunch choice. Not to mention, the price was very affordable, provided how big the dishes were. Service was good as well. I think Nookies is an excellent option for brunch. I would totally go back there next time when I am in Chicago. :)
(5)Jacob J.
If all I sampled were the Eggs Benedict with hash browns I'd be rating them two maybe three stars and would call the experience average. I checked the Yelp app after leaving service at Moody Bible Church, within ten minutes got a table inside. The reviews looked awesome and someone said something about a wowzerful benedict. The only wowing factor I could find in mine was a citrus flavor to the hollandaise, other then that the eggs were over cooked and the english muffin was straight out of the bag, not toasted. Luckily I caught wind of the "Sweet summer trio" which can be sampled for $10 for one lucky person or a table. Stuffed brioche french toast with assorted fresh berries, mango coconut hotcakes and peach-raspberry pancakes. Took a bit longer than our entrees to come out of the kitchen, but well worth the wait. It was the shining star on the table, taste explosive fruity flavors colliding with just enough breading of three varieties. That is worth a second date, lovely dish. Coffee was blah, hash browns boring. On the next visit I'll branch out and try something the other reviewers call their favs. Eggs Benny you bore me. Brunch. Average brunch entree was under $10, $8 - $10. (Sweet summer trio photo you can find above.) Dunno if I am a fan yet, have to sample more dishes.
(3)L K.
If this was a review just for the food, I would definitely give 3 or 4 stars, and for the pancakes 5. However, going for brunch is not only about food but also for drinks and definitely service, and Nookie is was a let down in these areas. The place is BYOB, which is one of reasons why we chose it, and we called ahead to ask if they had bloody mary mixers or if we should bring our own. They assured that they had everything we needed but the liquor, and that the wait was about 20 minutes, so we headed right over. When we got there the wait was actually 40 min. That's understandable as it was a Sunday morning on a long weekend, but after 40 min was up we waited for another 40 min. Then, when we ordered the virgin bloody marys that we had called to ask about, the waitress brought us horseradish that had expired in 2010. We asked for a different bottle, she disappeared for almost 15 min, and finally came back to say they didn't have any other bottles of horseradish. So apparently we've been the only people to need horseradish in the past two years. Also, the food and drinks all came out separately, like 5-10 minutes apart, which is always awkward. As I said the pancakes were really phenomenal but I don't think we'll be back.
(2)Steve C.
By far the best breakfast place in the city, I've been coming here for 12 years now without a single negative experience!! Omelets and skillets are amazing, seasonal menus are always exciting. Generous portions. Excellent service, very comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Would highly recommend!
(5)Charlye M.
Yes, Nookies is amazing, and yes, everyone already knows that, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't write a review anyway. We've been going to Nookies for probably four years now, and we've tried the other locations which are also great, but this one is by far our favorite. Nookies by itself is a good reason to move to Oldtown, I wish we still lived in walking distance. :( No matter, living 9 miles away hasn't stopped us from going at least once a week. I love the Dixie Benedict, Huevos con Chorizo, Crepes, and any of the omelets and skillets. The specials are always great, but in the summer the Brioche French Toast is KILLING!
(5)Rahul V.
We found this place on Yelp and decided this because it's only a block from our apt. This was our first time here and from the looks of it, it looked really nice and enticing. Unfortunately, the breakfast was an entirely different story. We ordered the Farmer's Skillet, Crunchy French Toast, and Hash Browns. The skillet was fairly nice and we ordered the eggs, sunny side up...the eggs were over cooked. The hash browns were just awful...seemed like mashed potatoes. The crunchy French toast was however very nice. The service was not good either and that might be because we went on Saturday morning, but they were not attentive at all. It took them 15 minutes to come get our order, but the food came out fairly quick. Top ups on the drink were never offered, as we had to ask for them. Overall, not a good first impression.
(2)Tarra T.
Good brunch diner! No frills, good portions, seated quickly on a Sunday afternoon and BYOB! I ordered from the Fall Specials menu and had the Black Bean Benedict. A good, hearty choice that I could only eat half off in one sitting. The english muffin was replaced by a black bean patty and covered in a yellow, hollandaise sauce. My only complaint was that server was inattentive and slow.
(3)David G.
I don't have to reiterate my love for pancakes, especially at a place that serves breakfast all day. Nookies buttermilk pancakes are of the upper echelon of pancakery, although I wasn't crazy about paying a buck extra for maple syrup. You know what that says to me? It says that you serve the steerage syrup to us poor folk, the ones who need that buck to pay for fifteen minutes of parking. Nookies is an interesting place, with a strange sliding door-like aperture that people nearly crash into when visiting for the first time, despite the arrow on the door pointing left to the real door. You go through the real door and hit the wind-up toys, which include a sushi wind-up. Not sure how that works, but let's not get off track. Breakfast food here is good, and for the second time in this review I will herald my love for pancakes. They're good here with a side of sausage and a great cup of coffee. Dinner food is pretty good, too. I had an above average cheese burger with chips and tomato pasta soup. Service here is friendly to the point that I thought I was imposing. Prices are average. Spent about $13 for dinner. The place is virtually empty during non-peak hours. I would suggest breakfast at 8pm to avoid the crowds.
(4)Amy P.
My first experience was pretty blah, so I decided to give it a second try. It was even worse. It was hands-down the worst eggs benedict I have ever had. The hollandaise sauce - more like paste - was so sour that I couldn't even eat it. I just don't get the hype, honestly.
(1)Rod D.
I've been to my fair share of brunch places and when a couple of friends suggested Nookies, I had to go and see what the buzz was about. To my delight, I was treated to great food, a wonderful wait staff and a family friendly atmosphere. I love the variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes they have. Very tasty and would definitely visit again!
(4)Paul A.
I wish the description of Yelp's 3 Stars is OK instead of A-OK, because this place is definitely the former; not the latter. I've been going here for years. The food is a cut above the standard coffee shop/Diner fare. Definitely better than average, ingredients are fresh and for the most part, well prepared. However, it's not THAT great. Why people stand in line for hours on the weekends is beyond me. But what's most frustrating is the restaurant itself. Not the service, necessarily -- most times that's friendly and prompt. I"m talking about EVERY WEEKEND without fail, with a room full of diners, when they close the extra dining room at around 3p, the loud vaccuum cleaner goes for around 20 minutes. And it is loud and annoying. How can a restaurant be so rude? With the main dining room full of diners? Then, to add to the cacophony, the "background" music is blaring. I'm glad I don't drink anymore, because this would be about the worst place to be if you were hungover. Or sober, for that matter, and wanted to have a peaceful lunch and/or conversation.
(3)Ryan L.
Nookies is amazing. I lived in Chicago for 4 years and moved away for 2 and always had Nookies when I was back in town. Now that I've been back for several years, I try to go often. The wait is usually 15 minutes but it's worth it. I food is excellent and comes in large portions. The trio that they change every season is usually my favorite. Also solid choices are the French toast and the biscuits and gravy. It's a Chicago tradition.
(5)Debbie C.
The Breakfast Trio was beautiful! Coconut and Mango Bread Pudding + Strawberry and Peach Pancakes + Stuffed Berry French Toast = AWESOME. I have a major sweet tooth so the trio hit the spot perfectly. The Stuffed French Toast came with a full cup of fresh berries. The free flowing coffee and the fun oldie's music made my Saturday brunch experience complete. I recommend waiting the 10 minutes for a seat outdoors when the weather is nice.
(5)Amy J.
After years and years of hearing about it, I finally tried Nookies! It was a great experience. Their food is excellent, the staff: overly friendly. Meter parking on the street, but most of all what I loved is that it's a FRIENDLY diner with great food. I will definitely be back. I was more than impressed.
(4)Joanna B.
Ah, Nookies. Such a wonderful, familiar, happy place. My parents used to live around the corner from Nookies way back when. Old town was their old stomping grounds. They fell in love there, and lived there before I was born. I've joked with my brother, while dining at Nookies, that he could've been conceived on a night that my parent's ate there. Weird, but somehow cute. Nookies is a truly wonderful cafe/diner. Almost everything I've ever eaten there was great-tasting, and well-prepared. They have a very large selection of items, and serve breakfast all day. I've had breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups- and some of the seasonal special dinners, too. The pot roast was particularly superb. Well-seasoned, nice balance of meat to sides, and cooked just right. I love their breakfasts- and they pay good attention to special orders. I hate being "needy" or having to ask for something "special", but I always order my scrambled eggs soft. I cannot tolerate browned, chewy, rubbery eggs. They always make them right when I remember to order them soft. ALWAYS. A very long time ago, I ordered Beef Stroganoff from the dinner special menu. It was icky to the max, in every way. No need for description. I am QUITE confident it was a one-time mistake. They offered me a different meal, and didn't make me pay for it. The service more than made up for the "kitchen error", as I'll call it. I left with a full belly, and was glad I spoke up and said something, since I normally would feel bad about doing so. Anyway.... Nookies is bomb. Solid, tasty food. The service has never thrilled me- but at this price point, I'm pretty happy with an alright server and GREAT food. I will always keep my eye open for that one day-changingly wonderful server, though. Take your friends and family to Nookies, or go by yourself. Just go.
(4)Jeff H.
Was in Chicago with the family for my high school reunion, and after a few late nights, we just wanted someplace completely low key and comfortable to grab dinner. A quick check of Yelp showed this place was kid-friendly and had a variety of comfort foods on the menu, so we thought we'd check it out. This spot worked out perfectly for us. It was in a quiet part of Old Town and was pretty empty on Sunday evening. I had the pot roast special, my mother in law had a blackened chicken, wife had a turkey burger and daughter had mac-n-cheese. Food was good but not memorable. And I probably would have only given this place three stars if not for the staff. Our waitress and the folks behind the counter were what really made this place work. First of all our waitress couldn't have been nicer. Just incredibly personable and casual. Perfect midwestern hospitality. And between her and the guys behind the counter, they totally took care of us and also engaged way more than would be required with our 5 year old daughter. So I'll give this place 3 stars for the food, 5 stars for the staff and then also 5 stars for the price. Prices were totally reasonable, including a huge two scoop ice cream bowl for dessert for $1.50. Thanks Nookies!
(4)Billy M.
Nookies is delicious! I have never had a bad experience here and I order takeout almost every Saturday and Sunday morning. My got breakfast is Huevos Con Chorizo. Lunch/dinner is the Greek Chicken Sandwhich. The staff is great and now know me by name. The only problem is the wait on weekends. Prepare to wait 30 mins to an hour
(5)Kimmie R.
I've been to Nookies a few times and each time they even messed up my order or the person that I was with. The food is not especially wonderful and there is always a long wait to be seated. I'm not sure if people frequent this place, because it's in a heavily populated area or what. Anyone giving this place four stars should really get out more! This is the type of place that you go to when you are hung over and in need of food, coffee and fluids to get you back on track after a long night of partying. I find it especially interesting that the average person that frequents this place is either over 65 or in their mid 20's or early 30's with messy hair and loud stories about the night before. It's not a bad place, but it's certainly not a place I'd go to if I had to drive to get there! It's the type of place that you go to when you just don't feel like cooking.
(2)Marjorie F.
Since my return to Old Town - scene of my post-college years - I have been revisiting old haunts, dare I say, as a mature (ahem) adult. (Don't laugh.) Nookies was always one of those places I sought to cure my hangover blues. This time around it was more like a cure for plain ol' hunger pangs. This visit was during the week on a rare day off from work. My boyfriend and I were quickly seated and served coffee. Great. But then it wasn't so great. After we sat down, we waited a long time for a server to take our order, let alone just say "hello - someone will be right with you." It wasn't even crowded, for pete's sake! I tried to flag someone down but each time my friendly waves were ignored. Ooohhh... I don't remember it being like this. Maybe I need to drink just to tolerate the wait staff. Anyhoo, we finally got a server who had the personality of a cactus. I so wanted to hug her. Yeah right. Aside from the not-so-pleasant waitstaff, the food was delicious. I had the steak and egg tostada while my boyfriend had the brioche french toast with berries. Yummmm... In a nutshell, food is good, waitstaff yuck. You decide what you need. As for me, I will try to have a nasty hangover next time I visit so I can take my focus off the service and focus on the food.
(3)Vivi W.
Good brunch food. Not amazing but good place, if you don't mind the lines.
(4)Meg C.
This place was within walking distance to our hotel and had great Yelp reviews, so I wanted to check it out for breakfast/brunch. It did not disappoint. They were really busy, but we were able to get a table quickly. The service was great. My coffee was never empty. Everything was delicious! I had the vegetarian omelettes with egg whites (there are healthy options) with tomato slices and toast. The food portions are HUGE.
(5)Sara E.
I can't quite put my finger on it, but this location is even better than the LP one. The Wild Bleu (seriously, if I could come up with my signature omelet, it would be this) is amazing. They keep the coffee flowing, and there is a really cute bar with cute cute cute stools. Cute. It was completely busy when we got there, but they took our name and literally a minute later we were led to a table. Awesome, as I was incredibly hungry. MMM.
(5)Quality C.
THE GOOD: great ambiance, great food, great service THE BAD: small bathrooms THE UGLY: long wait
(4)Barbara D.
I use to call my highschool boyfriend "Nookie" so I wondered if he opened up this restaurant in my honor for breaking his fragile heart...or not. Back to reality... Random weekday morning spent walking around this neighborhood looking for some place that was open and serving food at 10:30am. Nothing.... Another block, nothing... However, I have a random passerby and his viscious dog to thank for pointing out Nookies. Wow, we walked in and I was expecting another diner dump but wholah it was a fancy smancy diner...far from a food landfill. The calm ambiance was the first thing I noticed and the 'classy,' half- circle bar stood out. The inside was one room extending into another and another. We decided to sit outside. The service was impecable. Smiley young girl that moved quickly and effortlessly. The veggie burger and the fried ravioli were the highlights of my nookie nooner.
(5)James F.
came here for lunch and had a great set of sandwiches. i got a Monster melt, but with a turkey patty substitution ( yelp.com/biz_photos/Ot1s… ), and my wife got a French Dip. each came with a side of homemade chips, and a soup. I got the cream of potato soup which was pretty good, though my wife's tomato pasta seemed not special. however, her French Dip ( yelp.com/biz_photos/Ot1s… ) impressed her - it was huge and in the end, she brought about 1/4 of it home (and the au jus). my Monster Melt (patty with cheddar and onions on rye) was a good melt, and not too greasy. good service and tasty food - i'd come here again for lunch, and judging from some of the other reviews, maybe for breakfast too! They have five or six tables outside on the sidewalk for summer days.
(4)Julie B.
This is becoming a Sunday must in my book!!! Ranking in my top three favorite breakfast places in the entire city. Whether you crave sweet or savory breakfasts, Nookies will satisfy any palate. I would recommend any omlete on their menu!!! No joke! The frittatas are 3 out of 5 stars (too many carmelized onions in the Smokehouse Frittata). Service is excellent, friendly faces all around. Street parking is tough over there and be prepared for a bit of a wait.
(4)Gerry X.
Met some friends here from out of town who used to live here, and this was their recommended spot. Parking upon arrival took a few minutes on the street; I really didn't notice any prominent signage (maybe I missed it as I was running late) but on entering the place was crowded packed and bustling with activity. My friends got silver dollars and I got pancakes and eggs with bacon. All was delectable and full of awesome. Have to mention that we didn't see our waitress for about ten minutes, and that the she looked rushed; it was quite busy. I forgot my camera so I may find some pics thru the web to post some on here.
(4)Shradha A.
I'm still not a fan of Nookies and I will feel like I keep ordering the wrong items here. The vanilla french toast on a croissant was not a good idea by any stretch of anyone's imagination...!
(3)Christy T.
I am willing to offer Nookies on Wells a 5 star. You know why? I have waited in line twice to receive a homecooked breakfast which lives up to going out for it - I love their english muffins, endless coffee-mug re- fills, fresh-squeezed orange juice, scrambled eggs, guacamole, hashbrowns, (don't bother with Yolk or Eggsperience).
(5)Colleen C.
Beth P, for the win...again. Ok, so I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I didn't even REALIZE there was a Nookie's on Wells. In fact, I'll go as far as to say...I have never been on Wells between Lincoln and North Ave. Is that weird? Methinks so....but nonetheless Beth P opened my eyes to a little Old Town gem. Thus, this review is dedicated to her... I ordered my standard Denver omelette with tomato slices and coffee. It is a bright, shiny day when my coffee is perfect, and that it was. The right blenda splenda, cream and hot diner coffee sends me into a sort of dream-like state that can only be replicated by the perfect Diet Coke formula. (fully carbonated, fountain...if you must know). Regardless, the refills were plentiful and well timed... My omelette was quite perfect, actually. Not too big, not too small...large chunks of green pepper (I hate mushy little shredded chunks of veggies, ick), and the cheddar cheese did not resemble Kraft nor nacho cheese topping from 7-11. IN an omelette, this is quite important...especially when one is a cheap cheese connoisseur like myself. SO many times I am presented with plastic cheese, and I just cannot stoop to that level of consumption. Don't get me wrong, I'll eat in certain situations (baseball games, jail, etc), but when dining with intelligent women, I need real cheese. Obviously, they get an A in this department... CASH only. Thank you Beth P for introducing me to Old Town triangle, and Nookies. I've now completed the Nookie's trifecta....Nookie's Tree, Nookie's Old Town and Nookie's on Halsted. Voila!
(4)Jenna S.
Soooooo good! We almost always visit Nookie's before a night out in Ye Olde Boystown. The restaurant is really nice - there's a ton of tables and it's always full. The food is also fantastic - they have anything you could possibly imagine in the way of diner food, as well. There's breakfast, lunch and dinner and I recommend trying as much as you can. Plus: BYOB!!!!! I love love love love BYOB restaurants. This is one of the better ones. Great servers - always nice, funny and attentive. Good Clientele - all the people I've ever met there are super nice. Price - inexpensive! You don't have to spend a ton of money to get a great meal. Especially since it's BYOB.
(4)David M.
Great breakfast....blueberry pancakes were excellent as was the French toast my colleague had....excellent service as well!
(5)Jen P.
Amazing pancakes. Huge omlettes. I have become a frequent Sunday diner
(5)KuangYou C.
I had the "sweet trio". This one is great. Pancakes and French toast along with lots of fruits and some oats. However, I feel it would be better if they put some "salt" food in this dish. Finishing a big plate with all sweet food would be challenging for my tongue.
(4)Matthew M.
Nookies has great food, a warm neighborhood-y atmosphere and great service. The servers and staff are exceptional, and I have enjoyed everything I've ever had there.
(5)Arlene A.
This is a first for me. I'm giving four stars to an establishment that had me waiting outside in the rain for 40 minutes, after saying it would be a 10 minute wait. Not the fault of Nookies, but of the obnoxious parties sitting around texting/playing with cell phones well after the check has been paid. Seriously, people have no concept of being considerate to the person waiting afterwards. So a pox on the jerks who don't have any manners, and could care less about anything other than themselves. Now, on to the food. We ordered off the brunch menu, and if you ever have the opportunity to order the Paris Benedict, you should do so. I couldn't finish it, with all the yummy potatoes. The grilled asparagus were perfectly done and very delicious. Once seated Nookies is a great experience, you just may have a longer wait than anticipated.
(4)Elizabeth W.
Excellent, excellent brunch spot -- 5 stars all the way. I've never once been disappointed. Delicious food, generous portions -- just be ready to wait on the weekends! I'd recommend going a bit earlier in the morning or later in the day. You can also order carryout and skip the lines. Their seasonal specials are incredible and always changing -- definitely the best pumpkin pancakes I've ever had. They also have lunch/dinner food -- and are BYOB!
(5)amy m.
I've been to Chicago just once, but the next time I visit, I will be sure to come back again for breakfast. I had a seasonal dish: smoked trout scramble with eggs and capers...absolutely delicious. The server was friendly and the cafe was quaint.
(5)Dan M.
This is one of the best places to go for breakfast in the city. I have had the good fortune of living down the street, so it is an easy walk down the street for me. I know a lot of people here talk about how long the wait is, but if you are coming on a Saturday or Sunday morning I don't understand the need for a rush? There are lots of little shops near by and you can entertain yourself there while you wait. Everything on the menu is well executed, but for a real treat check out the seasonal menu. I typically will get the summer vegi fritta or the steak and egg tostada (when in season). My girlfriend goes nuts over the crab cakes benedict. The thing that really shines is their service. The food comes out fast and you always someone there when you need them. For the fish out there that go through a ton of water, you will love that they are constantly replacing your pitcher with a full one regardless of how much is still in it. In summary: Not going to give it 5 stars because I do have breakfast places that I like slightly better, but this is without a doubt one of the best places in Chicago for weekend breakfast food.
(4)RJ J.
The best omelet ever! Now on to that delicious eggs... I did order ALL meats omelet. That juicy surely flirts your tongue that nothing actually stops you. Seriously...
(5)Shaun F.
GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT!!! Nookies is unbelievably good! Their friendly wait staff put up with my mother's crazy antics! Order the freshly squeezed OJ. Also, you MUST MUST MUST order off the specials menu! The specials change to highlight the fare of every season. If you go to Nookies and order scrambled eggs and white toast, we can't be friends. So, you don't want to wait in a line huh? Then, be smart and go early!
(5)Jennifer M.
I ate here for the first time over the weekend and was not disappointed. They have an extensive menu with options for everyone. They had a few seasonal items on the menu for breakfast and I tried the apple bread french toast. It was absolutely delicious and I cannot want to go back to try many more dishes from their menu!
(5)Melissa M.
I've heard about this place a great deal over the years because I have a friend that works there. Sadly, he wasn't working while I was there, but I really enjoyed this place. It was very roomy and bright and I didn't feel squished in like sardines like some restaurants, even though it was extremely busy. I give special kudos to our waiter. The woman I was with only ordered one egg and one sausage and water. She said she doesn't like a place to dictate what she eats. As a friend, I can respect that. As former waitstaff, I know that this order would be an annoying waste of time, but the waiter didn't even flinch. He took the order graciously and didn't try to get her to order a combo off the menu. He gave her exactly what she wanted. It even arrived with an orange slice on the plate, perhaps if only to fill up the plate, but it was a nice touch. lol We were given a caraft of water with lemon which was promptly refilled whenever we emptied it. My companion thought the lemon was a nice touch. My order included hasbrowns which were very crispy and yummy! Another bonus is that the bread came with the butter on the side, so you had the choice to use butter or not that is so often not given without a request. All in all, great and speedy service, bright and cheery atmosphere, and accommodating kitchen. No complaints and I would be delighted to return!
(5)Mike S.
Based on some Yelp reviews, we went to Nookie's this morning (Sunday) around 10:30 am. As we walked up, we saw a decent crowd outside so we were expecting a very long wait...but it ended up being only 15 minutes (and they were spot on with their estimate). We were sat in the very back room which, I will add, is one of the reasons we rated this as a "4" instead of "5". We didn't give them a seating preference and we would much rather be seated in 15 minutes than wait 2 hours if the restaurant size was smaller, however they could do some more to make the back room more inviting. Especially considering there are no windows or anything back there...it's very sterile. Once we got back the seats, we discovered that the food MORE than made up for the odd layout. I had the good old, traditional pancakes, with 100% maple syrup (up charge but worth it) and bacon. She had peach and raspberry pancakes with almonds and a peach-marmalade butter. Both dishes were out of this world!! Our waiter was excellent and extremely attentive. The only service issue we had was keeping our coffee hot - the waiter really wasn't the one handling the coffee...the guy who was didn't make it back to our room very often so we had to keep asking for a warm-up. If not for the coffee and blah-dining area in the back, we would have given Nookies 5 stars, hands down. But you will definitely find us there again, soon!!
(4)Jenn R.
I'm waiting for a Nookies to open in River North, b/c I'm an addict. I never have anything I don't like here. The service is fast, but not pushy and the food is consistent and fairly priced. The sweet trio is killing my diet, but it's oh so worth it. The Jalisco wrap shows up in my dreams. Amy's omelette is so good I make it several times a week at home, but still come back to Nookie's for the original. The OJ is so fresh my mouth waters just thinking about it. Crepes, pancakes, waffles, omelettes - YUM, YUM, YUM! And that's only breakfast. Lunches are great too: grilled cheese (I like mine with tomato), hamburgers, OH the chicken salad! Ok, it's lunchtime and I think I know where I'm heading. :)
(4)Gabi M.
Nookies is always a highlight when I come visit my sister in Chicago... I've been to both locations, but this one is so conveniently close to where my sis lives, that I choose to review this one. I absolutely love the breakfast (served all day) at Nookies. I wish I could find a place in Arizona that made egg white omelets 1/2 as good as they are at Nookies! They are so fluffy and delicious - I dream about these when I am away! Most recently. I went on a weekday morning (which I highly recommend so you don't have to fight the crazy crowds you'll find here on Saturdays and Sundays). I had a coffee, the spinach and mushroom egg white omelet, tomato slices, and multi grain toast. Yum! It was exactly what I was craving and it filled me up for hours! I hear the blueberry pancakes are to die for, so I may have to try those next time. I've also had the tuna salad stuffed avocado for lunch which is perfect to split with someone - the portion size is huge! Note that this location is cash only - I will make sure I've got enough $$ in my pocket at all times during future visits so I can fill my Nookies cravings. Until then, I'll be dreaming about those beautiful fluffy egg white omelets... thanks Nookies and sweet dreams!
(5)Carolyn K.
Service was great. The place was fairly empty, but our waiter was fantastic. This is the second time I have been here and my food has been excellent both times. I had the crepes, which were tasty. My companions each had the chorizo huevos rancheros and enjoy it.
(4)Ronda T.
Excellent breakfast and we went for a quick dinner burger as well. Great service,had to wait 5 min for a table but the vegetarian omelette was superb and I am not a vegetarian but felt like a healthy veg hit. The serves are generous and coffee good.
(5)Smark B.
Carrot cake French toast, lemon and poppy pancakes and plum pudding cakes make brunch all the more interesting. It may not look like much but the food is great and really good value.
(5)Michael O.
This place is packed at 10am when I arrive! A rather good sign, considering Chicagoeans know their brunch places. Service here is moderate at best - my server seems pretty stuck up. When I tried to ask for recommendations, she did not offer anything at all (by claiming "everything here is good"). Since this is my first time here, I'm not even sure if she is correct. One thing for sure - freshly squeezed OJ is great! Breakfast was moderate - not sure what's the hype about this place. I won't want to go in a group here because the line's pretty long and the food's alright. Maybe another visit (and another waitress) might change my opinion?
(3)Gabe K.
I went to Nookies last week for lunch with some friends. There was about a half hour wait, but it was a nice day so we didn't mind and a line is usually a good sign about a restaurant's credibility. I got the huevos rancheros which was $6.45 and was delicious. Came with a large tortilla, rice, beans, cheese, eggs, and sour cream. Two of my friends ordered the monterey chicken sandwiches with the potato chip/fries; if you're struggling to decide, I'd recommend the monterey chicken sandwich. Another friend got the southwestern omelette which turned out to be a bad decision. The avocado dollop on top of the omelette was too creamy and tasted strange and the omelette itself had way too much cheese. It was literally half pepperjack cheese. Recommended. Not quite 5 stars, but definitely worth every one of the 4 stars I'm giving it.
(4)Dee C.
Had breakfast here until I waited for my spa appt at Avanti. I ordered the three crepes: blueberry, strawberry, and the cream cheese. The strawberry and blueberries were fresh which was refreshing. The cream cheese was great. The only problem with the fresh fruit is that it is hard to eat. It's like eating just blueberries and strawberries, but nonetheless, I still had a great breakfast. I went on a Tuesday so service was fast, the waitress was nice, food was good, prices were right, but parking is all metered parking around the area and I can't imagine getting a spot during the weekend when it gets busy. I think they have a sister restaurant too and I will return for some more yummy breakfast!
(4)Kay-tee O.
Saw this restaurant on a blog and we decided to try it after we landed in Chicago. We were there on a Friday morning around 830-9am. The service was prompt, and the food was great. I ordered the chili-avocado frittata and it was excellent. If I lived locally I'd be back often. As it is if I return to Chicago I'll be visiting one of the restaurants for breakfast
(5)Garrett F.
I love pancakes! and Nookies does them extremely well. There Omelets are great too...Whenever up in in Lincoln Park you better believe that i am coming here. My all time favorite thing is small diner's and Nookies fits my definition perfectly
(5)Daniel C.
Our favorite Saturday morning brunch restaurant. Great tasting healthy food with very friendly service. Wait times to get in can be a bit long, but there's a really nice outdoor space to wait in, so not a big deal.
(5)D F.
Not only is the food consistently tasty, its also friendly on the price. Food is seriously the best hangover/morning meeting place/old friends rendezvous, well you get the picture. This location is consistently busy and consistently good. What else could you ask for. Things to try: Ernesto's Chilaquiles Any of the skillets Crepes Never have had lunch here, but benefit of the doubt its probably really tasty!!
(5)Adriana L.
As an avid Yolk diner I almost feel like I'm cheating even writing this review (sorry Yolk) and yet I have to do it; I feel compelled. I went to Nookies with a friend a few weeks ago and was in the mood for blueberry pancakes. Being the healthy foodie I am I ordered the multigrain blueberry pancakes and a cup of coffee without knowing I would shortly arrive in what would soon become my food heaven here in Chicago. You breakfast/brunch addicts and junkies know what I mean. Out they came with blueberries on top, and in the middle - just like I like them. And the multigrain batter was perfectly seasoned with this surprise of cinnamon that left a perfect flavor on my tongue making me crave the next bite. The middle of each bite was somehow soft and almost gooey yet still cooked...I kept eating until I was nearly sick to my stomach they were so good. Here comes the dilemma...I am now addicted. I have to have blueberry pancakes all the time for breakfast and I'm trying to recreate their yummy multigrain recipe at home (I don't cook - it's not pretty people) and to top it off, blueberries are out of season - it's heartbreaking. Where does that leave me (and us)...I've now become addicted to Nookies and their multigrain blueberry pancakes! Oh yeah, my dining companion ordered an omelette and loved it although he was somewhat distracted by my nearly orgasmic experience across the table.
(4)Max M.
So this is where the yuppies eat breakfast in Chicago. If we were in LA, this would attract the young Santa Monica crowd. I kid. I kid. Seriously, I really enjoy coming here with the gf for weekend breakfast---especially in the summa time. Just head to the farmer's market across the street and walk off the egg white omelette or whole wheat pancakes along Lake Michigan. The food is respectable. But I really dig the neighborhood and vibe. Go early. It gets really crowded on weekends.
(4)K B.
Went here for brunch and was very disappointed. Tried the special, was a "Trout - Egg Scramble." The flavors did not mesh, and I hardly ate it. The best part of my meal was the toast I ordered on the side. On the other hand, the orange juice was really good.
(2)Al C.
UPDATE: i originally gave this place 4 stars, but i'm downgrading to 3. i've been here 2 more times since my review and each time they were horribly understaffed for weekday dinner crowd. There were 2 couples sitting next to us who were so freegin' steamed because their food hadn't come out yet and they had been waiting forever. The food is still pretty good and i love the convenience, but the service is spotty. Just moved to chicago and am soooooo happy to have found that i live a stone's throw away from NOOKIES! this is one of those comfy, solid homecookin' kinda places that everyone wishes they could live within stumbling outta bed distance. It's perfect. the food is tasty and it's just is the perfect neighborhood place for any meal. LOVE IT!
(3)G T.
Good stuff. Kid friendly early.
(4)Shelley K.
So nice and lovely Greek owners! Defo go back. Portions huge - buy breakfast and you get to take home lunch too!
(4)Marie B.
So, my co-worker suggested we meet here for a working meeting...omelets & home fries are great brain food, didn't you know? Anyway, she is a walking encyclopedia of restaurants in the city, so I deferred to her opinion. I was not disappointed. The service was good, although the restaurant was rather crowded, it wasn't noisy...not something you can say about alot of places anymore (when did we all start talking so loud!?). At any rate, the food was very plentiful. I had this huge, huge omelet that was stuffed with yummy fresh veggies. It came with a large side of home fries (my favs) and toast. Although my co-worker is a bit of a health/diet freak, I ignored her scowls and ate at least half of everything (which was no mean feat!). Overall a good place for breakfast/brunch. The only drawback: Attempted to go back on another day and could not find parking...anywhere!?
(4)Elizabeth S.
Once again YELPERS were great HELPERS! First went to Toast (it was 2 PM on Saturday afternoon). Walked in the door where there were 3 people waiting and the hostess immediately said "It will be an hour. . " According to other reviews, this is obviously a standard response. Walked over to Nookies. Greeted by a lovely and funny woman, who immediately seated the 3 of us in a window booth - SCORE! Food was great (LOTS of it), service was EXCELLENT - our server was sweet, nice, and really attentive when we needed it but never made us feel like we needed to hurry at all. I wanted to go back on Sunday but alas- we needed to try out somewhere else to complete our weekend!
(5)Sopla R.
This was our 2nd time here and probably last. The breakfasts' are decent here. Portions are huge and service is OK. However, we stopped in for a late lunch last week and it was really just so-so. I had the roast chicken and veggies and mash pots.. well the chicken was good.. but the veggies were WAY undercooked (an no.. not even remotely al dente) the potatoes were ice cold in the middle.. which means.. that they were not properly heated up (as in slowly) I tasted my SO' s food and the fries were lukewarm as well.. so timing is an issue here.. bringing the food up at the same time not putting it up at different times in the window) I thought I had recalled that it was much better than it was....and I think really the only reason to come here again would be for breakfast but actually there are SO many 4 & 5 star breakfast places to go to (that are same prices or less) there's really NO reason to come back.. PS..tell your waitstaff, bussers etc.. not to pick up glasses by the rim! It's SO tacky and SO unprofessional.. even for a casual place like this.. service 101.
(2)Cecilia T.
My running club has come here a few times on Saturdays around 11 after our runs, so we're starving and want warm yummy food. Despite the size of our group, we're able to find seats with little wait time. Their menu selection is large and varied so youc an pretty much find what you want and the portions are very large. At our last outing, I ordered their French Toast and finished only a third of my meal! Their coffee is pretty good here as well.
(3)S. Brian F.
Great neighborhood Resturant. These people really take of you. Great food, great service. Very friendly .
(5)Colleen C.
Okay. I'm a huge fan of the occasional trip to Nookie's for nice diner food in Boystown. But this one...Seriously? In a nutshell: awful service, rude waitstaff and management. Here's what happened... I walked in after a dentist appointment (yuck) for a salad and a nice read all to myself. Well, this didn't exactly happen. For one, it took FIVE MINUTES to wait to be seated...and then, I wasn't seated. See, after waiting that whole time, NO ONE even LOOKED at me or bothered to say, "Someone will be right with you," or "Can I help you?" It was NOT crowded. At all. So, I figured, maybe I'm expected to seat myself? Doesn't seem like it, cuz I know how the other Nookie's works (see: someone at the counter ready to seat you immediately), but I think, "Whatever, who knows," and seat myself. It became apparent that I was NOT supposed to do this, as every waiter and bus boy walked right past me paying me no attention / not knowing how I got there. So FINALLY, after 10 minutes, some waitress says something to the manager guy at the counter, clearly pointing at me. He shook his head and said something. She turns to me and says, "Excuse me, do you need a menu?" I said I did. With that, she turns around and storms off to the front, shaking her head and throwing her hands up in the air in annoyance. At me. As if I wouldn't see this? Then she hands me the menu and, in a fake-nice voice, but loud enough for everyone to hear, says, "Next time, just make sure you check in at the counter, okay?" I responded, "Yeah, well no one helped me for five minutes so..." And she WALKED AWAY as if I hadn't said anything. I should've left. But i was starving and already there. So I stayed and ordered my salad. The rude waitress decided she should be nice to me from then on out, clearly remembering that she needed a decent tip at the end of all this. (Which, she did not receive nor deserve.) I must say, I've never felt like such a nuisance to a waiter or waitress like this until the Old Town Nookie's. And all because I got confused by the lack of attention to be seated, and assumed I might need to seat myself. So, I will NOT be going back to this location. Ever. Very rude and unprofessional. If I have a craving for Nookie's next time, I'll make sure it's at the Boystown one, where they actually, you know, SEAT you in a decent amount of time and are kind to you.
(1)Nathan M.
Recently moving from San Francisco, I was eager to find some local eats beyond the misery of Denny's & IHOP. I fell upon Nookies this last Saturday & thoroughly enjoyed it. Although the atmosphere was a bit bland...the food was far from it. While there, I enjoyed one of their many omelets filled to the brim with fresh spinach, crispy bacon and melted cheddar cheese. It was delicious. Pared with a hearty batch of hash browns (a little underdone for my taste) and choice of bread; my stomach was fully satisfied upon leaving. This seemingly retro diner has a quaint feel & a warm staff that made the experience overall enjoyable. I suspect that I will be back soon.
(4)Penelope S.
I love their fresh squeezed orange juice!! The food was awesome and the host made my children feel so special! Great music and great wait staff!
(5)Jesse S.
I've been to this Nookies two or three times, and have been consistently whelmed by just about everything--quality of food, quality of service, decor, other customers, other customers' orders, and so on. Word on the street is, that you got a weakness for breakfast food items, and well, I'll be damned if that's not true, but wouldn't you know it, I don't think I've ever actually had breakfast/brunch here, and, well, if I did, it was one time (that "or 3"rd time) and it wasn't very notable. Otherwise I've had the sandwiches. Pretty sweet if you like sandwiches with shit piled on top of 'em. For example, when I went last week, I got a tuna melt. That's right, tuna on english muffins with tomato slices and some nuclear orange cheese melted on the top. It was pretty good--the tuna's real mayonnaisey if you're into that. I usually prefer a drier tuna. Because I'm weird. The fucked up thing is, though, that I could barely eat any of the GD sandwich because I had a bowl of split pea soup that preceded it. NOW IS THE TIME WHEN WE DISCUSS THE MAJESTY OF THE SOUP. Seriously, this split pea soup was thick, creamylicious, hammy, oh my oh my oh tasty good. On its surface floated big as hell sourdough croutons, nary a sogged by the viscosity of their home waters. The croutons were buttery, a bit garlicky, basically fucking incredible. And the soup, oh, heavens, the soup. I tell you, I have never had it taken out of me so bad from a bowl of soup before. I'm a huge fan of soup, and it usually sates me, but, like, Campbell's doesn't cut it unless you also--in addition--hook up some cheese and crackers with that bitch. Now, the type of cheese and the type of cracker are HIGHLY context specific with respect to the particular soup, but their copresence is near mandatory, in my soup consumption book. But I'll be damned if this split pea didn't get a full fucking pass with crusty croutons alone. And then I was too full to eat my sandwich. THANKS NOOKIES FOR FEEDING ME THIS SOUP IT IS THE SOUP OF HEAVENLY DELICIOUS DELIGHTS BUT NOW I HAVE TO TAKE THIS SANDWICH HOME AND I HAVE TO BE ONE OF "THOSE PEOPLE" TAKING HOME TAKEOUT CONTAINERS OF STINKY FOOD ON THE EL AND EVERYONE EVERYWHERE PRETTY MUCH IS 100% SURE THEY KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN EATING AND THEY'RE JUDGING ME FOR IT. Thanks a lot. And what the hell is with those slices of potatoes you pretend to pass off as french fries? That shit's like trying to call a sow's ear a fuckin' silk purse. (2 stars on an everyday, 3 for the soup.)
(3)ZZ K.
This spot located in Old Town is simply put...AWESOME!! The wait is often long when you go during prime time eating hours (usually breakfast), and even worse in the summer (they do have some outdoor seating). It is all worth the wait to eat here and the service is good - they always greet you with a smile. My boyfriend and I walk here (40 minutes) and grab breakfast and or lunch often. Its worth it and we get a chance to prepare for the mound of calories we intake...well worth it!! They have great breakfast dishes, which have not compared with any other breakfast place (maybe Wishbone) that I have been to in the city...really. They are better than Toast, Orange, Le Peep, Lou Mitchel's...I can go on, but I'll spare you! They have some creative seasonal menu items including AMAZING stuffed french toast in the summer, which I highly recommend and great egg dishes. Even their salads and burgers are fantastic! Their portions are large and the prices are well worth the quality and quantity you get. It's a great spot for a large or small group and we never feel rushed. They take good care of you and will make sure you get exactly what you want. Please note that parking is a pain around here!
(5)Brenna M.
My parents are visiting for Father's Day weekend, we wanted to get brunch on Sunday morning, but my Dad's not really a "foofy" brunch kind of guy. Aka, he'd take a greasy spoon diner over Toast, any day of the week. So, Nookies seemed like the closest thing to a Diner I could find in Old Town. We sat down at 10am, with no wait. The service was prompt, and our expectations were...honestly we had no expectations. So let me tell you we were BLOWN AWAY by the food. I had the roasted veggie open face frittatta, and the eggs were fluffy and the veggies fresh and full of the grilled smokiness. The summer specials were incredible too. Do me a favor and get the Trio of: berry french toast, peach/cocunt hotcakes, and almondy pancakes. We split it among the 4 of us, and they were all so yummy! You'll have food to go. Learn to love leftovers, I'm eating mine right now :)
(5)Billy B.
Look, I know that people really like Nookies but I am not entirely certain they have eaten good breakfast before. Sure, Nookies is good for an average breakfast that costs $12-14 with coffee. If you want really good food and atmosphere this aint your place. Instead, trade up and go to Tavern, stay in the same price range and go to Yolk, check around the corner at Toast (typically a wait), or go to Bar-Ba-Reeba. My point is really that all restaurants cant be 4-5 stars and there are much better options than Nookies. Will I go back? Sure, but I certainly have experienced better.
(2)Alex H.
I consider myself lucky that I live close enough to Nookie's to make it my brunch standby. There's nothing I haven't enjoyed. And as though the great fare and warm service isn't enough, its BYOB. Yep, Korbel mimosas all the way! Unfortunately the secret's out (was it ever in?) so be prepared to wait on Saturdays and Sundays.
(4)Anna P.
Same good food and service as the other locations (larger than Lincoln Park location, which is nice). I like this place because it has great brunch options (especially love the omelettes) and actually some great lunch options as well (the turkey burgers, which are usually tough to nail down, are surprisingly good), which can be tough at a brunch place.
(3)Rebecca H.
Great breakfast spot. Healthy and greasy options so me and my SO don't argue. You could pay more at a crappy diner on any other corner in Chicago and miss out. The name is "Nookies." That alone would win me over for at least one visit! But I'll keep coming back and you should, too. They even honored my NPR Membership card without complaint.
(4)Amy D.
Very disappointing experience at Nookies with just ok food and horrible customer service from management. There are too many great spots in this city to waste time going to this location. If you're in the Old Town neighborhood, head over to Elly's for great food that comes along with a better managed restaurant including excellent customer service and a friendly staff.
(1)Marlene S.
Wish there was a Nookies in my neighborhood so that I could try everything on the menu. Went to the Wells St. location for the first time on a Saturday around 1 pm. Very short wait. Decided on the apple cranberry crunch pancakes. Yummy! Took half of my daughter's chicken salad sandwich home for dinner (portions are big and it came w/soup) and it was delicious. Nice variety of items on the menu - eggs, crepes, pasta, salads, burgers, and even pork chops. Their motto is "fresh and friendly" and that was true for me.
(4)Alayna H.
Nookies is probably my second favorite breakfast place in the city...Cornerstone holds the #1 spot, they don't have the same variety, but they're walking distance from my place and the service is as good as it gets. Anyhow, back to Nookies...sometimes there's a bit of a wait in the AM, but it is SO worth it. They have a great variety of egg dishes, and any omelette that your little heart could possibly desire. Also got the crepes here once and they were amazing as well. I normally come for breakfast/brunch, but I came for lunch once and got the rueben, I do NOT recommend it, the meat was hard and slightly scary looking, and tasted like leftovers from a week ago. That being said, that was my only bad experience and not worthy of knocking the review down any stars when compared to all of my other experiences here. I now know that if I'm craving a reuben, Jason's Deli is the place to go, not Nookies. Also, it's BYOB, one morning I saw a very clever group of people making mimosas...I'm defintely following their lead the next time I head to Nookies.
(5)Stephanie K.
Sweaty and hungry, my friend and I wandered into Nookies after the Run for the Zoo 10K. Although I've never been to this location, I'm familiar with the Nookies organization and thought it would be the perfect diner-type breakfast as an after-race reward. I tried the Gouda, Egg, Shroom & Spinach sandwich, which was great. I'm sorta picky about my omelettes, and usually walk out disappointed or wishing I had chosen something different. However, Nookies is pretty darn consistent with their menu. Everything I've ever ordered - or tasted off another's plate - has always been tasty, satisfying and the perfect amount of grub to satisfy a grumbling tummy. Note: One star lost for cash-only.
(3)Kelly K.
I lived around the corner from this place for a while and I always wished it was open for dinner during the week! The brunch is fantastic- even when I stray from my usual selection of an omelet, I've never been disappointed. The salads are also delish and they have a great $5ish special where you can get a blt with soup. Yum!
(4)Madelyn H.
nookies looks like a typical diner inside - but the food i had was not typical. i had one of the specials - the parisian benedict - and it was delish. it was on brioche instead of english muffin and was topped with asparagus and truffle oil. there is always a wait involved but seems like that's par for the course for brunch. if you need brunch in this area, it's a really good option.
(4)Natalie F.
nice place for breakfast, but our croissant was not as soft and fluffy as we hoped it would be
(4)J S.
Rock on. Awesome food crappy parking. Park at pipers alley (second city) and walk.
(4)Annie S.
I love eating at Nookies. I'm not giving it 5 stars because the wait is almost always really long and it's very annoying that they don't take credit cards. Ugh. Ok so the food here is really good and pretty cheap. This is a diner so they have almost everything anyone could want. From breakfast food (eggs, skillets, breakfast burritos, pancakes, omelettes), then salads, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, pasta, etc etc etc. The food is always hot and taste really good. My favorites: Multigrain Pancakes (always get them with fruit and yogurt) Crunchy French Toast (really good!) I would recommend coming here even though parking can be a real hassle.
(4)Tammy Q.
After my mediocre experience at M. Henry, I was a little hesitant to try Nookies, even though the reviews were good. I came here this weekend with two friends and we basically tore everything up. I had the ham and gouda croissant and it was yummy and flavorful. I like my hash browns to be a little crispy on the outside-- and can never seem to get it that way unless I make it myself. Nookies hit the spot -- perfectly made. We also ordered the trio of sweet pancakes and the Napoleon is the one that stands out for me. Warm French toast covered in sweet cornflakes and stuffed with ripes strawberries and a yogurt-y substance -- who would have known it would be so good!?! It was -- everyone must try that!! The pineapple upside down pancake tasted just like its cake ancestor. The banana/toffee pancake was a little too sweet for my tooth (the horror!) Service is swift here! The food came out in less than 10 mins and coffee service definitely made its round around us!
(4)Shawn Z.
Love the omlet, wild blue. I'm. sucker for good cheese. Great food, good price
(4)scott s.
Hey We dont accept Credit Cards Our food isnt too good either
(2)Lauren G.
So far I've had some of the seasonal specials (caramelized pear crunchy french toast & ginger pumpkin pancakes) and only their breakfast food, but their fare is beyond delicious. The orange juice, though the color might throw you off, is fresh and highly recommended. The atmosphere is subdued and yet homey, in a modern sort of way (more so for the one on Halsted than this one though). Quick service, extremely reasonable prices (especially for the area). My only gripe is in regards to the portion size. I would like a smaller option as I've no desire to reheat french toast at a later time after it's been soaking in syrup, and I don't want to waste food either --it makes me feel even more privileged and guilty, as if stuffing my face with gourmet breakfast food wasn't enough.
(5)Jessica D.
Holy Mother of taste buds! I had one of the top 10 meals of my Chicago life here today. My boyfriend and I shared our dishes. The seasonal specials including an omelet with mustard greens, sweet potatoes, ham, peppers. The tang of the greens mixed with the sweet of the yams and the saltiness of the ham was unbelievable. On top of that, we had a sampler of the seasonal pancake/french toast items. The flapjacks were moist, creamy pumpkin pancakes with roasted pecans. The pecans were toasted and mildly charred for a delicious burnt sweet taste. The french toast was good had incredibly fresh spiced apples and struesel cumblies. Oh, and their orange juice was the best fresh squeezed I've ever tried- EVER.
(5)Katie G.
Oh Nookies, I owe many a drunken night and sickly mornings to you. You have been there for me always delivering delicious breakfast, soup, or burgers. You are by far the best diner type place in the neighborhood. Always open and always satisfying. Definitely 4 stars in my book. Even better: TRY THE BRYN MAWR LOCATION.
(4)Erika G.
The original Nookies. I had a boyfriend, back in the day, that was obsessed, OBSESSED with this place. Every time he'd visit me in Chicago, we'd go here. The breakfasts are very good, really, but not worthy of an obsession.
(3)Lauren H.
A wonderful place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!!! Prices are perfect and you can always find whatever you are craving at the time on the menu and you won't be disappointed. I have lived in Chicago my whole life and I have been eating here since I was 5 years old and I am 28 now.
(5)jenn m.
Super cute little corner restaurant. It definitely has that "homey" feeling. The staff are very nice and accommodating. You certainly see a lot of regulars here. We like to sit at the little bar area and read our newspapers and drink coffee. The menu is pretty standard when it comes to breakfast affairs, but I do enjoy it. Eggs, bacon, coffee. That'll get er done. ;)
(4)Christina D.
I had a great dining experience at Nookies! It's an awesome, no-frills diner with a cozy atmosphere, nice staff and pleasant music. Oh and the food is pretty great as well! Nothing revolutionary but there's no need to be groundbreaking in order to be awesome.
(4)Meghan G.
Still love Nookies- just simple fresh diner food for dinner and lunch, amazing treats for brunch! It is BYOB, and they DO take cards now, so stop by and enjoy!
(4)Caroline M.
Strolled by the venerable Nookies a few times before I actually ate here. Every morning on the weekend there is a good crowd of people lingering outside the door. The place has a great family diner feel to it with a bit of a sophisticated edge. As for the food, I fell in love with the croissant french toast (w/ vanilla mascarpone cream and strawberries), a marvelous breakfast special they have in the spring(perhaps best eaten as some sort of special occasion or celebration -it is definately a sweet treat!). Frittattas, omelettes and eggs are consistently good as well.
(5)Huey K.
For such a long wait, I wasn't impressed. The food here *looked* great, but I was really disappointed with my bacon, chicken, and cheese frittata. Although the eggs were cooked well, it was way too cheesy.
(2)Patricia K.
This place feels somewhat tucked away despite its Wells St address. The wait on a weekend morning is rough. During the summer, it is made bearable by the ability to wonder around outside while waiting for your table. However, in the winter months, you are caught crammed in the front area with nowhere to sit during your long wait. Their menu changes seasonally, which always made each cruise of the menu feel like your first time there. I am a particular fan of the Croissant French Toast Napoleon in the spring.
(4)Meghan H.
This is my favorite spot for Sunday brunch. I often go with a good book and sit at the counter. They have a huge menu and I think it is comfort food. I love it - an easy go-to morning diner.
(4)Stephen Z.
Nice little place to grab a latte before a walk down wells
(4)Brandi T.
Hmmm. I was less than impressed with this place to put it nicely. We only had to wait around 18 minutes, which was probably too long considering the food. First off, everybody felt their food was under seasoned. Isn't that the number one sin when cooking? Season your food! The hash browns were alright, although a bit on the oily side. I had crepes and they were pretty dry and more like thin pancakes then true crepes. My husband felt pretty positive that all the vegetables in his breakfast came from a can. Service was so-so. Atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired. Had the food been great, the atmosphere would have been fine, but it's just humdrum. Meh. Oh yeah.. AND they don't accept credit cards. Who doesn't accept credit cards nowadays?
(2)Kevin S.
We got seated right away on a Saturday afternoon but we had to wait for probably around 20+ minutes for anyone to even approach our table. The portions were enormous and were decent tasting, but I like my omelets to have that oily or buttery quality to it. These omelets tasted like they were cooked with no grease, or baked or something. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, I'm sure it's much more healthy and lots of people like it better that way, but it's not for me. The ingredients all tasted really really fresh. The orange juice was delicious and perhaps the best I have ever had. If I'm in the area I would consider coming back.
(3)Rick E.
For those lucky enough to visit New Jersey and indulge in the Diner gastronomic experience, Nookies in Chicago will renew your hope that good food, lots of choices and great service without paying five-star fine dining prices still exist outside the Garden State. After finally visiting the Lincoln Park Zoo (Free admission! Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!) we ran across Nookies on Wells and couldn't have been more pleased with our experience. Not only were the sandwiches we ordered delicious, the ones we saw on other patron's plates made me want to swipe a bite. Lots of young professional couples in their non-office casual wear gazing deeply in each other's eyes gave one the perfect opportunity-but I was raised better than that. Suffice to say this place is goooood. Great looking food, better looking waiters, fast and friendly service. What else is there?
(4)Kassie C.
Great menu. My boyfriend and I both got omlettes and loved them. Service was excellent. We will be going back soon :)
(4)Christopher D.
Awesome food every time. Doesn't hurt that my favorite is breakfast.
(5)Jessica S.
Having walked by it a dozen times, I finally stopped in this morning/early afternoon for brunch with a friend. Seeing as how it was a Tuesday morning we were sat right away (it was too hot for outside so we ate in). I opted for the above the border omelet (Canadian bacon, apples and cheddar) with the fruit and an orange juice to drink. The orange juice was very good, I'm guessing very fresh as well since I found seeds in mine ;) My friend went with the tuna salad in an avocado (which they peeled so it was easy to eat) and ice tea. He wasn't a fan of the ice tea. Other than that no complaints. The menu is rather large so I might have to come back and try something else another day.
(4)Norman C.
I had the smokehouse fritada which was incredible! I enjoyed every bite and that was definitely worth the wait. Unfortunately, almost everything else was a drag. First, the wait - I realize it's a weekend around 11:30 so that's my fault, but the 30 minutes to get our food after we ordered was a bit crazy. I ordered an iced coffee which along with their coffee is pretty pathetic. The iced coffee looked like iced tea but our server replaced it with a hot cup of almost as watery coffee. Oh well. Lastly, my wife ordered the chicken salad which wasn't that tasty! The chicken should have been grilled instead it was poached and flavorless.
(3)Jaime S.
Really delicious seasonal specials. The lines are quite long, but they give you a realistic wait time right when you walk in and put your name down. Not great for groups as the seating seems like everything is meant for 4 or 6 max.
(3)L E.
At least 100 visits here (I lived across the street 4 years), during all days of the week & hours of the day, I regretfully boycotted Nookies many many times over & over again. 2 stars for menu options & staff friendliness. Zero stars for drastically declining food quality over the years. Being masochistic & returning ONE LAST TIME (every time) to give Nookies another shot is just plain self-destructive & abusive. The omelets are always wet, undercooked, & halfway raw (as are the "hashbrown" aka microwaved raw potatoes) & swimming on a plate of greasy water. The cottage "fries" are either burnt char, like chewing a plank of deadwood, or a dead wringer for "hashbrowns" & raw potatoes nuked in microwave. Medium-cooked hamburgers are ALWAYS well done, needing a vat of ketchup or sloppy toppings to choke them down like a bucket of peanut butter blobbed in your throat. The waitress, god love her 2 braincells, always giggled how "thirsty" I am every visit, drinking 3 pitchers of water & hot tea. No, ya twot..... I am hoping this beef-jerky overcooked cow will dissolve enough for digestion!! Hence the plate of lemons to break down the rotting meat in my gullet. Note to self: McDonalds and Subway are 2 blocks down the street and comparable in quality for 1/5th the price. Or, there's always Walgreens for a protein bar & Diet Mountain Dew. At least I won't be nauseous & sorely disappointed by my 20th, 50th, & 90th repeat offense visits.
(2)Shane H.
Always up for a spot of Nookie! I had been to Nookies Too on Halsted so I knew that the original must be very comparable. And it did not disappoint! Surprisingly, the wait was considerably shorter than at N2. Perhaps its because they are not in a high shopping traffic area. And hey, that is great with me. It is just less time that I have to wait for my mountain of a Sundae-esque breakfast. Full of gooey goodness and whipped cream. I felt like putting a sparkler in it and singing happy birthday to myself. Ohhhhh the sweetness! You must go now. Why are you still reading this?! I said go. GO!!!
(5)Steve L.
My biggest problem with a restaurant after terrible service is inconsistency in dining experience. If a place is mediocre 10 times out of 10, that's fine because I expect mediocrity. If a place is awesome my first time and all over the spectrum for the rest of my experiences, you're not going to be my first choice of restaurant. I don't want to play a guessing game. Point being, the food at Nookies is better on the weekends. There is no doubt about it. If I've been to nookies 10 times, twice have been weekends and the food quality is LEAGUES better on a Sunday for brunch. Yes, a Reuben on a Tuesday is worse than a Reuben on a Sunday. It's not terrible on a Tuesday, it's just better on a Sunday. Don't do that, please. Just be consistent! That said, I've never had a BAD meal at Nookies. The service is always courteous as well, but on a weekday lunch you may be waiting a bit for a drink refill. If you're going to go, make it a weekend and be prepared to brave a wait.
(3)Abby D.
Always a short wait, but it's worth it. The portions are huge and will likely feed two mouths.
(5)Eitan S.
Gigantic portioned plates, with a decent price to match. Definitely doesnt worth the wait... esp' when you consider the quality isnt top-notch. I've never understood whats all the fuzz about. I agree it might be a good deal, money wise. but i'm not eating in order to get the best deal, i'm eating in order to indulge myself. its always busy, always crowded, and i rather start my weekends elsewhere.
(2)Blair B.
Awesome place ! I hear a lot of complaints about the wait here, but honestly if you'd get yourself out of bed before 10 AM there is no wait. I showed up at 9:30 AM for a party of 3.. sat down right away.. so there you have it, there isn't always a wait here! I tried the summer trio (mango pancakes, berry french toast, and peach/berry pancakes).. YUM.. also tried a frittata with mushrooms, bacon, and gouda cheese... also delicious. Service was good, coffee was constantly refilled.. prices were great. If you are looking for a solid diner with an expanded menu of interesting choices, I can't recommend this place enough.
(4)Sonal M.
Amazing. Although there was a bit of a wait to eat here, it was completely worth it. I tried two items on their spring seasonal menu. The first was an omelette and the second, an AWESOME french toast dish. The french toast was probably the best I've had anywhere. French toast, strawberries, and a whipped cream sauce and huge proportions too! I'm definitely taking any friend who visits to this joint. Love it! Nookies, you're my fav.
(5)Jayson F.
1. The food - They have a great kids menu & my two daughters loved their p.b.j. with the crust already taken off. That was a nice touch that you don't always get. The chili is very delicious. Don't order it if you don't like spicy. Their fries were too soggy for my taste. I like them crispy and these were more like warm, slightly fried potato crisps. My wife and I split a cheeseburger. Between the cups of chili and the cheeseburger, we were more than full. 2. The service - The waitress was not very friendly. However, she kept our drinks refilled constantly (for free) and made sure that the cheeseburger that my wife and I split each had its own plate with stuff on the side. 3. The atmosphere - I think they're going for upscale diner. Its the only diner I've seen with granite counter tops. However, the place is VERY kid friendly, and I appreciate that. It is just a short walk from the Lincoln Park Zoo which is a plus if you're out at the zoo with your family.
(4)Gigi L.
I work in the neighborhood and whenever I make lunch plans with someone at the office, I totally suggest this place. I really like it! Portions are plentiful and everything is fresh. I am stuck in the Greek omelet rut, but someday I will bust out and try other things. Seriously, it's delicious and popular, and a great place to go to grab something before or after the movies at Piper's Alley, or breakfast anytime.
(4)Katelyn C.
ultimate hangover cure.
(4)Lesley S.
What I had at Nookie's was good, but I totally regretted my order as soon as I saw what the guy next to me was eating. I ordered an omelet with cheddar, bacon and spinach. Tasty, but an omelet is an omelet. The guy next to me ordered the special french toast- it looked like it was coated in some type of crunchy cereal and layered with berries and marscapone cheese. I couldn't take my eyes off his plate. So my suggestion: order off the specials menu- they have some more interesting items and the pricing is the same as most of the other items. The whole menu looked delicious though, I had a really hard time choosing my meal! Downside- long waits on weekends. If you're just with one other person try sitting at the breakfast bar like I did.
(4)Aileen O.
I'm always on the hunt for good brunch places. Since I've moved to Chicago, I've been constantly amazed at the number of breakfast and brunch places this city has. And since breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, I always look forward to the weekends when I get to try a new breakfast spot. My mom and aunt came to visit me in my new digs. I brought them to Nookies after reading such positive reviews. It's super close to my apartment so the drive was not very bad (and of course - less chance for me to get lost!). Plus, it's proximity to the farmer's market had me sold (my mom and I are big farmer's market lovers). Standouts were the silver dollar pancakes with mangoes (seasonal special) and the mixed berry pancakes. The pancakes were light, fluffy, and didn't feel like rocks in my tummy. The sweet fruits complemented them well. Even though the place was buzzing on that Saturday morning, our server was very attentive. She often came by to refill my coffee cup! We were very satisfied with our breakfast experience. Great food and staff. The wait can be a drag, but it flies by. Grab one of the newspapers outside and take a seat in one of their outdoor chairs. Or if it's really bad on a Saturday, head over to the farmer's market to kill some time.
(4)Susannah H.
FALL Pumpkin flapjacks. Creamy spicy pumpkin-y goodness topped with some type of carmelized nut. Holy crap. SPRING Croissant French Toast Napolean Flattened corn-flake dipped croissants delicately balanced atop dollops of marscapone with fresh strawberries on top. LISTEN UP. I know the big menu has a lots of pretty, shiny-looking foods, but take the tiny one with "seasonal specials" printed on it. Otherwise you will leave foodgasmless and never come back.
(4)Joscelyn M.
I really don't get the crazy appeal that draws HERDS of people so early on a weekend. Don't get me wrong - the food isn't bad, but it's just standard breakfast food. Really?
(2)Christine M.
I really like this place. I moved here from Ohio a few months ago and this is the best breakfast spot that I've found so far. I saw on here that the crepes were good so I ordered them. I didn't really love them like other yelpers have, but the cream filled ones were pretty good. I had the Huevos Con Chorizo and it was TO DIE FOR. I've seriously never had better Mexican-style breakfast food. Absolute must try. You should be advised that it's BYOB. We wanted mimosas, so we had to bring our own campaign. Plus, I love old town and any excuse to venture over there is great to me! It's kind of a happening place too (for a brunch spot); you never know what local celeb or politician you may see!
(4)Shelly W.
Best part about this place wait was the less than 5-minute wait for a table at 11:30am on a beautiful Sunday morning. It was pretty busy inside and all of the tables outdoor were full, so I was pleasantly surprised to be seated almost immediately. Service was great, the menu was huge and I loved that they had about 8 items on a seasonal menu. I really enjoyed my meal too - I'd gladly go back.
(4)Kurt O.
It bothers me that this place does not accept credit cards. It's in the middle of Old Town. The ability to use a credit card is part of the service that customers expect in the 21st century. Locals don't care because it's convenient to walk there.....
(3)Sunshine H.
This place is solid for brunch - big portions, many choices, lots of good food, and great price. Also the service is excellent. I highly recommend it and have been going here for years - it's always consistent.
(4)Erin V.
I have only been to Nookies for breakfast, so I can't comment on the other meals of the day, but breakfast is pretty reliable. They have lots of choices and all are pretty decent. I don't think I'd travel from another neighborhood in the city to get here (especially if you live by Orange), but if you are in Old Town, it's a good standby choice.
(3)Jen N.
My parents have been bringing me there since I was a baby and I remember coming here when I was little. It is a great breakfast, brunch, lunch spot. They have enough on the menu so everyone can get what they want from breakfast to dinner food. The potatoes are good, better than your regular hash browns, fresh orange juice, good sized portions. Just a really good place, I've always had good service.
(5)Jim W.
Nookies is a fabulous spot for brunch all day long! I have been to two of their locations, which are both cute and seem to have the same menu. Their omelettes and fritattas are delicious, but my favorites are the crunchy french toast (french toast covered with corn flakes and honey) and the smoked gouda breakfast sandwich. Also, don't pass up on the orange juice - it is fresh squeezed and without added sugar as far as I can tell.
(5)Josh M.
Great breakfast place....also gets very crowded on the weekends. There is an older, foreign server who is very rude....wears glasses, never smiles. Not sure what her name is. Other than that...unique take on food.
(4)George H.
My goto place for omelettes. Too crowed on weekends but decent food.
(3)karen l.
I loved this place..great coffee, great food..wonderful service...excellent atmosphere...i am naming my first born Nookie!!! Please, if you haven't been..please go!!! and go fast!!!!
(4)Brianne W.
I have eaten at Nookies so many times and never once had a bad experience. Their fries and their blackened chicken sandwich with mango chutney might be two of the greatest creations on earth. Living right by them is a major perk because we order take out frequently and it never takes more than 15 minutes. They are very accommodating to my picky orders wether I am dining in or taking it to go. I work in the service industry and I see the hard work their staff has to do. No matter what time or what day it is, you are greeted by a smiling face. I feel privileged to share a neighborhood with such a great family-owned establishment.
(5)Marianne S.
Three for the food. This place is not as warm as the Halsted (LP) one. I'd rather go to the one close to Armitage, at least I get more smiles in there.
(3)Marie D.
Was very excited about living across the street from a breakfast diner! Keeping in mind I am 9 months pregnant, I went there specially for a milkshake and french fries with my husband. At first I was a little panicked because I did not see milkshakes on their menu, but then I finally saw them so I knew I would be ok. When the waitress came over and I ordered a shake, she said "sorry we don't have milkshakes." I showed her the item on the menu and she said "oh yeah, our machine is broken so we don't have them." WHAA?? This is a diner! Get your freakin machine fixed! ugh. So then I settled for chocolate milk knowing I could have my fries. Well, they weren't fries! They were crunchy potato chip looking things. I have braces and wanted soft, hot fries, but they did not serve them! ugh. Bad afternoon.
(2)Kimberly S.
LOVE Nookies! Best breakfast in Chicago! I've tried them all, and this place wins. Consistent good food and nice friendly servers. Not the fanciest of places, but the prices don't warrant an expensive build out. I'm a big fan of good food at a great price every time you sit down, and that's what you get here. No surprises! I LOVE Nookies! I've even been for dinner. Shhhh, don't tell anyone. ;)
(5)J D.
Went here this morning for brunch and the food was perfect! Had the summer vegetable frittata; it was to die for! Seriously, if I had to have one egg dish every sunday for brunch, it would be that. Perfectly cooked with the awesomeness that is feta cheese sprinkled all over. delish! The wait, however, was HORRENDOUS, well over 40 minutes for a table of three. I was a bit dismayed to see plenty of empty tables in the back when we were FINALLY seated. The waitresses looked overworked and understaffed; the bus boys, super great with the water and coffee. Four stars for the food but definitely -1 for the insane wait. I'd go back but only after 2 pm on the weekends.
(3)Betsy J.
I've ordered about 1/2 the menu here and the only time I really liked what I had was the first time I tried the grilled chicken wrap. I've ordered the same wrap several times since then and each time it's not as good as the first. I guess the first one was a fluke. Everything else I've tried is just ok, except for the spinach pie thing which was so nasty I not only pushed it away after a few bites, I actually got sick just from the smell of it sitting on the table. Now when my friends suggest this place I put up a fight to go elsewhere.
(2)Corby G.
Not bad, not great. It's billed as a diner, but its really more of a super sterile cafeteria feel. The food was good (eggs benedict and blueberry pancakes). The cakes were light, fluffy and sweet, The benedict was pretty good too. A bit pricey for what you get- we had two entrees and two coffees- with tip is was $35. I woudln't search it out, but nothing here to complain about.
(3)Kevin B.
Nice quaint little breakfast place. And everything on the menu is delicious. I am a big fan of the spinach artichoke frittata with carmelized onions. But the French toast and pancakes are yummy too. You really can't go wrong. Used to be my favorite restaurant place, but they've gone downhill. Prices are great. I would still recommend for a lazy Sunday brunch.
(4)Dan H.
I ordered the Wisconsin cheddar burger with sauteed mushrooms. It's literally the best burger I've ever eaten. It is big, juicy, the cheese and mushrooms were the perfect mix of Sharp cheddar and salty mellow shrooms. The fries were crispy and excellent. I can't wait to go here again!!!
(5)S G.
make sure you have their chili! it's so damn good!
(5)Greg M.
Nookies I remember the first time we met. It was the day after some hard core booty shaking at Berlin to Madonna. I still had Like A Virgin stuck in my head and that was exactly what I was when you and I first met, a virgin. I walked in still sleepy eyed and you just about instantly woke me up with that first cup of warm in the tummy coffee and your nice smile. I ordered up the french toast piled high with mixed berries. No need for syrup with this little dish. NO MAMA! Oh wait I'm gay, I mean NO DADDY! Every bite was like haven, pure bliss and warmth running down my throat like um something X rated. Nookie honey sweety poo I can't wait till April when we can be reunited once again and you can fill up my tummy with your sweet sweet lovin plate full of naughty food!
(4)James C.
New Fav for Breakfast in Chi! I am a hands down lover of the french toast! You have to try the crunchy french toast. There are corn flakes mixed in with the batter. Trust me its just amazing! There would be 5 stars but a lot of the breakfasts dont come with the full meal and you have to get sides like bacon and tators extra. Bummer.. but in the end its worth it! Close 2nd place for French Toast is "Toast"
(4)David D.
Yummy good stuff. Get there before 9AM on weekends so you don't have to wait!
(4)Chayla B.
Nookies is the best. This is the original (I believe) and it's better than the one in Lincoln Park, I cannot comment on the Lakeview location. Everyone is nice. The omelettes are enormous! So fluffy, so good- I love Amy's omellete. The don't accept AMEX, which sucks when I want to do work stuff there. A great place to bring out of towners. I will say the best brunch in the city. I want Nookies now. I could eat Nookies all day every day. Go to this one, though, the Lincoln Park one isn't as great- not bad, but definitely a trade down from the Wells location.
(5)Liz B.
Awesome breakfast menu served all day long. Out of the 20+ times I have been, I have only ordered something besides an omelet 2 times. The omelets are so good! There is a wait on weekend mornings, but they are efficient with seating and service. The one time I had horribly slow service, they ended up giving us our meal for free.
(5)John M.
This is a diner - but what a diner it is! Everything on the menu is wonderful and you are going to just love it. I personally love to come here for dinner as they have a great menu for the evening meal and the service is always good. The Honshu Salmon is exquisite and delicious. They also serve it grilled with you choice of sides and they have great side dishes to choose from. If you are traveling on business and looking for a place where you can get a great meal and spend an arm and a leg, this is your place. I have been to the other Nookies a lot and have only recently been frequentling this one, but they are all outstanding and this one shines.
(5)lindsay a.
French Toast I adore you!! Went to Nookies in Old Town in Chicago this past weekend and had quite possibly (or very close to it) the best french toast of my life!
(3)Jonathan C.
I had the opportunity to eat here at about 9am on a sunday morning. It wasn't busy at all, but on my way out there was a small line. The place is nice inside, with nice outdoor seating. Portion size is pretty good (I couldn't finish) and prices resonable. Service was good for me and the Corned Beef Hash i had was amazing 5 star stuff. Granted, the 5 star rating overall was for one plate of hash, so this may decrease in the future. My hash browns were actually crispy (the way I like it)! Its a very nice place and its not hard to see why it has a large following.
(5)Kate B.
I love breakfast. Its my favorite meal, and its even better when I have it for dinner. That being said, I live right around the corner from Nookies and when I need that homemade breakfast fix and have no desire to make it for myself I eat here. In the summer they have the best frittata ever to cross my palate, its made with fresh vegetables, feta, and I like it with egg whites as its a little fluffier. I have brought many a guest from out of town here, and every time they return, we always end up at Nookies! Plus every time I eat here with my dad he reminisces how he used to eat here in the seventies, and memory lane + a good breakfast is always a good time.
(4)Kristine M.
Went late morning yesterday, and there was a wait of course, but worth it. I had the "sweet" fall special and was in absolute heaven. Pumpkin pancakes/French toast with pears/and some other kind of hotcakes. YUM. My friends who drank coffee and orange juice loved their beverages. I wish I lived closer!
(5)Nathan W.
I AM A MONSTER. Men were not meant to eat brunch so often! I must be stopped before I stumble into a mimosa driven state of babbling about croquet and organizing charity event's for those smelly less fortunate people. I called the host/cashier guy sir, and he corrected me that sir is his father. If it weren't for this man keeping it real, I may never have been able to talk without sounding gentÃle again.
(3)Nick S.
Nookies is a local favorite. One of my cousins turned me onto this place. They had a some interesting breakfast entrees. The wait can get pretty bad.
(4)Kelli B.
Aaahh...the forgotten BYOB a block from my condo. Always clean, always pleasant service, always a line on Saturday and Sunday morning. The have great crunchy French toast and I love their cottage fries. No corkage fee is a plus. I always find myself getting the honey mustard grilled chicken. The bf had a stir fry dinner that was on special about a month ago and he said it was excellent (and we eat a lot of Asian food!) There's a cute little patio for summer alfresco dining. Bring a six-pack and enjoy a good burger, it's cheap!
(4)Jenny M.
Love, love, LOVE Nookies! Aside from the cute name, they have some of the best breakfast food around. Since I've been in San Francisco, my husband & I have been craving Nookies. I love their seasonal breakfast items & usually get the seasonal carb trio (typically an assortment of pancakes & french toast). The orange juice is also quite tasty. My husband loves the omelettes & the hash browns. Portions are gigantic, so you probably won't need another meal for the rest of the day. The service is hit or miss. The last couple of times it's taken a while for a server to acknowledge us, but the food is so good that we usually overlook that factor. Weekends are a mob scene, so unless you are willing to get there pretty early (before 10:15), be prepared to wait. My husband & I usually bring a football & throw it around in the courtyard next door just to kill time.
(5)Julia L.
What's with the hype? It was good, solid food. Not badly priced. But the 30 minute wait and hype are a little baffling to me. It's like a less greasy IHOP. On the plus side, when I asked for my bacon extra crispy, it was totally extra crispy, and our server was hottt.
(3)Ang R.
Same as Nookies Too, only the interior is way larger, and less inviting. I thought, anyway. I had corned beef hash, which was delish. Good toast, good eggs. The hash browns are always a little undercooked though, which sucks. If you're a hash brown person, you may want to try elsewhere, though it is impossible to find perfect hashbrowns anymore. Also, go early. The later you go, the less chance you'll be inside the building while you wait.
(4)Katie R.
Food is pretty much the same as Nookies Too. The pancakes are amazing. Eggs are always good. And, one of the most important items the bacon, was crispy! I hate limp bacon. Interior is kind of blah. Can get really crowded. And the hash browns aren't all that interesting.
(4)Misse D.
After all the hype from friends that love this place, I had higher expectations. I went for lunch. My sandwich was good, but nothing worthy to write about. One perk was that we occupied a table for over two hours without a complaint or an attempt to boot us.
(3)Wo w.
I am always surprised at how long the line is at this place each weekend. The food is nothing but ordinary brunch food and the scene is pretty blah. Chicago has much better brunch options, but I guess only a few in this neighborhood.
(2)Stephy W.
Nookies was quite possibly one of the best breakfasts I ever had. Considering I have only been there once I will go back again (and again and again) and revise this review most likely. I ordered a Smokehouse fritatta which was large, wonderful and exceeded my expectations. The fresh squeezed orange juice, while pricey at $2.75 for a large glass seemed pricey for me, but worth it. I prefer my orange juice to be cold as well, but since this was fresh, it was room temp. Maybe they could refrigerate/freeze their oranges? The bacon there is tasty and thick cut, but crisp enough and has texture. Being a bacon fiend, I can only say that this was probably some of the better/best bacon I have had. The only problems encountered was that the restaurant was rather crowded and understaffed, thus slow and that we discovered a very small fruit fly in one of our glasses of water. This was taken care of quickly and professionally. All in all, good value despite the wait and lots of food for a good price.
(4)Kim A.
this is my favorite place breakfast!!
(5)Kiyana B.
This place is GREAT!! My boyfriend got the "sampler" breakfast platter that had MANGO COCONUT pancakes, peach almond pancakes and berry french toast....I had a great veggie omelte with the best breakfast potatoes. This place serves breakfast all day, not sure how the rest of the menu is but their breakfast choices are delious. I would highly recommened the food here! It looks & feels like a regular corner diner but it's oh so much more once you start eating thier food. (prices are decent, you get a LOT of food)
(5)R C.
Nookie's is a hella good diner that is perfect after a late night at the bars or clubs in Boystown. It's open 24 hours on Friday and Saturdays. I'll echo some of the sentiments of the other reviewers and say the service is a bit subpar, especially the host(ess). Nookie's is still a diner my friends and I would frequent for a late night fix! You can't go wrong with a $4 breakfast platter (hash browns, egg and toast) at 2 AM :)
(4)Christian P.
hungry? tired? cold? hungry? no matter what the wait, go to nookies and you'll be cured This isn't a breakfast place to go for super fancy, overly conceptualized food. It's just the normal staples of breakfast, but prepared superbly with tasty ingredients. The omelettes are huge, but perfectly cooked (the egg white versions could not be fluffier and still tasty!!). atmosphere is totally laid back and easy going...show up ready to go for the day, or fresh from your 4am arrival back home after a long night out. even if you have to wait for a table, just do it, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Becky S.
This place is amazing, but be prepared to wait! There is always a line here. People in chicago love their brunch and this is one of the better places! While we waited we walked down the block to treasure island to get some alcohol as it is byob and we made bloody marys at brunch. I got the veggie omelette which was overflowing off the plate - probably enough for 2 - 3 people even! I want to try Nookie II although Im sure there line is just as long!
(5)Elizabeth B.
Even though we live only a few blocks away, it has taken me a few years to finally get to Nookies, and now I'm going to go all the time. The portions are huge, everyone is nice, the service is quick and efficient and the food is really good - exactly what you want in a neighborhood spot. We went for a late Sunday brunch, which was perfect because we apparently missed the crowds, and sat immediately by the front windows. I had a big, fluffy egg white omelet that came with fresh fruit and really good whole wheat toast - and can't wait to go back to try more.
(4)Dov B.
Based upon my previous review, the owner of Nookie's contacted me. I really appreciate that he took the time to do that, although what I really needed was for someone to care at the time of the incident. I hope that my experience can be used as a teaching tool and won't be repeated for other customers. At least I know someone cares, if a little too late.
(2)Elizabeth C.
Nookies almost ties with Tempo for me in regards to best breakfast spot. There are lots of trendy and good breakfast places that have popped up all over the place but Nookies keeps it real. They have consistently stellar fare. Classics well executed time and time again and a friendly low key atmosphere.
(4)S K.
Just got home from Nookies. The food was excellent, everything tasted so fresh. Service was perfect, the employees were friendly,and the price was right! The breakfast includes a side and the individual sides are reasonable. I fed two adults and a child for under 35.00, which is impossible anywhere else because they basically get you with the side dish and drink prices. In fact, I have never spent less than 45 at iHop for the three of us, and you can't even compare the two restaurants quality wise.
(5)Laura H.
My husband and I love this place! They have such good breakfast. The omelettes are the best ones I have ever had. The sweet cream crepes were so good. I'd highly recommend giving this place a shot.
(5)Patrick W.
Things always taste better when you're as hungry as I was when we stopped in for a late, late breakfast en route to a day at the zoo. But this place is legit! I ordered the banana nut pancakes, then regretted not getting a side of bacon. Mmmm. Bacon. So the pancakes arrive, and I actually couldn't... finish... all of.. them (this pains me to admit it). I left food. I haven't done that in years. The fact that I helped my princess with her croque monsieur- equally delicioso- is my saving grace... I could have polished off those pancakes if it wasn't for the old standby of what to tell your high school french teacher you like to eat when you can't think of the word "pamplemousse" or "bifteck". We'll definitely be back, and I will conquer you, you giant stack of banana pecan pancakes you. Really good coffee, so good it bears mentioning.
(4)Andrea R.
Most of my friends seem to be a huge fan of this popular brunch spot so we end up here pretty often for brunch. After spending 3 1/2 years across the street I've spent way too many hungover weekend mornings there and got too know their menu way too well. They recently changed their menu, which was exciting because the farmers skillets are awesome and the perfect way to cure a hangover! :)
(3)Mark L.
I love this place for breakfast. I trek there from my house even when I am hung over. The prices are very reasonable, the food is delicious and the service is fast. Its in a lovely neighborhood - very quiet and clean. They have a full menu, so u can go anytime, but I always find myself here for breakfast. Check it out one day you will return for a second trip.
(5)Jasmine L.
I have been holed up in Champaign, IL because of school and had been craving Walker Bros like mad. I treked down to Lincoln Park this past weekend and was introduced to this amazing place: Nookies too! Completely satisfied my Walker Bros cravings (well...not entirely of the German Pancakes, but who cares!) My sister got the artichoke frittata, I got the Low Down Omelette and cup of chili (with crumbled pieces of real cheddar and fresh diced onions!!!), and we shared the Pumpkin Pecan Flapjacks. HEAVEN! The Low Down wasn't that good, but it had 4 pieces of melted pepperjack cheese on it, so that made up for the slight dryness of the omlette. But...OH MAN! The Artichoke Frittata was sooo good. I normally don't like artichokes, but I could have this one all the time. The flapjacks tasted like gingerbread cookies (me) and pumpkin pie (my sister). Fluffy and not too sweet, they were powdered with sugar and decorated with roasted pecans. The service wasn't too bad - we went on a Saturday morning and only had to wait about 15 minutes. The crowd is HUGE and the place isn't that large - and the waiter was funny and had lots of recommendations. Overall, wasn't that pricey, and had a huge stuffed meal. Highly recommended!!!
(5)Jen S.
Nookie's is my go-to breakfast place, mostly because it's near my place, but also because they make a MEAN MONTE CRISTO. I dream about it. Pancakes are generally the item I use with which to compare breakfast places, and they're okay at Nookie's, but this Monte Cristo is really what saves them from mediocrity. I've never had bad service (it's actually great most of the time), they have outdoor seating (how I long for summer!) and I feel relaxed when I'm there.
(4)Zach C.
First of all I must say that I am biased because I think I might have fallen in love with my waitress. If I factored her beauty into my review they would have well over five stars. Otherwise this still gets a great review. Our service was prompt and the food was great. I got the steak and eggs. It was an actual steak and not some tough piece of meat that a lot of restaurants pass for steak in the morning. It was a little over done but still very tasty. The eggs were perfect and the hash browns were buttery and delicious. Even the rye toast I ordered was good and the butter packets that came with it were pre-melted so I didn't have to worry about tearing up the toast. Very relaxing environment, no wait, and prompt service. Can't go wrong.
(4)Cameron C.
Great breakfast/brunch place. Staff is very friendly. Great Frittatas! A weekly must for me.
(4)Jamie P.
Sunday brunch is one of the things I love about living in Chicago...and there are so many places to choose from! Nookies is one of the best. There is always a wait during prime brunching hours, but it's worth it. The food is fantastic, the portions are huge, the service is fast, and the prices are definitely reasonable. My go-to entree is the Amy's omelet...smoked gouda...yum!!
(5)Ji K.
I've been meaning to come here for years now (sad that it took me this long, I know) and I finally got to check it out this weekend with two girlfriends who thankfully share my love for breakfast. We each ordered a salty entree (I had the chilaquiles which were delicious) and then we decided to share the specialty dessert trio (of which the French toast Napolean with strawberries was to die for). Service was great, the wait wasn't bad (considering it was a cold, snowy spring day), the food and coffee were so good, and the bill didn't hurt us either (they only take cash, but a 20-dollar bill apiece more than covered it). All in all, I like this place a lot. I shall return.
(4)Tom T.
Love this place, in my hood. Great bar to sit at if you're solo, super nice waitstaff that have been there a while, and great food, decent prices, and good selection of meals. I was there last night and noticed I really liked the music too, hadn't noticed that before.
(5)Scott M.
Good gawd this place is crowded on the weekends. Expect to wait 45-60 minutes for brunch on Sat/Sun. Grab a seat at the U-shaped bar where it's first come, first serve if you're eating without an entourage. The food is okay. The portions are large. The staff is cute and mostly attentive.
(3)Kristen D.
This is my favorite breakfast/brunch place. Their omelets are great, as are the frittatas. Some of the sandwichs are really rich (my boyfriend couldn't even come close to finishing his monte carlo, and trust me, he tried). The place is cash only, and also has a handful of tables outside. Make sure to grab some candies by the door on the way out...they're great! This place is very popular, so be prepared to wait for a little while if it's before 1pm on the weekends.
(4)Linda L.
this is a pretty casual little brunch spot with incredibly delicious food. i had the smokehouse frittata and my bf had the crispy french toast. both dishes were probably the best breakfast dishes i've ever had. the smokehouse frittata comes with caramalzed onions, eggs...and i cant remember what else cuz i went there a while ago. i think i said "mmmmmmm" and did a little happy wiggle in my chair after every bite. needles to say i left feeling extremely full and satisfied. will definitely be back for more!
(4)Kelly W.
I've been to this restaurant a few times and haven't really been wow-ed. I had high expectations because there is always a crowd. The food is good but not great. The wait staff doesn't seem all that friendly, especially for a neighborhood place. And I feel it is quite old fashioned that they don't accept credit cards. I think 3 stars is an adequate review.
(3)Emily C.
Great Brunch spot. Quick service, very friendly servers and great coffee. Perfect place especially if you're in a hurry like we were. Huge portions for a great price, when you're just wanting to get stuffed, drink coffee and have one-of-those Saturdays. Had an amazing egg white veggie omelet: loaded with numerous vegetables and cooked to perfection. Friend had north of the border omelet which she loved and could in no way finish so you may want to share. Great location with street parking. Perfect for a few friends or a large group.
(5)cara r.
Perfect breakfast food and well worth the wait. The asparagus and blue cheese omelet is so rich and creamy and good, and the orange juice is great. I haven't tried the crepes yet, but after Maggie's review, I'm going to have to get them next time I'm at Nookie's. Which will hopefully be this weekend!
(5)Katrina S.
This is a great place for breakfast. My boyfriend and I go here just about once a week. You gotta try their seasonal specials--they always do a trio where it's a little bit of all three! Yummy!
(5)KM I.
Ugh.....why is this place so popular....I was not impressed with the surroundings, service, my salad, OR even my company. Haha will not willingly be back
(2)Amy M.
If you can get your stroller through the door without running over people's toes, than this is a pretty good breakfast/lunch spot to bring baby. There is usually a spot to park your stroller next to the table and they have highchairs. Just stay away from this place during the prime breakfast hangover time on Saturday and Sundays (which should be alirght because this usually coincides with nap time). Favs: Their seasonal specials are usually really good. Good diner coffee. Overall, good diner food. 3.5 Strollers**** (1-5 stroller rating system based on how baby friendly establishment is)
(3)Amanda L.
Wow, I forgot about Nookies, Great little place with good prices, Service and the place is clean inside, Great place to people watch as well.
(4)Justin K.
Great place for feel good food on the weekends! Be ready to wait for a table but its worth the wait! I always get breakfast and they have some amazing things on the menu. Check it out...well worth the wait and the price is within reason!
(5)Laura W.
I live in the hood and within walking distance of Nookies. This place is not only great for brunch, but we were sort of lame last Friday night and went there for dinner. It was cold and rainy and we just wanted to sit somewhere quiet, catch up on the week, and have as close to as a home cooked meal as possible....this hit the spot! The open face hot turkey sandwich was really good. The BF had the burger and that was decent as well. I have heard that they have superb grilled cheese sandwiches. They have a lot on the menu (as well as for breakfast) and the staff is really nice.
(4)maggie c.
Superb! Delicious! Incredible! I cant find enough adjectives to describe my love ( or obsession) with Nookie's. I have been on the prowl for the perfect crepe, and let me tell you it is not an easy task. But then, I remembered ( or a flashback ) that Nookie's just doesn't serve the drunk, but also the sober. I cannot tell you what a beautiful crepe I experienced. I am not one to eat leftovers, in fact I despise them. However, I could not leave my unfinished crepes to be tossed in the garbage. The prices are a little high, but you will realize that every dime you spend is going towards a fresh ingredient. The service is fast and for the most part friendly, but can be a little cranky sometimes. Who can blame them though? I can't tell you how many people come here to just sober up, and if you do...please be nice. I don't want anyone ruining the karma around my fantastic crepe.
(5)Esme W.
When you're hungover on a Sunday and don't want to think about putting clothes on let alone where to eat, Nookies should always come to mind. It's a fail-proof standby brunch spot. Try it. You'll feel much better.
(4)rachel c.
Nookies is just blah... basic greasy breakfast food, and jack-of-all-trades lunch and dinner menu. Each time I've been there I've experienced a range of emotions from unimpressed to disappointed. It's about 50 steps from my house, so I've been there about 5 times, which is ample opportunity to have a redeeming experience. My boyfriend and I finally decided that we were not giving it another chance.
(2)Rose K.
Excellent breakfast hangout, services is fantastic, everyone there is attentive and pleasant to ensure that your experience is great. Sometimes you have short wait for a table, but it is well worth it. I love the omlettes, pancakes, salads, etc. I like breakfast at Nookies more than Lou Mitchells and that saying alot!
(5)michele l.
A reliable brunch spot - omelets, french toast, skillets served all day... The seasonal sweet trio available on weekends is worth trying. The breakfast food is superior to the lunch and dinner menus. As with most popular brunch spots, be prepared to wait at least 20 minutes during weekend brunch hours. The relaxed atmosphere and basic-brunch-comfort-food menu is a nice alternative to some of the trendy, dessert-disguised-as-breakfast spots.
(3)M J.
Good quality, homey environment, GREAT pancakes with fresh fruit... Really what more do you want from a diner? But honestly, Nookies is great because you get your pancake/burger/whatever fix without as much grease OR grief. Definitely one to add to your rotation. But bring cash...credit cards are not accepted!
(4)Helen N.
I love this place. The food is good, staff are friendly and the menu is varied. Although I can never finish the pancakes, I always leave feeling well fed!
(5)Mexicutioner s.
Nookies has been mexipardoned for an overall excellent job. I strolled over to nookies after going to the farmers market on a Saturday around 11, the wait was only five minutes And I was able to squeeze in a mexicution in the meantime. We were seated and right away got some fresh squeezed orange juice, a little pricey but well worth it. We followed the advice of other yelp reviewers(thanks a bunch I will remember if you are ever on the chopping block) and ordered off their specials menu. The trio (which is a smaller portion of their 3 sweet breakfast items) was awesome. hotcakes with mango and coconut, stuffed french toast brioche with mascarpone and a mound of fresh berries, and pancakes with apples, almonds, and spiced butter. at 12 bucks they were all full of flavor, creative, and made with obviously fresh and quality ingredients. The portion was a good size and I did not finish and had to leave with a doggy bag. My partner ordered a vegetable fritata with hashbrowns which was also solid. Eggs were fluffy, veggies were yummy, and hash was solid. Also a very large size. I wish I could have had a bloody mary or a mimosa with my breakfast but they are BYOB. Excellent job nookies, I will be back
(5)Eddie O.
I can always count on Nookies for a decent brunch, although I think the rest of Chicago can as well based on the line this morning. We were seated after a half hour wait...I guess it's not too bad since we were waiting for a table to fit 7 people. I had the vegetable frittata (a summer special)- it was really good and a very nice sized portion as well. The skillets are good as well and the seasonal specials are always great.
(4)Abby L.
Breakfast, lunch or dinner- Nookies has a ton of options for any meal. I like going here at off times, like at 2 pm or some random time like that because it isn't too crowded then and your food will come out faster. I always get breakfast when I come here though, and have tried their omlettes, pancakes, french toast, and breakfast skillets. Favorites include the spinach and tomato omlette, the banana nut pancakes and for lunch, even though I've only ordered it once, the BLT. YUM.
(4)Mindy S.
I used to not be the hugest fan of Nookies because I just thought everything on the menu was pretty average. It's still good here, just nothing overly excited me. Then one day my friend introduced me to the smokehouse frittata. I love it! It's so good, you have to try it!
(4)Aubrey K.
This place is a always reliable for a solid brunch. I live for their omelettes and fritattas here. Also, they change their menu and tend to offer some great egg specialties. Be prepared to wait if you want to grab breakfast on the weekends, but I promise you it is worth it!
(4)Sue N.
A must! Nookies is the place for anyone who wants great service, great food, and a great atmosphere. It's the best place in the city for casual dining. The place is alive with people who gather there to catch up and have an outstanding meal, but it is also a great place for a quiet meeting with great food. Nookies' service is top notch, and you never have to wonder where your waitress/waiter is. Bob, the manager, is the best. He multitasks seamlessly and makes sure everyone is comfortable and taken care of. It's the best spot, not to be missed!
(5)Grace K.
I had the pumpkin and walnut pancakes and this crazy omelette that had collard greens in it or something, I forget! All I know was that it was DELISH! Every weird thing I ordered, I loved. It's in a cute neighborhood, the restaurant itself it very cozy and no frills, and they have a little semi-circle bar that I want to eat at one day. Just 'cause. I have to say, though. that I went on a Tuesday at 10ish so I didn't have to deal with a wait, which always makes any dining experience so much better from the outset.
(5)Sarah S.
This place looks very cute from the outside, but looks can be deceiving. When we walked inside, the front area looked nice also but the waiter took us to the very back of the restaurant. It looked very run down in the back seating area. I opened my menu to find a bug smashed in between the pages. I immediately was grossed out but really hungry so I ordered food anyway. I asked for fruit with my meal and after eating one grape, I realized that there was mold on the other grapes. I could not finish my meal after that. When I told the waiter, he apologized and said that they would pay for my coffee. Woohoo I am on the verge of puking and they will pick up my $1 coffee. I was not impressed by this place at all and I will not be returning.
(1)Nicole L.
You'll usually find a bit of a wait on a weekend morning, but trust me, it's well worth it. The scene is not too overwhelming (bring gear for going incognito should there be someone you are trying to avoid - chances are, they are here!) and the service is fast and friendly. I love the variety on the menu and while I keep saying I'm going to try one of the many other options to dine on, I keep going back to my favorite - the flavorful Smokehouse frittata - an omelet type dish with the works. Keep in mind that they won't seat you until your whole party is present, so make sure your friends are on time for this one - I've tried to get away with having strangers say they are part of my party but the manager totally knows my ploy!
(5)Chloe M.
Nookies has a fabulous brunch! The best things on the menu remain their specials...they change it up every season and have some really interesting and tasty dishes!
(4)Carly M.
I think Nookies is a great brunch place that never disappoints. It does get crowded but it moves along nicely so you don't have to wait too long like some other places. I recommend the spinach/cheese omlette or the strawberry or banana pancakes. For lunch they have great burgers or BLT's, and their salads are great.
(5)Zoe H.
I live nearby and frequent Nookies. Classic neighborhood diner done with excellence. I highly recommend.
(4)ali a.
Although I think nookies is good, I think I go there more because its convenient. The food is good, not great and the service is pretty decent. If you are looking for a basic brunch place that's pretty good, check it out. I think there are some other brunch places in chicago that are a little more original though.
(3)elizabeth n.
This is one of my favorite brunch spots. The place is very cute and a low key spot to grab a good bite to eat. They have the most amazing banana nut pancakes and the omlettes are delicious! The wait is worth it, and I've never had a bad experience there. They do not take credit cards though so bring cash or your ATM card because you'll need it!
(4)Jason K.
The best breakfast I have ever had. I went there the saturday of St. Patty's so it was crowed. Even with the big group of us we were able to get a table in 15 minutes. The orange juice is fresh made with real oranges behind the counter. Do yourself a favor and get the best breakfast around.
(5)Arjun C.
Nice brunch -- waited less than 15 mins, got fritata and two pancake flights which were delicious but too huge to finish. Moving to the top of my brunch favorites.
(4)Mama L.
This place is breakfast perfection. It is always busy during the weekend but worth the wait. OMG- the eggs and french toast are too die for. The staff is very friendly. The fruit is always excellent! LOVE this place!
(5)Liliana S.
Great choice for breakfast. Great frittatas as well as omelettes..
(4)Design G.
Why only 4 stars? I wish they would break down and let me use my bank card! Otherwise, this is a cute, humble and unpretentious place to duck off wells and have a bit of brunch, lunch or dinner for a very reasonable price. There is always a line on the weekends and rightfully so... nice staff as well. Give 'em your dollars... until you can give them your card ;)
(4)Jennifer S.
a GREATTTTTT brunch place... if i was living in chicago, i'd say, this will have to be a favorite of mine....DEF a local joint... they have the best frittatas. i've had the opportunity to try their seasonal spring frittata, but they have 3 on their regular menu... for $10, i was extremely satsified and extremely full after a great meal... because this is located in lincoln park, the yuppy area, i didn't feel all that ansy but the people inside nookies did. bunch of elder folks in their 50s to late 80s. BUT, don't let that discourage you. my friend is a young fella, in his early 30s. that just shows it's a mix crowd:)
(4)Miinno N.
We lived very close to the restaurant. It is reasonable, but there is nothing to write home about. You must have cash and you have to make sure that you are ready to wait for a long time if you are there for brunch on weekend.
(3)Timothy H.
Came here for brunch with a bunch of friends, many who were out-of-towners. Nookies is A-OK, but too far from where I live to warrant coming back. The food is good, and reasonably priced, but I was irked by being charged $3 extra on my 2x2x2 for blueberry pancakes and chicken sausage. 1) I didn't need the chicken sausage, I improperly assumed that was their sausage option. 2) really, $1.50 to add blueberries to the pancakes? Fine, my fault. I paid my share, I just wasn't expecting it. The place is much larger than it appears from the outside and I think the wait never exceeded a half hour. Their coffee sucks. If someone from Nookies reads this, I don't know what you're doing when you make the coffee but it needs to be stronger. Very much. Stronger. Oh, and the Huevos Rancheros? Underwhelming. Pancakes are ok. Eggs are undercooked. On the other hand, the corn flake crusted french toast, and sweet creme & cheese crepes and very good.
(3)Jeff H.
This is my favorite brunch spot in the city and I have been to a lot. Once you get a table (the wait can be up to 45 minutes on the weekend) your food will be prepared perfectly and served quick. The staff is friendly and makes you feel at home. As an added bonus their coffee is excellent.
(5)Joshua G.
4 1/2 maybe. This place is much bigger than you expect from the outside. Traditional decor, wait staff in all black. They offered my toddler son a cup of crayons and stickers. (He was very pleased.) We weren't even seated when the staff offered coffee (I like this). Our waitress came to check if we needed more drinks. Realized we needed time and offered it. Once we were ready (sat down our menus) she was right over. I asked her opinion on two of the omelets (North of the Border or Southwest somethinorother) She recommended the N o B, due to the fact it had meat and the SW didn't. I could tell she had had neither and wondered what she would have recommended to my wife. I ordered the NOB and my wife a Fritata. The food was delicious and sooooo much food. We actually just sat down this morning and finished the leftovers. Overall a very pleasant experience. Good food. Good environment.
(4)Jennifer J.
I am a devout Nookies fan--a fan of the food, I should say. This is a review of the service. I've been going here enough to feel that I can give an accurate take. I LOOOOOVE Nookies food. I go here a LOT because the food is great and the prices are not bad. It's fresh, dependable, unpretentious. Now, I despise the customer service. I go here a LOT, but the employees treat me as if they've never seen me before; in fact, they even treat me coldly and rudely. This pretty much goes for everyone who works here. Now, there are several "hosts" who work here. The two I see the most, Douchebag #1 and Douchebag #2, are the rudest. Douchebag #1 is the one who seems to be working the most when I show up. He's oldish and very bald. This guy, when he's not talking about his "gym" or some sort of personal training adventure, does the minimum. A begrudging "hi," escort to a table, and exit. Handles the payment at the end, ever so brusquely, and delivers a short "bye" when I leave. In between all of that minimum work, he's sitting down, usually blabbing to someone, likely regulars, about personal training and working out or some crap like that. ALLLLLLL the time. Without fail. Once, when he had to perform work, he delivered an order that was messed up, and he freaked out when I told him so. He very unwillingly took my order back. Douchebag #2 is a tall, hairy one. The kind of guy who played football in high school and wasn't very good; he was just stocky and tall, so people thought he was good. This guy also does the minimum. He's pretty much like Douchebag #1, but he's there less often, so hence, a little less annoying. And there are two other guys that are just neutral, meh. The waiters: the girl with the dark hair, always in a disheveled pony tail on the side, scares me a bit. She gets the job done, but she's incredibly bitchy. I'm always happy when I don't have her because she makes me nervous. The tall girl who has a high pitched voice is nice-ish but fake. Sometimes messes up the order and will often forget about you as she chats it up with Douchebag #1 and occasionally, Douchebag #2. The blonde guy also sometimes messes up an order, and forgets about you often. He's eh when it comes to niceness. None of them actually acknowledge me--they just take my order and give the food (sometimes incorrectly) with a barely passable decent demeanor. It makes me uncomfortable to even come to this place, especially when it's not jam-packed because it's even more obvious that they could give a crap about this regular. I think I may stop coming here, though I love the food so, and start going strictly to Nookies Tree on Halsted--the waiter, Deda, is MUCH warmer and friendlier, even bubbly. The other waiters...eh. Nookies, I suppose, in general, could use an overhaul when it comes to their waitstaff and "hosts." The food is sooo good and affordable, but the customer service just blows it for them--2 stars.
(2)Serena S.
Love it! I get so excited anytime a family member comes to visit from my hometown so that way I have an excuse to go here for breakfast. So much food for your money, I have yet to clear a plate. Yummy seasonal fruit and veggies. My favorite breakfast place.
(5)Unity O.
Ah Nookie, Nookie, Nookie! Talk about being leaving a place satisfied--ah!!!! The eggy goodness covered in the sinfully creamy cheese, the tart artichoke adding a ting of sass--ahhhhh!!! Someone hand me a cigarette--oh wait! I don't smoke--drat!! For some reason I have been on a brunch kick lately--must find good brunch food at affordable prices or will die--this is my mission. Once I find a brunch spot the inevitable inner argument occurs & it can be killer sometimes: SWEET OR SAVORY?!?!?!?! my sweet side & my savory side really duke it out--you should hear it & the language--good lordy, lordy. I am utterly ashamed of myself for having worked near enough to the place for the past 12 years & NEVER having been--someone slap me! Upon entry, I was pleased to discover how humongous the place is. You would never guess the size of the dinning room from the outside--I am guessing this comes in handy on the weekends as I imagine it gets packed. My friend & I were seated right away and promptly served coffee--already this place was winning in my book. Our server was quick in assisting us with the menu & ready to give suggestions (personally I love that). He was very attentive to our needs and made the experience ever so enjoyable. He even displayed a ton of patience as the war of savory vs sweet waged on in my head (this little spats can take a bit of time). Savory won out on this trip & I ordered the artichoke frittata. It was delicious and the portion was MASSIVE. My friend ordered the Amy omelet with fruit cup and of course we shared (why go out with people if you are not going to sample each others plates?!?!?!?!). Both dishes were delicious--a word to the wise if you do not like lots of cheese be sure to tell them go to lite on that stuff. My only negative is the coffee--while I thought was Okay--I have had better. Trust me though, that won't keep me from coming back. The sweet side of my brain must have its day! So the run down is this: Place--spacious & comfortable. Staff--friendly & super attentative Food--comes out hot & quick and is utterly DELICIOUS! If in the hood--check them out or heck make a special trip.
(4)Carl D. S.
When it comes to neighborhood brunch spots, Nookies is high on the list. Delicious food at the right prices, with a staff that is friendly and takes care of it's customers. There's a reason for the line on most weekend mornings. Either for 2 or for 8, Nookies can accommodate. Stupid rhyme. The inside, although a little hotel decor, is what it is. There's a counter to hold around 12, but the place goes far back filled with tables. It's just what a place like this should be, ready to rearrange at any moment depending on the groups coming in. They do a great job at getting people in and out, as the line outside can keep you waiting around 30 minutes. You'll notice, most people wait and done give up. The food is well, well done and at a price that is decent. Pick any breakfast and you'll be pleased. From the standard pancakes to their giant omelets, Nookie will surprise you with ingredient combinations galore (try the one with apples in it). The specials change often and contain items truly deserving of being listed "special". The same goes for lunch and dinner, anywhere from a Turkey club to a full on fish dinner can be ordered. Go for the burgers, as the combinations are incredible. The Amsterdam...gouda, garlic, mushrooms...on a burger?? Yes please! Plus, the side is their homemade potato chips, which should be ordered extra crispy. Another highlight is that Nookies is BYOB, so get your Mimosas flowing or your cooler of beer close at hand. If you're looking for a quick bite, or for a friendly brunch, at a neighborhood establishment, Nookies will cover your needs. Hold out through the wait, as it'll be well worth the hospitality and good eats.
(5)Damian C.
Every time my friends want to go to Nookies I throw some kind of protest. Not cause I am a brat, but because I don't really see the hype in this restaurant. I am not a breakfast person, so maybe I am missing out on something amazing, but a good restaurant has to make sure quality covers all bases. The first time I went was the mid-morning after a shackfest. I was told it was a "cute little restaurant" and immediately pictured a small quiet place to eat and have conversation. Instead, I found myself walking into a cram-packed little room with tables that were so close I could practically taste test their meals (though they were eating breakfast food so I wouldn't have anyway). My BBQ chicken sandwich was ok. Just ok. A little sloppy with sauce, but nothing worth noting. I was disappointed again when the check came and the waitress said "Oh sorry, we only accept cash." ARGH! I would say 3 stars for that. But LUCKY for me 4 of my friends wanted to go another night. I put up my protest, but could not get out of it. Heck, why not give it a second chance and see if it would be better on a random weeknight. I was in a sour mood, so I was pretty critical of everything. While there were less people in the restaurant, they only had one server working. I had a major chili craving, so I ordered the chili bowl. Other minor things happened to throw off the whole meal, and worst of all for me, my chili was pretty cold. Another disappointing experience. Maybe the third time is the charm? Who knows. I'll likely put up a fight before that happens though. Sorry, Nookies. edit: 3/18/07
(3)Bob F.
Excellent food for breakfast. Can't comment on lunch or dinner. Depending on when you go, there might be a wait. I will go here anytime i'm in the city for breakfast. (or breakfast for lunch!)
(5)Jacquelyn C.
Oh Nookies, How do I love thee, let me count the ways.... #1. Your outdoor seating on a glorious summer morning. #2. The fact that you have those buzzer things like Buffalo Wild Wings (for food) when our table is ready. #3. Your omlets. #4. the tiny chunks of fruit cooked into my panckes. (I never thought I would be the kinda gal to enjoy chunky anything, wow, was I wrong) #5. The fresh squeezed O.J. (and the 7 refills I usually get). #6. The huge meals at super uber skaduber cheap prices that allow me to share with a friend or take some home for later. #7. Your baller staff. I could go on and on. I love you nookies! See you next week!
(5)Pamela D.
This place is GREAT for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!! On the weekends it is crowed but worth the wait!! I went there for lunch today and had a veggie burger topped with THICK blue cheese and slices of apples, and homemade potato chips!!! The have great coffee and fresh juice!! Under $10 for breakfast and over for lunch and dinner!! BYOB
(4)Airetta B.
I will be telling my age but at my age who cares - Nookies was 'THE' place to go in the '70's for breakfast after a Saturday evening 'good' date. Nookies is still good for breakfast - now with my husband as the 'good' date!
(4)Sam R.
I've come here twice before, both times I got tuna and both times I was sadly let down. My boyfriend got the burger and thought it was absolute paradise though. The cream of spinach gets 5 stars from me though YUM!
(4)Roman M.
I wanted to give this place more stars because it's my local spot now, but it's just gonna get 3 from this guy. The service and overall attitude of the place is great - no frills and nice people. The food is very average though...but I guess I shouldn't expect much more from a diner-style place. Nothing was bad but nothing was great. If you're looking for a solid brunch spot this works. I haven't been here for lunch or dinner though, so take it with a grain of salt.
(3)Stacey A.
A series of brunchy haikus: Devine brunch trio: Two kinds of pancakes, french toast I might drool too much... Cinnamon pear toast from France was the clear winner I ate every bite And wished for seconds - it was so fucking tasty. Must make this at home. Pumpkin pancakes, next. Not as good as the french toast but solid flavors. Reminded me of pumpkin spice from starbs only much better. Third plate was too much - cherry-apricot pancakes. Okay - but not great. Everything on the menu sounded like sex in my mouth. For real, yo. Too bad I got lost trying to find the place and walked down Sedgewick. Oops? Please remember this: Nookies is on Wells - order their French Toast items.
(4)Jeri J.
I couldn't ask for a better neighborhood, family restaurant in the middle of the city! I have eaten here for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and take out. Everything I've had at Nookies is really good. The eggs benedict is a tad lemony, but thats how I like it! The turkey burgers are my favorite non-breakfast item. My boyfriend and I even brought Champagne and made our own Mimosas to have with our breakfast...best idea EVER!!! The only downside is that it gets really crowded on Saturday and Sunday mornings so I suggest trying on a weekday or saving time to wait (it's worth it!)
(5)Trevor M.
I live right down the block from nooks and as i am usually a fan of coney island style dinners I thought I would love having this in my backyard. I have eaten here a few times each trying something different in hopes of finding something good to eat. My first experience was with their skillets that were really nothing to talk about. Just a bunch of stuff thrown into a pile for you to eat. The next and sad to say last time I went there I took my girlfriend with me. It was pretty busy but I had 2 eggs toast and sausage and my girlfriend did the eggs benedict. My food was alright, definitely nothing I wouldn't be able to make for half the price. My girlfriend however is why we probably will never go back. It was obvious from the first look as the waiter was bringing it from across the room that they hollandaise sauce was straight out of a can. Had a terrible off yellow color that looked more like bile then hollandaise. When we asked our waiter if this is made fresh he kind of rolled his eyes and laughed. That just leads me to believe everything here is either frozen, canned or just plan cheap. I prefer simple things like hollandaise and mashed potatoes to be made fresh and not instant. When we notified the manager that we were unpleased that they couldn't take the extra 5-10 mins to make it right, his answer was something along the lines as you can't win them all.
(2)Tim Y.
Good diner food served fast. I had the BBQ beef (can you tell from my previous review I had a taste for it?) and enjoyed it a lot. Lots of beef on a potato like bun, cooked in a sweet BBQ sauce that wasn't too sweet, not too spicy, but just right. For a side I chose cole slaw that didn't disappoint but compared to the portions of other sides I saw, it was a bit skimpy and I could've gone for more. Avoid the tap water. It's nice that they keep a full carafe at each table, but it tastes really nasty.
(3)Tim S.
I've been to both Nookies and Nookies Too and nothing beats the original. Nookies on Wells is more spacious and the food was a touch better. I ordered two eggs over easy, hash browns, bacon and an english muffin. It was superb. My fiancé ordered the French toast, which was amazing as well. And for some odd reason, the coffee was extra delicious on this particular Sunday morning. Next time we will remember to bring our own champagne for mimosas. That was a small let down.
(5)Kyle R.
With a name like Nookies, I expected a much more hole-in-the-wall place than it was. Felt a lot like First Watch, for anyone who has lived in Northeast Kansas/Kansas City. But that's not a bad thing. Walking up Wells to Nookies on December 21 at about 9:30 AM, I may have been colder than I've ever been in my life, and I grew up in WI. Below zero temps with a 40 mph wind is unbelievably cold. But anyway, it was worth it. The menu's got all the requisite breakfast fare and I ended up having a Mexican-breakfast casserole thing; it was delicious. I'd go back if I lived in Chicago...
(4)Hard L.
The food is better than average, quick, inexpensive and comes in large portions. What really makes this place one of my favorites is the unique diner atmosphere and great staff.
(5)Robyn T.
You think Nookies. You think eggs. Breakfast. Weekend crowds. Do you think...dinner? Chances are probably not, but this diner-esque haunt has some solid sandwiches, wraps, salads and entree items. Surprised? I sure was. First off they have a rockin good strawberry milkshake with huge chunks of berries. Yum. Second most of their entrees include a bowl of soup (last night option included lentil or cheddar broccoli) and some really good fries (potato slices) and a pickle accompany the massive sandwiches. I loved my grilled chicken with avocado sandwich (it was so big I didn't even eat half the bun) and my friend liked her tremendous wrap so much she took the other half home. If you're looking for an affordable, family friendly dining option for any meal check out Nookies. Bonus? Outdoor dining and friendly service!
(3)Vanessa G.
Had the scrambled eggs with hash browns, and toast- simple breakfast but it was delicious! The staff was very friendly and efficient. Even though it was super busy, I never had to wave our waitress down like a crazy person, or wait for a re-fill on my coffee... Come to think of it, the guy that re-filled my coffee was like a coffee ninja, he came out of nowhere with a re-fill :) The location is great, but keep in mind that you'll probably have to wait for a table on the weekends. I'll definitely go back to Nookies, especially on a warm day when I can sit outside.
(4)Natalie M.
I honestly dont have much to say about Nookies(can you imagine- ME not having a lot to say??) Food- good, not great, but hearty and filling. I am especially fond of their omeletes which are LIGHT and FLUFFY. The other reviewers are correct- they do NOT skimp on the cheese. The hashbrowns are just OKAY, the fruit in their fruit cup is fresh and filling(not any of that nasty gross fruit-cup type thing you probably got in grade school). Service was attentive without being intrusive. Solid four stars for Nookies............... I just wish the place was a tad PRETTIER inside but OH WELL!
(4)Troy B.
Today was the first day visiting! The food was absolutely divine. The service was also top notch! Will be back!
(5)K. A.
Favorite! Favorite! Favorite breakfast place in Chicago!! I could honestly go to Nookies every weekend!! Their brunch is so good, I've never had something I didn't like and the staff is always friendly!! There are healthy brunch options as well as those more unhealthy options for those with a sweet tooth, so this place covers all the bases. I just keep going back! And still LOVE it!
(5)Jennifer B.
Get. Here. Early. Thank goodness we arrived by 9:15am on Saturday morning....when we left there was an hour wait! And for good reason, this place serves really delicious food! The food....every fruit-type pancake you can think of, and killer omelettes. Killer! (in a good way). The orange juice is freshly squeezed and really, I can't think of many better breakfast spots in the city. The only downside is the "decor"...if you will. It is basically a really bare space that has some tables and chairs and then filled with people. Not exactly quaint. But hey! With fresh fruit and whipped cream on top of your waffle, who can complain?
(4)Christine F.
Good, solid breakfast food. It's the real deal. Benedicts. Waffles. Pancakers. The ambience is eh and the food won't completely wow you, but it's solid. I had a California Benedict without bacon (english muffin, avocado, poached eggs and tomato with a hollandaise sauce). Not bad at all. Can't go wrong with avocados. If I am in the neighborhood for breakfast I would definitely go back.
(3)Alex R.
Nookies is a great place to bring your out-of-town friends and relatives. Ok, it's not Toast by any stretch of the imagination, but it's certainly worth visiting regularly. The food was mostly great, especially if you get their skillets -- the hash browns are amazing! They have freshly-squeezed OJ, so get that, too -- but stay away from the AWFUL coffee (no amount of creamer or sugar could masquerade the taste). I'll definitely be coming back again.
(4)Kevin D.
The best of the Nookies for sure, but the food is still very mediocre diner food...
(2)Cheyne N.
Solid breakfast spot. Place was slammed. Very good-looking & attentive staff. Food was banging and my bill was $20 for 2 people. Rad. First time in town and pretty damn impressed. Just please have some Tapatio or Cholula to go with my Chilaquiles next time please. Thanks
(4)A R.
I went here early Sunday morning with a large group. There were 8 of us and it was about 8:00 in the AM. As there were other groups ahead of us (big events going on nearby, so large crowds), they said we had to wait until our complete party was here. So we awkwardly stood around, unintentionally hovering over the tables nearby as there was no real area to wait. It definitely was an older crowd at that time. Everyone was in their 50's or 60's it seemed, reading their morning paper and sipping their morning coffee. The atmosphere kind of reminded me of your typical suburban American restaurant--nothing impressive with regards to the decor. I was skeptical about the rave reviews my friends gave this place. Finally, everyone arrives and they seat us. I start with an orange juice, which happened to be freshly squeezed. Delicious. Then I order the cheese stuffed crepes, with one cinnamon/apple one and a side of bacon. Pure dessert. The cheese crepes were very tasty and super sweet. I definitely enjoyed them but maybe too sweet for the morning. The bacon was perfect too--having a slight maple flavor to them. I tasted my friends eggs and they were cooked to perfection. I wish I had the chance to try more food, so I could rate them more thoroughly, but I have to say, if you want an all-American breakfast, moderately priced, this is the place to go. I'm not sure if I would come here again, though.
(3)Sylvia I.
Came here for brunch with a party of 4, and the wait wasn't too bad. We were all starving, so the prompt service with coffee as we sat down was great. Really good coffee too. Would be great if they could just leave a pitcher of coffee at a table....we were going through coffee pretty quickly. We all wanted something sweet and salty...so each couple ordered a 1-2 main dishes + pancakes to share! I ordered the chocolate chip pancakes and then shared a denver omlette with my husband...who got their pancake special that was super sweet. I wasn't a huge fan of the denver omlette....maybe because the eggs weren't too fluffy? Or maybe because I'm spoiled and my husband can make really good omlettes?? Would recommend coming here, especially if the wait here is shorter than Toast. We couldn't get into Toast, so walked over to here and got served within 20 minutes.
(4)Jorge M.
I go here for lunch 2 to 4 times a month. The food comes out fast and the service is minimal, but they are very helpful. I've never been during their busy time so I don't know if thinks take a long time. Portions are huge and prices are cheap for the area. Their patio is small but nice. Great place to get full before walking around the zoo or the park.
(4)Becca S.
I've lived 2 blocks from Nookie's for 9 years and have been many times. It started to lose its luster for me a couple of years ago for a few reasons. One was that they only take cash (that has since changed), secondly any time you'd want to go there's a minimum of a one hour wait, and thirdly there are so many brunch places that Nookie's really isn't up to par. I went recently for what I think will be my last time. I'm not a fan of any of their NON breakfast foods. I have had a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches, and nothing begged for a second chance. Their breakfast is good but again, nothing spectacular. The omelettes are always a little dry and the potatoes are bland. And why can you only get sweet potato fries in the after noon? The last time I went my waiter seemed to be in a training program for Ed Dbevics. He was rude but clearly in an attempt to be funny...he just failed. It's a bummer it's so close to my house but I can't see myself ever going back.
(3)Dan R.
This place is awesome. never had bad food. and its BYOB breakfast place which is very helpful on a sat. or sunday morning. expect about an hour wait on sundays i like to bring some champagne and make mimosas with their fresh squeezed OJ. BAM!!
(5)Gfiddy F.
Excellent brunch.
(5)Beth P.
Also, if you've ever found yourself in need of a gallon of ranch dressing stat- nookies is your place. PS- "Frisco sandwich": If you're not dieting, put it in your mouth now.
(4)Laura K.
I love Nookies! I've been coming here every month for my book club for nearly two years. They don't normally accept reservations, but the manager has always been really cool---call sometime in the day and give them a heads up and they pull tables together for us. They even do individual checks, which is a HUGE plus with a group! One waitress handles a group of 14 with ease and the busers are very attentive to refill water carafes for us. They let us linger as long as we want, never felt pressured to clear out. Even if they have other special events (another group, filming for something), they try to accommodate us as best as possible. They even let us do a special event with an author and 30 attendees without a problem. I tend to stick to a handful of favorites, but I've never had a bad dish. Nookies serves breakfast all day and I love pancakes for dinner on occasion. Pancakes, crepes, french toast, waffles----all yummy with large servings. The only dish I've ever heard any of my group not like was spinach pie. Otherwise, we've tried almost everything---salads, burgers, pasta, eggs, sandwiches, soup, etc.----with happy results. Good diverse choices for vegetarians as well. I've been here once for the typical Saturday early afternoon rush. The wait wasn't too bad. I tried a seasonal pumpkin pancake and it was really good. Good service. I could rave forever. There's a reason my book club has stayed put in the same spot for nearly two years. Everyone is happy and the staff is outstanding!
(5)Jonathon C.
We strolled into Nookie's on Sunday around noon. Place was jammed but we were able to get our party of seven seated fairly quickly. Staff was friendly and the food was fantastic. My veggie omelet, crunchy hash browns and byo bloody mary hit the spot. This place has definitely been added to my list of places to eat in Chicago.
(4)Rebecca H.
We went for lunch here last week and was pleasantly surprised, there was no wait, we got a sweet little table by the window and the waitress was so nice. The service was very good, and the place has a comfy feel to it. We both got the veggie burger, with a cheesy option, very good. The fries are like whole potato slices... mmmmm.
(4)Joshua K.
We were looking for a low-key meal on Friday night, I was craving breakfast food and my wife was open to anything so I hopped on Yelp and came across Nookies. It was exactly what we were looking for! I get pancakes nearly every time I eat breakfast out, but I like a multi-grain pancake with fruit and nuts. Our waitress (who was very friendly and helpful) said I could mix and match, so I created the perfect pancakes multigrain with bananas, blueberries, and nuts topped with real maple syrup. BEST pancakes i've had in the city, outside my own kitchen anyway :-) My wife got a turkey burger which was also very good. There menu is pretty big, and is priced right. We will definitely be back!
(5)Tiffany K.
i don't know which omelette i got but i do remember it being good. also remember the long wait. cute brunch restaurant. perfect for families, couples, dates, everyone!
(4)William H.
The food = Awesome. Wait staff gives alright service. Operation hours are optimal. I went here two nights in a row. I came back cause of the good service and great food I had the first night. First night I had a very attentive waiter. It was perfect. I had a sirloin steak that came with those awesome cottage fries, soup, and spinage. the quality of the food was great! So delicious for only $15.00 Second night I came in I had a ham and cheese sandwich. The waiter didn't ask me what sides I wanted so instead of the fries which I had a craving for, I was given coleslaw. That's alright though, it's a healthier option and it was the best coleslaw I have ever had. My dinner guest asked for catsup for his fries which he never got. All in all, I love the food here. It's all delicious! But I wish I had a different waiter.
(4)Julie S.
Best omelettes in the city. Period. When they say "fluffy," they aren't kidding. Great ingredient choices too. Delicious! Our brunch club showed up with 11 people, right at prime seating time. The folks at Nookies were kind enough to let us call ahead to get on the list so the wait was really short. When we have such a large group, we kind of expect the service to dip a little. Not here. Our server went above and beyond for us. She was so attentive to every little detail. That means a lot to us. Thanks, Nookies!
(5)Anne Marie J.
Went on a Friday for brunch (spring break, yay!) and it was perfect. We were seated immediately and the waitstaff was quite attentive - full cups of coffee and water at all times. Even 20 min after we were done with our meal, we felt no pressure to leave. Food was FANTASTIC. The 2009 french toast special (crunchy croissant napolean?) had a lovely filling of strawberries and vanilla marscapone and the crunchiness of the corn flakes added a much desired texture to french toast. Had a bite of all my friends' dishes: huevos con chorizo and the corned beef has were all fresh and plentiful. I'm sure if this had been the weekend it would be a diff story. But based on my experience, I'd recommend this place to everyone.
(5)Andrea G.
Quite possibly just experienced the best BLT of my life. Get down for the Nookie people, get down.
(5)Katie C.
What probably originated as a neighborhood tradition has grown into somewhat of a breakfast phenomenon. This Nookies, which obviously has two other locations, is on the quiet part of Wells that it's fairly uncommon to drive down--and if you were looking for the place during any other time besides brunch, it's possible you might miss it. Standing outside for brunch on a Sunday at 10:45am meant one thing: a 20-25 minute wait. Now, this really isn't bad compared to say, Overeasy Cafe up in Ravenswood (and hell, it's worth it) but it can feel significantly long if you're waiting for a cure-to-your-hangover breakfast as we were. Once we were seated, though, things started to roll. Our server was friendly, and although a little to begin service, she checked back up on us a couple of times and made small talk. The food? Nothing special or unexpected--but Nookies isn't the kind of place where you're going to find ancho-butter with your toast. It's predictable, good, hearty, short-order cooking, and you pretty much know whatever you order is going to be solid. I ordered the chilaquiles which were warm, tasty, and the portion was far more than enough. My boyfriend ordered the eggs, hash, and toast (a LOT of food for $4.45) and couldn't finish it all. So, say you're a little low on cash, don't mind waiting to put something in that belly of yours, and would like to partake in a friendly neighborhood's offerings? Nookies is the place to choose.
(4)Vanessa M.
First timers here... Loved this place! 5 stars from me, 4 from the husband. We walked up and I loved it from the start. Very cute and has a nice patio area; we knew it was gonna be good because of the amount of people standing around outside waiting for tables. We figured we would be out there waiting for awhile- but it was only 10-15 minutes, just as the host had said. We were seated inside. The place has such a great diner feel- but different because its a bit more classy. Our waitress was super friendly and kind, and took great care of us! Thanks to other Yelp reviews, we got the fresh squeezed orange juice... it was SO GOOD. We are from Florida and recently moved here to Chicago. THIS is the stuff Floridians live for. It was perfect. We also enjoyed watching the juicing machine. They were putting whole oranges in, peel and all, and juice came pouring out. Intriguing. I ordered the Chili-Avocado fritatta with hash browns. It was phenomenal and such a huge portion, I barely finished half. I wasn't a huge fan on the hash- kinda tasteless and needed quite a bit off pepper. I didn't eat much of it. The fritatta though. Oh. My. Word. I wanna eat that for breakfast every morning. Just as the waitress described it- a bed of eggs with chili, all this awesome melted cheese, and avocado. Yum. My husband had the Bistro burger. Bleu cheese and carmelized onions on a 1/4 lb beef patty. He really liked it, although it wasn't exactly cooked how he had asked. He asked for medium, and it came out almost well done. Not a huge deal, and he was starving and just wanted to eat, haha. Overall he said it was a pretty good burger. One thing that my husband would like me to add is that he was so sad he didn't order the huge stuffed french toast stuff we saw come out of the kitchen soo many times. Seriously, he is very remorseful. We will definitely be back to Nookies (can I just mention how much I love that name?! so cute) and we will have to try the french toast :)
(4)Mike G.
Well, it has been a few years since I visited Nookies and nothing has changed. The food is even better than I remember. I have a different perspective now as I have an 18 month old son. My review is a little different this time but it still keeps its 5 stars. Their childrens menu is great. He had the pigs in a blanket (pancake wrapped around a sausage link). He loved it and it came with a chocolate milk, all for only $3.50. They were accommodating to all kids (there were a ton there) and it just made the experience even better. If my son could actually say sentences he would say "This place rocks!!!!"
(5)AB H.
I found Nookies to be good, not great. I had the steak and eggs special. The steak was overcooked, and quite a few pieces were grizzly. The guac and scrambled eggs were good. The refried beans and rice were fine - nothing special. One thing that I found annoying about the menu is that breakfast options are listed in a number of places, so you have to hunt around a bit. This place was great for kids - the chocolate chips pancakes were a hit and cheap. If I were eating carbs, I would try the french toast dipped in corn chips. That sounded really good.
(3)Tavi J.
Totally loved the food and service! This place looks smaller on the outside, but once inside it's huge. I took my mom here for brunch and she had mention she had been to the Nookies before in Evanston and wasn't impressed. Goes to show you each restaurant is different whether it's a chain or not. This Nookies was great! We were starving so we shared an appetizer of the winter sampler special (Pancakes, Lemon bread, and something else....see pic below). All of them were sweet and delicious. For our main entrée we both had the Rueben. Tons of thick juicy meat and loved they put the dressing on the side. Wish it came with fries versus chips, but oh well. Great service, reasonably priced, and decent food. I'll definitely be coming back for brunch again.
(4)Belle L.
Great portion. Superbly bland in both visits. Carb centric menu. Flavor is derived from ketchup, sour cream, hot sauce and a side of greasy salty bacon. HUEVOS CON CHORIZO ($9.45) -- flour tortilla was the sign. Beans tasted from can. Greek rice pilaf instead of Mexican rice. Bland chorizo was nicely blended with egg. BLACKENED TILAPIA -- overcooked tilapia, spinach overwhelmed by garlic slice, and the questionable sweet potato mash. BOTTOMLESS COFFEE ($2.45) -- in both instances: slow refill, coffee is barely hot. Ordinarily bitter. SWEET AUTUMN TRIO -- love the tasting concept that is loaded with 100% empty carbs. MENU -- a whole lot of nothingness. VENUE -- dining floors are unreasonably dirty at 11:45 am, even though they opened at 6:45 am. SERVICE -- the only reason for 2 stars. Wally is great as he is conscientious of coffee refill, helpful, a team worker. Ruben showed up and disappeared. The Host Dude seats you at table first, then counter.
(2)Jeff S.
Nookies was suggested to us by a native and it just happened to be walking distance from our hotel. We came here for our breakfast our first morning. We were greeted and seated immediately by a very friendly manager. The breakfast menu had some impressive creations, Jess went with the special for the day, a trout skillet, and just for the heck of it I had a pecan Belgium waffle. The food was great, our service was impeccable. They kept the water and coffee filled. (Warning - the coffee was pretty strong, it made for an interesting rest of the morning.) We were really happy with this breakfast, and I'll definitely come back when I'm next in town!
(4)Tetiana G.
Came tonight with my friend who highly recommended me this place for dinner and left highly disappointed. The waiter came to take our order but we were not ready and then ignored us for good half an hour. When he finally came back to the table, he took my order and totally ignored my friend. I told him that my friends wants to order some food as well, and he just ignored me and left to take care of the other table with words :"I don't understand". Totally unprofessional and rude! We did not have any other choice but leave and go find some other place to eat, since we were starving. Please, save your time and go somewhere else if you want to have your dinner the same night!
(1)Zoraida V.
It was good, but not amazing. My omelette was average (southwest?). The pancakes were...simple... like eating breakfast at IHOP. I was expecting a little more... The location is nice, quiet. If that's your thing, then you're going to like this place.
(3)Will T.
I love Nookies! I ate there every day during a stay at Hotel Lincoln. I went for lunch my first day in town, ordering an iconic Midwest dish, a hot open faced roast beef sandwich. I grew up in Iowa eating this dish at truck stops and it's an all-time favorite. Nookies served a generous portion of roast beef with homemade skin-on mashed potatoes and gravy and their version might be the best I've ever had. During the rest of my stay I started every day with breakfast at Nookies, sampling eggs, pancakes, chicken sausage, oatmeal, hash browns, fruit and homemade wheat toast. My one breakfast special, peach and raspberry pancakes with caramelized butter, was to die for. The food was fantastic but so was the staff. Top to bottom, from the manager to the wait staff to the busboy to the kitchen, they were all awesome, cheerful and efficient, showcasing great customer service. They know their regulars and call them by name. Nookies is a casual neighborhood restaurant that really delights.
(5)Elaine P.
Good food! I wish we would've sat outside to enjoy the scenery. buuuut I still loved what I ate! Everything tastes homemade & delicious!
(5)Joel K.
Fresh OJ that is so perfect with one of the best Monte Cristo sandwiches I've had in many years. In fact I'm having my local brunch place try to recreate it as I write this review. Fruit plate was freshly cut and not store bought and dumped in a bowl. Next time on north side of Chicago I will make sure to eat here again.
(5)Sarah P.
I'm perplexed by the high ratings Nookies gets. I'm seriously disturbed, no really. We came to Nookies based solely off of the four star rating. We were wandering around the city and did not know any places nearby, so I did what Yelpers do - I did a search for nearby restaurants and chose one that was close and had high ratings. Nookies looks great from the exterior, but once you walk in you see it is quite old school, which is not a bad thing. The front looks like a more traditional American diner from a time long gone, with the U shaped seating around a main "bar" and stools for seating. There is also regular tables stretching into a back room. We were seated at a table. I think one of the main rules of thumb for any customer at any establishment (at least for me) is to judge the place by the cleanliness of the bathroom... Dirty bathroom.... most likely dirty kitchen - maybe poor food handling on top of it. If staff can't keep the bathroom decent why would they have the discipline to maintain a quality kitchen? The bathroom at Nookies was a mess. There was garbage on the floors, the soap taken out of the dispenser and placed on the sink, water running for no apparent reason, and unappealing toilets. The handle was broken and would not flush. Does this make you want to then go into their dining room and eat their food? Nookies serves up breakfast and lunch. Hubs ordered the Belgian waffle, I ordered the Frisco grilled chicken sandwich with cottage fries. It was not served the way it was described on the menu. It is supposed to be served with Romaine, it was served with iceburg. Not only that, but it was served with the large white "stalk" of the iceburg, not the actual lettuce. It was plain, boring, and I could have made a far superior sandwich at home. The Belgian waffle was so basic, nothing special at all. If I can make it better at home I feel I've wasted my money going to a restaurant for it. Next up.... the diners next to us waved our shared waiter over, and whispered something in his ear. Naturally I was intrigued. I paid attention to their table and watched as the waiter casually walked over to a wall the diner was pointing to, and proceeded to smash a roach. He then stated "oh those ones aren't as bad as the others I've seen." Appetite lost completely.
(1)Rob J.
Good for BYOD. Probably should have redecorated about 10 years ago as it looks like the late 90's in here! Still, it's not terrible and the food is average to fair. Eggs were basic as was the fruit, but hey what you gonna do. If you're in a hurry try elsewhere.
(3)Kyle D.
Overall: Great restaurant mini-chain that is consistent and always good. Great neighborhood spots. The good: Tons and tons of options, sandwiches, salads, pastas, entrees, breakfasts, brunches, everything. Big portions and it's all moderately priced. Breakfast served all day I believe. Fast and friendly service and a good atmosphere. Reasonably priced too. The bad: Nothing really "bad" about this place. Just doesn't warrant my hard earned 5-stars. Great spot regardless. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 10/10 Food: 8/10
(4)John L.
First breakfast in Chicago. Must say it was very delicious. I ordered eggs over corned beef hash. Cooked perfectly. Only reason I don't give 5 stars is because I prefer home fries over the shredded potatoes. However; the shredded potatoes were very delicious!
(4)Emily S.
Nookies makes one heck of a breakfast! I ordered the crepes combos which included strawberry, apple cinnamon, and cream cheese crepes. They were delicious and the order was pretty big. I unfortunately had to leave about a third of it on my plate since it was so large. The prices are a little higher than what I usually like to pay for breakfast, but the big orders compensate for the price. I would imagine they get very busy on the weekends. I went on a Monday morning, but still had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. There great selection will definitely have me coming back for more!
(4)Mahsa T.
Nookies is darn good compared to some of the mediocre brunch places I've been going to lately. Their food is solid and service was stellar. I don't like that they have no waiting area so you have to constantly dodge people getting in and out of the restaurant while you wait 25 minutes for a table and I didn't like how cramped it was in there, tables and people are packed in like sardines. Some elbow room would be nice. But it's a small space with high demand so I can see why it is the way it is. Orange juice--fresh and delicious. Coffee--nice and strong. Nothing like good coffee to sober you up and good food to ease a hangover after a rough night. My friends and I shared the seasonal pancake/French toast special which included pumpkin pancakes with pecans--mouth-wateringly delicious. French toast with baked apples was fantastic. I special ordered an omelette with mushrooms, spinach and ham. It came with hash browns. I would have liked my hash browns more crispy and well done. Omelette portions are ginormous. They do take credit cards. For good food, I'm willing to overlook the small things. I'll definitely be coming back to Nookies.
(4)Gary M.
Wait on a Sunday morning at about 10.30 estimated to be about 15 minutes according to the host. The good thing is, you get one of those buzzers that serves as a human equivalent of a shock leash so you can go and stand outside, smoke, go grab coffee from the Starbucks up the street but just be ready when the thing starts pulsing to haul a$$ back to the restaurant. Staff are very friendly, a little rushed but that is why the wait was only 15 mins during peak brunch time. Ambience is nice too, the restaurant is bright and airy and they have a bunch of Old Town art festival pics dating back to the 80's - gives the place a neighborhood feel. Food was decent, I have the smokehouse fritata and my friend had pancakes with berries. I ordered hash browns with mine which basically came on another full sized plate. The portions are enough to feed a small family for a few days. Price was less than $30 for two all in which for a decent sit down brunch place is just right for me. Overall, good job, wouldn't be too concerned over wait times as the place is pretty big and has fairly quick turnover.
(4)Emily D.
Nookie's is my go-to breakfast-lunch-dinner-everything spot in the neighborhood. I live within walking distance and could easily eat here multiple days a week. I always bring family and friends here when they're visiting and request a trip here after every race I run. My brunch order is usually the farmer's eggs. A little veggies, a little bacon and lots of hashbrowns, how can you go wrong? Don't skip the fresh squeezed orange juice. Nookie's is also BYOB so you can bring champagne or vodka to kickstart your day. You also can't beat their sandwiches which come with homemade chips and soup or salad. It's nothing fancy, but delicious, no-frills diner food.
(5)Pat H.
There is no better breakfast place in Chicago than nookies. Been here several times and enjoyed everything that I've tried. Keep in mind that nookies is always crowded but rightfully so because it's worth it. Generous portions, great service, friendly staff, great food, BYOB make this place a "must" in Old Town. What's not to love about it.
(5)Mary L.
Very close to the hotel where we were staying. The place seems to be very popular for brunch. I love that they have a small "bar" looking area where you can just sit instead of waiting for a table. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The services was quick. I ordered the egg benedicts and my bf ordered french toast. Although, I didnt like their "hallandel souce" their french toast bread was very soft and delicious! I would totally go come back here again. The price is ok, around $10 per plate.
(4)Brian F.
Yum! I had their French Eggs Benedict special and really enjoyed it. The food is excellent quality and delicious and served with style. I just wish less people knew about how great a breakfast place this is because a 30 minute wait seems routine to get a table.
(4)Carly G.
Spinach salad ROCKS!!!!!!!! All breakfast items are awesome too. Great service, lovely location. Wish they had more of an outside patio though. My go to brunch place by the office.
(5)Simmone S.
If you are looking for some good comfort brunch food after a night out (or not) I highly reccomend Nookies. The food is great and hearty. The staff on the other hand - rude and inattentive. I had to ask for coffee FIVE TIMES - trust me I needed it. If you are vegan, you probably should NOT go, but there are plenty of vegetarian options (eggs/cheese). Not a healthy place, but just a good hearty classic diner.
(3)Meredith B.
My husband and I love going out for breakfast. Nookies is fantastic. We got the special trio (mango/raspberry pancakes, berry stuffed french toast, and coconut/mango pancakes) and the breakfast sandwich with eggs, spinach, and cheese. All of the dishes were amazing. The wait was about 15 minutes at 10:30 on a holiday Sunday morning. Staff was quick and mostly attentive. You can get a cup of coffee to bring out with you while you wait, which is awesome. The portions are huge. Normally for breakfast, my husband and I order 1 entree and a side or two. This is what we should have done instead of ordering two entrees. My only complaint is that the hashbrowns are not the super crispy kind, which is the kind I like.
(5)Ermelinda C.
A hidden gem indeed! Friendly service, great menu and affordable. The baby spinach salad topped with the grilled chicken was fantastic and so was the Smoked chicken sandwich was quite good as well. Nice tea selection, even though I almost wished I had notices the freshly squeezed OJ on the menu, but I surely smelled it ;-) Will definitely go back here!
(4)Kira M.
Nookies has a diner/hotel-cafeteria feel. The lighting is mild, the colors are modest and the space is simple. Imagine my surprise, then, when I discovered the following option on the Spring 2010 menu: Croissant French Toast Napoleon ("fresh strawberries and creamy vanilla bean Mascarpone stacked between layers of crunchy croissant French toast") (see photo). The physical dish was even more decadent than its description: a three-tiered mountain of cornflake-coated French toast, held together by sumptuous helpings of strawberries drowning in Mascarpone. (Estimated number of calories: a bajillion.) To call it "delicious" would be a severe understatement. It might rank as the single best brunch meal I have ever had. Ever. And, in case you're wondering: Yeah, I ate that sucka all by myself. -Pats tummy- Unfortunately, life is a balance, and with the good, comes the bad: My father does not really care for brunch food, so, as revenge for dragging him to the restaurant, he chanted, "I did it all for the Nookie(s)" under his breath well into the next day.
(4)Craig U.
An average breakfast joint, the food was fine, not great. BYOB brunch will always score points with this guy though. Would never avoid Nookies, but would not be on the top of my list to go to next time either.
(3)Amelia B.
Oh Nookies, I love you. Apparently so does everyone else in the city. As a result, there's always a wait (unless you come at an odd hour of the day), and its always noisy and bustling. But I will put up with that for the wonderful brunch--I highly recommend the omelettes and all egg dishes. I'm personally not much of a sweet breakfast person--I can handle like three bites of pancakes--but I've sampled friends' crepes and they are quite solid. Strong, plentiful coffee and fresh OJ. Service can be spotty during busy times, but brunch isn't typically a meal where I'm rushing. BIg downside has to be the wait, and the lack of any waiting area. It's fine in the summer where everyone just spills out into the street, but pretty miserable in the cold. I've never had lunch or dinner here, but would interested to see how it stacks up, especially given that it's BYOB...
(4)Rebecca N.
Great omelet and pretty inexpensive for city brunches! Perfect in between scrambled and fluffy. Great service and played Thievery Corporation all morning long!
(4)Patricia J.
Had the best burger at Nookies! I ordered the Bistro burger (with carmelized onions and blue cheese) and my friend had the Acapulco (with avocado, salsa and pepperjack cheese). They were happy to add avocado to mine and I don't believe they charged extra. They don't skimp on ingredients here. Be prepared to enjoy a deliciously, large portion. The burger came together in a wonderful way, with the sweet onions, but salty, rich blue cheese. I was in heaven! The only thing I'd say is that the burger seemed a tad dry, but since everything was so great it wasn't super noticeable. My friend said the Acapulco was amazing as well. Burgers came with the veggie soup of the day which was nothing to rave about but ok. There were chunks of veggies in a simple broth. Fries were great though! I've never seen fries cut potatoes chip style like that so they were a nice, crispy surprise. At a little less than $10, we were pleased. We came on Memorial Day and the place seemed pretty packed and lively, however we got seats in less than 10 minutes. They give you a buzzer so you can stand outside until it buzzes that your table is ready. I'll be back for sure next time I'm in Chicago.
(4)Casey A.
This place is a legend acc to my mom so when we came down one morning for a bite and we were on Wells, Nookies was it! We weren't looking for something too heavy but ended up getting 2 short stacks of pancakes (1 Multigrain and 1 FRESH blueberry) Fresh Blueberry pancakes are the epitome of delish in my book. No restaurant should offer blueberry pancakes unless they're FRESH!! Cute waiter, cozy corner, fun people watching.. 1 thing that put me off (aka 4 stars) was how dirty the light fixtures were. I've worked in quite a few restaurants and if it was important to them, the manager would put that on the cleaning list at least once a month. Unfortunate but something that could definitely be fixed:)
(4)Katie T.
Solid spot for brunch before or after the Lincoln Park Farmer's Market. We dined here with our two year-old son and were impressed by how friendly and accommodating the staff was. They do a brisk business of omelettes, pancakes and all your diner basics (I felt like I was in NY!) Our son was in heaven, ignoring his order from the super reasonably priced and fairly healthy kid's menu and polishing off two banana pancakes.
(4)Karen S.
Went on a monday morning (9:30 am) and there wasn't a wait. The specials all sounded good. A friend tried the peach pancakes w/raspberries and said they were awesome. The french toast came covered in berries (fresh, not frozen), and the hangover helper was quite tasty (even w/o being hungover).
(4)Brittany K.
My boyfriend and I went to Nookies because of the reviews that we read on here and I have to say, we were NOT disappointed at all. My boyfriend had the crunchy french toast (coated in corn flakes) and I had a Greek Omelet with Spinach and Feta, with a side of sliced tomatoes. The food was REALLY good, and there was TONS of it for a pretty cheap price ($20 for the 2 of us for food and drinks). I'd say that for as SLOW as they were when we got there, it took a little while to get our food. I read they are always busy but at around 10:15 on a Tuesday morning, there were like 5 other people in the whole restaurant and it still took like 25 minutes to get our food. For breakfast, that seems like a while. Overall, my omelet and my boyfriends french toast were delicious, but its the slowness of the kitchen that made me give it 4 stars.
(4)Mitch W.
Had a great breakfast here as we were waiting to check into Hotel Lincoln. Fantastic! Approx 15 minute wait on the weekend.
(5)Stefan S.
Good smoked chicken salad but AWESOME monster melt burger. Very local feeling and good prices.
(4)Rachel R.
Found this place after passing up some other, more expensive places. I only give three stars because I wasn't blown away by anything. Staff seemed a little put out, but otherwise the food was alright and it was a decent experience.
(3)Mike S.
Hmm...amazing. Always have a fantastic seasonal menu available for brunch on weekends. Loved the lemon poppy seed pancakes and truffle waffles. Has a healthy selection too. I am a dude, and I'll gladly say the Tuscan Chicken Salad is great as well. Awesome place to check out, Patio is open now! BYOB!
(4)Mark T.
On my way to and from the nearby Equinox, I've always wondered why there was always a crowd outside this place. Surely there's a reason why it drew so many people. So I decided to give the place a try. Went on a non-peak time on a Monday afternoon. Ordered a turkey open-faced sandwich, with a side of mashed potatoes/gravy and cranberry sauce. Yum...that's as simple as a way that I can describe the meal. Just like mom used to make it? Well, let's just say I love my mom's cooking on a very high level. Service was good. The place just looks and feels like a comfortable cafe/diner that you and a friend can sit and eat anytime during the day. I can only imagine how crazy this place can be during Sunday brunch! Would not mind going back.
(4)Ariana S.
As a self-proclaimed professional bruncher, I must tell you that Nookies is my go-to spot. Do the math here kids: -3 locations so you never have to travel far -ROCKIN breakfast food! Their specials are to die for! Think pumpkin spice french toast. -Delicious lunch food too! I am actually obsessed with the smoked chicken salad. -The Nookies 2 is open 24 hours and this place is KEY late night. Anywhere from Pancakes to Grilled Cheese to Chicken Fingers? Natural Crowd Pleaser -It's CHEAP! -BYOB!!!!! So what are you waiting for? No matter what time you are reading this, you should be at Nookies. Go. Now. Seriously.
(5)Donna C.
I have NEVER had a bad meal here. The omelets are fluffy and moist. Freshly squeezed orange juice is always a treat. Seasonal favorites are unique and delicious, especially the strawberry croissant French toast. Wait staff is always friendly and efficient. As long as they are open, I will be enjoying breakfast there!!!!
(5)Alicia D.
This has become my go-to breakfast spot in the neighborhood. The wait is never terribly long, the food is consistently good, and the service is superb. Everyone is friendly and there are multiple people who's sole job is to refill water and coffee. You will never be without either! Their menu is pretty typical diner fare (all bases covered), but they also have seasonal specials which are delicious!
(4)Kai Y.
During our long weekend trip to Chicago, we were thinking to have brunch around Lincoln Park neighborhood. We yelped and found out Nookies is quite popular among the locals. A good sign... Unfortunately they don't take reservations. However, the wait wasn't too long (5-10 minutes) when we went there around noon. Maybe we were lucky that day. :) The interior was pretty simple and kind of traditional. It was quite surprising given it is a restaurant located in the noticeably nice and hip neighborhood. We ordered a few omelette and a french toast to share. When the food came, we were very surprised how BIG the portions were! The omelette could totally feed 2-3 people IMO. :) But it was delicious. I tried my best wanting to finish it to do justice to the quality of the dish, but I failed. :( The french toast was decadently rich and tasty! We were very satisfied with our brunch choice. Not to mention, the price was very affordable, provided how big the dishes were. Service was good as well. I think Nookies is an excellent option for brunch. I would totally go back there next time when I am in Chicago. :)
(5)Jacob J.
If all I sampled were the Eggs Benedict with hash browns I'd be rating them two maybe three stars and would call the experience average. I checked the Yelp app after leaving service at Moody Bible Church, within ten minutes got a table inside. The reviews looked awesome and someone said something about a wowzerful benedict. The only wowing factor I could find in mine was a citrus flavor to the hollandaise, other then that the eggs were over cooked and the english muffin was straight out of the bag, not toasted. Luckily I caught wind of the "Sweet summer trio" which can be sampled for $10 for one lucky person or a table. Stuffed brioche french toast with assorted fresh berries, mango coconut hotcakes and peach-raspberry pancakes. Took a bit longer than our entrees to come out of the kitchen, but well worth the wait. It was the shining star on the table, taste explosive fruity flavors colliding with just enough breading of three varieties. That is worth a second date, lovely dish. Coffee was blah, hash browns boring. On the next visit I'll branch out and try something the other reviewers call their favs. Eggs Benny you bore me. Brunch. Average brunch entree was under $10, $8 - $10. (Sweet summer trio photo you can find above.) Dunno if I am a fan yet, have to sample more dishes.
(3)L K.
If this was a review just for the food, I would definitely give 3 or 4 stars, and for the pancakes 5. However, going for brunch is not only about food but also for drinks and definitely service, and Nookie is was a let down in these areas. The place is BYOB, which is one of reasons why we chose it, and we called ahead to ask if they had bloody mary mixers or if we should bring our own. They assured that they had everything we needed but the liquor, and that the wait was about 20 minutes, so we headed right over. When we got there the wait was actually 40 min. That's understandable as it was a Sunday morning on a long weekend, but after 40 min was up we waited for another 40 min. Then, when we ordered the virgin bloody marys that we had called to ask about, the waitress brought us horseradish that had expired in 2010. We asked for a different bottle, she disappeared for almost 15 min, and finally came back to say they didn't have any other bottles of horseradish. So apparently we've been the only people to need horseradish in the past two years. Also, the food and drinks all came out separately, like 5-10 minutes apart, which is always awkward. As I said the pancakes were really phenomenal but I don't think we'll be back.
(2)Steve C.
By far the best breakfast place in the city, I've been coming here for 12 years now without a single negative experience!! Omelets and skillets are amazing, seasonal menus are always exciting. Generous portions. Excellent service, very comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. Would highly recommend!
(5)Charlye M.
Yes, Nookies is amazing, and yes, everyone already knows that, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't write a review anyway. We've been going to Nookies for probably four years now, and we've tried the other locations which are also great, but this one is by far our favorite. Nookies by itself is a good reason to move to Oldtown, I wish we still lived in walking distance. :( No matter, living 9 miles away hasn't stopped us from going at least once a week. I love the Dixie Benedict, Huevos con Chorizo, Crepes, and any of the omelets and skillets. The specials are always great, but in the summer the Brioche French Toast is KILLING!
(5)Rahul V.
We found this place on Yelp and decided this because it's only a block from our apt. This was our first time here and from the looks of it, it looked really nice and enticing. Unfortunately, the breakfast was an entirely different story. We ordered the Farmer's Skillet, Crunchy French Toast, and Hash Browns. The skillet was fairly nice and we ordered the eggs, sunny side up...the eggs were over cooked. The hash browns were just awful...seemed like mashed potatoes. The crunchy French toast was however very nice. The service was not good either and that might be because we went on Saturday morning, but they were not attentive at all. It took them 15 minutes to come get our order, but the food came out fairly quick. Top ups on the drink were never offered, as we had to ask for them. Overall, not a good first impression.
(2)Tarra T.
Good brunch diner! No frills, good portions, seated quickly on a Sunday afternoon and BYOB! I ordered from the Fall Specials menu and had the Black Bean Benedict. A good, hearty choice that I could only eat half off in one sitting. The english muffin was replaced by a black bean patty and covered in a yellow, hollandaise sauce. My only complaint was that server was inattentive and slow.
(3)David G.
I don't have to reiterate my love for pancakes, especially at a place that serves breakfast all day. Nookies buttermilk pancakes are of the upper echelon of pancakery, although I wasn't crazy about paying a buck extra for maple syrup. You know what that says to me? It says that you serve the steerage syrup to us poor folk, the ones who need that buck to pay for fifteen minutes of parking. Nookies is an interesting place, with a strange sliding door-like aperture that people nearly crash into when visiting for the first time, despite the arrow on the door pointing left to the real door. You go through the real door and hit the wind-up toys, which include a sushi wind-up. Not sure how that works, but let's not get off track. Breakfast food here is good, and for the second time in this review I will herald my love for pancakes. They're good here with a side of sausage and a great cup of coffee. Dinner food is pretty good, too. I had an above average cheese burger with chips and tomato pasta soup. Service here is friendly to the point that I thought I was imposing. Prices are average. Spent about $13 for dinner. The place is virtually empty during non-peak hours. I would suggest breakfast at 8pm to avoid the crowds.
(4)Amy P.
My first experience was pretty blah, so I decided to give it a second try. It was even worse. It was hands-down the worst eggs benedict I have ever had. The hollandaise sauce - more like paste - was so sour that I couldn't even eat it. I just don't get the hype, honestly.
(1)Rod D.
I've been to my fair share of brunch places and when a couple of friends suggested Nookies, I had to go and see what the buzz was about. To my delight, I was treated to great food, a wonderful wait staff and a family friendly atmosphere. I love the variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes they have. Very tasty and would definitely visit again!
(4)Paul A.
I wish the description of Yelp's 3 Stars is OK instead of A-OK, because this place is definitely the former; not the latter. I've been going here for years. The food is a cut above the standard coffee shop/Diner fare. Definitely better than average, ingredients are fresh and for the most part, well prepared. However, it's not THAT great. Why people stand in line for hours on the weekends is beyond me. But what's most frustrating is the restaurant itself. Not the service, necessarily -- most times that's friendly and prompt. I"m talking about EVERY WEEKEND without fail, with a room full of diners, when they close the extra dining room at around 3p, the loud vaccuum cleaner goes for around 20 minutes. And it is loud and annoying. How can a restaurant be so rude? With the main dining room full of diners? Then, to add to the cacophony, the "background" music is blaring. I'm glad I don't drink anymore, because this would be about the worst place to be if you were hungover. Or sober, for that matter, and wanted to have a peaceful lunch and/or conversation.
(3)Ryan L.
Nookies is amazing. I lived in Chicago for 4 years and moved away for 2 and always had Nookies when I was back in town. Now that I've been back for several years, I try to go often. The wait is usually 15 minutes but it's worth it. I food is excellent and comes in large portions. The trio that they change every season is usually my favorite. Also solid choices are the French toast and the biscuits and gravy. It's a Chicago tradition.
(5)Debbie C.
The Breakfast Trio was beautiful! Coconut and Mango Bread Pudding + Strawberry and Peach Pancakes + Stuffed Berry French Toast = AWESOME. I have a major sweet tooth so the trio hit the spot perfectly. The Stuffed French Toast came with a full cup of fresh berries. The free flowing coffee and the fun oldie's music made my Saturday brunch experience complete. I recommend waiting the 10 minutes for a seat outdoors when the weather is nice.
(5)Amy J.
After years and years of hearing about it, I finally tried Nookies! It was a great experience. Their food is excellent, the staff: overly friendly. Meter parking on the street, but most of all what I loved is that it's a FRIENDLY diner with great food. I will definitely be back. I was more than impressed.
(4)Kimmie R.
I've been to Nookies a few times and each time they even messed up my order or the person that I was with. The food is not especially wonderful and there is always a long wait to be seated. I'm not sure if people frequent this place, because it's in a heavily populated area or what. Anyone giving this place four stars should really get out more! This is the type of place that you go to when you are hung over and in need of food, coffee and fluids to get you back on track after a long night of partying. I find it especially interesting that the average person that frequents this place is either over 65 or in their mid 20's or early 30's with messy hair and loud stories about the night before. It's not a bad place, but it's certainly not a place I'd go to if I had to drive to get there! It's the type of place that you go to when you just don't feel like cooking.
(2)Joanna B.
Ah, Nookies. Such a wonderful, familiar, happy place. My parents used to live around the corner from Nookies way back when. Old town was their old stomping grounds. They fell in love there, and lived there before I was born. I've joked with my brother, while dining at Nookies, that he could've been conceived on a night that my parent's ate there. Weird, but somehow cute. Nookies is a truly wonderful cafe/diner. Almost everything I've ever eaten there was great-tasting, and well-prepared. They have a very large selection of items, and serve breakfast all day. I've had breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups- and some of the seasonal special dinners, too. The pot roast was particularly superb. Well-seasoned, nice balance of meat to sides, and cooked just right. I love their breakfasts- and they pay good attention to special orders. I hate being "needy" or having to ask for something "special", but I always order my scrambled eggs soft. I cannot tolerate browned, chewy, rubbery eggs. They always make them right when I remember to order them soft. ALWAYS. A very long time ago, I ordered Beef Stroganoff from the dinner special menu. It was icky to the max, in every way. No need for description. I am QUITE confident it was a one-time mistake. They offered me a different meal, and didn't make me pay for it. The service more than made up for the "kitchen error", as I'll call it. I left with a full belly, and was glad I spoke up and said something, since I normally would feel bad about doing so. Anyway.... Nookies is bomb. Solid, tasty food. The service has never thrilled me- but at this price point, I'm pretty happy with an alright server and GREAT food. I will always keep my eye open for that one day-changingly wonderful server, though. Take your friends and family to Nookies, or go by yourself. Just go.
(4)Jeff H.
Was in Chicago with the family for my high school reunion, and after a few late nights, we just wanted someplace completely low key and comfortable to grab dinner. A quick check of Yelp showed this place was kid-friendly and had a variety of comfort foods on the menu, so we thought we'd check it out. This spot worked out perfectly for us. It was in a quiet part of Old Town and was pretty empty on Sunday evening. I had the pot roast special, my mother in law had a blackened chicken, wife had a turkey burger and daughter had mac-n-cheese. Food was good but not memorable. And I probably would have only given this place three stars if not for the staff. Our waitress and the folks behind the counter were what really made this place work. First of all our waitress couldn't have been nicer. Just incredibly personable and casual. Perfect midwestern hospitality. And between her and the guys behind the counter, they totally took care of us and also engaged way more than would be required with our 5 year old daughter. So I'll give this place 3 stars for the food, 5 stars for the staff and then also 5 stars for the price. Prices were totally reasonable, including a huge two scoop ice cream bowl for dessert for $1.50. Thanks Nookies!
(4)Billy M.
Nookies is delicious! I have never had a bad experience here and I order takeout almost every Saturday and Sunday morning. My got breakfast is Huevos Con Chorizo. Lunch/dinner is the Greek Chicken Sandwhich. The staff is great and now know me by name. The only problem is the wait on weekends. Prepare to wait 30 mins to an hour
(5)Marjorie F.
Since my return to Old Town - scene of my post-college years - I have been revisiting old haunts, dare I say, as a mature (ahem) adult. (Don't laugh.) Nookies was always one of those places I sought to cure my hangover blues. This time around it was more like a cure for plain ol' hunger pangs. This visit was during the week on a rare day off from work. My boyfriend and I were quickly seated and served coffee. Great. But then it wasn't so great. After we sat down, we waited a long time for a server to take our order, let alone just say "hello - someone will be right with you." It wasn't even crowded, for pete's sake! I tried to flag someone down but each time my friendly waves were ignored. Ooohhh... I don't remember it being like this. Maybe I need to drink just to tolerate the wait staff. Anyhoo, we finally got a server who had the personality of a cactus. I so wanted to hug her. Yeah right. Aside from the not-so-pleasant waitstaff, the food was delicious. I had the steak and egg tostada while my boyfriend had the brioche french toast with berries. Yummmm... In a nutshell, food is good, waitstaff yuck. You decide what you need. As for me, I will try to have a nasty hangover next time I visit so I can take my focus off the service and focus on the food.
(3)Vivi W.
Good brunch food. Not amazing but good place, if you don't mind the lines.
(4)Meg C.
This place was within walking distance to our hotel and had great Yelp reviews, so I wanted to check it out for breakfast/brunch. It did not disappoint. They were really busy, but we were able to get a table quickly. The service was great. My coffee was never empty. Everything was delicious! I had the vegetarian omelettes with egg whites (there are healthy options) with tomato slices and toast. The food portions are HUGE.
(5)Barbara D.
I use to call my highschool boyfriend "Nookie" so I wondered if he opened up this restaurant in my honor for breaking his fragile heart...or not. Back to reality... Random weekday morning spent walking around this neighborhood looking for some place that was open and serving food at 10:30am. Nothing.... Another block, nothing... However, I have a random passerby and his viscious dog to thank for pointing out Nookies. Wow, we walked in and I was expecting another diner dump but wholah it was a fancy smancy diner...far from a food landfill. The calm ambiance was the first thing I noticed and the 'classy,' half- circle bar stood out. The inside was one room extending into another and another. We decided to sit outside. The service was impecable. Smiley young girl that moved quickly and effortlessly. The veggie burger and the fried ravioli were the highlights of my nookie nooner.
(5)James F.
came here for lunch and had a great set of sandwiches. i got a Monster melt, but with a turkey patty substitution ( yelp.com/biz_photos/Ot1s… ), and my wife got a French Dip. each came with a side of homemade chips, and a soup. I got the cream of potato soup which was pretty good, though my wife's tomato pasta seemed not special. however, her French Dip ( yelp.com/biz_photos/Ot1s… ) impressed her - it was huge and in the end, she brought about 1/4 of it home (and the au jus). my Monster Melt (patty with cheddar and onions on rye) was a good melt, and not too greasy. good service and tasty food - i'd come here again for lunch, and judging from some of the other reviews, maybe for breakfast too! They have five or six tables outside on the sidewalk for summer days.
(4)Julie B.
This is becoming a Sunday must in my book!!! Ranking in my top three favorite breakfast places in the entire city. Whether you crave sweet or savory breakfasts, Nookies will satisfy any palate. I would recommend any omlete on their menu!!! No joke! The frittatas are 3 out of 5 stars (too many carmelized onions in the Smokehouse Frittata). Service is excellent, friendly faces all around. Street parking is tough over there and be prepared for a bit of a wait.
(4)Gerry X.
Met some friends here from out of town who used to live here, and this was their recommended spot. Parking upon arrival took a few minutes on the street; I really didn't notice any prominent signage (maybe I missed it as I was running late) but on entering the place was crowded packed and bustling with activity. My friends got silver dollars and I got pancakes and eggs with bacon. All was delectable and full of awesome. Have to mention that we didn't see our waitress for about ten minutes, and that the she looked rushed; it was quite busy. I forgot my camera so I may find some pics thru the web to post some on here.
(4)Shradha A.
I'm still not a fan of Nookies and I will feel like I keep ordering the wrong items here. The vanilla french toast on a croissant was not a good idea by any stretch of anyone's imagination...!
(3)Christy T.
I am willing to offer Nookies on Wells a 5 star. You know why? I have waited in line twice to receive a homecooked breakfast which lives up to going out for it - I love their english muffins, endless coffee-mug re- fills, fresh-squeezed orange juice, scrambled eggs, guacamole, hashbrowns, (don't bother with Yolk or Eggsperience).
(5)Colleen C.
Beth P, for the win...again. Ok, so I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I didn't even REALIZE there was a Nookie's on Wells. In fact, I'll go as far as to say...I have never been on Wells between Lincoln and North Ave. Is that weird? Methinks so....but nonetheless Beth P opened my eyes to a little Old Town gem. Thus, this review is dedicated to her... I ordered my standard Denver omelette with tomato slices and coffee. It is a bright, shiny day when my coffee is perfect, and that it was. The right blenda splenda, cream and hot diner coffee sends me into a sort of dream-like state that can only be replicated by the perfect Diet Coke formula. (fully carbonated, fountain...if you must know). Regardless, the refills were plentiful and well timed... My omelette was quite perfect, actually. Not too big, not too small...large chunks of green pepper (I hate mushy little shredded chunks of veggies, ick), and the cheddar cheese did not resemble Kraft nor nacho cheese topping from 7-11. IN an omelette, this is quite important...especially when one is a cheap cheese connoisseur like myself. SO many times I am presented with plastic cheese, and I just cannot stoop to that level of consumption. Don't get me wrong, I'll eat in certain situations (baseball games, jail, etc), but when dining with intelligent women, I need real cheese. Obviously, they get an A in this department... CASH only. Thank you Beth P for introducing me to Old Town triangle, and Nookies. I've now completed the Nookie's trifecta....Nookie's Tree, Nookie's Old Town and Nookie's on Halsted. Voila!
(4)Jenna S.
Soooooo good! We almost always visit Nookie's before a night out in Ye Olde Boystown. The restaurant is really nice - there's a ton of tables and it's always full. The food is also fantastic - they have anything you could possibly imagine in the way of diner food, as well. There's breakfast, lunch and dinner and I recommend trying as much as you can. Plus: BYOB!!!!! I love love love love BYOB restaurants. This is one of the better ones. Great servers - always nice, funny and attentive. Good Clientele - all the people I've ever met there are super nice. Price - inexpensive! You don't have to spend a ton of money to get a great meal. Especially since it's BYOB.
(4)David M.
Great breakfast....blueberry pancakes were excellent as was the French toast my colleague had....excellent service as well!
(5)Jen P.
Amazing pancakes. Huge omlettes. I have become a frequent Sunday diner
(5)KuangYou C.
I had the "sweet trio". This one is great. Pancakes and French toast along with lots of fruits and some oats. However, I feel it would be better if they put some "salt" food in this dish. Finishing a big plate with all sweet food would be challenging for my tongue.
(4)Matthew M.
Nookies has great food, a warm neighborhood-y atmosphere and great service. The servers and staff are exceptional, and I have enjoyed everything I've ever had there.
(5)Arlene A.
This is a first for me. I'm giving four stars to an establishment that had me waiting outside in the rain for 40 minutes, after saying it would be a 10 minute wait. Not the fault of Nookies, but of the obnoxious parties sitting around texting/playing with cell phones well after the check has been paid. Seriously, people have no concept of being considerate to the person waiting afterwards. So a pox on the jerks who don't have any manners, and could care less about anything other than themselves. Now, on to the food. We ordered off the brunch menu, and if you ever have the opportunity to order the Paris Benedict, you should do so. I couldn't finish it, with all the yummy potatoes. The grilled asparagus were perfectly done and very delicious. Once seated Nookies is a great experience, you just may have a longer wait than anticipated.
(4)Elizabeth W.
Excellent, excellent brunch spot -- 5 stars all the way. I've never once been disappointed. Delicious food, generous portions -- just be ready to wait on the weekends! I'd recommend going a bit earlier in the morning or later in the day. You can also order carryout and skip the lines. Their seasonal specials are incredible and always changing -- definitely the best pumpkin pancakes I've ever had. They also have lunch/dinner food -- and are BYOB!
(5)amy m.
I've been to Chicago just once, but the next time I visit, I will be sure to come back again for breakfast. I had a seasonal dish: smoked trout scramble with eggs and capers...absolutely delicious. The server was friendly and the cafe was quaint.
(5)Dan M.
This is one of the best places to go for breakfast in the city. I have had the good fortune of living down the street, so it is an easy walk down the street for me. I know a lot of people here talk about how long the wait is, but if you are coming on a Saturday or Sunday morning I don't understand the need for a rush? There are lots of little shops near by and you can entertain yourself there while you wait. Everything on the menu is well executed, but for a real treat check out the seasonal menu. I typically will get the summer vegi fritta or the steak and egg tostada (when in season). My girlfriend goes nuts over the crab cakes benedict. The thing that really shines is their service. The food comes out fast and you always someone there when you need them. For the fish out there that go through a ton of water, you will love that they are constantly replacing your pitcher with a full one regardless of how much is still in it. In summary: Not going to give it 5 stars because I do have breakfast places that I like slightly better, but this is without a doubt one of the best places in Chicago for weekend breakfast food.
(4)RJ J.
The best omelet ever! Now on to that delicious eggs... I did order ALL meats omelet. That juicy surely flirts your tongue that nothing actually stops you. Seriously...
(5)Shaun F.
GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT!!! Nookies is unbelievably good! Their friendly wait staff put up with my mother's crazy antics! Order the freshly squeezed OJ. Also, you MUST MUST MUST order off the specials menu! The specials change to highlight the fare of every season. If you go to Nookies and order scrambled eggs and white toast, we can't be friends. So, you don't want to wait in a line huh? Then, be smart and go early!
(5)Sara E.
I can't quite put my finger on it, but this location is even better than the LP one. The Wild Bleu (seriously, if I could come up with my signature omelet, it would be this) is amazing. They keep the coffee flowing, and there is a really cute bar with cute cute cute stools. Cute. It was completely busy when we got there, but they took our name and literally a minute later we were led to a table. Awesome, as I was incredibly hungry. MMM.
(5)Quality C.
THE GOOD: great ambiance, great food, great service THE BAD: small bathrooms THE UGLY: long wait
(4)Jennifer M.
I ate here for the first time over the weekend and was not disappointed. They have an extensive menu with options for everyone. They had a few seasonal items on the menu for breakfast and I tried the apple bread french toast. It was absolutely delicious and I cannot want to go back to try many more dishes from their menu!
(5)Melissa M.
I've heard about this place a great deal over the years because I have a friend that works there. Sadly, he wasn't working while I was there, but I really enjoyed this place. It was very roomy and bright and I didn't feel squished in like sardines like some restaurants, even though it was extremely busy. I give special kudos to our waiter. The woman I was with only ordered one egg and one sausage and water. She said she doesn't like a place to dictate what she eats. As a friend, I can respect that. As former waitstaff, I know that this order would be an annoying waste of time, but the waiter didn't even flinch. He took the order graciously and didn't try to get her to order a combo off the menu. He gave her exactly what she wanted. It even arrived with an orange slice on the plate, perhaps if only to fill up the plate, but it was a nice touch. lol We were given a caraft of water with lemon which was promptly refilled whenever we emptied it. My companion thought the lemon was a nice touch. My order included hasbrowns which were very crispy and yummy! Another bonus is that the bread came with the butter on the side, so you had the choice to use butter or not that is so often not given without a request. All in all, great and speedy service, bright and cheery atmosphere, and accommodating kitchen. No complaints and I would be delighted to return!
(5)Mike S.
Based on some Yelp reviews, we went to Nookie's this morning (Sunday) around 10:30 am. As we walked up, we saw a decent crowd outside so we were expecting a very long wait...but it ended up being only 15 minutes (and they were spot on with their estimate). We were sat in the very back room which, I will add, is one of the reasons we rated this as a "4" instead of "5". We didn't give them a seating preference and we would much rather be seated in 15 minutes than wait 2 hours if the restaurant size was smaller, however they could do some more to make the back room more inviting. Especially considering there are no windows or anything back there...it's very sterile. Once we got back the seats, we discovered that the food MORE than made up for the odd layout. I had the good old, traditional pancakes, with 100% maple syrup (up charge but worth it) and bacon. She had peach and raspberry pancakes with almonds and a peach-marmalade butter. Both dishes were out of this world!! Our waiter was excellent and extremely attentive. The only service issue we had was keeping our coffee hot - the waiter really wasn't the one handling the coffee...the guy who was didn't make it back to our room very often so we had to keep asking for a warm-up. If not for the coffee and blah-dining area in the back, we would have given Nookies 5 stars, hands down. But you will definitely find us there again, soon!!
(4)Jenn R.
I'm waiting for a Nookies to open in River North, b/c I'm an addict. I never have anything I don't like here. The service is fast, but not pushy and the food is consistent and fairly priced. The sweet trio is killing my diet, but it's oh so worth it. The Jalisco wrap shows up in my dreams. Amy's omelette is so good I make it several times a week at home, but still come back to Nookie's for the original. The OJ is so fresh my mouth waters just thinking about it. Crepes, pancakes, waffles, omelettes - YUM, YUM, YUM! And that's only breakfast. Lunches are great too: grilled cheese (I like mine with tomato), hamburgers, OH the chicken salad! Ok, it's lunchtime and I think I know where I'm heading. :)
(4)Gabi M.
Nookies is always a highlight when I come visit my sister in Chicago... I've been to both locations, but this one is so conveniently close to where my sis lives, that I choose to review this one. I absolutely love the breakfast (served all day) at Nookies. I wish I could find a place in Arizona that made egg white omelets 1/2 as good as they are at Nookies! They are so fluffy and delicious - I dream about these when I am away! Most recently. I went on a weekday morning (which I highly recommend so you don't have to fight the crazy crowds you'll find here on Saturdays and Sundays). I had a coffee, the spinach and mushroom egg white omelet, tomato slices, and multi grain toast. Yum! It was exactly what I was craving and it filled me up for hours! I hear the blueberry pancakes are to die for, so I may have to try those next time. I've also had the tuna salad stuffed avocado for lunch which is perfect to split with someone - the portion size is huge! Note that this location is cash only - I will make sure I've got enough $$ in my pocket at all times during future visits so I can fill my Nookies cravings. Until then, I'll be dreaming about those beautiful fluffy egg white omelets... thanks Nookies and sweet dreams!
(5)Carolyn K.
Service was great. The place was fairly empty, but our waiter was fantastic. This is the second time I have been here and my food has been excellent both times. I had the crepes, which were tasty. My companions each had the chorizo huevos rancheros and enjoy it.
(4)Ronda T.
Excellent breakfast and we went for a quick dinner burger as well. Great service,had to wait 5 min for a table but the vegetarian omelette was superb and I am not a vegetarian but felt like a healthy veg hit. The serves are generous and coffee good.
(5)Smark B.
Carrot cake French toast, lemon and poppy pancakes and plum pudding cakes make brunch all the more interesting. It may not look like much but the food is great and really good value.
(5)Gabe K.
I went to Nookies last week for lunch with some friends. There was about a half hour wait, but it was a nice day so we didn't mind and a line is usually a good sign about a restaurant's credibility. I got the huevos rancheros which was $6.45 and was delicious. Came with a large tortilla, rice, beans, cheese, eggs, and sour cream. Two of my friends ordered the monterey chicken sandwiches with the potato chip/fries; if you're struggling to decide, I'd recommend the monterey chicken sandwich. Another friend got the southwestern omelette which turned out to be a bad decision. The avocado dollop on top of the omelette was too creamy and tasted strange and the omelette itself had way too much cheese. It was literally half pepperjack cheese. Recommended. Not quite 5 stars, but definitely worth every one of the 4 stars I'm giving it.
(4)Dee C.
Had breakfast here until I waited for my spa appt at Avanti. I ordered the three crepes: blueberry, strawberry, and the cream cheese. The strawberry and blueberries were fresh which was refreshing. The cream cheese was great. The only problem with the fresh fruit is that it is hard to eat. It's like eating just blueberries and strawberries, but nonetheless, I still had a great breakfast. I went on a Tuesday so service was fast, the waitress was nice, food was good, prices were right, but parking is all metered parking around the area and I can't imagine getting a spot during the weekend when it gets busy. I think they have a sister restaurant too and I will return for some more yummy breakfast!
(4)Kay-tee O.
Saw this restaurant on a blog and we decided to try it after we landed in Chicago. We were there on a Friday morning around 830-9am. The service was prompt, and the food was great. I ordered the chili-avocado frittata and it was excellent. If I lived locally I'd be back often. As it is if I return to Chicago I'll be visiting one of the restaurants for breakfast
(5)Garrett F.
I love pancakes! and Nookies does them extremely well. There Omelets are great too...Whenever up in in Lincoln Park you better believe that i am coming here. My all time favorite thing is small diner's and Nookies fits my definition perfectly
(5)Daniel C.
Our favorite Saturday morning brunch restaurant. Great tasting healthy food with very friendly service. Wait times to get in can be a bit long, but there's a really nice outdoor space to wait in, so not a big deal.
(5)Adriana L.
As an avid Yolk diner I almost feel like I'm cheating even writing this review (sorry Yolk) and yet I have to do it; I feel compelled. I went to Nookies with a friend a few weeks ago and was in the mood for blueberry pancakes. Being the healthy foodie I am I ordered the multigrain blueberry pancakes and a cup of coffee without knowing I would shortly arrive in what would soon become my food heaven here in Chicago. You breakfast/brunch addicts and junkies know what I mean. Out they came with blueberries on top, and in the middle - just like I like them. And the multigrain batter was perfectly seasoned with this surprise of cinnamon that left a perfect flavor on my tongue making me crave the next bite. The middle of each bite was somehow soft and almost gooey yet still cooked...I kept eating until I was nearly sick to my stomach they were so good. Here comes the dilemma...I am now addicted. I have to have blueberry pancakes all the time for breakfast and I'm trying to recreate their yummy multigrain recipe at home (I don't cook - it's not pretty people) and to top it off, blueberries are out of season - it's heartbreaking. Where does that leave me (and us)...I've now become addicted to Nookies and their multigrain blueberry pancakes! Oh yeah, my dining companion ordered an omelette and loved it although he was somewhat distracted by my nearly orgasmic experience across the table.
(4)Max M.
So this is where the yuppies eat breakfast in Chicago. If we were in LA, this would attract the young Santa Monica crowd. I kid. I kid. Seriously, I really enjoy coming here with the gf for weekend breakfast---especially in the summa time. Just head to the farmer's market across the street and walk off the egg white omelette or whole wheat pancakes along Lake Michigan. The food is respectable. But I really dig the neighborhood and vibe. Go early. It gets really crowded on weekends.
(4)K B.
Went here for brunch and was very disappointed. Tried the special, was a "Trout - Egg Scramble." The flavors did not mesh, and I hardly ate it. The best part of my meal was the toast I ordered on the side. On the other hand, the orange juice was really good.
(2)Al C.
UPDATE: i originally gave this place 4 stars, but i'm downgrading to 3. i've been here 2 more times since my review and each time they were horribly understaffed for weekday dinner crowd. There were 2 couples sitting next to us who were so freegin' steamed because their food hadn't come out yet and they had been waiting forever. The food is still pretty good and i love the convenience, but the service is spotty. Just moved to chicago and am soooooo happy to have found that i live a stone's throw away from NOOKIES! this is one of those comfy, solid homecookin' kinda places that everyone wishes they could live within stumbling outta bed distance. It's perfect. the food is tasty and it's just is the perfect neighborhood place for any meal. LOVE IT!
(3)G T.
Good stuff. Kid friendly early.
(4)Shelley K.
So nice and lovely Greek owners! Defo go back. Portions huge - buy breakfast and you get to take home lunch too!
(4)Alex H.
I consider myself lucky that I live close enough to Nookie's to make it my brunch standby. There's nothing I haven't enjoyed. And as though the great fare and warm service isn't enough, its BYOB. Yep, Korbel mimosas all the way! Unfortunately the secret's out (was it ever in?) so be prepared to wait on Saturdays and Sundays.
(4)Jeff H.
This is my favorite brunch spot in the city and I have been to a lot. Once you get a table (the wait can be up to 45 minutes on the weekend) your food will be prepared perfectly and served quick. The staff is friendly and makes you feel at home. As an added bonus their coffee is excellent.
(5)Joshua G.
4 1/2 maybe. This place is much bigger than you expect from the outside. Traditional decor, wait staff in all black. They offered my toddler son a cup of crayons and stickers. (He was very pleased.) We weren't even seated when the staff offered coffee (I like this). Our waitress came to check if we needed more drinks. Realized we needed time and offered it. Once we were ready (sat down our menus) she was right over. I asked her opinion on two of the omelets (North of the Border or Southwest somethinorother) She recommended the N o B, due to the fact it had meat and the SW didn't. I could tell she had had neither and wondered what she would have recommended to my wife. I ordered the NOB and my wife a Fritata. The food was delicious and sooooo much food. We actually just sat down this morning and finished the leftovers. Overall a very pleasant experience. Good food. Good environment.
(4)Jennifer J.
I am a devout Nookies fan--a fan of the food, I should say. This is a review of the service. I've been going here enough to feel that I can give an accurate take. I LOOOOOVE Nookies food. I go here a LOT because the food is great and the prices are not bad. It's fresh, dependable, unpretentious. Now, I despise the customer service. I go here a LOT, but the employees treat me as if they've never seen me before; in fact, they even treat me coldly and rudely. This pretty much goes for everyone who works here. Now, there are several "hosts" who work here. The two I see the most, Douchebag #1 and Douchebag #2, are the rudest. Douchebag #1 is the one who seems to be working the most when I show up. He's oldish and very bald. This guy, when he's not talking about his "gym" or some sort of personal training adventure, does the minimum. A begrudging "hi," escort to a table, and exit. Handles the payment at the end, ever so brusquely, and delivers a short "bye" when I leave. In between all of that minimum work, he's sitting down, usually blabbing to someone, likely regulars, about personal training and working out or some crap like that. ALLLLLLL the time. Without fail. Once, when he had to perform work, he delivered an order that was messed up, and he freaked out when I told him so. He very unwillingly took my order back. Douchebag #2 is a tall, hairy one. The kind of guy who played football in high school and wasn't very good; he was just stocky and tall, so people thought he was good. This guy also does the minimum. He's pretty much like Douchebag #1, but he's there less often, so hence, a little less annoying. And there are two other guys that are just neutral, meh. The waiters: the girl with the dark hair, always in a disheveled pony tail on the side, scares me a bit. She gets the job done, but she's incredibly bitchy. I'm always happy when I don't have her because she makes me nervous. The tall girl who has a high pitched voice is nice-ish but fake. Sometimes messes up the order and will often forget about you as she chats it up with Douchebag #1 and occasionally, Douchebag #2. The blonde guy also sometimes messes up an order, and forgets about you often. He's eh when it comes to niceness. None of them actually acknowledge me--they just take my order and give the food (sometimes incorrectly) with a barely passable decent demeanor. It makes me uncomfortable to even come to this place, especially when it's not jam-packed because it's even more obvious that they could give a crap about this regular. I think I may stop coming here, though I love the food so, and start going strictly to Nookies Tree on Halsted--the waiter, Deda, is MUCH warmer and friendlier, even bubbly. The other waiters...eh. Nookies, I suppose, in general, could use an overhaul when it comes to their waitstaff and "hosts." The food is sooo good and affordable, but the customer service just blows it for them--2 stars.
(2)Serena S.
Love it! I get so excited anytime a family member comes to visit from my hometown so that way I have an excuse to go here for breakfast. So much food for your money, I have yet to clear a plate. Yummy seasonal fruit and veggies. My favorite breakfast place.
(5)Unity O.
Ah Nookie, Nookie, Nookie! Talk about being leaving a place satisfied--ah!!!! The eggy goodness covered in the sinfully creamy cheese, the tart artichoke adding a ting of sass--ahhhhh!!! Someone hand me a cigarette--oh wait! I don't smoke--drat!! For some reason I have been on a brunch kick lately--must find good brunch food at affordable prices or will die--this is my mission. Once I find a brunch spot the inevitable inner argument occurs & it can be killer sometimes: SWEET OR SAVORY?!?!?!?! my sweet side & my savory side really duke it out--you should hear it & the language--good lordy, lordy. I am utterly ashamed of myself for having worked near enough to the place for the past 12 years & NEVER having been--someone slap me! Upon entry, I was pleased to discover how humongous the place is. You would never guess the size of the dinning room from the outside--I am guessing this comes in handy on the weekends as I imagine it gets packed. My friend & I were seated right away and promptly served coffee--already this place was winning in my book. Our server was quick in assisting us with the menu & ready to give suggestions (personally I love that). He was very attentive to our needs and made the experience ever so enjoyable. He even displayed a ton of patience as the war of savory vs sweet waged on in my head (this little spats can take a bit of time). Savory won out on this trip & I ordered the artichoke frittata. It was delicious and the portion was MASSIVE. My friend ordered the Amy omelet with fruit cup and of course we shared (why go out with people if you are not going to sample each others plates?!?!?!?!). Both dishes were delicious--a word to the wise if you do not like lots of cheese be sure to tell them go to lite on that stuff. My only negative is the coffee--while I thought was Okay--I have had better. Trust me though, that won't keep me from coming back. The sweet side of my brain must have its day! So the run down is this: Place--spacious & comfortable. Staff--friendly & super attentative Food--comes out hot & quick and is utterly DELICIOUS! If in the hood--check them out or heck make a special trip.
(4)Carl D. S.
When it comes to neighborhood brunch spots, Nookies is high on the list. Delicious food at the right prices, with a staff that is friendly and takes care of it's customers. There's a reason for the line on most weekend mornings. Either for 2 or for 8, Nookies can accommodate. Stupid rhyme. The inside, although a little hotel decor, is what it is. There's a counter to hold around 12, but the place goes far back filled with tables. It's just what a place like this should be, ready to rearrange at any moment depending on the groups coming in. They do a great job at getting people in and out, as the line outside can keep you waiting around 30 minutes. You'll notice, most people wait and done give up. The food is well, well done and at a price that is decent. Pick any breakfast and you'll be pleased. From the standard pancakes to their giant omelets, Nookie will surprise you with ingredient combinations galore (try the one with apples in it). The specials change often and contain items truly deserving of being listed "special". The same goes for lunch and dinner, anywhere from a Turkey club to a full on fish dinner can be ordered. Go for the burgers, as the combinations are incredible. The Amsterdam...gouda, garlic, mushrooms...on a burger?? Yes please! Plus, the side is their homemade potato chips, which should be ordered extra crispy. Another highlight is that Nookies is BYOB, so get your Mimosas flowing or your cooler of beer close at hand. If you're looking for a quick bite, or for a friendly brunch, at a neighborhood establishment, Nookies will cover your needs. Hold out through the wait, as it'll be well worth the hospitality and good eats.
(5)Timothy H.
Came here for brunch with a bunch of friends, many who were out-of-towners. Nookies is A-OK, but too far from where I live to warrant coming back. The food is good, and reasonably priced, but I was irked by being charged $3 extra on my 2x2x2 for blueberry pancakes and chicken sausage. 1) I didn't need the chicken sausage, I improperly assumed that was their sausage option. 2) really, $1.50 to add blueberries to the pancakes? Fine, my fault. I paid my share, I just wasn't expecting it. The place is much larger than it appears from the outside and I think the wait never exceeded a half hour. Their coffee sucks. If someone from Nookies reads this, I don't know what you're doing when you make the coffee but it needs to be stronger. Very much. Stronger. Oh, and the Huevos Rancheros? Underwhelming. Pancakes are ok. Eggs are undercooked. On the other hand, the corn flake crusted french toast, and sweet creme & cheese crepes and very good.
(3)Nathan M.
Recently moving from San Francisco, I was eager to find some local eats beyond the misery of Denny's & IHOP. I fell upon Nookies this last Saturday & thoroughly enjoyed it. Although the atmosphere was a bit bland...the food was far from it. While there, I enjoyed one of their many omelets filled to the brim with fresh spinach, crispy bacon and melted cheddar cheese. It was delicious. Pared with a hearty batch of hash browns (a little underdone for my taste) and choice of bread; my stomach was fully satisfied upon leaving. This seemingly retro diner has a quaint feel & a warm staff that made the experience overall enjoyable. I suspect that I will be back soon.
(4)Penelope S.
I love their fresh squeezed orange juice!! The food was awesome and the host made my children feel so special! Great music and great wait staff!
(5)Brenna M.
My parents are visiting for Father's Day weekend, we wanted to get brunch on Sunday morning, but my Dad's not really a "foofy" brunch kind of guy. Aka, he'd take a greasy spoon diner over Toast, any day of the week. So, Nookies seemed like the closest thing to a Diner I could find in Old Town. We sat down at 10am, with no wait. The service was prompt, and our expectations were...honestly we had no expectations. So let me tell you we were BLOWN AWAY by the food. I had the roasted veggie open face frittatta, and the eggs were fluffy and the veggies fresh and full of the grilled smokiness. The summer specials were incredible too. Do me a favor and get the Trio of: berry french toast, peach/cocunt hotcakes, and almondy pancakes. We split it among the 4 of us, and they were all so yummy! You'll have food to go. Learn to love leftovers, I'm eating mine right now :)
(5)Billy B.
Look, I know that people really like Nookies but I am not entirely certain they have eaten good breakfast before. Sure, Nookies is good for an average breakfast that costs $12-14 with coffee. If you want really good food and atmosphere this aint your place. Instead, trade up and go to Tavern, stay in the same price range and go to Yolk, check around the corner at Toast (typically a wait), or go to Bar-Ba-Reeba. My point is really that all restaurants cant be 4-5 stars and there are much better options than Nookies. Will I go back? Sure, but I certainly have experienced better.
(2)Damian C.
Every time my friends want to go to Nookies I throw some kind of protest. Not cause I am a brat, but because I don't really see the hype in this restaurant. I am not a breakfast person, so maybe I am missing out on something amazing, but a good restaurant has to make sure quality covers all bases. The first time I went was the mid-morning after a shackfest. I was told it was a "cute little restaurant" and immediately pictured a small quiet place to eat and have conversation. Instead, I found myself walking into a cram-packed little room with tables that were so close I could practically taste test their meals (though they were eating breakfast food so I wouldn't have anyway). My BBQ chicken sandwich was ok. Just ok. A little sloppy with sauce, but nothing worth noting. I was disappointed again when the check came and the waitress said "Oh sorry, we only accept cash." ARGH! I would say 3 stars for that. But LUCKY for me 4 of my friends wanted to go another night. I put up my protest, but could not get out of it. Heck, why not give it a second chance and see if it would be better on a random weeknight. I was in a sour mood, so I was pretty critical of everything. While there were less people in the restaurant, they only had one server working. I had a major chili craving, so I ordered the chili bowl. Other minor things happened to throw off the whole meal, and worst of all for me, my chili was pretty cold. Another disappointing experience. Maybe the third time is the charm? Who knows. I'll likely put up a fight before that happens though. Sorry, Nookies. edit: 3/18/07
(3)Bob F.
Excellent food for breakfast. Can't comment on lunch or dinner. Depending on when you go, there might be a wait. I will go here anytime i'm in the city for breakfast. (or breakfast for lunch!)
(5)Jacquelyn C.
Oh Nookies, How do I love thee, let me count the ways.... #1. Your outdoor seating on a glorious summer morning. #2. The fact that you have those buzzer things like Buffalo Wild Wings (for food) when our table is ready. #3. Your omlets. #4. the tiny chunks of fruit cooked into my panckes. (I never thought I would be the kinda gal to enjoy chunky anything, wow, was I wrong) #5. The fresh squeezed O.J. (and the 7 refills I usually get). #6. The huge meals at super uber skaduber cheap prices that allow me to share with a friend or take some home for later. #7. Your baller staff. I could go on and on. I love you nookies! See you next week!
(5)Pamela D.
This place is GREAT for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!! On the weekends it is crowed but worth the wait!! I went there for lunch today and had a veggie burger topped with THICK blue cheese and slices of apples, and homemade potato chips!!! The have great coffee and fresh juice!! Under $10 for breakfast and over for lunch and dinner!! BYOB
(4)Airetta B.
I will be telling my age but at my age who cares - Nookies was 'THE' place to go in the '70's for breakfast after a Saturday evening 'good' date. Nookies is still good for breakfast - now with my husband as the 'good' date!
(4)Sam R.
I've come here twice before, both times I got tuna and both times I was sadly let down. My boyfriend got the burger and thought it was absolute paradise though. The cream of spinach gets 5 stars from me though YUM!
(4)Roman M.
I wanted to give this place more stars because it's my local spot now, but it's just gonna get 3 from this guy. The service and overall attitude of the place is great - no frills and nice people. The food is very average though...but I guess I shouldn't expect much more from a diner-style place. Nothing was bad but nothing was great. If you're looking for a solid brunch spot this works. I haven't been here for lunch or dinner though, so take it with a grain of salt.
(3)Stacey A.
A series of brunchy haikus: Devine brunch trio: Two kinds of pancakes, french toast I might drool too much... Cinnamon pear toast from France was the clear winner I ate every bite And wished for seconds - it was so fucking tasty. Must make this at home. Pumpkin pancakes, next. Not as good as the french toast but solid flavors. Reminded me of pumpkin spice from starbs only much better. Third plate was too much - cherry-apricot pancakes. Okay - but not great. Everything on the menu sounded like sex in my mouth. For real, yo. Too bad I got lost trying to find the place and walked down Sedgewick. Oops? Please remember this: Nookies is on Wells - order their French Toast items.
(4)Jeri J.
I couldn't ask for a better neighborhood, family restaurant in the middle of the city! I have eaten here for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and take out. Everything I've had at Nookies is really good. The eggs benedict is a tad lemony, but thats how I like it! The turkey burgers are my favorite non-breakfast item. My boyfriend and I even brought Champagne and made our own Mimosas to have with our breakfast...best idea EVER!!! The only downside is that it gets really crowded on Saturday and Sunday mornings so I suggest trying on a weekday or saving time to wait (it's worth it!)
(5)Trevor M.
I live right down the block from nooks and as i am usually a fan of coney island style dinners I thought I would love having this in my backyard. I have eaten here a few times each trying something different in hopes of finding something good to eat. My first experience was with their skillets that were really nothing to talk about. Just a bunch of stuff thrown into a pile for you to eat. The next and sad to say last time I went there I took my girlfriend with me. It was pretty busy but I had 2 eggs toast and sausage and my girlfriend did the eggs benedict. My food was alright, definitely nothing I wouldn't be able to make for half the price. My girlfriend however is why we probably will never go back. It was obvious from the first look as the waiter was bringing it from across the room that they hollandaise sauce was straight out of a can. Had a terrible off yellow color that looked more like bile then hollandaise. When we asked our waiter if this is made fresh he kind of rolled his eyes and laughed. That just leads me to believe everything here is either frozen, canned or just plan cheap. I prefer simple things like hollandaise and mashed potatoes to be made fresh and not instant. When we notified the manager that we were unpleased that they couldn't take the extra 5-10 mins to make it right, his answer was something along the lines as you can't win them all.
(2)Tim Y.
Good diner food served fast. I had the BBQ beef (can you tell from my previous review I had a taste for it?) and enjoyed it a lot. Lots of beef on a potato like bun, cooked in a sweet BBQ sauce that wasn't too sweet, not too spicy, but just right. For a side I chose cole slaw that didn't disappoint but compared to the portions of other sides I saw, it was a bit skimpy and I could've gone for more. Avoid the tap water. It's nice that they keep a full carafe at each table, but it tastes really nasty.
(3)Tim S.
I've been to both Nookies and Nookies Too and nothing beats the original. Nookies on Wells is more spacious and the food was a touch better. I ordered two eggs over easy, hash browns, bacon and an english muffin. It was superb. My fiancé ordered the French toast, which was amazing as well. And for some odd reason, the coffee was extra delicious on this particular Sunday morning. Next time we will remember to bring our own champagne for mimosas. That was a small let down.
(5)Kyle R.
With a name like Nookies, I expected a much more hole-in-the-wall place than it was. Felt a lot like First Watch, for anyone who has lived in Northeast Kansas/Kansas City. But that's not a bad thing. Walking up Wells to Nookies on December 21 at about 9:30 AM, I may have been colder than I've ever been in my life, and I grew up in WI. Below zero temps with a 40 mph wind is unbelievably cold. But anyway, it was worth it. The menu's got all the requisite breakfast fare and I ended up having a Mexican-breakfast casserole thing; it was delicious. I'd go back if I lived in Chicago...
(4)Hard L.
The food is better than average, quick, inexpensive and comes in large portions. What really makes this place one of my favorites is the unique diner atmosphere and great staff.
(5)Robyn T.
You think Nookies. You think eggs. Breakfast. Weekend crowds. Do you think...dinner? Chances are probably not, but this diner-esque haunt has some solid sandwiches, wraps, salads and entree items. Surprised? I sure was. First off they have a rockin good strawberry milkshake with huge chunks of berries. Yum. Second most of their entrees include a bowl of soup (last night option included lentil or cheddar broccoli) and some really good fries (potato slices) and a pickle accompany the massive sandwiches. I loved my grilled chicken with avocado sandwich (it was so big I didn't even eat half the bun) and my friend liked her tremendous wrap so much she took the other half home. If you're looking for an affordable, family friendly dining option for any meal check out Nookies. Bonus? Outdoor dining and friendly service!
(3)Vanessa G.
Had the scrambled eggs with hash browns, and toast- simple breakfast but it was delicious! The staff was very friendly and efficient. Even though it was super busy, I never had to wave our waitress down like a crazy person, or wait for a re-fill on my coffee... Come to think of it, the guy that re-filled my coffee was like a coffee ninja, he came out of nowhere with a re-fill :) The location is great, but keep in mind that you'll probably have to wait for a table on the weekends. I'll definitely go back to Nookies, especially on a warm day when I can sit outside.
(4)Natalie M.
I honestly dont have much to say about Nookies(can you imagine- ME not having a lot to say??) Food- good, not great, but hearty and filling. I am especially fond of their omeletes which are LIGHT and FLUFFY. The other reviewers are correct- they do NOT skimp on the cheese. The hashbrowns are just OKAY, the fruit in their fruit cup is fresh and filling(not any of that nasty gross fruit-cup type thing you probably got in grade school). Service was attentive without being intrusive. Solid four stars for Nookies............... I just wish the place was a tad PRETTIER inside but OH WELL!
(4)Troy B.
Today was the first day visiting! The food was absolutely divine. The service was also top notch! Will be back!
(5)K. A.
Favorite! Favorite! Favorite breakfast place in Chicago!! I could honestly go to Nookies every weekend!! Their brunch is so good, I've never had something I didn't like and the staff is always friendly!! There are healthy brunch options as well as those more unhealthy options for those with a sweet tooth, so this place covers all the bases. I just keep going back! And still LOVE it!
(5)Jennifer B.
Get. Here. Early. Thank goodness we arrived by 9:15am on Saturday morning....when we left there was an hour wait! And for good reason, this place serves really delicious food! The food....every fruit-type pancake you can think of, and killer omelettes. Killer! (in a good way). The orange juice is freshly squeezed and really, I can't think of many better breakfast spots in the city. The only downside is the "decor"...if you will. It is basically a really bare space that has some tables and chairs and then filled with people. Not exactly quaint. But hey! With fresh fruit and whipped cream on top of your waffle, who can complain?
(4)Christine F.
Good, solid breakfast food. It's the real deal. Benedicts. Waffles. Pancakers. The ambience is eh and the food won't completely wow you, but it's solid. I had a California Benedict without bacon (english muffin, avocado, poached eggs and tomato with a hollandaise sauce). Not bad at all. Can't go wrong with avocados. If I am in the neighborhood for breakfast I would definitely go back.
(3)Alex R.
Nookies is a great place to bring your out-of-town friends and relatives. Ok, it's not Toast by any stretch of the imagination, but it's certainly worth visiting regularly. The food was mostly great, especially if you get their skillets -- the hash browns are amazing! They have freshly-squeezed OJ, so get that, too -- but stay away from the AWFUL coffee (no amount of creamer or sugar could masquerade the taste). I'll definitely be coming back again.
(4)Kevin D.
The best of the Nookies for sure, but the food is still very mediocre diner food...
(2)Cheyne N.
Solid breakfast spot. Place was slammed. Very good-looking & attentive staff. Food was banging and my bill was $20 for 2 people. Rad. First time in town and pretty damn impressed. Just please have some Tapatio or Cholula to go with my Chilaquiles next time please. Thanks
(4)A R.
I went here early Sunday morning with a large group. There were 8 of us and it was about 8:00 in the AM. As there were other groups ahead of us (big events going on nearby, so large crowds), they said we had to wait until our complete party was here. So we awkwardly stood around, unintentionally hovering over the tables nearby as there was no real area to wait. It definitely was an older crowd at that time. Everyone was in their 50's or 60's it seemed, reading their morning paper and sipping their morning coffee. The atmosphere kind of reminded me of your typical suburban American restaurant--nothing impressive with regards to the decor. I was skeptical about the rave reviews my friends gave this place. Finally, everyone arrives and they seat us. I start with an orange juice, which happened to be freshly squeezed. Delicious. Then I order the cheese stuffed crepes, with one cinnamon/apple one and a side of bacon. Pure dessert. The cheese crepes were very tasty and super sweet. I definitely enjoyed them but maybe too sweet for the morning. The bacon was perfect too--having a slight maple flavor to them. I tasted my friends eggs and they were cooked to perfection. I wish I had the chance to try more food, so I could rate them more thoroughly, but I have to say, if you want an all-American breakfast, moderately priced, this is the place to go. I'm not sure if I would come here again, though.
(3)Sylvia I.
Came here for brunch with a party of 4, and the wait wasn't too bad. We were all starving, so the prompt service with coffee as we sat down was great. Really good coffee too. Would be great if they could just leave a pitcher of coffee at a table....we were going through coffee pretty quickly. We all wanted something sweet and salty...so each couple ordered a 1-2 main dishes + pancakes to share! I ordered the chocolate chip pancakes and then shared a denver omlette with my husband...who got their pancake special that was super sweet. I wasn't a huge fan of the denver omlette....maybe because the eggs weren't too fluffy? Or maybe because I'm spoiled and my husband can make really good omlettes?? Would recommend coming here, especially if the wait here is shorter than Toast. We couldn't get into Toast, so walked over to here and got served within 20 minutes.
(4)Jorge M.
I go here for lunch 2 to 4 times a month. The food comes out fast and the service is minimal, but they are very helpful. I've never been during their busy time so I don't know if thinks take a long time. Portions are huge and prices are cheap for the area. Their patio is small but nice. Great place to get full before walking around the zoo or the park.
(4)Becca S.
I've lived 2 blocks from Nookie's for 9 years and have been many times. It started to lose its luster for me a couple of years ago for a few reasons. One was that they only take cash (that has since changed), secondly any time you'd want to go there's a minimum of a one hour wait, and thirdly there are so many brunch places that Nookie's really isn't up to par. I went recently for what I think will be my last time. I'm not a fan of any of their NON breakfast foods. I have had a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches, and nothing begged for a second chance. Their breakfast is good but again, nothing spectacular. The omelettes are always a little dry and the potatoes are bland. And why can you only get sweet potato fries in the after noon? The last time I went my waiter seemed to be in a training program for Ed Dbevics. He was rude but clearly in an attempt to be funny...he just failed. It's a bummer it's so close to my house but I can't see myself ever going back.
(3)Dan R.
This place is awesome. never had bad food. and its BYOB breakfast place which is very helpful on a sat. or sunday morning. expect about an hour wait on sundays i like to bring some champagne and make mimosas with their fresh squeezed OJ. BAM!!
(5)Gfiddy F.
Excellent brunch.
(5)Beth P.
Also, if you've ever found yourself in need of a gallon of ranch dressing stat- nookies is your place. PS- "Frisco sandwich": If you're not dieting, put it in your mouth now.
(4)Laura K.
I love Nookies! I've been coming here every month for my book club for nearly two years. They don't normally accept reservations, but the manager has always been really cool---call sometime in the day and give them a heads up and they pull tables together for us. They even do individual checks, which is a HUGE plus with a group! One waitress handles a group of 14 with ease and the busers are very attentive to refill water carafes for us. They let us linger as long as we want, never felt pressured to clear out. Even if they have other special events (another group, filming for something), they try to accommodate us as best as possible. They even let us do a special event with an author and 30 attendees without a problem. I tend to stick to a handful of favorites, but I've never had a bad dish. Nookies serves breakfast all day and I love pancakes for dinner on occasion. Pancakes, crepes, french toast, waffles----all yummy with large servings. The only dish I've ever heard any of my group not like was spinach pie. Otherwise, we've tried almost everything---salads, burgers, pasta, eggs, sandwiches, soup, etc.----with happy results. Good diverse choices for vegetarians as well. I've been here once for the typical Saturday early afternoon rush. The wait wasn't too bad. I tried a seasonal pumpkin pancake and it was really good. Good service. I could rave forever. There's a reason my book club has stayed put in the same spot for nearly two years. Everyone is happy and the staff is outstanding!
(5)Jonathon C.
We strolled into Nookie's on Sunday around noon. Place was jammed but we were able to get our party of seven seated fairly quickly. Staff was friendly and the food was fantastic. My veggie omelet, crunchy hash browns and byo bloody mary hit the spot. This place has definitely been added to my list of places to eat in Chicago.
(4)Rebecca H.
We went for lunch here last week and was pleasantly surprised, there was no wait, we got a sweet little table by the window and the waitress was so nice. The service was very good, and the place has a comfy feel to it. We both got the veggie burger, with a cheesy option, very good. The fries are like whole potato slices... mmmmm.
(4)Joshua K.
We were looking for a low-key meal on Friday night, I was craving breakfast food and my wife was open to anything so I hopped on Yelp and came across Nookies. It was exactly what we were looking for! I get pancakes nearly every time I eat breakfast out, but I like a multi-grain pancake with fruit and nuts. Our waitress (who was very friendly and helpful) said I could mix and match, so I created the perfect pancakes multigrain with bananas, blueberries, and nuts topped with real maple syrup. BEST pancakes i've had in the city, outside my own kitchen anyway :-) My wife got a turkey burger which was also very good. There menu is pretty big, and is priced right. We will definitely be back!
(5)Tiffany K.
i don't know which omelette i got but i do remember it being good. also remember the long wait. cute brunch restaurant. perfect for families, couples, dates, everyone!
(4)William H.
The food = Awesome. Wait staff gives alright service. Operation hours are optimal. I went here two nights in a row. I came back cause of the good service and great food I had the first night. First night I had a very attentive waiter. It was perfect. I had a sirloin steak that came with those awesome cottage fries, soup, and spinage. the quality of the food was great! So delicious for only $15.00 Second night I came in I had a ham and cheese sandwich. The waiter didn't ask me what sides I wanted so instead of the fries which I had a craving for, I was given coleslaw. That's alright though, it's a healthier option and it was the best coleslaw I have ever had. My dinner guest asked for catsup for his fries which he never got. All in all, I love the food here. It's all delicious! But I wish I had a different waiter.
(4)Julie S.
Best omelettes in the city. Period. When they say "fluffy," they aren't kidding. Great ingredient choices too. Delicious! Our brunch club showed up with 11 people, right at prime seating time. The folks at Nookies were kind enough to let us call ahead to get on the list so the wait was really short. When we have such a large group, we kind of expect the service to dip a little. Not here. Our server went above and beyond for us. She was so attentive to every little detail. That means a lot to us. Thanks, Nookies!
(5)Marie B.
So, my co-worker suggested we meet here for a working meeting...omelets & home fries are great brain food, didn't you know? Anyway, she is a walking encyclopedia of restaurants in the city, so I deferred to her opinion. I was not disappointed. The service was good, although the restaurant was rather crowded, it wasn't noisy...not something you can say about alot of places anymore (when did we all start talking so loud!?). At any rate, the food was very plentiful. I had this huge, huge omelet that was stuffed with yummy fresh veggies. It came with a large side of home fries (my favs) and toast. Although my co-worker is a bit of a health/diet freak, I ignored her scowls and ate at least half of everything (which was no mean feat!). Overall a good place for breakfast/brunch. The only drawback: Attempted to go back on another day and could not find parking...anywhere!?
(4)Elizabeth S.
Once again YELPERS were great HELPERS! First went to Toast (it was 2 PM on Saturday afternoon). Walked in the door where there were 3 people waiting and the hostess immediately said "It will be an hour. . " According to other reviews, this is obviously a standard response. Walked over to Nookies. Greeted by a lovely and funny woman, who immediately seated the 3 of us in a window booth - SCORE! Food was great (LOTS of it), service was EXCELLENT - our server was sweet, nice, and really attentive when we needed it but never made us feel like we needed to hurry at all. I wanted to go back on Sunday but alas- we needed to try out somewhere else to complete our weekend!
(5)Colleen C.
Okay. I'm a huge fan of the occasional trip to Nookie's for nice diner food in Boystown. But this one...Seriously? In a nutshell: awful service, rude waitstaff and management. Here's what happened... I walked in after a dentist appointment (yuck) for a salad and a nice read all to myself. Well, this didn't exactly happen. For one, it took FIVE MINUTES to wait to be seated...and then, I wasn't seated. See, after waiting that whole time, NO ONE even LOOKED at me or bothered to say, "Someone will be right with you," or "Can I help you?" It was NOT crowded. At all. So, I figured, maybe I'm expected to seat myself? Doesn't seem like it, cuz I know how the other Nookie's works (see: someone at the counter ready to seat you immediately), but I think, "Whatever, who knows," and seat myself. It became apparent that I was NOT supposed to do this, as every waiter and bus boy walked right past me paying me no attention / not knowing how I got there. So FINALLY, after 10 minutes, some waitress says something to the manager guy at the counter, clearly pointing at me. He shook his head and said something. She turns to me and says, "Excuse me, do you need a menu?" I said I did. With that, she turns around and storms off to the front, shaking her head and throwing her hands up in the air in annoyance. At me. As if I wouldn't see this? Then she hands me the menu and, in a fake-nice voice, but loud enough for everyone to hear, says, "Next time, just make sure you check in at the counter, okay?" I responded, "Yeah, well no one helped me for five minutes so..." And she WALKED AWAY as if I hadn't said anything. I should've left. But i was starving and already there. So I stayed and ordered my salad. The rude waitress decided she should be nice to me from then on out, clearly remembering that she needed a decent tip at the end of all this. (Which, she did not receive nor deserve.) I must say, I've never felt like such a nuisance to a waiter or waitress like this until the Old Town Nookie's. And all because I got confused by the lack of attention to be seated, and assumed I might need to seat myself. So, I will NOT be going back to this location. Ever. Very rude and unprofessional. If I have a craving for Nookie's next time, I'll make sure it's at the Boystown one, where they actually, you know, SEAT you in a decent amount of time and are kind to you.
(1)Jesse S.
I've been to this Nookies two or three times, and have been consistently whelmed by just about everything--quality of food, quality of service, decor, other customers, other customers' orders, and so on. Word on the street is, that you got a weakness for breakfast food items, and well, I'll be damned if that's not true, but wouldn't you know it, I don't think I've ever actually had breakfast/brunch here, and, well, if I did, it was one time (that "or 3"rd time) and it wasn't very notable. Otherwise I've had the sandwiches. Pretty sweet if you like sandwiches with shit piled on top of 'em. For example, when I went last week, I got a tuna melt. That's right, tuna on english muffins with tomato slices and some nuclear orange cheese melted on the top. It was pretty good--the tuna's real mayonnaisey if you're into that. I usually prefer a drier tuna. Because I'm weird. The fucked up thing is, though, that I could barely eat any of the GD sandwich because I had a bowl of split pea soup that preceded it. NOW IS THE TIME WHEN WE DISCUSS THE MAJESTY OF THE SOUP. Seriously, this split pea soup was thick, creamylicious, hammy, oh my oh my oh tasty good. On its surface floated big as hell sourdough croutons, nary a sogged by the viscosity of their home waters. The croutons were buttery, a bit garlicky, basically fucking incredible. And the soup, oh, heavens, the soup. I tell you, I have never had it taken out of me so bad from a bowl of soup before. I'm a huge fan of soup, and it usually sates me, but, like, Campbell's doesn't cut it unless you also--in addition--hook up some cheese and crackers with that bitch. Now, the type of cheese and the type of cracker are HIGHLY context specific with respect to the particular soup, but their copresence is near mandatory, in my soup consumption book. But I'll be damned if this split pea didn't get a full fucking pass with crusty croutons alone. And then I was too full to eat my sandwich. THANKS NOOKIES FOR FEEDING ME THIS SOUP IT IS THE SOUP OF HEAVENLY DELICIOUS DELIGHTS BUT NOW I HAVE TO TAKE THIS SANDWICH HOME AND I HAVE TO BE ONE OF "THOSE PEOPLE" TAKING HOME TAKEOUT CONTAINERS OF STINKY FOOD ON THE EL AND EVERYONE EVERYWHERE PRETTY MUCH IS 100% SURE THEY KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN EATING AND THEY'RE JUDGING ME FOR IT. Thanks a lot. And what the hell is with those slices of potatoes you pretend to pass off as french fries? That shit's like trying to call a sow's ear a fuckin' silk purse. (2 stars on an everyday, 3 for the soup.)
(3)ZZ K.
This spot located in Old Town is simply put...AWESOME!! The wait is often long when you go during prime time eating hours (usually breakfast), and even worse in the summer (they do have some outdoor seating). It is all worth the wait to eat here and the service is good - they always greet you with a smile. My boyfriend and I walk here (40 minutes) and grab breakfast and or lunch often. Its worth it and we get a chance to prepare for the mound of calories we intake...well worth it!! They have great breakfast dishes, which have not compared with any other breakfast place (maybe Wishbone) that I have been to in the city...really. They are better than Toast, Orange, Le Peep, Lou Mitchel's...I can go on, but I'll spare you! They have some creative seasonal menu items including AMAZING stuffed french toast in the summer, which I highly recommend and great egg dishes. Even their salads and burgers are fantastic! Their portions are large and the prices are well worth the quality and quantity you get. It's a great spot for a large or small group and we never feel rushed. They take good care of you and will make sure you get exactly what you want. Please note that parking is a pain around here!
(5)Sopla R.
This was our 2nd time here and probably last. The breakfasts' are decent here. Portions are huge and service is OK. However, we stopped in for a late lunch last week and it was really just so-so. I had the roast chicken and veggies and mash pots.. well the chicken was good.. but the veggies were WAY undercooked (an no.. not even remotely al dente) the potatoes were ice cold in the middle.. which means.. that they were not properly heated up (as in slowly) I tasted my SO' s food and the fries were lukewarm as well.. so timing is an issue here.. bringing the food up at the same time not putting it up at different times in the window) I thought I had recalled that it was much better than it was....and I think really the only reason to come here again would be for breakfast but actually there are SO many 4 & 5 star breakfast places to go to (that are same prices or less) there's really NO reason to come back.. PS..tell your waitstaff, bussers etc.. not to pick up glasses by the rim! It's SO tacky and SO unprofessional.. even for a casual place like this.. service 101.
(2)Cecilia T.
My running club has come here a few times on Saturdays around 11 after our runs, so we're starving and want warm yummy food. Despite the size of our group, we're able to find seats with little wait time. Their menu selection is large and varied so youc an pretty much find what you want and the portions are very large. At our last outing, I ordered their French Toast and finished only a third of my meal! Their coffee is pretty good here as well.
(3)S. Brian F.
Great neighborhood Resturant. These people really take of you. Great food, great service. Very friendly .
(5)Michael O.
This place is packed at 10am when I arrive! A rather good sign, considering Chicagoeans know their brunch places. Service here is moderate at best - my server seems pretty stuck up. When I tried to ask for recommendations, she did not offer anything at all (by claiming "everything here is good"). Since this is my first time here, I'm not even sure if she is correct. One thing for sure - freshly squeezed OJ is great! Breakfast was moderate - not sure what's the hype about this place. I won't want to go in a group here because the line's pretty long and the food's alright. Maybe another visit (and another waitress) might change my opinion?
(3)D F.
Not only is the food consistently tasty, its also friendly on the price. Food is seriously the best hangover/morning meeting place/old friends rendezvous, well you get the picture. This location is consistently busy and consistently good. What else could you ask for. Things to try: Ernesto's Chilaquiles Any of the skillets Crepes Never have had lunch here, but benefit of the doubt its probably really tasty!!
(5)Kelly K.
I lived around the corner from this place for a while and I always wished it was open for dinner during the week! The brunch is fantastic- even when I stray from my usual selection of an omelet, I've never been disappointed. The salads are also delish and they have a great $5ish special where you can get a blt with soup. Yum!
(4)Alayna H.
Nookies is probably my second favorite breakfast place in the city...Cornerstone holds the #1 spot, they don't have the same variety, but they're walking distance from my place and the service is as good as it gets. Anyhow, back to Nookies...sometimes there's a bit of a wait in the AM, but it is SO worth it. They have a great variety of egg dishes, and any omelette that your little heart could possibly desire. Also got the crepes here once and they were amazing as well. I normally come for breakfast/brunch, but I came for lunch once and got the rueben, I do NOT recommend it, the meat was hard and slightly scary looking, and tasted like leftovers from a week ago. That being said, that was my only bad experience and not worthy of knocking the review down any stars when compared to all of my other experiences here. I now know that if I'm craving a reuben, Jason's Deli is the place to go, not Nookies. Also, it's BYOB, one morning I saw a very clever group of people making mimosas...I'm defintely following their lead the next time I head to Nookies.
(5)Stephanie K.
Sweaty and hungry, my friend and I wandered into Nookies after the Run for the Zoo 10K. Although I've never been to this location, I'm familiar with the Nookies organization and thought it would be the perfect diner-type breakfast as an after-race reward. I tried the Gouda, Egg, Shroom & Spinach sandwich, which was great. I'm sorta picky about my omelettes, and usually walk out disappointed or wishing I had chosen something different. However, Nookies is pretty darn consistent with their menu. Everything I've ever ordered - or tasted off another's plate - has always been tasty, satisfying and the perfect amount of grub to satisfy a grumbling tummy. Note: One star lost for cash-only.
(3)Marlene S.
Wish there was a Nookies in my neighborhood so that I could try everything on the menu. Went to the Wells St. location for the first time on a Saturday around 1 pm. Very short wait. Decided on the apple cranberry crunch pancakes. Yummy! Took half of my daughter's chicken salad sandwich home for dinner (portions are big and it came w/soup) and it was delicious. Nice variety of items on the menu - eggs, crepes, pasta, salads, burgers, and even pork chops. Their motto is "fresh and friendly" and that was true for me.
(4)Anna P.
Same good food and service as the other locations (larger than Lincoln Park location, which is nice). I like this place because it has great brunch options (especially love the omelettes) and actually some great lunch options as well (the turkey burgers, which are usually tough to nail down, are surprisingly good), which can be tough at a brunch place.
(3)Rebecca H.
Great breakfast spot. Healthy and greasy options so me and my SO don't argue. You could pay more at a crappy diner on any other corner in Chicago and miss out. The name is "Nookies." That alone would win me over for at least one visit! But I'll keep coming back and you should, too. They even honored my NPR Membership card without complaint.
(4)Amy D.
Very disappointing experience at Nookies with just ok food and horrible customer service from management. There are too many great spots in this city to waste time going to this location. If you're in the Old Town neighborhood, head over to Elly's for great food that comes along with a better managed restaurant including excellent customer service and a friendly staff.
(1)Madelyn H.
nookies looks like a typical diner inside - but the food i had was not typical. i had one of the specials - the parisian benedict - and it was delish. it was on brioche instead of english muffin and was topped with asparagus and truffle oil. there is always a wait involved but seems like that's par for the course for brunch. if you need brunch in this area, it's a really good option.
(4)Natalie F.
nice place for breakfast, but our croissant was not as soft and fluffy as we hoped it would be
(4)J S.
Rock on. Awesome food crappy parking. Park at pipers alley (second city) and walk.
(4)Annie S.
I love eating at Nookies. I'm not giving it 5 stars because the wait is almost always really long and it's very annoying that they don't take credit cards. Ugh. Ok so the food here is really good and pretty cheap. This is a diner so they have almost everything anyone could want. From breakfast food (eggs, skillets, breakfast burritos, pancakes, omelettes), then salads, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, pasta, etc etc etc. The food is always hot and taste really good. My favorites: Multigrain Pancakes (always get them with fruit and yogurt) Crunchy French Toast (really good!) I would recommend coming here even though parking can be a real hassle.
(4)Tammy Q.
After my mediocre experience at M. Henry, I was a little hesitant to try Nookies, even though the reviews were good. I came here this weekend with two friends and we basically tore everything up. I had the ham and gouda croissant and it was yummy and flavorful. I like my hash browns to be a little crispy on the outside-- and can never seem to get it that way unless I make it myself. Nookies hit the spot -- perfectly made. We also ordered the trio of sweet pancakes and the Napoleon is the one that stands out for me. Warm French toast covered in sweet cornflakes and stuffed with ripes strawberries and a yogurt-y substance -- who would have known it would be so good!?! It was -- everyone must try that!! The pineapple upside down pancake tasted just like its cake ancestor. The banana/toffee pancake was a little too sweet for my tooth (the horror!) Service is swift here! The food came out in less than 10 mins and coffee service definitely made its round around us!
(4)Shawn Z.
Love the omlet, wild blue. I'm. sucker for good cheese. Great food, good price
(4)scott s.
Hey We dont accept Credit Cards Our food isnt too good either
(2)Lauren G.
So far I've had some of the seasonal specials (caramelized pear crunchy french toast & ginger pumpkin pancakes) and only their breakfast food, but their fare is beyond delicious. The orange juice, though the color might throw you off, is fresh and highly recommended. The atmosphere is subdued and yet homey, in a modern sort of way (more so for the one on Halsted than this one though). Quick service, extremely reasonable prices (especially for the area). My only gripe is in regards to the portion size. I would like a smaller option as I've no desire to reheat french toast at a later time after it's been soaking in syrup, and I don't want to waste food either --it makes me feel even more privileged and guilty, as if stuffing my face with gourmet breakfast food wasn't enough.
(5)Jessica D.
Holy Mother of taste buds! I had one of the top 10 meals of my Chicago life here today. My boyfriend and I shared our dishes. The seasonal specials including an omelet with mustard greens, sweet potatoes, ham, peppers. The tang of the greens mixed with the sweet of the yams and the saltiness of the ham was unbelievable. On top of that, we had a sampler of the seasonal pancake/french toast items. The flapjacks were moist, creamy pumpkin pancakes with roasted pecans. The pecans were toasted and mildly charred for a delicious burnt sweet taste. The french toast was good had incredibly fresh spiced apples and struesel cumblies. Oh, and their orange juice was the best fresh squeezed I've ever tried- EVER.
(5)Katie G.
Oh Nookies, I owe many a drunken night and sickly mornings to you. You have been there for me always delivering delicious breakfast, soup, or burgers. You are by far the best diner type place in the neighborhood. Always open and always satisfying. Definitely 4 stars in my book. Even better: TRY THE BRYN MAWR LOCATION.
(4)Erika G.
The original Nookies. I had a boyfriend, back in the day, that was obsessed, OBSESSED with this place. Every time he'd visit me in Chicago, we'd go here. The breakfasts are very good, really, but not worthy of an obsession.
(3)Lauren H.
A wonderful place for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!!! Prices are perfect and you can always find whatever you are craving at the time on the menu and you won't be disappointed. I have lived in Chicago my whole life and I have been eating here since I was 5 years old and I am 28 now.
(5)jenn m.
Super cute little corner restaurant. It definitely has that "homey" feeling. The staff are very nice and accommodating. You certainly see a lot of regulars here. We like to sit at the little bar area and read our newspapers and drink coffee. The menu is pretty standard when it comes to breakfast affairs, but I do enjoy it. Eggs, bacon, coffee. That'll get er done. ;)
(4)Christina D.
I had a great dining experience at Nookies! It's an awesome, no-frills diner with a cozy atmosphere, nice staff and pleasant music. Oh and the food is pretty great as well! Nothing revolutionary but there's no need to be groundbreaking in order to be awesome.
(4)Meghan G.
Still love Nookies- just simple fresh diner food for dinner and lunch, amazing treats for brunch! It is BYOB, and they DO take cards now, so stop by and enjoy!
(4)Caroline M.
Strolled by the venerable Nookies a few times before I actually ate here. Every morning on the weekend there is a good crowd of people lingering outside the door. The place has a great family diner feel to it with a bit of a sophisticated edge. As for the food, I fell in love with the croissant french toast (w/ vanilla mascarpone cream and strawberries), a marvelous breakfast special they have in the spring(perhaps best eaten as some sort of special occasion or celebration -it is definately a sweet treat!). Frittattas, omelettes and eggs are consistently good as well.
(5)Huey K.
For such a long wait, I wasn't impressed. The food here *looked* great, but I was really disappointed with my bacon, chicken, and cheese frittata. Although the eggs were cooked well, it was way too cheesy.
(2)Patricia K.
This place feels somewhat tucked away despite its Wells St address. The wait on a weekend morning is rough. During the summer, it is made bearable by the ability to wonder around outside while waiting for your table. However, in the winter months, you are caught crammed in the front area with nowhere to sit during your long wait. Their menu changes seasonally, which always made each cruise of the menu feel like your first time there. I am a particular fan of the Croissant French Toast Napoleon in the spring.
(4)Meghan H.
This is my favorite spot for Sunday brunch. I often go with a good book and sit at the counter. They have a huge menu and I think it is comfort food. I love it - an easy go-to morning diner.
(4)Stephen Z.
Nice little place to grab a latte before a walk down wells
(4)Brandi T.
Hmmm. I was less than impressed with this place to put it nicely. We only had to wait around 18 minutes, which was probably too long considering the food. First off, everybody felt their food was under seasoned. Isn't that the number one sin when cooking? Season your food! The hash browns were alright, although a bit on the oily side. I had crepes and they were pretty dry and more like thin pancakes then true crepes. My husband felt pretty positive that all the vegetables in his breakfast came from a can. Service was so-so. Atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired. Had the food been great, the atmosphere would have been fine, but it's just humdrum. Meh. Oh yeah.. AND they don't accept credit cards. Who doesn't accept credit cards nowadays?
(2)Kevin S.
We got seated right away on a Saturday afternoon but we had to wait for probably around 20+ minutes for anyone to even approach our table. The portions were enormous and were decent tasting, but I like my omelets to have that oily or buttery quality to it. These omelets tasted like they were cooked with no grease, or baked or something. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, I'm sure it's much more healthy and lots of people like it better that way, but it's not for me. The ingredients all tasted really really fresh. The orange juice was delicious and perhaps the best I have ever had. If I'm in the area I would consider coming back.
(3)Rick E.
For those lucky enough to visit New Jersey and indulge in the Diner gastronomic experience, Nookies in Chicago will renew your hope that good food, lots of choices and great service without paying five-star fine dining prices still exist outside the Garden State. After finally visiting the Lincoln Park Zoo (Free admission! Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!) we ran across Nookies on Wells and couldn't have been more pleased with our experience. Not only were the sandwiches we ordered delicious, the ones we saw on other patron's plates made me want to swipe a bite. Lots of young professional couples in their non-office casual wear gazing deeply in each other's eyes gave one the perfect opportunity-but I was raised better than that. Suffice to say this place is goooood. Great looking food, better looking waiters, fast and friendly service. What else is there?
(4)Kassie C.
Great menu. My boyfriend and I both got omlettes and loved them. Service was excellent. We will be going back soon :)
(4)Christopher D.
Awesome food every time. Doesn't hurt that my favorite is breakfast.
(5)Jessica S.
Having walked by it a dozen times, I finally stopped in this morning/early afternoon for brunch with a friend. Seeing as how it was a Tuesday morning we were sat right away (it was too hot for outside so we ate in). I opted for the above the border omelet (Canadian bacon, apples and cheddar) with the fruit and an orange juice to drink. The orange juice was very good, I'm guessing very fresh as well since I found seeds in mine ;) My friend went with the tuna salad in an avocado (which they peeled so it was easy to eat) and ice tea. He wasn't a fan of the ice tea. Other than that no complaints. The menu is rather large so I might have to come back and try something else another day.
(4)Norman C.
I had the smokehouse fritada which was incredible! I enjoyed every bite and that was definitely worth the wait. Unfortunately, almost everything else was a drag. First, the wait - I realize it's a weekend around 11:30 so that's my fault, but the 30 minutes to get our food after we ordered was a bit crazy. I ordered an iced coffee which along with their coffee is pretty pathetic. The iced coffee looked like iced tea but our server replaced it with a hot cup of almost as watery coffee. Oh well. Lastly, my wife ordered the chicken salad which wasn't that tasty! The chicken should have been grilled instead it was poached and flavorless.
(3)Jaime S.
Really delicious seasonal specials. The lines are quite long, but they give you a realistic wait time right when you walk in and put your name down. Not great for groups as the seating seems like everything is meant for 4 or 6 max.
(3)L E.
At least 100 visits here (I lived across the street 4 years), during all days of the week & hours of the day, I regretfully boycotted Nookies many many times over & over again. 2 stars for menu options & staff friendliness. Zero stars for drastically declining food quality over the years. Being masochistic & returning ONE LAST TIME (every time) to give Nookies another shot is just plain self-destructive & abusive. The omelets are always wet, undercooked, & halfway raw (as are the "hashbrown" aka microwaved raw potatoes) & swimming on a plate of greasy water. The cottage "fries" are either burnt char, like chewing a plank of deadwood, or a dead wringer for "hashbrowns" & raw potatoes nuked in microwave. Medium-cooked hamburgers are ALWAYS well done, needing a vat of ketchup or sloppy toppings to choke them down like a bucket of peanut butter blobbed in your throat. The waitress, god love her 2 braincells, always giggled how "thirsty" I am every visit, drinking 3 pitchers of water & hot tea. No, ya twot..... I am hoping this beef-jerky overcooked cow will dissolve enough for digestion!! Hence the plate of lemons to break down the rotting meat in my gullet. Note to self: McDonalds and Subway are 2 blocks down the street and comparable in quality for 1/5th the price. Or, there's always Walgreens for a protein bar & Diet Mountain Dew. At least I won't be nauseous & sorely disappointed by my 20th, 50th, & 90th repeat offense visits.
(2)Shane H.
Always up for a spot of Nookie! I had been to Nookies Too on Halsted so I knew that the original must be very comparable. And it did not disappoint! Surprisingly, the wait was considerably shorter than at N2. Perhaps its because they are not in a high shopping traffic area. And hey, that is great with me. It is just less time that I have to wait for my mountain of a Sundae-esque breakfast. Full of gooey goodness and whipped cream. I felt like putting a sparkler in it and singing happy birthday to myself. Ohhhhh the sweetness! You must go now. Why are you still reading this?! I said go. GO!!!
(5)Steve L.
My biggest problem with a restaurant after terrible service is inconsistency in dining experience. If a place is mediocre 10 times out of 10, that's fine because I expect mediocrity. If a place is awesome my first time and all over the spectrum for the rest of my experiences, you're not going to be my first choice of restaurant. I don't want to play a guessing game. Point being, the food at Nookies is better on the weekends. There is no doubt about it. If I've been to nookies 10 times, twice have been weekends and the food quality is LEAGUES better on a Sunday for brunch. Yes, a Reuben on a Tuesday is worse than a Reuben on a Sunday. It's not terrible on a Tuesday, it's just better on a Sunday. Don't do that, please. Just be consistent! That said, I've never had a BAD meal at Nookies. The service is always courteous as well, but on a weekday lunch you may be waiting a bit for a drink refill. If you're going to go, make it a weekend and be prepared to brave a wait.
(3)Abby D.
Always a short wait, but it's worth it. The portions are huge and will likely feed two mouths.
(5)Eitan S.
Gigantic portioned plates, with a decent price to match. Definitely doesnt worth the wait... esp' when you consider the quality isnt top-notch. I've never understood whats all the fuzz about. I agree it might be a good deal, money wise. but i'm not eating in order to get the best deal, i'm eating in order to indulge myself. its always busy, always crowded, and i rather start my weekends elsewhere.
(2)Blair B.
Awesome place ! I hear a lot of complaints about the wait here, but honestly if you'd get yourself out of bed before 10 AM there is no wait. I showed up at 9:30 AM for a party of 3.. sat down right away.. so there you have it, there isn't always a wait here! I tried the summer trio (mango pancakes, berry french toast, and peach/berry pancakes).. YUM.. also tried a frittata with mushrooms, bacon, and gouda cheese... also delicious. Service was good, coffee was constantly refilled.. prices were great. If you are looking for a solid diner with an expanded menu of interesting choices, I can't recommend this place enough.
(4)Sonal M.
Amazing. Although there was a bit of a wait to eat here, it was completely worth it. I tried two items on their spring seasonal menu. The first was an omelette and the second, an AWESOME french toast dish. The french toast was probably the best I've had anywhere. French toast, strawberries, and a whipped cream sauce and huge proportions too! I'm definitely taking any friend who visits to this joint. Love it! Nookies, you're my fav.
(5)Jayson F.
1. The food - They have a great kids menu & my two daughters loved their p.b.j. with the crust already taken off. That was a nice touch that you don't always get. The chili is very delicious. Don't order it if you don't like spicy. Their fries were too soggy for my taste. I like them crispy and these were more like warm, slightly fried potato crisps. My wife and I split a cheeseburger. Between the cups of chili and the cheeseburger, we were more than full. 2. The service - The waitress was not very friendly. However, she kept our drinks refilled constantly (for free) and made sure that the cheeseburger that my wife and I split each had its own plate with stuff on the side. 3. The atmosphere - I think they're going for upscale diner. Its the only diner I've seen with granite counter tops. However, the place is VERY kid friendly, and I appreciate that. It is just a short walk from the Lincoln Park Zoo which is a plus if you're out at the zoo with your family.
(4)Gigi L.
I work in the neighborhood and whenever I make lunch plans with someone at the office, I totally suggest this place. I really like it! Portions are plentiful and everything is fresh. I am stuck in the Greek omelet rut, but someday I will bust out and try other things. Seriously, it's delicious and popular, and a great place to go to grab something before or after the movies at Piper's Alley, or breakfast anytime.
(4)Katelyn C.
ultimate hangover cure.
(4)Lesley S.
What I had at Nookie's was good, but I totally regretted my order as soon as I saw what the guy next to me was eating. I ordered an omelet with cheddar, bacon and spinach. Tasty, but an omelet is an omelet. The guy next to me ordered the special french toast- it looked like it was coated in some type of crunchy cereal and layered with berries and marscapone cheese. I couldn't take my eyes off his plate. So my suggestion: order off the specials menu- they have some more interesting items and the pricing is the same as most of the other items. The whole menu looked delicious though, I had a really hard time choosing my meal! Downside- long waits on weekends. If you're just with one other person try sitting at the breakfast bar like I did.
(4)Aileen O.
I'm always on the hunt for good brunch places. Since I've moved to Chicago, I've been constantly amazed at the number of breakfast and brunch places this city has. And since breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, I always look forward to the weekends when I get to try a new breakfast spot. My mom and aunt came to visit me in my new digs. I brought them to Nookies after reading such positive reviews. It's super close to my apartment so the drive was not very bad (and of course - less chance for me to get lost!). Plus, it's proximity to the farmer's market had me sold (my mom and I are big farmer's market lovers). Standouts were the silver dollar pancakes with mangoes (seasonal special) and the mixed berry pancakes. The pancakes were light, fluffy, and didn't feel like rocks in my tummy. The sweet fruits complemented them well. Even though the place was buzzing on that Saturday morning, our server was very attentive. She often came by to refill my coffee cup! We were very satisfied with our breakfast experience. Great food and staff. The wait can be a drag, but it flies by. Grab one of the newspapers outside and take a seat in one of their outdoor chairs. Or if it's really bad on a Saturday, head over to the farmer's market to kill some time.
(4)Susannah H.
FALL Pumpkin flapjacks. Creamy spicy pumpkin-y goodness topped with some type of carmelized nut. Holy crap. SPRING Croissant French Toast Napolean Flattened corn-flake dipped croissants delicately balanced atop dollops of marscapone with fresh strawberries on top. LISTEN UP. I know the big menu has a lots of pretty, shiny-looking foods, but take the tiny one with "seasonal specials" printed on it. Otherwise you will leave foodgasmless and never come back.
(4)Joscelyn M.
I really don't get the crazy appeal that draws HERDS of people so early on a weekend. Don't get me wrong - the food isn't bad, but it's just standard breakfast food. Really?
(2)Christine M.
I really like this place. I moved here from Ohio a few months ago and this is the best breakfast spot that I've found so far. I saw on here that the crepes were good so I ordered them. I didn't really love them like other yelpers have, but the cream filled ones were pretty good. I had the Huevos Con Chorizo and it was TO DIE FOR. I've seriously never had better Mexican-style breakfast food. Absolute must try. You should be advised that it's BYOB. We wanted mimosas, so we had to bring our own campaign. Plus, I love old town and any excuse to venture over there is great to me! It's kind of a happening place too (for a brunch spot); you never know what local celeb or politician you may see!
(4)Shelly W.
Best part about this place wait was the less than 5-minute wait for a table at 11:30am on a beautiful Sunday morning. It was pretty busy inside and all of the tables outdoor were full, so I was pleasantly surprised to be seated almost immediately. Service was great, the menu was huge and I loved that they had about 8 items on a seasonal menu. I really enjoyed my meal too - I'd gladly go back.
(4)Kurt O.
It bothers me that this place does not accept credit cards. It's in the middle of Old Town. The ability to use a credit card is part of the service that customers expect in the 21st century. Locals don't care because it's convenient to walk there.....
(3)Sunshine H.
This place is solid for brunch - big portions, many choices, lots of good food, and great price. Also the service is excellent. I highly recommend it and have been going here for years - it's always consistent.
(4)Erin V.
I have only been to Nookies for breakfast, so I can't comment on the other meals of the day, but breakfast is pretty reliable. They have lots of choices and all are pretty decent. I don't think I'd travel from another neighborhood in the city to get here (especially if you live by Orange), but if you are in Old Town, it's a good standby choice.
(3)Jen N.
My parents have been bringing me there since I was a baby and I remember coming here when I was little. It is a great breakfast, brunch, lunch spot. They have enough on the menu so everyone can get what they want from breakfast to dinner food. The potatoes are good, better than your regular hash browns, fresh orange juice, good sized portions. Just a really good place, I've always had good service.
(5)Jim W.
Nookies is a fabulous spot for brunch all day long! I have been to two of their locations, which are both cute and seem to have the same menu. Their omelettes and fritattas are delicious, but my favorites are the crunchy french toast (french toast covered with corn flakes and honey) and the smoked gouda breakfast sandwich. Also, don't pass up on the orange juice - it is fresh squeezed and without added sugar as far as I can tell.
(5)Josh M.
Great breakfast place....also gets very crowded on the weekends. There is an older, foreign server who is very rude....wears glasses, never smiles. Not sure what her name is. Other than that...unique take on food.
(4)George H.
My goto place for omelettes. Too crowed on weekends but decent food.
(3)karen l.
I loved this place..great coffee, great food..wonderful service...excellent atmosphere...i am naming my first born Nookie!!! Please, if you haven't been..please go!!! and go fast!!!!
(4)Brianne W.
I have eaten at Nookies so many times and never once had a bad experience. Their fries and their blackened chicken sandwich with mango chutney might be two of the greatest creations on earth. Living right by them is a major perk because we order take out frequently and it never takes more than 15 minutes. They are very accommodating to my picky orders wether I am dining in or taking it to go. I work in the service industry and I see the hard work their staff has to do. No matter what time or what day it is, you are greeted by a smiling face. I feel privileged to share a neighborhood with such a great family-owned establishment.
(5)Marianne S.
Three for the food. This place is not as warm as the Halsted (LP) one. I'd rather go to the one close to Armitage, at least I get more smiles in there.
(3)Marie D.
Was very excited about living across the street from a breakfast diner! Keeping in mind I am 9 months pregnant, I went there specially for a milkshake and french fries with my husband. At first I was a little panicked because I did not see milkshakes on their menu, but then I finally saw them so I knew I would be ok. When the waitress came over and I ordered a shake, she said "sorry we don't have milkshakes." I showed her the item on the menu and she said "oh yeah, our machine is broken so we don't have them." WHAA?? This is a diner! Get your freakin machine fixed! ugh. So then I settled for chocolate milk knowing I could have my fries. Well, they weren't fries! They were crunchy potato chip looking things. I have braces and wanted soft, hot fries, but they did not serve them! ugh. Bad afternoon.
(2)Kimberly S.
LOVE Nookies! Best breakfast in Chicago! I've tried them all, and this place wins. Consistent good food and nice friendly servers. Not the fanciest of places, but the prices don't warrant an expensive build out. I'm a big fan of good food at a great price every time you sit down, and that's what you get here. No surprises! I LOVE Nookies! I've even been for dinner. Shhhh, don't tell anyone. ;)
(5)J D.
Went here this morning for brunch and the food was perfect! Had the summer vegetable frittata; it was to die for! Seriously, if I had to have one egg dish every sunday for brunch, it would be that. Perfectly cooked with the awesomeness that is feta cheese sprinkled all over. delish! The wait, however, was HORRENDOUS, well over 40 minutes for a table of three. I was a bit dismayed to see plenty of empty tables in the back when we were FINALLY seated. The waitresses looked overworked and understaffed; the bus boys, super great with the water and coffee. Four stars for the food but definitely -1 for the insane wait. I'd go back but only after 2 pm on the weekends.
(3)Betsy J.
I've ordered about 1/2 the menu here and the only time I really liked what I had was the first time I tried the grilled chicken wrap. I've ordered the same wrap several times since then and each time it's not as good as the first. I guess the first one was a fluke. Everything else I've tried is just ok, except for the spinach pie thing which was so nasty I not only pushed it away after a few bites, I actually got sick just from the smell of it sitting on the table. Now when my friends suggest this place I put up a fight to go elsewhere.
(2)Corby G.
Not bad, not great. It's billed as a diner, but its really more of a super sterile cafeteria feel. The food was good (eggs benedict and blueberry pancakes). The cakes were light, fluffy and sweet, The benedict was pretty good too. A bit pricey for what you get- we had two entrees and two coffees- with tip is was $35. I woudln't search it out, but nothing here to complain about.
(3)Kevin B.
Nice quaint little breakfast place. And everything on the menu is delicious. I am a big fan of the spinach artichoke frittata with carmelized onions. But the French toast and pancakes are yummy too. You really can't go wrong. Used to be my favorite restaurant place, but they've gone downhill. Prices are great. I would still recommend for a lazy Sunday brunch.
(4)Dan H.
I ordered the Wisconsin cheddar burger with sauteed mushrooms. It's literally the best burger I've ever eaten. It is big, juicy, the cheese and mushrooms were the perfect mix of Sharp cheddar and salty mellow shrooms. The fries were crispy and excellent. I can't wait to go here again!!!
(5)S G.
make sure you have their chili! it's so damn good!
(5)Greg M.
Nookies I remember the first time we met. It was the day after some hard core booty shaking at Berlin to Madonna. I still had Like A Virgin stuck in my head and that was exactly what I was when you and I first met, a virgin. I walked in still sleepy eyed and you just about instantly woke me up with that first cup of warm in the tummy coffee and your nice smile. I ordered up the french toast piled high with mixed berries. No need for syrup with this little dish. NO MAMA! Oh wait I'm gay, I mean NO DADDY! Every bite was like haven, pure bliss and warmth running down my throat like um something X rated. Nookie honey sweety poo I can't wait till April when we can be reunited once again and you can fill up my tummy with your sweet sweet lovin plate full of naughty food!
(4)James C.
New Fav for Breakfast in Chi! I am a hands down lover of the french toast! You have to try the crunchy french toast. There are corn flakes mixed in with the batter. Trust me its just amazing! There would be 5 stars but a lot of the breakfasts dont come with the full meal and you have to get sides like bacon and tators extra. Bummer.. but in the end its worth it! Close 2nd place for French Toast is "Toast"
(4)David D.
Yummy good stuff. Get there before 9AM on weekends so you don't have to wait!
(4)Chayla B.
Nookies is the best. This is the original (I believe) and it's better than the one in Lincoln Park, I cannot comment on the Lakeview location. Everyone is nice. The omelettes are enormous! So fluffy, so good- I love Amy's omellete. The don't accept AMEX, which sucks when I want to do work stuff there. A great place to bring out of towners. I will say the best brunch in the city. I want Nookies now. I could eat Nookies all day every day. Go to this one, though, the Lincoln Park one isn't as great- not bad, but definitely a trade down from the Wells location.
(5)Liz B.
Awesome breakfast menu served all day long. Out of the 20+ times I have been, I have only ordered something besides an omelet 2 times. The omelets are so good! There is a wait on weekend mornings, but they are efficient with seating and service. The one time I had horribly slow service, they ended up giving us our meal for free.
(5)John M.
This is a diner - but what a diner it is! Everything on the menu is wonderful and you are going to just love it. I personally love to come here for dinner as they have a great menu for the evening meal and the service is always good. The Honshu Salmon is exquisite and delicious. They also serve it grilled with you choice of sides and they have great side dishes to choose from. If you are traveling on business and looking for a place where you can get a great meal and spend an arm and a leg, this is your place. I have been to the other Nookies a lot and have only recently been frequentling this one, but they are all outstanding and this one shines.
(5)lindsay a.
French Toast I adore you!! Went to Nookies in Old Town in Chicago this past weekend and had quite possibly (or very close to it) the best french toast of my life!
(3)Jonathan C.
I had the opportunity to eat here at about 9am on a sunday morning. It wasn't busy at all, but on my way out there was a small line. The place is nice inside, with nice outdoor seating. Portion size is pretty good (I couldn't finish) and prices resonable. Service was good for me and the Corned Beef Hash i had was amazing 5 star stuff. Granted, the 5 star rating overall was for one plate of hash, so this may decrease in the future. My hash browns were actually crispy (the way I like it)! Its a very nice place and its not hard to see why it has a large following.
(5)Kate B.
I love breakfast. Its my favorite meal, and its even better when I have it for dinner. That being said, I live right around the corner from Nookies and when I need that homemade breakfast fix and have no desire to make it for myself I eat here. In the summer they have the best frittata ever to cross my palate, its made with fresh vegetables, feta, and I like it with egg whites as its a little fluffier. I have brought many a guest from out of town here, and every time they return, we always end up at Nookies! Plus every time I eat here with my dad he reminisces how he used to eat here in the seventies, and memory lane + a good breakfast is always a good time.
(4)Kristine M.
Went late morning yesterday, and there was a wait of course, but worth it. I had the "sweet" fall special and was in absolute heaven. Pumpkin pancakes/French toast with pears/and some other kind of hotcakes. YUM. My friends who drank coffee and orange juice loved their beverages. I wish I lived closer!
(5)Nathan W.
I AM A MONSTER. Men were not meant to eat brunch so often! I must be stopped before I stumble into a mimosa driven state of babbling about croquet and organizing charity event's for those smelly less fortunate people. I called the host/cashier guy sir, and he corrected me that sir is his father. If it weren't for this man keeping it real, I may never have been able to talk without sounding gentÃle again.
(3)Wo w.
I am always surprised at how long the line is at this place each weekend. The food is nothing but ordinary brunch food and the scene is pretty blah. Chicago has much better brunch options, but I guess only a few in this neighborhood.
(2)Stephy W.
Nookies was quite possibly one of the best breakfasts I ever had. Considering I have only been there once I will go back again (and again and again) and revise this review most likely. I ordered a Smokehouse fritatta which was large, wonderful and exceeded my expectations. The fresh squeezed orange juice, while pricey at $2.75 for a large glass seemed pricey for me, but worth it. I prefer my orange juice to be cold as well, but since this was fresh, it was room temp. Maybe they could refrigerate/freeze their oranges? The bacon there is tasty and thick cut, but crisp enough and has texture. Being a bacon fiend, I can only say that this was probably some of the better/best bacon I have had. The only problems encountered was that the restaurant was rather crowded and understaffed, thus slow and that we discovered a very small fruit fly in one of our glasses of water. This was taken care of quickly and professionally. All in all, good value despite the wait and lots of food for a good price.
(4)Kim A.
this is my favorite place breakfast!!
(5)Kiyana B.
This place is GREAT!! My boyfriend got the "sampler" breakfast platter that had MANGO COCONUT pancakes, peach almond pancakes and berry french toast....I had a great veggie omelte with the best breakfast potatoes. This place serves breakfast all day, not sure how the rest of the menu is but their breakfast choices are delious. I would highly recommened the food here! It looks & feels like a regular corner diner but it's oh so much more once you start eating thier food. (prices are decent, you get a LOT of food)
(5)R C.
Nookie's is a hella good diner that is perfect after a late night at the bars or clubs in Boystown. It's open 24 hours on Friday and Saturdays. I'll echo some of the sentiments of the other reviewers and say the service is a bit subpar, especially the host(ess). Nookie's is still a diner my friends and I would frequent for a late night fix! You can't go wrong with a $4 breakfast platter (hash browns, egg and toast) at 2 AM :)
(4)Christian P.
hungry? tired? cold? hungry? no matter what the wait, go to nookies and you'll be cured This isn't a breakfast place to go for super fancy, overly conceptualized food. It's just the normal staples of breakfast, but prepared superbly with tasty ingredients. The omelettes are huge, but perfectly cooked (the egg white versions could not be fluffier and still tasty!!). atmosphere is totally laid back and easy going...show up ready to go for the day, or fresh from your 4am arrival back home after a long night out. even if you have to wait for a table, just do it, you won't be disappointed.
(4)Becky S.
This place is amazing, but be prepared to wait! There is always a line here. People in chicago love their brunch and this is one of the better places! While we waited we walked down the block to treasure island to get some alcohol as it is byob and we made bloody marys at brunch. I got the veggie omelette which was overflowing off the plate - probably enough for 2 - 3 people even! I want to try Nookie II although Im sure there line is just as long!
(5)Elizabeth B.
Even though we live only a few blocks away, it has taken me a few years to finally get to Nookies, and now I'm going to go all the time. The portions are huge, everyone is nice, the service is quick and efficient and the food is really good - exactly what you want in a neighborhood spot. We went for a late Sunday brunch, which was perfect because we apparently missed the crowds, and sat immediately by the front windows. I had a big, fluffy egg white omelet that came with fresh fruit and really good whole wheat toast - and can't wait to go back to try more.
(4)Dov B.
Based upon my previous review, the owner of Nookie's contacted me. I really appreciate that he took the time to do that, although what I really needed was for someone to care at the time of the incident. I hope that my experience can be used as a teaching tool and won't be repeated for other customers. At least I know someone cares, if a little too late.
(2)Elizabeth C.
Nookies almost ties with Tempo for me in regards to best breakfast spot. There are lots of trendy and good breakfast places that have popped up all over the place but Nookies keeps it real. They have consistently stellar fare. Classics well executed time and time again and a friendly low key atmosphere.
(4)S K.
Just got home from Nookies. The food was excellent, everything tasted so fresh. Service was perfect, the employees were friendly,and the price was right! The breakfast includes a side and the individual sides are reasonable. I fed two adults and a child for under 35.00, which is impossible anywhere else because they basically get you with the side dish and drink prices. In fact, I have never spent less than 45 at iHop for the three of us, and you can't even compare the two restaurants quality wise.
(5)Laura H.
My husband and I love this place! They have such good breakfast. The omelettes are the best ones I have ever had. The sweet cream crepes were so good. I'd highly recommend giving this place a shot.
(5)Patrick W.
Things always taste better when you're as hungry as I was when we stopped in for a late, late breakfast en route to a day at the zoo. But this place is legit! I ordered the banana nut pancakes, then regretted not getting a side of bacon. Mmmm. Bacon. So the pancakes arrive, and I actually couldn't... finish... all of.. them (this pains me to admit it). I left food. I haven't done that in years. The fact that I helped my princess with her croque monsieur- equally delicioso- is my saving grace... I could have polished off those pancakes if it wasn't for the old standby of what to tell your high school french teacher you like to eat when you can't think of the word "pamplemousse" or "bifteck". We'll definitely be back, and I will conquer you, you giant stack of banana pecan pancakes you. Really good coffee, so good it bears mentioning.
(4)Andrea R.
Most of my friends seem to be a huge fan of this popular brunch spot so we end up here pretty often for brunch. After spending 3 1/2 years across the street I've spent way too many hungover weekend mornings there and got too know their menu way too well. They recently changed their menu, which was exciting because the farmers skillets are awesome and the perfect way to cure a hangover! :)
(3)Mark L.
I love this place for breakfast. I trek there from my house even when I am hung over. The prices are very reasonable, the food is delicious and the service is fast. Its in a lovely neighborhood - very quiet and clean. They have a full menu, so u can go anytime, but I always find myself here for breakfast. Check it out one day you will return for a second trip.
(5)Jasmine L.
I have been holed up in Champaign, IL because of school and had been craving Walker Bros like mad. I treked down to Lincoln Park this past weekend and was introduced to this amazing place: Nookies too! Completely satisfied my Walker Bros cravings (well...not entirely of the German Pancakes, but who cares!) My sister got the artichoke frittata, I got the Low Down Omelette and cup of chili (with crumbled pieces of real cheddar and fresh diced onions!!!), and we shared the Pumpkin Pecan Flapjacks. HEAVEN! The Low Down wasn't that good, but it had 4 pieces of melted pepperjack cheese on it, so that made up for the slight dryness of the omlette. But...OH MAN! The Artichoke Frittata was sooo good. I normally don't like artichokes, but I could have this one all the time. The flapjacks tasted like gingerbread cookies (me) and pumpkin pie (my sister). Fluffy and not too sweet, they were powdered with sugar and decorated with roasted pecans. The service wasn't too bad - we went on a Saturday morning and only had to wait about 15 minutes. The crowd is HUGE and the place isn't that large - and the waiter was funny and had lots of recommendations. Overall, wasn't that pricey, and had a huge stuffed meal. Highly recommended!!!
(5)Jen S.
Nookie's is my go-to breakfast place, mostly because it's near my place, but also because they make a MEAN MONTE CRISTO. I dream about it. Pancakes are generally the item I use with which to compare breakfast places, and they're okay at Nookie's, but this Monte Cristo is really what saves them from mediocrity. I've never had bad service (it's actually great most of the time), they have outdoor seating (how I long for summer!) and I feel relaxed when I'm there.
(4)Zach C.
First of all I must say that I am biased because I think I might have fallen in love with my waitress. If I factored her beauty into my review they would have well over five stars. Otherwise this still gets a great review. Our service was prompt and the food was great. I got the steak and eggs. It was an actual steak and not some tough piece of meat that a lot of restaurants pass for steak in the morning. It was a little over done but still very tasty. The eggs were perfect and the hash browns were buttery and delicious. Even the rye toast I ordered was good and the butter packets that came with it were pre-melted so I didn't have to worry about tearing up the toast. Very relaxing environment, no wait, and prompt service. Can't go wrong.
(4)Cameron C.
Great breakfast/brunch place. Staff is very friendly. Great Frittatas! A weekly must for me.
(4)Jamie P.
Sunday brunch is one of the things I love about living in Chicago...and there are so many places to choose from! Nookies is one of the best. There is always a wait during prime brunching hours, but it's worth it. The food is fantastic, the portions are huge, the service is fast, and the prices are definitely reasonable. My go-to entree is the Amy's omelet...smoked gouda...yum!!
(5)Ji K.
I've been meaning to come here for years now (sad that it took me this long, I know) and I finally got to check it out this weekend with two girlfriends who thankfully share my love for breakfast. We each ordered a salty entree (I had the chilaquiles which were delicious) and then we decided to share the specialty dessert trio (of which the French toast Napolean with strawberries was to die for). Service was great, the wait wasn't bad (considering it was a cold, snowy spring day), the food and coffee were so good, and the bill didn't hurt us either (they only take cash, but a 20-dollar bill apiece more than covered it). All in all, I like this place a lot. I shall return.
(4)Tom T.
Love this place, in my hood. Great bar to sit at if you're solo, super nice waitstaff that have been there a while, and great food, decent prices, and good selection of meals. I was there last night and noticed I really liked the music too, hadn't noticed that before.
(5)Scott M.
Good gawd this place is crowded on the weekends. Expect to wait 45-60 minutes for brunch on Sat/Sun. Grab a seat at the U-shaped bar where it's first come, first serve if you're eating without an entourage. The food is okay. The portions are large. The staff is cute and mostly attentive.
(3)Kristen D.
This is my favorite breakfast/brunch place. Their omelets are great, as are the frittatas. Some of the sandwichs are really rich (my boyfriend couldn't even come close to finishing his monte carlo, and trust me, he tried). The place is cash only, and also has a handful of tables outside. Make sure to grab some candies by the door on the way out...they're great! This place is very popular, so be prepared to wait for a little while if it's before 1pm on the weekends.
(4)Linda L.
this is a pretty casual little brunch spot with incredibly delicious food. i had the smokehouse frittata and my bf had the crispy french toast. both dishes were probably the best breakfast dishes i've ever had. the smokehouse frittata comes with caramalzed onions, eggs...and i cant remember what else cuz i went there a while ago. i think i said "mmmmmmm" and did a little happy wiggle in my chair after every bite. needles to say i left feeling extremely full and satisfied. will definitely be back for more!
(4)Kelly W.
I've been to this restaurant a few times and haven't really been wow-ed. I had high expectations because there is always a crowd. The food is good but not great. The wait staff doesn't seem all that friendly, especially for a neighborhood place. And I feel it is quite old fashioned that they don't accept credit cards. I think 3 stars is an adequate review.
(3)Emily C.
Great Brunch spot. Quick service, very friendly servers and great coffee. Perfect place especially if you're in a hurry like we were. Huge portions for a great price, when you're just wanting to get stuffed, drink coffee and have one-of-those Saturdays. Had an amazing egg white veggie omelet: loaded with numerous vegetables and cooked to perfection. Friend had north of the border omelet which she loved and could in no way finish so you may want to share. Great location with street parking. Perfect for a few friends or a large group.
(5)cara r.
Perfect breakfast food and well worth the wait. The asparagus and blue cheese omelet is so rich and creamy and good, and the orange juice is great. I haven't tried the crepes yet, but after Maggie's review, I'm going to have to get them next time I'm at Nookie's. Which will hopefully be this weekend!
(5)Katrina S.
This is a great place for breakfast. My boyfriend and I go here just about once a week. You gotta try their seasonal specials--they always do a trio where it's a little bit of all three! Yummy!
(5)KM I.
Ugh.....why is this place so popular....I was not impressed with the surroundings, service, my salad, OR even my company. Haha will not willingly be back
(2)Amy M.
If you can get your stroller through the door without running over people's toes, than this is a pretty good breakfast/lunch spot to bring baby. There is usually a spot to park your stroller next to the table and they have highchairs. Just stay away from this place during the prime breakfast hangover time on Saturday and Sundays (which should be alirght because this usually coincides with nap time). Favs: Their seasonal specials are usually really good. Good diner coffee. Overall, good diner food. 3.5 Strollers**** (1-5 stroller rating system based on how baby friendly establishment is)
(3)Amanda L.
Wow, I forgot about Nookies, Great little place with good prices, Service and the place is clean inside, Great place to people watch as well.
(4)Justin K.
Great place for feel good food on the weekends! Be ready to wait for a table but its worth the wait! I always get breakfast and they have some amazing things on the menu. Check it out...well worth the wait and the price is within reason!
(5)Laura W.
I live in the hood and within walking distance of Nookies. This place is not only great for brunch, but we were sort of lame last Friday night and went there for dinner. It was cold and rainy and we just wanted to sit somewhere quiet, catch up on the week, and have as close to as a home cooked meal as possible....this hit the spot! The open face hot turkey sandwich was really good. The BF had the burger and that was decent as well. I have heard that they have superb grilled cheese sandwiches. They have a lot on the menu (as well as for breakfast) and the staff is really nice.
(4)maggie c.
Superb! Delicious! Incredible! I cant find enough adjectives to describe my love ( or obsession) with Nookie's. I have been on the prowl for the perfect crepe, and let me tell you it is not an easy task. But then, I remembered ( or a flashback ) that Nookie's just doesn't serve the drunk, but also the sober. I cannot tell you what a beautiful crepe I experienced. I am not one to eat leftovers, in fact I despise them. However, I could not leave my unfinished crepes to be tossed in the garbage. The prices are a little high, but you will realize that every dime you spend is going towards a fresh ingredient. The service is fast and for the most part friendly, but can be a little cranky sometimes. Who can blame them though? I can't tell you how many people come here to just sober up, and if you do...please be nice. I don't want anyone ruining the karma around my fantastic crepe.
(5)Esme W.
When you're hungover on a Sunday and don't want to think about putting clothes on let alone where to eat, Nookies should always come to mind. It's a fail-proof standby brunch spot. Try it. You'll feel much better.
(4)rachel c.
Nookies is just blah... basic greasy breakfast food, and jack-of-all-trades lunch and dinner menu. Each time I've been there I've experienced a range of emotions from unimpressed to disappointed. It's about 50 steps from my house, so I've been there about 5 times, which is ample opportunity to have a redeeming experience. My boyfriend and I finally decided that we were not giving it another chance.
(2)Rose K.
Excellent breakfast hangout, services is fantastic, everyone there is attentive and pleasant to ensure that your experience is great. Sometimes you have short wait for a table, but it is well worth it. I love the omlettes, pancakes, salads, etc. I like breakfast at Nookies more than Lou Mitchells and that saying alot!
(5)michele l.
A reliable brunch spot - omelets, french toast, skillets served all day... The seasonal sweet trio available on weekends is worth trying. The breakfast food is superior to the lunch and dinner menus. As with most popular brunch spots, be prepared to wait at least 20 minutes during weekend brunch hours. The relaxed atmosphere and basic-brunch-comfort-food menu is a nice alternative to some of the trendy, dessert-disguised-as-breakfast spots.
(3)M J.
Good quality, homey environment, GREAT pancakes with fresh fruit... Really what more do you want from a diner? But honestly, Nookies is great because you get your pancake/burger/whatever fix without as much grease OR grief. Definitely one to add to your rotation. But bring cash...credit cards are not accepted!
(4)Helen N.
I love this place. The food is good, staff are friendly and the menu is varied. Although I can never finish the pancakes, I always leave feeling well fed!
(5)Mexicutioner s.
Nookies has been mexipardoned for an overall excellent job. I strolled over to nookies after going to the farmers market on a Saturday around 11, the wait was only five minutes And I was able to squeeze in a mexicution in the meantime. We were seated and right away got some fresh squeezed orange juice, a little pricey but well worth it. We followed the advice of other yelp reviewers(thanks a bunch I will remember if you are ever on the chopping block) and ordered off their specials menu. The trio (which is a smaller portion of their 3 sweet breakfast items) was awesome. hotcakes with mango and coconut, stuffed french toast brioche with mascarpone and a mound of fresh berries, and pancakes with apples, almonds, and spiced butter. at 12 bucks they were all full of flavor, creative, and made with obviously fresh and quality ingredients. The portion was a good size and I did not finish and had to leave with a doggy bag. My partner ordered a vegetable fritata with hashbrowns which was also solid. Eggs were fluffy, veggies were yummy, and hash was solid. Also a very large size. I wish I could have had a bloody mary or a mimosa with my breakfast but they are BYOB. Excellent job nookies, I will be back
(5)Eddie O.
I can always count on Nookies for a decent brunch, although I think the rest of Chicago can as well based on the line this morning. We were seated after a half hour wait...I guess it's not too bad since we were waiting for a table to fit 7 people. I had the vegetable frittata (a summer special)- it was really good and a very nice sized portion as well. The skillets are good as well and the seasonal specials are always great.
(4)Abby L.
Breakfast, lunch or dinner- Nookies has a ton of options for any meal. I like going here at off times, like at 2 pm or some random time like that because it isn't too crowded then and your food will come out faster. I always get breakfast when I come here though, and have tried their omlettes, pancakes, french toast, and breakfast skillets. Favorites include the spinach and tomato omlette, the banana nut pancakes and for lunch, even though I've only ordered it once, the BLT. YUM.
(4)Mindy S.
I used to not be the hugest fan of Nookies because I just thought everything on the menu was pretty average. It's still good here, just nothing overly excited me. Then one day my friend introduced me to the smokehouse frittata. I love it! It's so good, you have to try it!
(4)Aubrey K.
This place is a always reliable for a solid brunch. I live for their omelettes and fritattas here. Also, they change their menu and tend to offer some great egg specialties. Be prepared to wait if you want to grab breakfast on the weekends, but I promise you it is worth it!
(4)Sue N.
A must! Nookies is the place for anyone who wants great service, great food, and a great atmosphere. It's the best place in the city for casual dining. The place is alive with people who gather there to catch up and have an outstanding meal, but it is also a great place for a quiet meeting with great food. Nookies' service is top notch, and you never have to wonder where your waitress/waiter is. Bob, the manager, is the best. He multitasks seamlessly and makes sure everyone is comfortable and taken care of. It's the best spot, not to be missed!
(5)Grace K.
I had the pumpkin and walnut pancakes and this crazy omelette that had collard greens in it or something, I forget! All I know was that it was DELISH! Every weird thing I ordered, I loved. It's in a cute neighborhood, the restaurant itself it very cozy and no frills, and they have a little semi-circle bar that I want to eat at one day. Just 'cause. I have to say, though. that I went on a Tuesday at 10ish so I didn't have to deal with a wait, which always makes any dining experience so much better from the outset.
(5)Sarah S.
This place looks very cute from the outside, but looks can be deceiving. When we walked inside, the front area looked nice also but the waiter took us to the very back of the restaurant. It looked very run down in the back seating area. I opened my menu to find a bug smashed in between the pages. I immediately was grossed out but really hungry so I ordered food anyway. I asked for fruit with my meal and after eating one grape, I realized that there was mold on the other grapes. I could not finish my meal after that. When I told the waiter, he apologized and said that they would pay for my coffee. Woohoo I am on the verge of puking and they will pick up my $1 coffee. I was not impressed by this place at all and I will not be returning.
(1)Nicole L.
You'll usually find a bit of a wait on a weekend morning, but trust me, it's well worth it. The scene is not too overwhelming (bring gear for going incognito should there be someone you are trying to avoid - chances are, they are here!) and the service is fast and friendly. I love the variety on the menu and while I keep saying I'm going to try one of the many other options to dine on, I keep going back to my favorite - the flavorful Smokehouse frittata - an omelet type dish with the works. Keep in mind that they won't seat you until your whole party is present, so make sure your friends are on time for this one - I've tried to get away with having strangers say they are part of my party but the manager totally knows my ploy!
(5)Nick S.
Nookies is a local favorite. One of my cousins turned me onto this place. They had a some interesting breakfast entrees. The wait can get pretty bad.
(4)Kelli B.
Aaahh...the forgotten BYOB a block from my condo. Always clean, always pleasant service, always a line on Saturday and Sunday morning. The have great crunchy French toast and I love their cottage fries. No corkage fee is a plus. I always find myself getting the honey mustard grilled chicken. The bf had a stir fry dinner that was on special about a month ago and he said it was excellent (and we eat a lot of Asian food!) There's a cute little patio for summer alfresco dining. Bring a six-pack and enjoy a good burger, it's cheap!
(4)Jenny M.
Love, love, LOVE Nookies! Aside from the cute name, they have some of the best breakfast food around. Since I've been in San Francisco, my husband & I have been craving Nookies. I love their seasonal breakfast items & usually get the seasonal carb trio (typically an assortment of pancakes & french toast). The orange juice is also quite tasty. My husband loves the omelettes & the hash browns. Portions are gigantic, so you probably won't need another meal for the rest of the day. The service is hit or miss. The last couple of times it's taken a while for a server to acknowledge us, but the food is so good that we usually overlook that factor. Weekends are a mob scene, so unless you are willing to get there pretty early (before 10:15), be prepared to wait. My husband & I usually bring a football & throw it around in the courtyard next door just to kill time.
(5)Julia L.
What's with the hype? It was good, solid food. Not badly priced. But the 30 minute wait and hype are a little baffling to me. It's like a less greasy IHOP. On the plus side, when I asked for my bacon extra crispy, it was totally extra crispy, and our server was hottt.
(3)Ang R.
Same as Nookies Too, only the interior is way larger, and less inviting. I thought, anyway. I had corned beef hash, which was delish. Good toast, good eggs. The hash browns are always a little undercooked though, which sucks. If you're a hash brown person, you may want to try elsewhere, though it is impossible to find perfect hashbrowns anymore. Also, go early. The later you go, the less chance you'll be inside the building while you wait.
(4)Katie R.
Food is pretty much the same as Nookies Too. The pancakes are amazing. Eggs are always good. And, one of the most important items the bacon, was crispy! I hate limp bacon. Interior is kind of blah. Can get really crowded. And the hash browns aren't all that interesting.
(4)Misse D.
After all the hype from friends that love this place, I had higher expectations. I went for lunch. My sandwich was good, but nothing worthy to write about. One perk was that we occupied a table for over two hours without a complaint or an attempt to boot us.
(3)Jennifer S.
a GREATTTTTT brunch place... if i was living in chicago, i'd say, this will have to be a favorite of mine....DEF a local joint... they have the best frittatas. i've had the opportunity to try their seasonal spring frittata, but they have 3 on their regular menu... for $10, i was extremely satsified and extremely full after a great meal... because this is located in lincoln park, the yuppy area, i didn't feel all that ansy but the people inside nookies did. bunch of elder folks in their 50s to late 80s. BUT, don't let that discourage you. my friend is a young fella, in his early 30s. that just shows it's a mix crowd:)
(4)Miinno N.
We lived very close to the restaurant. It is reasonable, but there is nothing to write home about. You must have cash and you have to make sure that you are ready to wait for a long time if you are there for brunch on weekend.
(3)Chloe M.
Nookies has a fabulous brunch! The best things on the menu remain their specials...they change it up every season and have some really interesting and tasty dishes!
(4)Carly M.
I think Nookies is a great brunch place that never disappoints. It does get crowded but it moves along nicely so you don't have to wait too long like some other places. I recommend the spinach/cheese omlette or the strawberry or banana pancakes. For lunch they have great burgers or BLT's, and their salads are great.
(5)Zoe H.
I live nearby and frequent Nookies. Classic neighborhood diner done with excellence. I highly recommend.
(4)Lauren R.
Finally made it to Nookies on a Wednesday morning at 7am. Very good food and nice staff. I had the Jalisco Breakfast Burrito with cheese. I asked for toast instead of the fruit cup or hash brown option and the waiter happily accommodated my request without charging us extra. The burrito was so simple, salsa, egg, avocado on a tomato wrap, yet it was delicious and HUGE. My husband enjoyed his Denver omelette with hash browns and commented on how big the portions were for the cost. There wasn't anything fancy or out-of-the-ordinary, but the flavor was still very good and the atmosphere was welcoming. I would not hesitate to recommend Nookie's for breakfast, and will definitely be returning.
(4)Melissa L.
My friends and I decided to try Nookies based off of its Yelp reviews, and it was a wonderful spot for brunch on Valentine's Day! We got there around noon, and after a short wait, we were taken to our table and soon had menus and coffee in front of us. I was a little disappointed by the coffee (bitter to the point were cream couldn't even help), but the rest of the menu made up for it. There were a ton of options ranging from the basic toast and eggs, to sandwiches, to steak. I didn't get the sense that this was the healthiest menu in the world, but I came with the intention of treating myself - so, I ordered the blueberry pancakes and a side of whole wheat toast, scrambled eggs, and hash browns. In our group of four, I was that person with three enormous plates of food in front of me (and all for less than $20). The portions were very generous, and the pancakes were fluffy and full of fresh berries. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't clear any of my plates. In short, as long as you aren't diligently watching your calorie-count, Nookies is great for a laid back meal with friends or family.
(4)Stephen S.
Went on Monday - no wait - great vibe and quick service. Your standard greasy spoon with a little flair - had it's mix of tourists and regulars. We split the Farmers Eggs Skillet - a huge portion... I asked for the hashbrowns well down (and they just brought a side of hashbrowns). It was a great portion size for two people - but a little undercooked. Coffee was great and the lemon in the water was a nice touch. Nothing eggstraordinary here but exactly what you'd expect at a neighbourhood joint.
(3)Sam S.
A great diner with amazing food! Was exactly what we needed!
(5)Jeff S.
Nookies was suggested to us by a native and it just happened to be walking distance from our hotel. We came here for our breakfast our first morning. We were greeted and seated immediately by a very friendly manager. The breakfast menu had some impressive creations, Jess went with the special for the day, a trout skillet, and just for the heck of it I had a pecan Belgium waffle. The food was great, our service was impeccable. They kept the water and coffee filled. (Warning - the coffee was pretty strong, it made for an interesting rest of the morning.) We were really happy with this breakfast, and I'll definitely come back when I'm next in town!
(4)Anjel P.
My boyfriend and I went there today since we are trying to do a brunch thing every Saturday and since we saw that they had good reviews, we said why not. We got there around 2pm and were seated promptly. Our server (forgot this name) was very nice. We both ended up ordering the 2 eggs, 2 sides of bacon and 2 pancakes meal, which to be honest, it was nothing I couldn't make at home, if not better. The price was I believe 8.95 for that meal, which isn't bad but it was basic. We then ordered a thing of crepes and the flavors we got were apple cinnamon, strawberry and creamy cheese (or something like that) The strawberry and apple were very basic as well, it was a crepe with fruit in it essentially, no whip cream or any kind of drizzle but the creamy cheese was amazing, I would recommend that over the others! Aside from the food being basic, the place itself seemed worn down; the carpet was disgusting as well as the tile. When I walked into the bathroom, there were two stalls, one stall had poop alllllll over it, and it was disgusting. That took off sanitary points for me. Overall, I would not ever go here again and I wouldn't recommend this place to anyone as well. I didn't have a bad experience or bad nor great customer service but the food is sub par and the place felt dirty.
(2)Sarah H.
I had the Apple Bread French Toast and my husband had the Low Country Omelette. Loved the food, fresh and tasty. Service is good and attentive without being overbearing. We were greeted right when we came in the door and everyone is friendly. The whole staff supports each other- nice to see.
(5)Alan L.
Here's a typical Sundays involving Nookies. Wake up, roll around in bed for a while, fall back asleep and roll around some more, probably realize around 11:30 I'm late to my scheduled brunch. Run to the Walgreens to pick up an $8 bottle of Barefoot bubbly and then get the brown line stop to catch the train up to Armitage. Get to the restaurant about 30 minutes late. Apologize profusely. Offer the champagne as a peace offering. Thankfully, the rest of the party is still outside waiting because the wait on the weekends is long and the restaurant is pretty small (~20 tables). Eventually, we get seated and the food is solid. Can't go wrong with any of the pancakes or the omelettes. A personal favorite is the Paris Benedict. Get stuffed full and then ask for a box to take the rest home for tomorrow (or tonight). Take a leisurely stroll back to the brown line, get back to the apartment, and then pass out from the food coma.
(4)Belle L.
Great portion. Superbly bland in both visits. Carb centric menu. Flavor is derived from ketchup, sour cream, hot sauce and a side of greasy salty bacon. HUEVOS CON CHORIZO ($9.45) -- flour tortilla was the sign. Beans tasted from can. Greek rice pilaf instead of Mexican rice. Bland chorizo was nicely blended with egg. BLACKENED TILAPIA -- overcooked tilapia, spinach overwhelmed by garlic slice, and the questionable sweet potato mash. BOTTOMLESS COFFEE ($2.45) -- in both instances: slow refill, coffee is barely hot. Ordinarily bitter. SWEET AUTUMN TRIO -- love the tasting concept that is loaded with 100% empty carbs. MENU -- a whole lot of nothingness. VENUE -- dining floors are unreasonably dirty at 11:45 am, even though they opened at 6:45 am. SERVICE -- the only reason for 2 stars. Wally is great as he is conscientious of coffee refill, helpful, a team worker. Ruben showed up and disappeared. The Host Dude seats you at table first, then counter.
(2)Tetiana G.
Came tonight with my friend who highly recommended me this place for dinner and left highly disappointed. The waiter came to take our order but we were not ready and then ignored us for good half an hour. When he finally came back to the table, he took my order and totally ignored my friend. I told him that my friends wants to order some food as well, and he just ignored me and left to take care of the other table with words :"I don't understand". Totally unprofessional and rude! We did not have any other choice but leave and go find some other place to eat, since we were starving. Please, save your time and go somewhere else if you want to have your dinner the same night!
(1)Zoraida V.
It was good, but not amazing. My omelette was average (southwest?). The pancakes were...simple... like eating breakfast at IHOP. I was expecting a little more... The location is nice, quiet. If that's your thing, then you're going to like this place.
(3)Will T.
I love Nookies! I ate there every day during a stay at Hotel Lincoln. I went for lunch my first day in town, ordering an iconic Midwest dish, a hot open faced roast beef sandwich. I grew up in Iowa eating this dish at truck stops and it's an all-time favorite. Nookies served a generous portion of roast beef with homemade skin-on mashed potatoes and gravy and their version might be the best I've ever had. During the rest of my stay I started every day with breakfast at Nookies, sampling eggs, pancakes, chicken sausage, oatmeal, hash browns, fruit and homemade wheat toast. My one breakfast special, peach and raspberry pancakes with caramelized butter, was to die for. The food was fantastic but so was the staff. Top to bottom, from the manager to the wait staff to the busboy to the kitchen, they were all awesome, cheerful and efficient, showcasing great customer service. They know their regulars and call them by name. Nookies is a casual neighborhood restaurant that really delights.
(5)Elaine P.
Good food! I wish we would've sat outside to enjoy the scenery. buuuut I still loved what I ate! Everything tastes homemade & delicious!
(5)Joel K.
Fresh OJ that is so perfect with one of the best Monte Cristo sandwiches I've had in many years. In fact I'm having my local brunch place try to recreate it as I write this review. Fruit plate was freshly cut and not store bought and dumped in a bowl. Next time on north side of Chicago I will make sure to eat here again.
(5)Andy S.
The beast breakfast in Chicago, but it doesn't stop there. I have tasted many burgers but this restaurant has the holly grail of burgers
(5)Fletcher M.
Solid, well priced eats. Probably too many options, but all good. Just remember to grab a bottle of champagne and enjoy some mimosas!
(4)Craig S.
Really good diner food and huge portions for breakfast. Overall, the price was great, but they do charge $2.45 for a cup of coffee--without telling you--and for every refill (which we didn't ask for) afterward. That was a little disappointing and spoiled the experience a little bit. The huevos chorizo was phenomenal and was enough for breakfast the next day.
(4)Sarah P.
I'm perplexed by the high ratings Nookies gets. I'm seriously disturbed, no really. We came to Nookies based solely off of the four star rating. We were wandering around the city and did not know any places nearby, so I did what Yelpers do - I did a search for nearby restaurants and chose one that was close and had high ratings. Nookies looks great from the exterior, but once you walk in you see it is quite old school, which is not a bad thing. The front looks like a more traditional American diner from a time long gone, with the U shaped seating around a main "bar" and stools for seating. There is also regular tables stretching into a back room. We were seated at a table. I think one of the main rules of thumb for any customer at any establishment (at least for me) is to judge the place by the cleanliness of the bathroom... Dirty bathroom.... most likely dirty kitchen - maybe poor food handling on top of it. If staff can't keep the bathroom decent why would they have the discipline to maintain a quality kitchen? The bathroom at Nookies was a mess. There was garbage on the floors, the soap taken out of the dispenser and placed on the sink, water running for no apparent reason, and unappealing toilets. The handle was broken and would not flush. Does this make you want to then go into their dining room and eat their food? Nookies serves up breakfast and lunch. Hubs ordered the Belgian waffle, I ordered the Frisco grilled chicken sandwich with cottage fries. It was not served the way it was described on the menu. It is supposed to be served with Romaine, it was served with iceburg. Not only that, but it was served with the large white "stalk" of the iceburg, not the actual lettuce. It was plain, boring, and I could have made a far superior sandwich at home. The Belgian waffle was so basic, nothing special at all. If I can make it better at home I feel I've wasted my money going to a restaurant for it. Next up.... the diners next to us waved our shared waiter over, and whispered something in his ear. Naturally I was intrigued. I paid attention to their table and watched as the waiter casually walked over to a wall the diner was pointing to, and proceeded to smash a roach. He then stated "oh those ones aren't as bad as the others I've seen." Appetite lost completely.
(1)Rob J.
Good for BYOD. Probably should have redecorated about 10 years ago as it looks like the late 90's in here! Still, it's not terrible and the food is average to fair. Eggs were basic as was the fruit, but hey what you gonna do. If you're in a hurry try elsewhere.
(3)Kyle D.
Overall: Great restaurant mini-chain that is consistent and always good. Great neighborhood spots. The good: Tons and tons of options, sandwiches, salads, pastas, entrees, breakfasts, brunches, everything. Big portions and it's all moderately priced. Breakfast served all day I believe. Fast and friendly service and a good atmosphere. Reasonably priced too. The bad: Nothing really "bad" about this place. Just doesn't warrant my hard earned 5-stars. Great spot regardless. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 10/10 Food: 8/10
(4)Jinn L.
Such a lovely neighborhood diner and it opens for dinner also. The food is wonderful and I love their corn beef hash! Price is probably one of the most reasonable among the old town area. The wait staff has been wonderful and the portion of the food is plentiful. I also tried the North of the border omelette with Canadian bacon and apple! It was actually a great combination! Definitely it is one of our fav place in old town and we are the regulars. Very popular and sometimes have to wait but not too bad.
(5)Rits M.
Nookies is great food. The one thing I would say is that the food isn't super imaginative, but if you want great comfort food, with interesting and great quality ingredients, this is your stop. I went there for Sunday brunch in fall. They had some fall specials on- I had the Croque madame, and boy that was one BIG madame indeed. 2 slices of brioche bread, gruyere cheese, canadian ham, with an over easy egg on the top, with Chipotle hollandaise sauce. Really well cooked and prepared. Comes with spinach potatoes, delicately flavoured. Mum had the apple cranberry pancakes, with granola in it. Granola added a nice crunch and the pancakes were well made, not stodgy at all, despite all the fruit baked into them. The place itself is rather nookish- lots of small separate eating areas. Looked like it could have been a largish apartment at some point. If you want a good solid american brunch place, this is it. Total bill w/o tip- 24$
(4)Kay Z.
Favorite local brunch spot for after drinking-indulgence. Byob is a fun way to have mimosas and a little "hair of the dog"
(5)Kris U.
After trying out the breakfast/brunch options in the attached restaurant to my hotel (Hotel Lincoln) I inquired with the front desk staff about a good place to go for a quick breakfast. Without hesitation they pointed me in the direction of Nookies. Walking in it resembled a traditional breakfast/brunch diner but upon opening the menu I immediately took notice of the certain Latin flair to the menu. Huevos rancheros, Huevos with black beans and chorizo used in virtually every breakfast dish. YUM!!! I opted for a chorizo type egg scramble which came with beans and tortilla's. Paired with Freshly squeezed orange juice (which was delicious) I started my morning off the right way. Score one of Mexican inspired breakfasts! I am forever a fan so bring on the beans any morning! Arriba! Mexican Eatcrest Out!
(4)Richard B.
Got the Greek salad, pretty good and a huge portion. Everyone else's food at the table looked ok and decent portion sizes as well. Their coffee stood out from other house coffees which is refreshing.
(4)Tina A.
Absolutely delicious cornflake crusted french toast with bananas and strawberries, incredible! Good service, cozy atmosphere.
(5)Emily J.
I have finally found the best breakfast place in Chicago, and I wasn't even at Nookies for breakfast! After having drinks but no food at the J. Parker, my boyfriend and I were in desperate need of dinner. He used to go to DePaul so he knew Nookies was the place to go. And he was right (one of the only times this has ever occurred-kidding...). Nookies is everything a breakfast place should be, most importantly they have huevos rancheros and a breakfast burrito and serve breakfast all day. I got the huevos with chorizo and was not disappointed. It was so good and just what the doctor ordered. The restaurant is so unassuming and everything you want a neighborhood breakfast place to be-small, with a diner bar and open kitchen. It's just perfect! Our server, Tyler, was so kind and talked to us through our whole meal at the bar. We were lucky enough to even meet the owner as well and chat with him a while too. My sister is coming into town in a few weeks and Nookies is the first place I'm going to take her, no matter the time of day.
(5)Lauren R.
A great little diner with good food, big portions and decent prices. Someone in the kitchen really knows how to poach the perfect egg. The Southwest omelet and Southwest Benedict were both delicious. Highly recommended.
(4)Kristine N.
Ordered takeout from Nookies to try it again and the food was a lot better than when we dined in. The ham and cheese omelette, yum. Big chunks of ham with tons of cheese. Potatoes were still a little soft for my taste, but it was takeout so that might be the problem. The banana nut bread pancake, to die for! We were really satisfied this time.
(4)Pamela M.
The food was ok. The Eggs Benedict was good, but relatively classic and not remarkable. Personally, I don't get excited about country potatoes. I prefer hash browns. I dined near the entrance and found the ambiance to be reminiscent of Perkins. It is a very busy restaurant, but I just find the interiors to be a little on the sterile side. Our server Selina was great! She was super nice and welcoming. Not to mention, her accent was lovely! Perhaps, I need to come back and try the cornflake crusted French toast in the photos because that looks delish!
(3)Mike W.
Gotta love Nookies! Best place in Old Town to go for breakfast or brunch. I've had some of the skillets, steak and eggs, and pancakes - all excellent. Friendly service with good coffee. BYOB too so bring some champagne and OJ!
(5)Deborah N.
AMAZING Brunch!! The Huevos Con Chorizo are to die for - YUM!! It could have been a little spicier seeing as the salsa is pretty mild, however; that's my fault seeing as I didn't tell them to add a little KICK!! All-in-all, great little BYOB spot. Super nice and sweet staff. Thank you for the awesome brunch!! xo
(5)Sarah M.
Went after church on a Sunday morning and immediately sat at the bar at 10am. Service wasn't fabulous but for a quick breakfast place that's what id expect. We got the goat cheese pesto scramble to split between the two of us. It was really good especially with the grilled tomatoes. I recommend it to anyone wanted something more flavorful than plain eggs.
(4)Cullen B.
Nookies is a good family friendly restaurant to stop at and get something to eat. The service and food were great. I have the bacon burger and the blueberry waffle, both had lots of flavor and very tasty. The only reason I don't give five stars is because nothing popped to me. Everything was good but nothing had a pop. In the end it was a wonderful place to eat
(4)Bethany A.
I came here with a friend for breakfast food in the afternoon. The restaurant was pretty empty but the staff was still really attentive and we had great service. It was pretty obvious that Nookies has been doing brunch food for a while and we didn't really have any complaints at all. I ordered the Farmers Eggs Skillet with scrambled eggs and I really liked it. The best part was probably the bacon, which was perfectly cooked. I really liked the hash browns as well. Overall, really yummy food. I'd like to come back in the morning sometime and maybe try the pancakes and French toast.
(4)Shin L.
Nookies... nookies... nookies... It's unfortunate that your name just reminds me of Limp Bizkit and sexual intercourse... something which I'm usually not in the mood to think about until my tummy is full. It's also unfortunate that you are so busy that we waited over 45 minutes for a table. Give it up to the guy at the front counter seating people. He was courteous, apologetic, and attentive enough to let our party of six order some coffee and drinks while we waited. This guy was classy and deserves a promotion if he doesn't own the place already. It was unfortunate for him to have a party of 3 and 2 kids sitting for 45 minutes after they finished eating talking about god knows what... probably something boring... like bridge club. So, on to the food. It was okay. I had the Eggs Benedict as usual, and I've got to say. I've got a real gripe with places that do a real THICK slice of canadian bacon/ham on my Benedict. I mean, this thing was almost half an inch thick. It was unbearable after the first half. The hash browns were awesome though. Wider shredded potatoes than usual and cooked to perfection with a crisp. Everything else in our party was so-so. Meat loaf? So-so. The mac and cheese? So-so. We probably all ordered the wrong things, but no one was raving about their meal. I was disappointed as this place seemed to be well rated. They have another Nookies less than a mile away for god's sake, and they had a wait, too. I'd literally have given this place 2-stars if it weren't for the gentleman at the counter. Just goes to show what a lasting impression attentive service can leave.
(3)Paul S.
I don't get why people are so in love with this place. What am I missing. I live across the street and have been here a number of times, but I'm underwhelmed. I made the decision after a recent dinner trip to no longer go here. The breakfast is fine and completely acceptable. It's typical breakfast food so when you read other reviews here that rave about the breakfast keep that in mind. The non breakfast items is where the menu breaks down. I've had the chicken served overcooked. The spinach pie is some weird contraption that's nothing like a regular spinach pie. It's unique qualities do not make up for the water infested spinach inside the pie. If I thought it was terrible here I would give it a one star, but two is appropriate. Specifically for the breakfast, Nookies now has a lot of competition with others serving breakfast on Wells. I don't see the lines I used to see on Sunday mornings. There's also a reason why their dinner crowd is so light. There are lots of opportunities here. Nookies should focus on quality and less on a menu with quantity.
(2)Jennifer L.
My boyfriend and I stopped by here after shopping in the area. I left feeling totally underwhelmed especially after the positive reviews I had read. Pros: The autumn trio that I had tasted great and the flavors were unique. It came with pumpkin pancakes, pear french toast and apricot-cherry pancakes. My boyfriend had the Southwest Benedict, which had spicy black bean cakes on it. Also, the location is perfect! You can walk to the shops after you eat to burn off all those calories. Cons: The portions were way too big! Each type of pancake came with three pancakes each and there were two slices of french toast. Our server was efficient, but not very friendly. And, I did not like the interior of the restaurant at all. It looked dated and dirty. The tile floor looked gross and overdue for a deep cleaning. Overall, I have been to better breakfast places before. Maybe I'll give them another try if I'm in the area. Or, maybe I'll try their other locations.
(2)Samantha J.
This is the perfect little cafe for a nice quick breakfast that won't tear your wallet in half. Service was extremely friendly and the food was tasty, albeit I had the self control not to order any of the amazing specials they had (I'm a scrambled eggs and hash browns girl). Their hash browns were perfectly crispy, not like those soggy ones you can get at the mainstream places. They sub'd fruit for toast (go Paleo diet!) for no extra cost which is almost unheard of. Definitely coming back!
(4)Khamie W.
Terrible. I took my partner here for valentines day weekend and it was not a great experience at all. The server rushed us to order our food then I had to track the waiter down." My spouse wasn't please with her meal and he acted as if it was a inconvenience
(1)Shannon C.
Super tasty breakfast!!! Would recommend to anyone!
(4)K S.
We went here for Brunch on Saturday. It was a short wait maybe 5 min tops. The place was good. Nothing mind blowing. I had the waffle and hashbrowns and my bf had the cornbeef hash skillet. Decent prices. Wouldnt make this our regular spot but wouldnt be against going back here again.
(3)Tigistu A.
Had a brunch with my family on Saturday 30/09/14, the food was excellent and the staff very friendly. Thanks
(5)Christopher S.
I have been a frequent and loyal regular for 10 years. It is hands down my favorite breakfast nook in the city. The staff is the friendliest in town, and the food is well made classics. This is the place to go if you want normal French toast, incredible omelets, etc.
(5)Robin S.
Yuck. I'm not sure what the big deal is about this place. I ordered chicken salad which should be a fairly safe dish. My cukes were rotten in the middle and the avocado was brown. The cole slaw was warm and the potato salad was bland. No reason that should have come out of the kitchen. Son had the BBQ sandwich and he couldn't eat it. Others had a burger which he said was "ok" but girls enjoyed their grilled cheese. Service was excellent and responsive to food being sent back. He did remove it from our bill. We won't be back. Maybe breakfast is a better choice.
(1)Chris H.
The staff was friendly, and the service was prompt. However, the food was just so-so. I had the Farmers Skillet. Basically 2 fried eggs over hash browns, bacon, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and cheese. I thought it would be a slam dunk, but it all seemed a bit bland. That, and the bacon were 2" chewy strips of limp bacon mixed in with everything else (not the greatest). My girlfriend ordered the chilaquiles. She also said they were just "okay." A little too sweet and missing the acidity that makes chilaquiles so great. The upside of this place is that its BYOB.
(3)Jim K.
Came in here searching for an ATM fairly early on a Saturday morning, and decided to stay for breakfast before hitting the farmer's market. I had the 2 egg (whites) and hash brown breakfast with chicken sausage. Overall, a decent breakfast: the chicken sausage was quite good, and the eggs and hash browns were fine. I had sourdough toast, which came slightly torched, and, frankly, didn't taste like sourdough. Nookie's itself is quite charming, comprising of what seems like an endless collection of small dinning rooms connected together. It's absolutely a family restaurant, but, even with a screaming baby a few tables away, the room wasn't too loud; perfect for breakfast. There IS outdoor seating, however, I only counted 5 tables, so I wouldn't count on these. The service was great, especially for a breakfast nook (see what I did there?). My server was attentive without being overbearing. I'd probably go back for breakfast again, but Nookies just didn't wow me as a "must go" kind of place.
(3)maimuna s.
Delicious brunch! The service was great and they kept the coffee coming. The food was great and they were really sweet.
(5)Margaret G.
This little piggy went to nookies This little piggy stayed home This little piggy had delicious fruit crepes This little piggy had none This little piggy cried weewee all the way home. This little piggy went to nookies This little piggy sat in the corner This little piggy grew inpatient This little piggy did too This little piggy cried "why? why was I ignored the entire breakfast?"
(3)Grace C.
I went this place for brunch. Very clean place and tasty food. Portion is not big (small compare to other brunch/ diner) but it is a fun place to check out and go for a casual relax brunch.
(3)Benjamin D.
Came here because there wasn't much else open in the neighborhood. Had heard good things and I've walked by it plenty of times. Service was pretty lousy. The server pushed some of our stuff out of the way to put down silverware. Not the end of the world but annoying. There is a lot on the menu (including three veggie burgers!) and most of it looked good. I got a burger, with mashed potatoes and cream of broccoli soup. It was a lot of food for the money. But the soup had part of a fingernail in it. Absolutely ruined my appetite. The burger was OK, kind of bland, but everything else looked good. I couldn't eat a whole lot after the fingernail. But they took my whole meal off the bill. So it worked out in the end. All that said, probably won't come here again. Lousy service, grossness in the food and better options in the area.
(3)Katie W.
BYOB! Attentive service. Coffee was filled within 30 seconds of sitting down. Huge portions. Hot food. Great diner!!
(4)Bryan J.
Terrible and crowded. They have a great location in Lincoln Park and their prices are low, and that's about it. The food is in the range of "nothing special" to "didn't even try". For example, the blueberries on my cardboard-like Belgian waffle were still frozen, and the Eggs Florentine had all the ingredients stacked in the right order, but was all but inedible. The owners and wait-staff have an indifferent attitude, as if people will still flood in whether they try or not. And fortunately for them, there is an amply supply of 20-somethings in the neighborhood who do not seem to know the difference. There are much better places in the neighborhood if you care about the qualify of the food and and service.
(1)Sarah N.
BYOB champagne for mimosas if you want them with their fresh orange juice otherwise this brunch is more than enough to satisfy your taste buds! Come prepared to eat, that's for sure! There might be a line but the service does the best they can to get you to a seat and they do not rush you out of it, which I appreciated it! Great for all groups and people!
(4)Michele L.
I'm absolutely obsessed with this place - I work remotely, so its nice to have a place where I can get a good meal and be able to get work done at the same time! The staff is also amazing, I never feel rushed or just because I'm sitting here doing work ever neglected - even after the bill is paid. I highly recommend Amy's Omelet - they're chicken sausage is super yummy :)
(5)Debby S.
"We goof up every once in a while, it wasn't intentional." That's a direct quote from the manager. He graciously didn't charge me for the coffee that was never refilled during the half hour I was there. The food is fine, but not memorable. The service awful! The place was half empty and there was enough staff. I won't be back. FYI - I LOVE the Nookies in Edgewater. It's hard to believe these two restaurants share a name.
(2)Lauren H.
Great breakfast place! Their menu is absolutly huge. So many choices. I would say get there early because it can get very crowded after church.
(5)C R.
Excellent brunch. The skillet was great, and all the other food that I saw looked just as good. Cool spot in lincoln park, and looks like it would be a great place for any casual meal.
(5)Adrienne N.
Love Nookies! Always stop here when we're in Chicago. Great breakfast/diner food.
(4)Scott W.
When my girlfriend and I lived in Chicago, Nookies was a weekly brunch spot for us. Now that we're living elsewhere, we totally miss the place! Nookies has some of the most consistently fantastic comfort food I've ever had. Always good for all-day breakfast options, lots of interesting picks for lunch and dinner, and brisk, dependable service. We also got to know the management team well, including Spiro, who's the absolute best! I'd highly recommend Nookies - and if you go, hope you like it enough to keep going back like we did.
(5)Ryan W.
Great breakfast spot in Chicago! Went there while on a business trip and staying a block over at The Lincoln Hotel. Everything was amazing (had a breakfast meal.) One suggestion, which would give it a 5 star rating is to ask for the home fries WELL DONE. They were a bit on the light side, and my colleague who took me there knew what was up. I only wished she told me. But a great place, with an awesome staff. They had an ambient mix playing when we went (at about 7:30pm), and the first song I heard was Zero 7's 'Waiting Line' which is one of my favorites! Such a chill atmosphere, I can imagine the crowds for breakfast must get crazy. Next time I'm in Chi-town, I'll be sure to hit this little gem up. Thanks Nookies!
(4)Julia W.
Good Food, Good Location, Friendly Owner and Staff, love this place ,my favourite, come here every week. it's my favourite breakfast place
(5)Renessa F.
As a party of 6 we waited almost 25 mins for a table though it was almost 1pm. Since Nookies is our staple we hung around. After being seated we had to get our own menus because no one checked on us for 5 mins, slightly frustrated but we were hungry and service is normally fast. We waited 15 mins to order and almost 40 mins for our food. In the meantime the table of 4 next to us, that was seated after us received their food before us. That was the killer. As a group we recalled how long we were waiting at each point because we were starved when we arrived and hungry customers are good at keeping time. In the past Nookeis was our reliable go to place but after this experience we won't be going back again.
(1)Paige W.
After leaving a negative review of the chicken fingers, one of the owners saw me walking by, and he ran after me to apologize. Gestures like that go a long way. He obviously really cares about his customers and the store. I'll definitely be back to eat something else. (Not the chicken fingers).
(5)DiAna E.
Nookie's is great for a late afternoon brunch! The blueberry pancakes and scrambled eggs are delicious. And....it's BYOB! Add champagne and orange juice for a perfect meal!
(5)Krithika R.
Food so good, it had me smiling from ear to ear! A quaint cozy place - definitely recommend!
(5)Alexandra K.
What can i say about Nookies? It holds a huge piece of my heart. I love brunch and can't think of any time where Nookies has failed me. I first became acquainted from visiting Nookies Too in Lincoln Park. Nookies has the same menu, and a larger space for seating. You can't go wrong with the menu. I day dream about the hashbrowns. I love their seasonal trio special - no matter what it is - it's always a must have. I can't recommend it enough! It is worth the wait!
(5)Emily S.
I always have a wonderful dining experience here. The food and service are great. The staff is all very attentive, friendly, accommodating (my order can occasionally be high maintenance), and knowledgeable. They also have dijon mustard and siracha for my omelets! I am also impressed how busy it is at all times during the day, independent of the day of the week.
(5)Dan S.
What a great experience... Was visiting Chi-town the other day and happened across this place by my hotel. Checked out the reviews and went in for some lunch. Super friendly staff and excellent and attentive waitress. The soups; delicious. The breakfast plates; perfect. The burgers; hot and fresh. Love this place...will definitely be back.
(5)Kirby M.
i love Nookies. It's a neighborhood gem. The staff there are always kind. The food is typical diner food - it's not going to blow your mind but it's solid. I'm a big fan of all of the skillets. I'll take great service with reliable food over an alternative any day. Not to mention incredibly affordable. Thank you, Nookies. You've always been good to me. My only wish is that they'd make better coffee.
(4)Eunice J.
Hearty portions - great place for brunch, but would not recommend it for amazing dinner food. They're a great place if you're looking for comfort food though!
(3)Max P.
Nookies has the staples of a great diner experience down: great service and pretty good food. Our server, Todd, was polite and attentive to our needs. I ordered about the most basic diner food-cheeseburger with cottage fries-and it was delicious. The restaurant had plenty of room to accommodate our group of 8 and our food was done quickly. Next time I'm in Lincoln Park and looking for a reliable and relaxing option, I'll definitely hit up Nookies.
(4)Bridgett F.
Went in excited for good service and good food.. They wouldn't seat us if we expected one more person because they didn't want people hogging tables. They were not warm or welcoming and just didn't seem they like they cared that much about customers. Wound up going to a different break fav place that was SO much better. So thank you :)
(2)Ken B.
We stayed at the Hotel Lincoln just down the street, and this is just around the corner. Great for breakfast with good, fresh ingredients. Attentive staff, even thought they were very busy.
(4)Mary B.
We went to Nookie's on the Monday after the Chicago marathon for a late breakfast. It was the perfect time to go. There was only a 5 minute wait, and we got a great table inside. The menu had a great assortment of choices, which I always love. I ended up with a Southwest twist on Eggs Benedict. There were two huge black bean cakes, topped with poaches eggs and a chipotle hollandaise sauce. It came with toast and hashbrowns on the side. I only ended up eating half of it - I would definitely split it next time! Everyone in my group ordered dishes that looked fantastic - crepeps, frittattas, pancakes - it was all amazing. Next time I go to Chicago, I am definitely hitting up Nookies again!
(4)Ray D.
Solid breakfast go to! Great eggs, pancakes, corned beef and hash etc. Never been their for lunch or dinner but staff is always friendly. You may have to wait a little for a table on the weekends but well worth the wait. A true dinner experience that you can't find often in the Midwest let alone the city.
(4)Dorotka K.
I have become somewhat of a regular here. Great food and excellent accommodating staff.
(5)Janice R.
The peach and raspberry pancake special was delicious last summer, but tough and chewy today. The waiter did not come back to pour coffee refills after he served us.
(3)Jennie C.
The stellar reviews set my expectations too high, so I was rather disappointed in my Nookies experience. Sure it was a cute place, and the wait wasn't that bad (15min around noon on Sunday). But the food was just ok...I had the mushroom fritatta, it was rather greasy and covered in barely melted cheese. Friend had the eggs Benedict, the hollandaise sauce was very vinegary, though the eggs were at least cooked properly. If you live in the neighborhood and don't have to worry about parking, then it's an ok choice. I wouldn't make a special trip for this.
(3)Molly V.
Nookies, Nookies, Nookies; oh how I wanted to enjoy this experience just a bit more than I actually did... I was visiting Chicago (home) this past week and a friend of mine lives by the Nookie's on Wells St. We decided to check it out, as I had heard there was a Nookies that recently opened near where I had lived previously. It was mid afternoon so I ordered lunch items and my friend ordered breafast items. I been told before that their breafast was pretty good - but I was just not in the mood for it. Anyway, my friend ordered standard eggs and bacon with hashbrowns. I ordered soup and a tuna melt. I can't speak for my friend's food, but everything was just mediocre. For all the hype that I had heard about this place, I thought the decore (which definitely left something to be desired) would have an edge. I think I simply just had much higher expectations. The food was edible - but nothing to write home about. The ambiance/decor was that of any other diner type restaurant. Next time I a in Chicago I will probably not make it a priority to come back and visit a Nookies.
(3)S t.
The best breakfast place around. Always consistent and friendly, thank you nookies!
(5)Annie M.
If you're looking for good breakfast in the Lakeview, Lincoln Park, or Old Town neighborhoods, you can't go wrong with one of the Nookie restaurants. The Old Town one is usually my go-to but I've also been to the Lincoln Park location several times too. They've always provided quick, friendly service with great food to match. The regular menu is good, nothing too special, but it's a good amount of food for a fairly cheap price. Perfect for families, especially with kids. Their seasonal specials menu is definitely worth checking out too. The fall menu has pumpkin flapjacks that are AMAZING! They always have at lest 3 season options between pancakes, waffles, and french toast and they always sound super tasty. However, the spring menu had a trout skillet which may have been one of the worst meals I've ever had (in all fairness, the service is so good that I'm sure they would have brought me something different had I asked, but I didn't.) I'd be pretty cautious to order anything with fish from Nookies again after that. But my favorite thing on the menu is definitely Ernesto's chilaquiles. Combining Mexican and breakfast is just a beautiful thing! All in all, Nookies is such a good breakfast place that even a horrible meal didn't scare me away, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone!
(4)ali a.
Although I think nookies is good, I think I go there more because its convenient. The food is good, not great and the service is pretty decent. If you are looking for a basic brunch place that's pretty good, check it out. I think there are some other brunch places in chicago that are a little more original though.
(3)elizabeth n.
This is one of my favorite brunch spots. The place is very cute and a low key spot to grab a good bite to eat. They have the most amazing banana nut pancakes and the omlettes are delicious! The wait is worth it, and I've never had a bad experience there. They do not take credit cards though so bring cash or your ATM card because you'll need it!
(4)Jason K.
The best breakfast I have ever had. I went there the saturday of St. Patty's so it was crowed. Even with the big group of us we were able to get a table in 15 minutes. The orange juice is fresh made with real oranges behind the counter. Do yourself a favor and get the best breakfast around.
(5)Arjun C.
Nice brunch -- waited less than 15 mins, got fritata and two pancake flights which were delicious but too huge to finish. Moving to the top of my brunch favorites.
(4)Mama L.
This place is breakfast perfection. It is always busy during the weekend but worth the wait. OMG- the eggs and french toast are too die for. The staff is very friendly. The fruit is always excellent! LOVE this place!
(5)Liliana S.
Great choice for breakfast. Great frittatas as well as omelettes..
(4)Design G.
Why only 4 stars? I wish they would break down and let me use my bank card! Otherwise, this is a cute, humble and unpretentious place to duck off wells and have a bit of brunch, lunch or dinner for a very reasonable price. There is always a line on the weekends and rightfully so... nice staff as well. Give 'em your dollars... until you can give them your card ;)
(4)Anne Marie J.
Went on a Friday for brunch (spring break, yay!) and it was perfect. We were seated immediately and the waitstaff was quite attentive - full cups of coffee and water at all times. Even 20 min after we were done with our meal, we felt no pressure to leave. Food was FANTASTIC. The 2009 french toast special (crunchy croissant napolean?) had a lovely filling of strawberries and vanilla marscapone and the crunchiness of the corn flakes added a much desired texture to french toast. Had a bite of all my friends' dishes: huevos con chorizo and the corned beef has were all fresh and plentiful. I'm sure if this had been the weekend it would be a diff story. But based on my experience, I'd recommend this place to everyone.
(5)Andrea G.
Quite possibly just experienced the best BLT of my life. Get down for the Nookie people, get down.
(5)Katie C.
What probably originated as a neighborhood tradition has grown into somewhat of a breakfast phenomenon. This Nookies, which obviously has two other locations, is on the quiet part of Wells that it's fairly uncommon to drive down--and if you were looking for the place during any other time besides brunch, it's possible you might miss it. Standing outside for brunch on a Sunday at 10:45am meant one thing: a 20-25 minute wait. Now, this really isn't bad compared to say, Overeasy Cafe up in Ravenswood (and hell, it's worth it) but it can feel significantly long if you're waiting for a cure-to-your-hangover breakfast as we were. Once we were seated, though, things started to roll. Our server was friendly, and although a little to begin service, she checked back up on us a couple of times and made small talk. The food? Nothing special or unexpected--but Nookies isn't the kind of place where you're going to find ancho-butter with your toast. It's predictable, good, hearty, short-order cooking, and you pretty much know whatever you order is going to be solid. I ordered the chilaquiles which were warm, tasty, and the portion was far more than enough. My boyfriend ordered the eggs, hash, and toast (a LOT of food for $4.45) and couldn't finish it all. So, say you're a little low on cash, don't mind waiting to put something in that belly of yours, and would like to partake in a friendly neighborhood's offerings? Nookies is the place to choose.
(4)Vanessa M.
First timers here... Loved this place! 5 stars from me, 4 from the husband. We walked up and I loved it from the start. Very cute and has a nice patio area; we knew it was gonna be good because of the amount of people standing around outside waiting for tables. We figured we would be out there waiting for awhile- but it was only 10-15 minutes, just as the host had said. We were seated inside. The place has such a great diner feel- but different because its a bit more classy. Our waitress was super friendly and kind, and took great care of us! Thanks to other Yelp reviews, we got the fresh squeezed orange juice... it was SO GOOD. We are from Florida and recently moved here to Chicago. THIS is the stuff Floridians live for. It was perfect. We also enjoyed watching the juicing machine. They were putting whole oranges in, peel and all, and juice came pouring out. Intriguing. I ordered the Chili-Avocado fritatta with hash browns. It was phenomenal and such a huge portion, I barely finished half. I wasn't a huge fan on the hash- kinda tasteless and needed quite a bit off pepper. I didn't eat much of it. The fritatta though. Oh. My. Word. I wanna eat that for breakfast every morning. Just as the waitress described it- a bed of eggs with chili, all this awesome melted cheese, and avocado. Yum. My husband had the Bistro burger. Bleu cheese and carmelized onions on a 1/4 lb beef patty. He really liked it, although it wasn't exactly cooked how he had asked. He asked for medium, and it came out almost well done. Not a huge deal, and he was starving and just wanted to eat, haha. Overall he said it was a pretty good burger. One thing that my husband would like me to add is that he was so sad he didn't order the huge stuffed french toast stuff we saw come out of the kitchen soo many times. Seriously, he is very remorseful. We will definitely be back to Nookies (can I just mention how much I love that name?! so cute) and we will have to try the french toast :)
(4)Mike G.
Well, it has been a few years since I visited Nookies and nothing has changed. The food is even better than I remember. I have a different perspective now as I have an 18 month old son. My review is a little different this time but it still keeps its 5 stars. Their childrens menu is great. He had the pigs in a blanket (pancake wrapped around a sausage link). He loved it and it came with a chocolate milk, all for only $3.50. They were accommodating to all kids (there were a ton there) and it just made the experience even better. If my son could actually say sentences he would say "This place rocks!!!!"
(5)AB H.
I found Nookies to be good, not great. I had the steak and eggs special. The steak was overcooked, and quite a few pieces were grizzly. The guac and scrambled eggs were good. The refried beans and rice were fine - nothing special. One thing that I found annoying about the menu is that breakfast options are listed in a number of places, so you have to hunt around a bit. This place was great for kids - the chocolate chips pancakes were a hit and cheap. If I were eating carbs, I would try the french toast dipped in corn chips. That sounded really good.
(3)Tavi J.
Totally loved the food and service! This place looks smaller on the outside, but once inside it's huge. I took my mom here for brunch and she had mention she had been to the Nookies before in Evanston and wasn't impressed. Goes to show you each restaurant is different whether it's a chain or not. This Nookies was great! We were starving so we shared an appetizer of the winter sampler special (Pancakes, Lemon bread, and something else....see pic below). All of them were sweet and delicious. For our main entrée we both had the Rueben. Tons of thick juicy meat and loved they put the dressing on the side. Wish it came with fries versus chips, but oh well. Great service, reasonably priced, and decent food. I'll definitely be coming back for brunch again.
(4)John L.
First breakfast in Chicago. Must say it was very delicious. I ordered eggs over corned beef hash. Cooked perfectly. Only reason I don't give 5 stars is because I prefer home fries over the shredded potatoes. However; the shredded potatoes were very delicious!
(4)J L.
Nookies is hands down my favorite brunch spot in Old Town. Nice outside seating for those who like the outdoors and people watching. It gets very busy on the weekends. But I've found no difference in the service or taste of food. My go to dish is the farmer's skillet. Yum! Can't go wrong with big portions and byo champagne for mimosas :)
(5)Tad D.
I think people take this place for granted so it's important to mention a few things. The staff is polite, fast, and awesome. The food is great and it comes up fast. The place is usually very clean. It's not hard to see why it's a been a Lincoln Park / Old Town favorite for so long. So many restaurants can't get these basics down pat, so I'm happy to wait in line for a great experience on the weekend. Try the chilaquiles, they've been my go-to for years now. Also, consider bringing out-of-town guests here rather than some tourist trap.
(5)Kent B.
I came in for breakfast. The meeting you had some great choices . The waitstaff was very friendly. I got the pancakes and an egg dish. The pancakes were a bit overcooked . Eggs were fine. But the house was undercooked. I was hoping for more out of this place.
(3)P 3.
Awesome place and good service. Food was tasty and everyone was nice. Good neighborhood place to grab brunch on weekends.
(4)Candace M.
I was looking for a brunch place close by to Second City and found this. I would probably give it 3.5 stars if that was an option because it wasn't bad (I would go back) but it also wasn't anything exceptional either--it's just a standard brunch/American spot. My boyfriend and I split the tuna melt and an omelet. The tuna melt was pretty good (classic tuna on an english muffin with melted american cheese), but nothing that I couldn't make easily at home. The omelet was great: huge, veggie-stuffed and super cheesy, but again, nothing different than any other omelet I've had at a brunch place. With our orders, we also got a side of onion rings (yummy but greasy) and hash-browns (eh, only okay, I've had better). One particularly frustrating/bizarre thing about our meal was that the tuna melt comes with a side of chicken & rice soup, but we are vegetarian. We told the waiter that we can't eat meat and asked to sub it for a side salad or a different side instead, but the waiter told us: "no, we can't do that because the soup is just complimentary." Seriously, what's up with that? Kind of ridiculous...
(3)Jeffery H.
After having brunch here, I am shocked that this place has four stars. I had scrambled eggs and hash browns, which should be pretty difficult to mess up. However, both were covered in Pam kitchen spray, as if it had been used instead of butter or oil to cook with. My boyfriend had a daily special, which was a Mexican inspired steak and eggs. It was edible after adding quite a bit of hot sauce. We also ordered two coffees. After asking three different people at three different times for milk or cream it never arrived. Overall, not a four star place by any means.
(1)M. C.
So the only reason I'm giving this place a two is because it was close by and we got sat relatively fast on a Sunday morning. I was visiting from out of town and yes....the portions are large. Yes the prices are low for the area. What wasn't great was the flavor... My cousin ordered a ham, cheese and broccoli omelet, tasted like broccoli....and only broccoli. I ordered chocolate chip pancakes, chewy. Enough said. And I also got the biscuits with gravy on them....bland. I am a huge brunch fan....and for my last meal this was a really big disappointment. Coffee....sour. Something was not right. I wish I could say something good about some part of the meal but I cannot. Service.......wow. Not only did the waiter never make eye contact he walked away when I was still ordering. He seemed to be in a pissy mood....learn to act like ur happy even if you aren't, you work in the service industry! This is not my only review during my trip so I am not being biased...I had plenty of great meals in Chicago. Visit Kanela breakfast club instead!! It's within walking distance
(2)Adri A.
perfect food & service. Visiting from California ran across this place on the way to the zoo. So glad we stopped. Server made great suggestions. Fresh squeezed orange juice was amazing... the plus we met Aaron Franklin from bbq pits here. You know food critics don't just eat any where ;) Ps. My bothers said to make sure I add finger kicking good (: Thank you Nookies!!
(5)Kiki Z.
We ordered the seasonal trio breakfast sampler, and it was absolutely amazing! It was such a sweet treat. The fruit was incredibly fresh and perfect on top of the French toast and pancakes!
(5)Carla H.
Always a quality meal for a decent price! Service is always good. It's a great neighborhood spot, wish there were more Nookies.
(4)renje g.
++ - It's a cool diner - They give you LOTS of food - Orange juice is very good and very fresh - The 'Daily Special' menu allows you to do a sample of all three; which is a lot - During my day it was peach hotcakes/bluberry marscapone french toast/coconut
(3)Carolina N.
Nookies! What can I say I had such a delightful experience this afternoon for brunch. This was my first visit but I heard many nice things about Nookies. I was surprised to find out how large the place actually was since it looks small from the outside. I love the small diner vibe and it seems like this is a family business which I always love about a place because you can feel that lovin' energy when you're there and it definitely reflects on the service and food. I ordered the Spring sampler special (pancake, french toast, and a some other sweet bread), it was fantastic! My boyfriend ordered the Paris benedict (broiche, bacon, asparagus, egg, and a gruyere gravy) - phenomenal. This meal may have been one of my best brunch experiences ever. I have to note that the service was really great. The host(s) were incredibly sweet and accommodating. My boyfriend dropped me off at the front so I could put our name down while he looked for parking and the host was kind enough to just let me know that as soon as my bf walked in he would have our table ready, I was surprised to even find out that there was no wait! Brunch on a Sunday can be treacherous at so many places! The only con I can think of was that menu is kinda pricey.
(5)Bennie B.
I couldn't wait to eat here. We showed up for Sunday breakfast to sit outside (had a dog) but outdoor was not set up, so we had to go elsewhere. Maybe next time. Restaurant should prepare outdoor seating before restaurant even opens!!
(3)Dominique A.
Just went here yesterday.... It was a decent little mom and pop spot.... But for me personally... Nothing to rave about
(3)Lindsey M.
Yum! Went there yesterday and had the Gouda, mushroom, onion and bacon Fritatta. My husband had the raspberry peach French toast. Good coffee. The only negative was that they had a group of summer special items that sounded great but most weren't available until 9am. That's on the late side if you have a toddler, which we do, so we were there around 8am. We don't live in this area but still would come back during our next Chicago visit.
(4)Letta M.
We head out from Public Chicago to Nookies and went the wrong way, but we were determined to find it so what should have taken a 15 minute walk, took us about an hour. We got there famished. I ordered the french toast and it was AMAZING! The crunch was just right. The whipped cream was super tasty and not too sweet! A perfect balance. There was a slight wait time but we opted to sit at the bar and that took no time.
(4)Mary A.
The food was very good. We both got Cajun eggs breakfast special. It was so delicious. The orange juice is also very good. You can tell its freshly squeezed. The only thing was that I asked the waiter if there were onions in my food and he said no. I did see a few onions in my food. I simply pushed them to the side because the food was still really good. The waiter was friendly and he continued to check on us. I would definitely recommend this place. The music is very fitting. It's an old school feel. Very relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. The tables are slightly close to each other but besides that the layout is great.
(5)Dave P.
I really LOVE this place. I've been several times and its always consistent. (casual breakfast place that pumps out GREAT creative dishes while still doing the basics right!) In its class, It's a five star for me!
(5)Sharon C.
I came here in the afternoon (which I think now was a bit of a mistake) after spending a morning at Lincoln Park Zoo with a friend. We both ordered breakfast: I had the Dixie Biscuits, and she ordered a skillet (I forget which one). While the potatoes were pleasantly burnt, which I like in my hash browns, neither the potatoes nor the biscuits seemed all that fresh to me, which is why I'd probably try this place again during the breakfast rush - maybe I shouldn't have gone for a breakfast food in the afternoon, but, given the choice, I will almost always choose breakfast. The sausage gravy was a lot more gravy than sausage, but the eggs were poached perfectly. The entire place smelled delicious, like fresh oranges, and we were greeted very politely (and exuberantly) upon entering. Our server was also patient and came back to check on us. I hope it was just that I ordered breakfast at the wrong time of the day!
(3)Rach G.
My friend and I travelled to Chicago from Boston. We are spending the day in Lincoln Park and decided to stop off at Nookies for some brunch. I was so pleasantly surprised at the high quality of everything from the aesthetics, to the very friendly (and attractive) staff! And of course I cannot even put into words how phenomenal the food was! My friend and I had some vegetable soup; best damn vegetable soup soup of my life! He had the bbq chicken sandwich and I had the farmers egg skillet... both of which were brought out super quick, but you could tell it was all very well made, and tasted out of this world! If you are looking for a homey diner with that retro feel and amazing inexpensive food this is for sure the place to go! Families, old people, hipsters, whatever-this is the place for u!
(5)KJ V.
When I'm near the area, I always make a stop here. Food is fantastic. Staff is energetic and friendly. Go early or you will have to wait but if you do have to wait, it's well worth it!!! You can't go wrong with any of the omlettes or fritattas for breakfast. Make sure you have a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice too! I've also has the pulled pork sandwich, the Reuben, and monster melt. All are very delicious. As you can see, no matter what your in the mood for, your meal will be made fresh and with love!
(5)Jessica P.
I came here for brunch after my 5K run on a Sunday at around 1PM.. Upon arrival, we (3 ppl) had a 10 minute wait (not bad)...not much waiting space inside the restaurant, but if it's nice out.. there are some seats outside so you can wait while browsing the menu.. Food: definitely sooo many options and they have seasonal specials too!! Denver Omelette with hashbrowns (you have more options like fruit if you don't want to eat hasbrowns..) and your choice of toast, english muffin..: the Omelette is huge as you can see from my photo..the food was overall good although they do tend to toast your bread a little too much depending on your preference..so it'll be perfectly crunchy...the omelette was pretty good..and hashbrowns go well with anything! Customer Service: our waitress was kind and attentive.. Wait time: to get seated isn't too long...wait time for food seemed to be a little longer (but it may be because we were extremely hungry)... Costs: ~$9+ (excluding tax & tip) depending on what you order It's located close to the 24hr Starbucks so if you want to grab a bite before studying.. I wouldn't mind coming here.. :) I'd come here again for brunch if I was in the area, but I definitely want to try out the other hot spot brunch areas in the area first!
(4)Mark E.
Always a good spot to grab breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is BYOB and has a diverse menu so vegetarians and gluten free eaters will find something to eat. The Dixie Benedict has exceptional sausage gravy and the eggs were perfectly cooked sunny side up. The service was spot on and the server was willing to split our bill 4 ways. Will be going back soon
(4)Sreerupa B.
Delicious brunch spot close to the Zoo. Got the Paris Benedict and tried the crepes combo (strawberry, cheese, Apple). Both items were great!
(4)Megan H.
I love Nookies! It's the best place in the neighborhood to grab a quick and simple breakfast or lunch (and dinner, but I've never been there for dinner). I believe they serve their entire menu all day, which is really nice when you sometimes have the tendency to wake up after 2pm and all you really want is bacon and eggs (over medium with one of the best English muffins I've ever had in my life). Plus it's BYOB! Also their patio is nice in the summer and dog friendly, so inevitably I try to bring my dog whenever possible. Definitely can't wait until it warms up so I can hang with my dog while drinking my own champagne and noshing on some eggs and bacon!
(5)Sean M.
Exceptional...the breakfast items had both classic and unique options, all absolutely well worth trying and enjoying. Very fresh ingredients. Great helpings, service was superb and I agree with a fellow person, the fresh OJ is a must to order!
(5)Jed B.
Went there twice for breakfast. First time I had an omelette with spinach bacon and sausage. The second was a veggie omelette. The potatoes were lacking but the service was excellent.
(4)Kevin F.
My wife and I stopped here for breakfast and really enjoyed it. Nice area to walk around after as well. Staff was friendly and the service was quick. The food was great and I would stop here again.
(4)Emily J.
This is your typical diner. I went here before checking out the Chicago History Museum. Nookies has diner food and good diner service. Absolutely nothing outstanding or something to make this a must try. The only reason I can think of why it has such a high Yelp review is because everyone in the neighborhood rated it. If this was in my stomping ground - I might give it one more store - might. The staff was friendly and very quick to step. We were seated immediately on arrival. As I said, it was typical diner food with typical bad diner coffee. I had the trio breakfast which is a sample of three types of pancakes. The only one I really liked was the carrot cake. I also had a lemonseed pancake (Meh) and some kind of plum pancake (pass). Every neighborhood should have a diner. But unless you live in the neighborhood, go somewhere else. You will not be pleasantly surprised at Nookies.
(2)Emily W.
This is my go-to breakfast spot. Anytime family is visiting or I need an afternoon to myself, I find myself in Nookies. With their seasonal menu and consistently amazing food I keep going back. I love the outdoor seating, the big windows in the front, and the strong coffee! This is the perfect place for a cozy date in the dead of winter, or a sunny sidewalk breakfast for summer.
(5)Danielle Y.
The French toast was really good! I enjoyed the special french toast with the vanilla bean cream cheese especially. :)
(4)Michael S.
Had the chance to come across Nookies while looking for a lunch spot to complete some work at. Great place, and great food. I had a simple BLT on Wheat with the cottage fries, and it was simple, well prepared, and yummy. Service was good as well. The server didn't hover nor was she completely gone throughout the time I was there. Another bonus? Free parking across the street all day! Granted, it's street parking which is limited, but I was able to park all day and explore the neighborhood afterwards!
(4)Romana Y.
The service here is unbelievably cheery and uplifting! The aroma is fantastic, and was the selling factor to saunter in. The Tuscan Chicken Salad was a large serving of mixed greens, melted goat cheese, chunky bites of chicken, and lightly dressed. The omelette with veggies and meat was great, as were the hash browns, large slice of ham, and the side of fruit. The coffee was decent, and the patrons were free spirits. Fun breakfast spot, with cheery waiters!
(4)Sam A.
I like omelets as much as the next guy, but I've never been wowed by one. Until Nookies. The southwest omelet was insane. Fluffy, flavorful and an almost too generous portion of guac. And the hash browns...crispy and golden brown to perfection. Oh, and it's BYOB, so I'm enjoying a bottle of Zombie Dust with my meal. I'm headed here tomorrow morning.
(5)AJ D.
Excellent freshly squeezed orange juice, good coffee that is topped up regularily, can't go wrong breakfast place with a large variety and large portion sizes. Good/Very Good service. Great for family brunch. Long line, no worries, you'll get seated fast, often well before estimated time. Check out the new 'fall specials' photos just posted.
(4)Sacha F.
I've only been here once and it wasn't bad! Their menu is huge and offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and side options. I ordered takeout, but the interior was cute and they had nice outdoor seating. I ordered their cream of potato soup and a chicken and cranberry salad with balsalmic dressing. I enjoyed the soup, nothing to write home about, and the salad was definitely enough for two people. The seasoning on the chicken could have been better, but it was decent. I would definitely try this place again, a lot of my coworkers go often and have great things to say about it.
(3)Brian P.
Best freaking place in the city for breakfast. The best omelettes. Really... The best vegetarian omelette you can get. Incredible French toast. Their food is excellent. Stupid long wait on weekends. I love the U shaped counter.
(4)Rebecca H.
Pretty good breakfast food. My kiddo had the chocolate chip pancakes which were great, as was my husband's omelet. The hash, however, tasted like it came from a can. The service was friendly and the location convenient.
(3)Justin S.
I'm a little surprised that anyone could give this place anything above three stars. What am I missing? I don't really consider myself a picky eater, but this was one of the worst breakfasts I've ever had. Future diners, ignore my review at your peril. The coffee was sour, with a chemical aftertaste. The pancakes were dense and chewy. The omelette leaked oil and butter when I bit into it. And the hashbrowns were dry on top, and mushy and undercooked underneath. The entire meal was devoid of flavor top to bottom. Except for the English muffin, which was actually great. Also, freshly squeezed orange juice is a nice touch. Service was fine. I'd describe our server as someone who was told to be nice to kids but really didn't care for them. Which is fine. I've been to plenty of Chicago diners, but I'd avoid this one.
(2)Sarah K.
A ton of food and quality materials, but poorly crafted (soggy sandwich and almost too much food making it all fall apart) and really lacking depth of flavor. It felt like they were too reliant on an overload of carmelized onions to make up for having no additional flavors
(2)Suzanne T.
The food and the service were NOT GOOD. I stopped in only because it was around the corner from the hotel where I was staying. I asked about gluten free options and the server seemed at a loss, completely. He was utterly unhelpful during the entire meal, which was supposed to be chilaquiles, but had this awful, dishes need to be cleaned/old oil taste to it. Ugh. At one point I had to get up to ask someone for help because, even though I was one of two tables in the entire joint, waiter utterly vanished. I will not be back.
(2)Madison P.
The atmosphere is not as great as I wanted it to be, but the food makes up for it! I was craving breakfast for dinner, and this was the perfect place. I ordered French toast, but it had a slight twist- the bread used was Raisin Cinnamon... Perfection. The chips that accompany their burgers are actually sliced potatoes. They are out of this world, and I am not a chip person!
(3)