Benedict’s La Strata
40 N Williams St, Crystal Lake, IL, 60014
Benedict’s La Strata Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Crystal Lake for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
40 N Williams St
Crystal Lake, IL, 60014 - Phone (815) 459-6500
- Website https://benedictseggs.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 2:3
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast, Brunch
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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Sean Y.
Review is for lunch - maybe breakfast is better. Chose this place based on the rave reviews so we really wanted to like this place. Ordered a chicken sandwich which was bland, nothing really stood out. Wife ordered the salad which had curry chicken, dried fruit, and mixed greens. It was their most expensive salad and had less than five small pieces of chicken buried under a pile of lettuce. Maybe we'll give it another chance and order breakfast food but won't go out of our way to return.
(2)Kristina R.
Benedicts is a wonderful place for breakfast. It has some very unusual and tasty spins on eggs benedict. I actually had the crab and avocado omelet and it was wonderful - they have very good hollandaise sauce - which is always important. The five stars is for three things: the sticky bun, the coffee, and the service. I will come back anytime I am in IL.
(5)Larry B.
A great find in the wilds of CL. Nicely laid out with a covered outdoor patio area. THe coffee is great. They have Mimosas and Bellinis for brekkie! THe Huevos Rancheros are great, as are the Eggs Benedicts. Service was ok, but getting the check took awhile and it really wasn't busy. PArking is tough in that area, near the Raue Theater. Recommend for Breakfast or Lunch.
(4)Jason H.
I echo much of what other reviewers have already posted. This was my first time at Benedict's and I met my boss for a breakfast meeting. The service was appropriate -- not too much, not too little -- granted we were one of three tables at the beginning and one of eight at the end. I had the poached eggs on sweet potato hash, which was very good and relatively light despite the large portions. The coffee was excellent -- a good bang for the buck. Not only was it a bottomless carafe in the restaurant, they do supply you with a "to go" cup if you want. I have been at many other Crystal Lake-Lake in the Hills-Algonquin breakfast places and this rates near the top. Although I have not had the pancakes/waffles, my take is Benedict's is an excellent option for those not wanting a pancake house. The menu is extensive and I look forward to trying more of the options.
(4)Daisy W.
my food was alright, but my husband's was pretty bad.... he had to send two different dishes back into the kitchen and finally just stuffed down the third in exasperation. i'd like to clarify that my husband is NOT a picky man... his eggs benedict were truly just awful. to her credit, the poor server was very patient. we won't be going back... sticking with richard walker and bentley's going forward.
(3)Nicholas S.
Good Waffles. Delicious BLTs. BEAUTIFUL atmosphere and decorations. I love going here, because the servers are interactive. A nice, good family breakfast and lunch place.
(4)K S.
I had the Blueberry Strata. Fantastic. It was like eating the most delicious heart attack of all time.
(4)Cheryl W.
Benedicts is a wonderful addition to Crystal Lake. Fresh food, unique choices. It replaced the very succesful Italian restaurant called Genovese's and it was a local favorite. Rated top Italian in the county many years.The owners retired, it was not a failed restaurant and was well worth remembering. It's nice to see that another fine establishment moved into this location.
(4)Kevin W.
Menu has so many delicious sounding options that it was truly difficult to decide what to get. Highly recommend the apple bacon Brie omelette and the mushroom omelette. Wait staff was very friendly and service was prompt. Also has a great covered patio for outside seating! All in all, delicious experience!
(5)Angela B.
The food is unique and delicious and service is great! The best part is that I don't feel shuffled through like cattle similar to many other breakfast joints, and I also don't feel like I'm waiting forever for my food while I die of hunger pains and get drunk on sangria. Overall, I give this place a thumbs up!
(5)Corey D.
MAN their dinner menu looks solid! Unfortunate you can only grab that a couple of nights a week. And so this trip it was for breakfast, which was pretty tasty! I think starting with some apple beignets is a smart way to start the morning, and although these were tasty, I don't know that I'd rush back for them. But hey, at $3.50 an order, it wasn't a HUGE investment. The breakfast tacos on the other hand were SUPER tasty. They can benefit from an extra tortilla to hold all the goodness inside, so you might consider grabbing a few more, and I'd recommend some extra salsa too. I got mine with chicken which in the end was probably a silly move. I should have stuck with the chorizo which they recommend. Oh and major points for Intelligentsia coffee/espresso.
(4)Mick B.
I had been craving blueberry pancakes since Terri and I watched "Pulp Fiction" last weekend. I found myself in Crystal Lake and based on the positive reviews here on Yelp (thanks Yelpers), I felt I would be good to give Benedict's a try. As another reviewer mentioned, Benedict's serves Chicago's Intelligentsia coffee, which would cause even a discriminating coffee drinker like Mr. Wolf to raise his cup in salute. I seldom have my coffee as Winston does with "lots of cream and lots of sugar", but I do indulge a little dab of cream in my java, which at Benedict's is REAL cream instead of some chemical mess. As luck would have it- they had some amazing seasonal creations on the menu, such as: Strawberry Cheese Cake French Toast, Pretzel Pancakes and Chocolate Waffle with Strawberries (see photo) but I stuck to my guns (difficult) and ordered the blueberry pancakes, which "hit the spot" (as Jules might say). The hostess and wait staff were excellent as "Buddy Holley"- and it was very much appreciated that there was a pot of that great coffee on my table rather than having to wait for refills. I would say overall that this was a delicious and enjoyable choice for breakfast- I'd suggest that you give Benedict's a try when you are in the area. I will be back and will bring Terri ("Honey Bunny") with me so we can order 2 different things and share, also known as eating off of the other person's plate!
(4)Vince V.
Let's just say that this is the best breakfast and lunch place in the local area. Great food that is not ordinary but really good, that can be devilishly fattening or really healthy. Go there and enjoy!
(5)Andrea K.
Still as awesome as before! Bonnie is just a delight as a waitress! Southwest Benny is the new favorite for me!
(5)Rich P.
I had breakfast here for the first time and though I really like fried eggs with a side of ham or sausage, I decided to go with something a little different considering that seems to be what they cater to. I had a frittata with artichoke hearts and goat cheese. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing but the color was some unappetizing shade of tan and it had very little flavor. The side of fruit was a very small portion. The coffee was better than average and I like that they bring a little pot to your table so that you don't have to wait for the waitress for a refill. That would have been annoying considering the service could have been better. If you're in the mood for a foo foo breakfast this might suit you, but I'd skip it if you just want a good plate of eggs.
(3)Amy W.
There for breakfast...Couple of things: First, find a new hostess...the girl working there looked and acted stoned out of her mind. She had dark hair and looked to be no more than 18 or 19. That we had to repeat the word "Pat" to her 3 times when we weren't more than a foot away from her was the first clue something was wrong...she kept repeating it back to us as "Dot?"...with the 100 yard stare...she told us there would be a 20 minute wait for the patio...we were good with that, so we stepped outside for 10 minutes, as the foyer was filling up quickly...while we were outside, she gave our patio seats away. Then we wound up being seated inside the restaurant at one of the smallest tables imaginable, since we didn't want to wait another God-knows-how-long for Bobette Marley to get us seated. I ordered the eggs strata and was informed it's no longer available. Why is it on your menu, then?...and isn't "strata" in your name? :/ You weren't simply out of the item; it's no longer being made...cross it off, if you don't want to incur the expense of menu reprints...how hard is that? I was offered an alternative that came with a "cheddar cheese sauce" that I can only describe as looking and tasting like melted cheez whiz. The food was blah & disappointing, the service at the front of the house was utterly awful and it is very doubtful we will ever return. The staff were impersonal and looked very stressed out. I go out to eat on Sunday mornings to decompress and relax...the atmosphere of this place was the polar opposite of that. Too many legit restaurants in McHenry County to waste our time giving this bomb another try. Cute décor, but that's about all I can say on a positive note. Oh, and that my obviously microwaved food arrived at the table quickly. We took a pass on the canned corned beef hash, btw. I realize it's disheartening to put so much effort into a business and receive less than stellar reviews, but you really need to rethink the quality of what you're offering instead of taking unnecessary shortcuts with critical components of a dish and hiring staff that can handle the front of the house, or at least tell them to check their attitudes at the door...maybe spring for pre-hire drug screening? If I could give 0 stars, I would. Not impressed.
(1)Mike H.
I have been to this restaurant probably 30 times or more for breakfast on sat. or sunday and every single time the service is quick, the food great, the staff awesome. This is the best breakfast place period.
(5)John H.
Yeah, the other reviewers are right. They really do it right here. The food quality, Intelligencia coffee, the outstanding service and servers, the seating inside and out.... Everything is great about it.
(5)Shiloh C.
This place is pricey but it has decent food I have never ordered an actual Benedict from here but every time I go I have someone who does. I Purtilo particularly like their coffee I think it's really delicious. I plan on going again but not often it is pricey as I said before.
(3)Sheryl T.
It's Eggs Benedict Day, so having brunch here just seemed like the right thing to do today. The restaurant itself is nicely decorated. We were greeted immediately by an older gentleman while the hostess was walking back from sitting another party. The hostess was less than welcoming, but the gentleman more than made up for her lack of hospitality. Upon opening the menu, the selections were quite extensive but not overwhelming. I ordered a Bloody Mary which had all my favorite toppings (pickle spear, lemon, lime and olives). I picked the Smoked Salmon Benedict for my meal while the hubby got the egg and steak. Both were outstanding. Although I thoroughly enjoyed my meal, what stood out the most for me was the perfectly cooked and seasoned steak my husband ordered. I'm very pleased we gave this spot a try today.
(4)John S.
Fantastic for breakfast - fantastic for dinner. Yes - they're open for dinner! I eat Gluten Free & there is always something wonderful at Benedict's.
(5)Grace J.
Cannot and will not ever get over the food here. Everything is so amazing and I feel like it's truly different than other breakfast places in the area. Whoever created the menu did a fantastic job. There is so much variety and creativity in all of their dishes! No matter what kind of food you like, you will fall in love with at least 3 menu items at Benedict's. Personally, I love the smoked salmon Benedict, the breakfast burrito, and the breakfast tacos! I ate dinner at Benedict's once, and it was terrific too. It was sad though because there were only two other couples there when we were on a Friday night at 6. Lovely, lovely wait staff too! The only negative thing that I can say about Benedict's is that when I tried to schedule my sister's baby shower here a few months back, I called 4 times and no one called me back once! That's pretty bad customer service on the management's end. All in all, Benedict's is a must try! Weekend mornings may have you waiting a half hour for a table, but it's all worth it in the end!
(4)Katy P.
Enjoyable breakfast! Appropriate portions at reasonable prices. Only had to wait about 20 min for our party of 6 to be seated around 10:30 am on a Sunday. Wasn't too impressed with my bloody mary, but everyone seemed to enjoy their omelettes & benedicts.
(4)Heidi L.
This is one of my favorite places in Crystal Lake to eat. Great food and service, and love the atmosphere in the summer for outside dining.
(5)Jenna A.
Awesome menu, great atmosphere, crazy-friendly service! And they have REAL New Orleans style beignets!!!!!! SO YUM! (And I would know cuz I grew up in NOLA) if you can't get down to New Orleans for a beignet you've got to try theirs!
(5)Aggie H.
Food is expensive and the taste is good but not worth the money. My husband's biscuits and gravy came with enough grave to spread it like butter over the top of each biscuit. He was very disappointed and even after asking for extra gravy, it didn't compare to what we have gotten at other restaurants. Also, one of the first things we noticed were the water glasses - they have spots all over them. We weren't sure if they're not getting washed well enough or if they normally look like that. Either way, we don't want to wonder what the answer is - just give us some clean glasses. The seating order is odd too. It doesn't matter if you came before another family. If the table of 4 opens up and you only have 2 in your party, you are not getting seated until a table of 2 opens up. We will definitely be going elsewhere next time.
(1)Matthew H.
Food is not the best, the portions for the price are small and the glasses had a ton spots on them. They looked filthly. I wouldnt have served someone in my house with glasses looking the way they did. The wait was horrendous (30 minutes) and even though our full party was there it seemed that people who were regulars that came in after us were getting preferential treatment and got seated before us. But whatever. Normally I would attribute a long wait time to the food being really amazing but this was just not the case. Over all this place was a real dissapointment and their current 4 stars rating which is the reason I tried them out now feels misleading.
(1)Walter J.
I think this is a very solid breakfast/lunch restaurant with a very friendly wait staff. I had heard so much about Benedict's La Strata from friends that I think my expectations were super high. They almost got there but not quite. Nice, warm atmosphere, and actually crowded for lunch at 1:30 on a Monday. Good for them. Our waitress was super friendly and very professional. I give her 5 stars. The coffee was good, the food was good, I had the Despardo Skillet. I just wasn't 5 star blown away. If you are looking for a nice place to have a good breakfast or lunch I would recommend trying Benedicts, I plan on giving it a second look next time I'm in the area.
(4)Michelle F.
Oh Benedict's. I can't quit you. Well, I really have no good reason to want to!! This was my first time at this location, and it was great (I personally prefer the Dundee location, though), but this was a great experience as well! After being seated (ten-minute wait at 9 on a Sunday, but there were a LOT of people waiting after us), my sister and I perused the menu and picked out about 27 things off of the menu that we wanted. We may or may not have been "hungry shopping". ;) So after much debate, she ordered the BLT Eggs benedict, I ordered the Egg white/turkey omelet (I added onions), and we had pumpkin pancakes off of the specials menu to share (like I said, HUNGRY). The food came out SO quickly, and it was really, really delicious. My sister's BLT Benedict was amazing--well, you add bacon to anything, it's going to be awesome! My omelet was good, but there was a $.95 upcharge for adding onions....um, really?! That's a small onion right there. A DOLLAR?!?! That seemed a little extreme... Oh, and the pumpkin pancakes were AWESOME. It came with three, so we each had one and I was able to take one home!! YUM--it was just as good the next day. Our waitress was really sweet as was any of the other people who came to serve us (the woman delivering food, the woman who refilled our drinks). They were all really on top of things! The only thing to keep my review from being five stars (other than a dollar for freaking onions) was the hostess. She was a little...brisk. That might be too nice of a word. She was downright rude (brisk toward me, but I didn't get yelled at). I get that you need to repeat the same thing a lot to customers ("I can't seat you until your entire party is here"). Heck, I even heard her say it to about 11 different people in my ten-minute wait, but that's what you signed on for when you got the job as hostess. But I actually heard her YELL it at customers and give them major attitude when they would come in with two people and request a table for three. The customer wasn't rude whatsoever, but basically got yelled at as the first impression. Whoa...
(4)Naté G.
I like this place! They have a cute decor, intelligentsia coffee, great menu choices, and they have nice touches like ice water and coffee at the table. I had a strata and loved it. They offered fruit or potatoes with breakfast. There wasn't anything bad about the experience. Can't beat the location either--downtown Crystal Lake. The screened in patio is very nice too.
(5)James M.
Nice place. Clean. Food is above average. Place is always busy so that makes you feel like you are at the right place. Wife likes the mimosas. Coffee is ok. Portions are all good sized. One time I got the crab cakes Benedict... It was just ok. Wouldn't get it again. All other things are tried are good
(4)John C.
Asked about wifi, "we don't do that here." Mediocre, lackadaisical service. Blah, American cuisine. Pretty much only thing in town.
(2)Jerry G.
My family has been coming here for the past 5 years for breakfast on the weekends. We've been to every breakfast place around, but this is the best in the Crystal Lake area. The coffee is great and the skillets are always a good choice.
(5)Jen J.
The food here is stellar. I've ordered from here on a few occasions and everything's been pretty flavorful. Why the 3 stars? My biggest complaint is that they won't seat you until your whole party is there. I've only ordered take out up until this past week and when I went in, I noticed several elderly people were standing by the front door. I figured it was a really large party and they were all waiting for their friends/family. My friend was on her way so I thought I'd stand there and look at the menu. Then I got a text she was running late. So I asked to be seated. The first hostess said she'd seat the other party behind me since everyone was there and then come back. When the second hostess came by, I assumed she'd take me to my seat. Nope! She mumbled, "We don't seat incomplete parties during lunch" then hurried away. Fortunately, the first hostess followed through when she got back, otherwise I would've taken my wait outside until my friend showed up and went elsewhere. I don't fully understand this practice of making people stand there, cluttering up the front--especially THE ELDERLY!!!! The second star was taken off because, while I love their skillets, many of their diced potatoes are rock hard because they've been cut too small. Other than that, I've had their Mediterranean Chicken sandwich and it was absolutely scrumptious.
(3)Erin D.
The best place in Crystal Lake for breakfast, hell McHenry County!!!! Hands down. Service is always fantastic, they always go above and beyond. Food is always good.
(5)H Y.
Ok food Place is too noisy. Table was too small for two and too close to each other. UnComfortable.!!
(3)Kimberly R.
Hands down the best place for breakfast in McHenry county! I am never disappointed and have a very long list of favorite dishes! Whatever you do, if it's your first visit, do not go on Sunday! They don't serve beignets on Sunday and it should be a crime to start your breakfast without them! Crepes are the best in town and I order them almost every time I go. The biscuits and gravy are a close second for me and I almost always order grits on the side no matter what I order!! Grits, no one serves grits in the Midwest and the grits are excellent! And to top off the perfect breakfast you need an excellent cup of coffee and they have that too! There are always seasonal menu options, kid friendly, affordable... Do I need to go on?? No i don't because you need to stop reading this and go get breakfast!
(5)Kate H.
Bring a burb cloth or a bib because you're going to start drooling as soon as you look at their menu. They offer such creative and DELICIOUS dishes! I LOVE the blueberry strata, all of the various flavors of egg benedicts, the lemon poppyseed pancakes, the beignets, the lobster bisque, even their iced tea is SO much better than every other restaurant. The kids menu is solid too. It's kind of rare to find a kid's menu that offers fresh food. Restaurants always seem to think kids should eat frozen, prepared, fatty, crap. Also the prices are very reasonable. If you haven't been here, you just have to go. I am certain you and whomever you dine with will be happy. I still haven't gone for dinner, but my Mom and Dad did, and they were really impressed. Bon appetit!
(5)Jerry K.
Holy cow this is IT for breakfast in this town. Don't go anywhere else. Try the Bavarian omelette for a change of pace that is deeply satisfying. The caramel cappuccino is pretty great too!
(5)Nathan S.
I love, and I mean, love the breakfast here. I, in fact, have never had a bad experience here... until I tried dinner. The food was pretty mediocre, comparing it to the breakfast selection. What I really had a problem with was my wife ordered the pasta bolognese and bit into a bay leaf. It turned out it had small broken shards of bay leaf scattered in the sauce. I call over our server and explained that this was a problem and a chocking hazard. She then explained to me that more "up scale places do this". I think it was because i was moving all day and came in with a hooded sweet shirt, that she thought I might not know what fine dinning is. Well I let here know that I am in fact a chef, classically trained. The server did nothing to correct the problem and we bagged our stuff to go. I sorta feel bad that i have given hundreds of dollars to this place for breakfast and most likely will continue to do so. I will not however, recommend, or be back for dinner again.
(3)Lynell I.
The best part of this place is the coffee, no doubt. Service was meh at best, but it was busy, so I'll cut them slack on that. The water glasses were coated in a film of dish detergent, but I was willing to overlook that too. I was excited that they had gluten free options on the menu, so I ordered an item on the menu that was clearly marked as being Gluten Free, and when it came there was an English muffin on the plate. At that point I had to wonder if they even know what gluten free means and if it's safe for me to eat my food, but I boldly went ahead anyway. I'd ordered the sweet potato hash with poached eggs. The 'hash' was more like unseasoned BOILED sweet potatoes, some of it undercooked, not even remotely fried, no salt, no flavor. It was totally unappetizing to me, and I'm someone who loves sweet potatoes. Completely disappointing experience for me. I probably won't be back.
(2)Jimmy G.
At first glance this joint may appear trendy, kind of snooty , and pretentious , but don't be fooled because it's a really friendly " come on in" atmosphere. Make sure you read menu item descriptions. I ordered the crab and avocado omelet which is drizzled with hollandaise sauce, the potatoes with onions, and a side English muffin. This simple dish just exploded with flavor. My mouth was having a party. Did you ever keep eating something because it tastes so good, but your actually full? This is the easiest way I could describe the experience. I will be back and I'm going for one of the the salads or the house speciality Eggs Benedict in multiple ways. I'm not sure why I didn't rate 5 stars except for the fact I'm not sure this wasn't a one hit wonder. Stay tuned I will probably be updating this reviews after my next experience.
(4)Dorothy P.
Breakfast heaven. My hungrier half & I seldom get to go out to breakfast, and when we do, we usually hit up our "regular" spot, which is within walking distance of our house. This time around, I wanted to try something new. The original plan was to go to Richard Walkers, but I got vetoed (judging by some of the reviews out there, I'm not missing much). I took to Yelp to save us from our routine, and I came across Benedict's La Strata. What caught my eye, after perusing the menu, were a few standout details: - They serve some organic items (apple juice and yogurt are the two that stick in my mind) - They serve Intelligencia coffee, which is my absolute fave! - Their menu is HUGE & varied, offering a little bit of everything from omelets to crepes, benedicts, pancakes, waffles, etc. (they also have a small lunch menu, but breakfast is most definitely their mainstay. - They're local & not a huge chain (something that we both appreciate) Bonus, when we called to see how busy they were, we were told that a party of 2 would be seated right away. We hightailed it on over before the potential rush hit. The decor is super cute, sort of a modern kitschy country farm thing going on, with red walls & rooster decor. There is ample seating, so grabbing a table was no problem at all. Normally I'm not much of a "sweet" breakfast gal; I prefer omelets to pancakes any day. But for some reason the stuffed cherry French toast caught my eye (& my stomach for that matter), and I couldn't resist. To balance things out, I ordered myself some vanilla organic yogurt, the perfect compliment to my French toast. My hungrier half got the breakfast burrito, because he's a sucker for anything wrapped up in a tortilla and/or containing chorizo. His portion was HUGE, and even though he's a longtime member of the clean plate club, even he had to pony up and ask for a take home box. There are so many amazing sounding dishes on Benedict's La Strata's menu that I can't wait to come back for some more!
(4)Shawn F.
Ordered a Reuben... Came out tasting like it was microwaved. When the waitress was told she said "no everything is cooked on the flat top". Not a Sorry or any sort of apologjy; simply here's your bill. This is unacceptable; especially when one bite was taken out of the sandwich. Will not be coming back here!
(1)Todd K.
We come here every week with the family and love the staff! We love the specials that seems to go with the seasons so we are never bored. The place is always hopping so when we go there we eat and socialize for a bit then leave so the next people can eat. I just wish some of these people( woman especially) would do the same. There is a Starbucks next door that they can catch up on the gossip. This is thee best place to eat in Crystal Lake. Happy New Year Benedicts and thanks for always giving us good service as well as amazing food.
(5)Tyler T.
Best Breakfast, best burgers, friendly service! Love getting brunch with the family Sunday mornings.
(5)Ana G.
I really like this place, and the service is always great however, I feel that it's just a little overrated. Everybody gets so worked up about it, and I think it's just your average breakfast place. The frittatas are just okay, and the service is nothing spectacular. The ambiance is cute, but other than that I would say just average.
(3)Timothy S.
3.5 stars rounded up to four. This is a solid breakfast place in Crystal Lake's cute downtown. Despite the central location, there's plenty of seating, and the place was poppin' at brunch. The food was a step above your average breakfast place, with more interesting dishes that the usual omelets and skillets (though they have those, too). My wife had a smoked salmon benedict, which she liked, though poached eggs are not really my thing. I had the Jambalaya Eggs, which were coated in cheese and sauce and were pretty tasty, if lacking in shrimp. They were, however, extremely rich. Make sure you're hungry! I'm not that familiar with Crystal Lake, but Benedict's is a solid choice!
(4)Ljana M.
Beautiful downtown CL area, nicely designed atmosphere, good food and not a chain.
(5)Tammy J.
I have been here for both breakfast and lunch, and I can say both times were amazing. It is hard to describe really good food. You just have to try it for yourself.
(5)Adam R.
After finally trying Benedict's La Strata I was hoping to be wowed by the food...but it wasn't the case. The food was good, but nothing special in my opinion. The things that surprised me the most were the prices. For some reason I expected this place to be pricier than most breakfast places, but it wasn't. Getting back to the food - the corned beef hash and eggs were cooked fine, the home style potatoes left something to be desired. I prefer mine to be crunchier; these were a softer variety. I forget what my wife had, but I remember she was pleased with it, but not exceptionally so. We'd definitely come back but it hasn't replaced our "go to" breakfast place.
(3)David F.
Really great breakfast/lunch and/or brunch place. Love the fact that that you can find many unique items on the menu. Fun to try new dishes every time I go. One neat option is sweet potato hash. Wish that more places would give the option for sweet potato instead of regular 'ol Idaho tater which is nutritionally poor.
(4)Denise S.
I went a little out of my way to check this place out. I understand they have been given annual awards on their food & whatnot, but I just can't bring myself to give this place more than 3 stars. Let me start by saying the service we received was outstanding... No complaints there. Our waitress was exceptionally friendly, helpful & on top of things. My first issue begins with the ladies room. It's a pretty good rule of thumb that the cleanliness in the restrooms is an indicator of how the rest of the place is cleaned. We drove in over an hour to get to this place so I REALLY had to use the facilities when we arrived. For me, there's nothing more gross then seeing a thick layer of dust on everything. The garbage bin lids, the top of the paper towel machines & my biggest peeve, the fake plants. Dust that thick doesn't happen overnight...so one star off for not cleaning. Lastly, I ordered the apple, brie, bacon omelet. It came with an orange slice, about a 1/2 cup diced potatoes, an English muffin and I ordered a side of bacon. Coffee is amazing because it's Intelligensia. The food came out in a very reasonable time but was not hot. It wasn't cold but, I prefer my food hot if it's coming out of the kitchen that quickly. The bacon was a bit greasy but good. The omelet concept was amazing but the flavors didn't marry & it was bland. This could have been easily prevented with a little salt in the kitchen. The potatoes we're not fresh, room temperature, dry & needing of salt. I dined with my husband, MIL & SIL... everyone agreed it was a pleasant breakfast but the food was meh. Overall a nice experience but the food is bland & the owners or manager need to get on the cleaning.
(3)Elizabeth B.
I've only gone for breakfast. It's always been delicious. The place is usually crowded around breakfast time.
(4)Jesse L.
The crab cakes Benedict was awesome! I'd have it again. And again. And again... Also, excellent coffee and terrific service. All around great experience.
(5)Nick A.
One of the best restaurants in Crystal Lake, and great dinner options too!
(5)Vicki A.
Never disappointed, the food is tasty, staff efficient, food is really served quickly! Extensive and unusual breakfast/ lunch menu. I try something new every visit!
(4)Ann D.
We went for breakfast and were not disappointed. Beignet appetizer is a must! So many delicious options from slow cooked apple oatmeal to Strata's and everything in between. I opted for the seasonal Benny. Eggs were perfectly poached. Everyone at the table was pleased with the taste, quality, and overall experience.
(4)Michelle M.
My husband and I had a delicious brunch at Benedict's last weekend! I loved my smoked salmon benedict (with a delicious caper hollandaise- YUM) and the full pot of Intelligentsia coffee it was served with. They have a really inventive menu with more unique choices than you typically see for breakfast, and there are a lot more things on the menu I'd like to try! Plus they are located in a cute and walkable part of Crystal Lake, which is a nice bonus and could make for a pleasant morning or afternoon stroll. I'll be back for sure!
(4)Andrew S.
First off, let me say I do like this place and the food, but there are drawbacks. Benedict's tries hard to be a bit on the fancy side; they are not like some chain restaurant. So lets start off with the pro's. When you order a coke, they also bring you a small carafe. Helpful if you drink a lot, but probably so that waitresses do not have to come by the tables as much. There is quite a variety of different foods, from breakfast to dinner. I got the steak skillet and there was a TON of steak and it was big pieces and they were all tender. Seriously amazing. That kind of skillet would have easily been at least $3 more elsewhere in town. There are many dishes on the menu that have that fancy California style - I see lots of avocado, balsamic, focaccia and other stuff like that on the menu. I do not like Avocado or Balsamic so that did narrow my choices down a little bit. For the most part, if you are in a group of 4 or less, seating will likely not be much of an issue. The inside of the place has a slight upscale decor feeling; lots of black and red and a bunch of those Italian style art deco framed posters. It does give you a feeling of quality and effort. Now lets get on with the cons. Most are not all that bad, but they are worth mentioning. They will NOT seat your group unless all people are there at the same time. This is likely due to the limited seating. This can also mean that the very small waiting area gets fairly crowded. With a little rearranging, and removing or working around the fake wall (with the big square hole in it) it would be a lot less clunky. There is a 'bar' area right in the front but the problem is that it is between the waiting area and the dining section. It is very narrow so it feels cramped. You do not pay at your table but at the cash register instead, which also happens to be right at the end of the bar. This causes a bottle neck and does not feel very streamlined. People getting ready to pay, those sitting at the bar, and those going to get seated make it feel very crammed. Next up, there is a lot of seating for such a small dining area. This also means tables very close to each other; more cramped feelings. Also, the place is really loud. This is due to so many people and no partitions between tables. Also, there are few booth seats; most are chairs. Some may find this very annoying. While most things from the menu are very good, there are a few you may want to watch for. Every soup I have tried there was extremely salty. Most of the regular dishes I have tried were not. I never get soups there because of this. As I mentioned previously, this place is trying to be upscale (as much as you can be in Crystal Lake), so there are more fancy dishes than simple 'American' style. Not a big deal but picky eaters may have a difficult time here. This is not your typical 'diner'. The service is about average; some empty dishes lingered on the table a little longer than I would have liked but for the most part I was satisfied with the waitress. I have only been here for breakfast and lunch so I cannot comment on dinner; either the menu or the prices. I have been here perhaps 8 or 9 times. My friends and family have gone here for dinner and have said it is mediocre. Judging by my own experience, and other reviews, it sounds like breakfast is the way to go. Overall - crowded and noisy, but the food was better than many other offerings in the area and the prices were also good as well. 3.5 stars. A solid 3 but not quite good enough to bump up to 4.
(3)Desiree M.
There are a lot of reasons to like this place, but for some reason it never stands out as absolutely amazing. I think that's because I've gone from being extremely impressed to just satisfied with different choices on the menu. I will say breakfast is their thing. Stick to breakfast. Their lunch menu is okay, and I have never ventured to try dinner here. But breakfast is consistently good. The other thing that is a little wonky is their portion size. Some items you can barely finish, others will leave you ordering an extra item. When I go with friends we usually each order a breakfast item and then order something extra, like waffles or french toast to share. The service is good, and they serve Intelligentsia coffee, which is amazing. Their decor and cups are really cute and gives the restaurant a cozy feel. They also have a big patio, which is really nice for the summer. I love places where you can comfortably eat outside. Overall, it's a worth try, but the prices are a bit higher and not everything on the menu is a home run, so be selective in what you order.
(3)Crystal L.
I have been going here every week for the last few months and really enjoy this place!
(5)Sarah M.
I LOVE Benedict's -- so much so that I go there once or twice a week for breakfast and lunch. They have awesome food and generally, really friendly servie. There's nothing bad on the menu and everything is FRESH! Benedict's offers a refreshing alternative to a "greasy spoon" type breakfast. The prices are reasonable too! For two people with non-alcoholic drinks, our bill is generally between $25 and $30 dollars. I do have a couple of gripes that I've been dying to share. This pace is always packed on the weekends for breakfast and I've never seen it at less than half capacity at lunch during the week, so we know they're making money. I really would love to see the water-stained ceiling tiles replaced and the women's restroom could use a little sprucing. One of the toilet seats is stained -- nobody wants to sit on a stain! -- and there are chips in the paint on the stalls and walls. Also, some of the staff need a refresher on customer service. One waitress doesn't smile at all -- ever -- and she'll make you sad by proximity if she waits your table. On just one of my many visits, I received incorrect order and when I addressed it with the server, she argued with me and told me that I ordered the wrong thing and showed me what she had written down -- like that was proof of anything. It was unprofessional and didn't help the situation and it really put a damper on the meal.
(4)Lisa G.
Best breakfast in McHenry County. Very accommodating to people who need to eat Gluten free. My go to place for breakfast.
(4)Harat H.
We've been here quite a bit with friends and family from out of town, we try to keep business local, especially downtown. They have good food and good service. Nothing exceptional, just good. The place is small and normally quite cluttered, crowded, and a bit loud, however for the consistency of the good food and good service we will continue to go back and support our local business.
(4)Holly P.
The food is not bad and the prices are reasonable. The reason I will not be returning to this restaurant is because I now have serious doubts about what is going on behind the scenes. It started with the fact that they can not handle simple modifications to menu items such as "no cheese". I have ordered food togo there 3 times now. Each time I have had to have it remade. Somehow the kitchen either does not receive the order correctly or they don't read it and the cashier who puts the order together does not check whether it is correct. Last time I ordered 2 dishes with no cheese and brought them home to see they were covered with cheese. I called ahead to have them remade, checked them upon returning and the new dishes were STILL covered with cheese. The manager put together the third attempt at making my order but even then it was missing the sides. He gave me a card for 2 complementary meals for the trouble. I finally decided to redeem the complementary meals today. I clearly explained my order to the cashier. One with no sour cream and the other with no english muffin. Again, I clearly explained that I was using the card the manager had given me, my previous orders had not been made correctly and it was extremely important that there not be an english muffin with my food because I am gluten intolerant. She repeated my order perfectly. Then to my surprise, my food still come out with the muffin. Not in a separate container or on the side but UNDERNEATH the eggs I had ordered. This was especially frustrating because Benedict's markets themselves as celiac-friendly. They label their menu items GF when appropriate and even serve gluten-free pancakes. This gives a false sense of confidence in this restaurant to people with this dietary issue. Whether it is a failure in communication or a serious lack of attention to detail, I seriously doubt it only extends to food preparation. Based on my experience in the industry, a kitchen staff that fails to make orders correctly and a service/managerial staff that fails to notice these mistakes are also neglecting food safety and cleanliness requirements. I do not feel like the people working at or running this place care enough about the quality of their food or service to be earning my business.
(1)Ken K.
Finally tried Benedicts for dinner...........it wasn't horrible....but it's a much better vibe at breakfast......
(3)Ron J.
I've been eating here since they opened a few years ago and this is certainly a great place for breakfast and lunch. The hours are until 2:30 p.m. except Fri. & Sat when they open for dinner which I haven't tried. I do prefer their breakfast offerings as their lunch menu is a little limited. The prices are very fair and they offer a unique array of breakfast items, everything prepared with fresh ingredients. One thing that is only available on their specials menu at a certain time of year is a Cubana sandwich. This is one of the best Cuban sandwiches around. They use roasted pork and baked ham (no lunchmeats). Absolutely delicioso!
(4)Sarah E.
First time here and it was awesome! We are from out of town and asked some locals where a good breakfast place was, everyone said "Go to Benedict's, it's amazing!" So we did, and we were thrilled! Cage free eggs, amazing menu- so so so many options! Even offer coffee to go! I wish they had a location in our home town!
(5)Deena D.
We stopped by here on our way back from a wedding in the burbs. It was the perfect way to cure our champagne hangovers. Definitely a hidden gem in the area, it seemed liked everyone there was a local which is always a good sign :) Definitely pay close attention to the specials, they seem to always be changing and are worth while. My boyfriend tried the pulled pork skillet, YES pulled pork for breakfast, and was hooked. I opted for a veggie skillet and really enjoyed it, ingredients were fresh and dead on. It sounds like the place could definitely expand, they have space outside but it was one of the 100 degree days of summer and the A/C was not working, which made it kind of brutal, but definitely understand those things happen sometimes. Also I wish they would serve the beignets on the weekend! when else can I rationalize dessert for breakfast? definitely not on a monday... overall a pretty good brunch spot in a cute area that you can mosey around in afterwards.
(4)Paul L.
Quality breakfast place, a local favorite. So expect a long wait time at peak hours. Food was great, definitely quality fresh ingredients, but if you are used to getting a ton of food at area breakfast places, you may be disappointed. Portions are definitely smaller than anticipated, but the friendly staff and delicious food kinda make up for it.
(4)Christine V.
I have been coming to La Strata for breakfast for about 3 years now.. The first time was during Crystal Lake's Johnny Appleseed Festival when me and my mother ate breakfast before walking around the fest. We were fawning over the breakfast menu for a good 10 minutes. They have every egg dish you would ever want, as well as every pancake, waffle, and skillet options. I haven't been brave (or hungry) enough for the Bavarian skillet. From what I remember it has like full sized bratwursts, onions, potatoes, swiss cheese all ontop of eggs.. This menu has something for every type of breakfast diner. They also serve Intelligentsia coffee (and also give you your own carafe) with freshly made beignets, covered in powdered sugar.. It really is a treat! My favorite time to go is during fall, you can sit out in the screened patio, with the nice fall breeze, sipping their delicious coffee. It is a great start to the weekend!
(4)Andre W.
Was in town for my daughter's volleyball game and wanted to have a good breakfast before watching her games, what a fantastic find for breakfast. Excellent food, good service and good atmosphere. I highly recommend this place and will definitely be back if my daughter plays again in Crystal Lake.
(5)Brit W.
Been here a few times already and they have THE BEST hollandaise ever. Maybe even the best eggs benedict! And let me tell you, I have had a lot of friggin eggs benedict. I really appreciate the balance of ingredients of the hollandaise - not too heavy and not too buttery. Eggs are ALWAYS poached PERFECTLY. The pom orange juice is super yummy, too. Their coffee is excellent as well, but I think their 'fruit cup' can be more exotic and innovative. Going to def have to try the seafood benedict soon! Can't wait to go back!
(5)Christina S.
My husband and I would visit La Strata on a regularly basis for the past three years. We used to love getting our Starbucks and grabbing a bite to eat there. People were friendly and the food was good. Today, the first time ever, we were hassled for bringing Starbucks into the restaurant. They basically wanted us to either toss it or poor it into one of their coffee cups. We were told no outside drinks were allowed in the restaurant. If it was handled a different way, we would have had breakfast there. Tell us at the door or at least be nice about it. But we decided it was best to just have breakfast somewhere else. As we were leaving I noticed a table with children drinking out of their sippy cups. Guess if the coffee was in a sippy cup it would've been ok. Now I know for next time. Update - We have been back since then (without the Starbucks of course) and overall the staff was friendly and the food was delicious. However, I did notice that on a recent visit the table next to us had their Starbucks with them. Guess that "no outside drinks" rule didn't apply to them.
(3)Kate M.
Love this place for breakfast. Food is fresh and delicious. The strawberry orange juice is a must. My 8 year old son loves to come here just for it. Treat yourself to the blintzes too, they are so good. Service is always on top of everything, friendly staff and great relaxed atmosphere. Go here I'm the summer and enjoy sitting outside eating a delicious breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.
(5)Chris H.
With the kids and they had perfect maners. Tanner counted the chickens on the wall. Angie loves the Bacon wrapped dates. Three Types of Bruchetta, tanner liked the red peppers with goat cheese, all were good. Angie had Beef Tend and I had spaghetti with meatballs which Ella loved. They gave the kids cookies, which they liked. Look home lots of food - loved it. would go again. used 10% off coupon.
(4)Kristen S.
We visited La Strata for Easter brunch and based on the reviews we were expecting much more. We felt rushed. The food was not fresh. The potatoes were hard. The lamb burger my fiance wanted was not available. According to our waitress they just havent been able to order lamb!?!? The plus side? The Eggs Benedict was okay and they didnt screw up the Mimosas!
(2)Jack T.
Great menu and food! We LOVED the music with our dinner on a Friday night. Great first time experience! Will be back again to try breakfast.
(5)Cynthia L.
As long as you aren't seated near a window on a cold winter night this place is wonderful. Good service and one of the nicest meals I've had. Recommend the medallions of beef with smashed potatoes and vegetable.
(4)Richard R.
Just wanted to add that we made a point in coming back so that my family could try the beignets. I was the only one who had had beignets before (at Cafe du Mond in New Orleans (where else!)) and had raved about them when I saw them on the menu at Benedict's. Like everything else, Benedict's beignets were terrific! I'd add a 6th star if I could! :-)
(5)Erin O.
I have been here twice, and each visit has been a wonderful experience. This morning I ordered the Fresh Fruit Crepe with country potatoes. The two crepes were delicious; however, I found myself sprinkling Equal on each since I found them to be a bit bland (despite the hefty helping of whipped cream on the side). Perhaps my sweet tooth got the best of me. This is definitely a popular joint in town, as each time I have visited the place has been hopping. The restaurant isn't overly decorated, but the bright red walls definitely wake you up. Also, the service this morning was excellent.
(4)Travis B.
Terrific place. Pumpkin Apple Bacon soup was great.
(4)Dan S.
Went there today and it was ok. My biggest issue is that the food comes out almost cold. The Brie and bacon omelet with apples was fantastic, but once again it was cool by the time it came out. Wife had the eggs and they were also cold. There is also an upcharge if you want real maple syrup. A classy place like that should only serve real maple syrup.
(3)Franklin D.
Wasn't quite sure what to file this one under since the food is a mixture of American breakfasts, European style foods (fritattas, quiche, crepes, etc.), muffins, and even some Mexican just for good measure. There is also what looks to be a decent lunch menu. This place is at the location of the failed Italian restaurant (can't recall the name right now, not that it's worth remembering). The inside has been redecorated and looks great...clean and nice looking for sure. This place serves breakfast and lunch only, no dinner. They are open from 6:30AM to 2PM. I had the huevos rancheros for breakfast and my wife had eggs/toast/bacon. The food came out fast. Mine was very good due to their use of some spicy chorizo sausage. There was no salsa, but a decent little cold bean relish thing kind of made up for that. Also it was on blue corn tortillas which made things interesting. My wife let me try the bacon...it was the good smoked stuff, not the cheap kind. The prices here were a couple dollars more than the usual greasy spoon breakfast diner kind of place...but I'm happy to leave the grease behind and pay a couple dollars more!
(4)Brian P.
One of the most consistently good restaurants for breakfast and lunch in the area. My whole family loves this place. The service can be a bit impersonal at times but I'm not sure if that's because of how busy they are of if they have been there to long but even so it's a nice place and good experience.
(4)Mark B.
Great breakfast! The scones & gravy is to die for. Everything made with quality in mind.
(5)Jeremy S.
Fantastic menu with some very unique breakfast variations and some very interesting takes on eggs benedict. Certainly haven't had anything that I haven't enjoyed here yet, including the beverages. Mimosas, Pamosas, Bloody Marys,... A very friendly, inviting atmosphere and a wonderful breakfast / brunch spot.
(5)Matt N.
Wow, just wow! I mean, I read so many good reviews here that I had pretty high expectations coming in and was still extremely impressed. It doesn't get much better than this for breakfast/lunch places in the area. Went here at prime lunch time on a Saturday and was seated immediately. Before I had scooted my chair all the way in there was a waitress ready to take our drink orders. It had been a rough night for me the night before so I kicked off the meal with a Mimosa - delicious! It was much larger than most other ones I have had and it still was a respectable $6.00. The menu is massive, it took me a while just to narrow it down to one section, and then deciding on something in that section became a whole new challenge. They have all your traditional breakfast and lunch dishes but what really makes it neat is their unique twists to these dishes. I am a huge fan of eggs benedict and they had a whole section of their menu just dedicated to different takes on this great dish. There were 9 different kinds of eggs benedict in total! All three of us at my table got different kinds of eggs benedict, I personally went with the Smoked Salmon Benedict. It was amazing! I highly recommend this place. They said they are open for dinner on Friday and Saturday night so I may have to come back for that. But after looking over all the mouth watering descriptions on their breakfast/lunch menu, I know I'll be coming back for much more! Great food, great service, perfect location in downtown Crystal Lake, this place has it all!
(5)Michael G.
I don't know why this place gets 5 star reviews, I mean its pretty good especially for the area but its not the best thing ever. I have been there 3 times recently and had breakfast twice and lunch once. This first time I ordered some special waffles with bananas and stuff. It was pretty good but nothing too special. The eggs with it were over cooked, but the hot cider I had with it was great. The next time I had another special which was a stuffed french toast. It was ok, very rich, but a little disappointed that all I got was one biggish piece and nothing else. The next time I was there I decided to get a sandwich, I got a chicken panini. It was ok, again nothing special. I also hate that the chicken breast only filled one side of the sandwich. I didn't want potato salad so i got some tasteless orzo instead, my mistake. For the price the place is pretty good, it actually quite reasonable in price. I also like going there better then a chain place.
(3)Michael B.
Very good for a "different" kind of breakfast. We are huge fans of the original Benedicts, but for some reason that same magic did not translate up into Crystal Lake. Similar creative menu, but something is missing. Maybe it is a little more cramped, it is not in a cool house with tree growing in the middle. I do not know. The Crystal Lake version is good, but not great.
(4)Jax V.
My favorite breakfast spot! Great variety of breakfast options. I usually rotate between the Spinach, artichoke & goat cheese frittata, the Crab & avocado omelet, and the Herbed cheesy eggs on salmon (w/asparagus!). So good! Good bloody marys too!
(5)Taylor M.
Very very good! I have only had breakfast here but everything ive had has been awesome! I recommend the corn beef, the crab-shrimp and red pepper fritatta, and of course and of their egg benedict dishes and they even serve Intelligentsia coffee! The staff is friendly and quick. I highly recommend!
(4)Melanie R.
My favorite breakfast place in McHenry County! Food is excellent, wait staff is very friendly. Only negative: very crowded on weekends.
(4)Dione B.
My favourite breakfast spot hands down! I have never, ever had a bad experience here and have honestly tried at least 1/3 of the entire menu items. I especially enjoy their benedicts, skillets & seasonal quiches and soups. And the chicken pot pie is the epitome of "comfort food". And they make a mean bloody mary as well! But by far one of the most amazing attributes about Benedict's La Strata is their staff. They treat us like family on each and every visit which is a brand of sincerety not found so often these days. I cannot recommend this charming breakfast spot enough!
(5)Dan P.
To keep this as simple a possible if you want something different go here. Great food, good coffee and the Jambalaya omelet was killer.
(4)Dawn E.
This is our absolute favorite place. Everything they buy is fresh and they make the bread every day from scratch. The menu changes every season based on what's in season. Can't say enough about this place. The food is great, the atmosphere is nice without being too formal.
(5)April H.
Busy place but we were able to get a few hot drinks while waiting. I had to ask for them to warm my coffee up and would have asked again but by that time they were sitting us. Bottom line place is tiny but well worth the wait. I have to say our waitress was one best I ever had. When asking what was good she gave us idea. Offered suggestion and was always there when we needed anything. The food was great. Wasn't the best but worth coming back. The waitress was the highlight of the whole experience. Even offered us to go cups for our coffee. I wish I would have remember her name. Going back again next time I want to go out for breakfast.
(4)Denise Y.
Visited this week to celebrate the new school year with a friend. Super friendly hostess and a very patient server who just rolled with my friend and I catching up and not deciding immediately what we wanted. Food was wonderful! Love this place!
(5)Chris S.
Excellent breakfast place. The selection is great and very wide. The meat is the best around. The potatos are ok not shredded but good enough. I had an omelet with feta and loved it. Worth a try
(5)Fernando M.
Best brunch dishes in town.
(5)Wesley S.
This review rating is for dinner only, not breakfast. Dinner is served on Friday and Saturday evenings starting at 5:00 pm. Crystal Lake has a real gem in La Strata restaurant. La Strata has a magnificent outdoor dining space. The local traffic is low, so street noise is not noticeable when eating outdoors. Both the patio and the interior are clean and enticing. The dinner menu selection is not quite Greek, not quite Mediterranean. There are several specials offered each night, each outstanding, and priced accordingly. Our orders were very good. In addition to the souvlaki and the beef medallion special, we ordered a salad. Portions were large, almost too large. It is not possible to finish a dinner order in one sitting. Adding to the experience is the al fresco patio. The stone indoors and out, along with the sun and fresh air, and the low ambient street noise, combine to bring as much of a Greek Island dining environment to Crystal Lake as one could expect. In summary, La Strata is our choice for a weekend dinner in Crystal Lake.
(4)Ashley P.
Best breakfast I've had. I usually end up at this restaurant once every week. The waitstaff is awesome and the food/drinks are to die for! The mixed berry crepes are amazing and a must-try!
(5)Evelyn W.
I've always enjoyed coming here for brunch, they out did themselves for my son Communion luncheon. We were a party of 23 and everything was wonderful the service and food was exceptional.
(5)Elizabeth L.
Went on a saturday beautiful morning. Was sat outside which we loved and the view is so relaxing in the dow town crystal lake. The cofee was yummy, the pomgoj was superb and tm not usually daring but due to the reviews, i tried the one of their specials with eggs, avocados, hollIndale sauce n it was amazing! My husband was Very happy as we went for his bday n i hope to go for mine. Cant wait, it was yummy!
(5)Gabriella V.
I LOVE this place. We go there almost every weekend and I have tried quite a few items out of the menu and have never been disappointed. The ingredients are fresh, there is a lot of variety (enough to keep you interested even after going there many many times), the eggs are always cooked perfectly, the staff is friendly the place warm and family friendly. I absolutely recommend it !! If I had to pick an item from the menu my favorites are the beignets ( the dont serve them on sundays unfortunately) the salmon benedicts ( or any benedict really) and the chilaquiles or the quiche of the day. YUM!
(5)Stephanie E.
I have wished that the portions were just slightly bit bigger. But otherwise I've never been disappointed, The service and food is always great. And the prices really aren't that bad, $25 for two people including drinks. It's the place I'll have my birthday breakfast.... yea it's that good ;)
(4)Stephanie S.
This is the best breakfast place in the area. Great food and great coffee! Love the outdoor seating area. The four chesse fritatta keeps me coming back at least once a month. I can not get enough of this place.
(5)Brian S.
Just realized I had written the somewhat poor review some time back. I've been here for the breakfast several times since. Pretty impressed. Unfortunately for Benedict's (and fortunately for me), there's some pretty hefty sit-down breakfast competition in the area in Burnt Toast and Richard Walkers, but they all have their strong points, and I enjoy visits to all three.
(4)Ruth Ann M.
I haven't been to Benedict's La Strata for dinner...just breakfast and lunch. I would go as far to say that this is my favorite restaurant in McHenry County and my favorite breakfast restaurant ever! Their food is absolutely fantastic. There are a good number of healthy menu items, which is a nice change of pace. The menu is extensive, and everything sounds so great, it's hard to choose! This is the kind of restaurant you will go to time and time again and never get bored. They have a nice selection of vegetarian and gluten free items on their menu, which is hard to come by out here in the burbs. Try the lobster bisque, mango shrimp wrap, Benedict ala Munich, Lemon poppyseed pancakes or blueberry strata. They are all very fresh and tasty, but the Benedict ala Munich really wins the prize. It is such a creative dish.... potato pancakes topped with carmelized onions, sliced bratwurst, poached eggs and mustard hollandaise. It has a boat-load of flavor. The prices are really great too. Most breakfast and lunch dishes are under $10.
(5)Janice F.
Loved the beignets! Service was great but I think they were slow running the food for a Wednesday at 10:00 am.
(4)Marie P.
One of my absolute favorite places in Crystal Lake! Delicious drinks, mouth watering food, and I could go on and on about how much I love their wait staff!! Every time I'm here I leave satisfied... oh and you MUST try the Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict *drools*
(5)Jennifer M.
The food here is great! Very fresh and healthy! Usually when we come we have great service. However that was not the case when my friend and I dined there just yesterday. From the moment we sat down the experience felt rushed. We didn't have any time to look over the menu before we were asked if we knew what we would like. The food came out very quickly which is great! Several times throughout the meal we were asked if we would need anything else which was great. At the end of our meal we were asked if we would like to go cups for our drinks which my friend and I thought was very strange. At that point we realized that we were being asked to hurry to make room for other guests. The most shocking part was while we were engaged in conversation our waitress came by and told us that if there was nothing else she could get for us we needed to leave because there were other people waiting. I could not believe that somebody would speak to us that way! Needless to say I did not leave a tip and I will not be returning! I felt embarrassed and humiliated! Something that no one should ever feel while out at a restaurant! The only reason why I gave this place three stars was because the food is actually really good! Too bad the service does not match! When I called the manager to let them know what had happened it was like he didn't even care. It's a sad day when you try to give your business to small businesses and they act like they could care less!
(3)Chip B.
Benedict's is one of my top 3 places for breakfast anywhere. The fact that it is walking distance from my house AND in McHenry County is amazing. I really hope the people of Crystal Lake realize what they have here. The only reason they don't get five stars is they don't have the lemon zest pancakes on the menu all year round (something about not being able to get fresh raspberries - hey put something else on top!) Menu is constantly changing and always fresh, creative and very yummy. Best coffee too!
(4)Renee S.
LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT I went with 3 other girlfriends. Every one of us loved our entree's. I had the omlet with sundried tomatos, spinachand cheese. It was cooked to perfection, and just the way I like it. Which is, loaded with "stuff" and only enough egg to hold it all together. Hashbrowns were tasty too. Another favorite at the table was the zuchini pancakes with poached eggs and holandaise. AMAZING.
(5)Jessica S.
Great breakfast! Try the beignets! I thought this restaurant felt quaint and fancy. I had some kind of breakfast tacos that were delicious. I agree with the other post it is the kind of place you bring your parents/inlaws to.
(4)Erin S.
This place is incredible. So many choices on the menu. Everything is delicious. My favorite is the chicken salad muffin melt that comes with a small chopped salad. Their chopped salad is so yummy! Friendly staff and a nice atmosphere.
(5)Lia L.
Had brunch there today; this time I had the Benedicts a la Munich. Potato pancakes with sliced bratwurst, poached eggs, and mustard Hollandaise. It was soooooo good. Our server today wasn't as upbeat and friendly as previous occasions, but the food was so good the restaurant still receives 5 stars.
(5)D C.
While the breakfast is good (lunch is not that great) the service leaves much to be desired. We have had the same waitress on more than one occasion who acted like she was doing us a favor by being our server (she wasn't attentive, didn't tell us the specials while she told the other tables the specials, didn't ask us how everything was, etc). Another time we were waiting to be seated and there was an older gentleman in the waiting area as well, so we stood there waiting for someone to seat us. Well, the manager I am guessing, asked us very sarcastically, "Are you guys going to eat or what?" Oh I'm sorry. We were trying to be nice in case the other man was there first. Then once when the hostess asked us how everything was, we told her that our waitress didn't seem very nice. Guess what? They didn't even address it or apologize! This place seems like they are thinking their food alone will get them by, but a true dining experience will also include good service.
(2)Amanda M.
I think I would cry if this place ever closed! Best breakfast in town. Definitely have the coffee (they only brew intelligentsia - yum) and I highly recommend the huevos rancheros. I've tried a lot from their menu but that is the all time favorite!
(5)Carisa N.
Best breakfast in the area if you're looking for a non-diner option. Lunch and dinner are also very good, but I have always come back for their breakfast. Lots of options, including a changing list of specials. The stratas are stellar (especially the goat cheese, artichoke and ham and the blueberry strata), the baked apple oatmeal is delicious and filling, the eggs are fluffy, as are the pancakes. Really though, they had me at Intelligentsia coffee, which you can also get iced (a nice option in the summer, especially if you take advantage of their outdoor seating) and are able to take whatever you haven't finished in a to-go cup. Not as fast-acting as a to-go IV drip, but probably more satisfying. The service great, too. Lots of reasons to go! So...go!
(5)John M.
Terrific breakfast! By far the best in Crystal Lake.They even offer real maple syrup for your pancakes and french toast! Can't wait to go back! Open Sunday from 7AM-2:30PM.
(5)Gregory B.
I walked uptown in beautiful Crystal Lake and stopped at Benedicts for breakfast and eat in the screened-in area. Great varied menu, but I knew what I wanted. I had a taste for corned beef hash and had that with two eggs and potatoes and a Bloody Mary. The food was great. I was very happy with the hash. The Blood Mary was a little on the small side but very good. I have to get back there for crab cakes and biscuits and gravy. The prices are good overall. On a beautiful Monday, There's hardly a place better than this when you're outside in the breeze. I'd really like to try the place for lunch , as well. Ah! Paninis!
(4)Liz B.
Where do you go when you're starving, entertaining family on the weekend, and want enough choices to make everyone happy? Benedict's La Strata-duh! What a wonderful place to go for breakfast and lunch. I decided on BLS last minute thanks in part to all the great reviews. The menu will have you changing your mind at least three times (yeah, it's that big). It's located in the heart of downtown Crystal Lake so you can grab a bite and go shopping or get your hair did. I had some picky folks in my group, but they were all happy with their meals when all was said and done. Plus, the service was great and the prices were reasonable.
(5)Dave K.
I now have another place for breakfast besides Burnt Toast. I have only been to La Strata once but will definitely be back. I had the Steak Skillet which was outstanding. Great coffee. The waitress offered us a sticky bun, which was not on the menu. Very nice touch. I need to return at least a couple dozen times to try everything on the menu that looked good.
(5)Lexa R.
I absolutely love Benedicts. I've been there only for lunch. You can always tell everything is freshly made and the choices are so interesting. The portabella mushroom sandwich is to die for-- fresh, thick ciabatta bread, melted cheese, balsamic glaze over a thick portabella. They have this orzo feta pasta side dish that is so good it melts in your mouth! I've also had the hot chocolate here and it was so thick and creamy...yum. The service is great and it's nice to sit on the patio in the summer. Definitely a stand out place in. Crystal Lake!
(5)Mike S.
Had the beneticts itialiano and it was awsome. Great price great food great service.check took a little long but this could happen anywhere.
(5)Mike S.
My Mom and I tried this place in downtown Crystal Lake for lunch. It sort of looked Italian from the outside, but we quickly discovered it specialized in eggs. I ended up having the Cobb salad, which was fantastic. My Mom had an egg salad sandwich and chili, which she really enjoyed. I'm looking forward to coming back here sometime.
(4)michelle h.
Wow ... menu can be overwhelming but glad to have all the choices. This was my first time eating at Benedict's but have lived in town for a long time. I don't know why I have never eaten there. Ordered a Savory Quiche with fruit ... best quiche I have ever had ... will be back again. Friend said same thing, she had the vegetable quiche .... yummy! Oh my friend ordered the Pumpkin coffee ... she says that it was excellent. We will be back again :) ... those who have never been there, need to go!
(5)James M.
Benedict's La Strata is my favorite breakfast restaurant. The food is excellent, service friendly and the patio comfortable. If you like your eggs and in the Crystal Lake area, stop by and enjoy!
(5)John R.
Always a great meal with fresh ingredients.
(5)Carrie c.
We ate out on the patio a few weeks ago...it was fabulous! I'm surprised it wasn't busier for a Friday night! The salmon was AMAZING! I can't wait to return. Apparently the head chef/owner/someone who knows fish, picks the fish out individually from their fish vendor. My mouth is watering thinking about the tender salmon fillet layered over perfectly cooked spinach. Maybe I should go there this weekend! Such a great place, great service, great covered patio area in downtown Crystal Lake.
(5)H F.
Just tried their dinner menu tonight. Not a big menu at all, but oh so wonderful. The prices on the dinner menu are naturally higher than their breakfast and lunch menu. I had chicken..something or other, forgot the name. Chicken, prosciutto, provolone, capers, artichokes...and a bunch of other yum. I pretty much cleaned my plate and ended up with a food baby. Soooo full, still, hours later! I can't express my love for this place enough. We go here probably once a week for breakfast. Found the spinach crepes to be fantastic...oh and the California scramble..drooling now. LOVE getting to eat outside! Added bonus, if you eat there as much as me, you can get a frequent customer card and get $10 off for every $100 spent. Needless to say, when you are a family of 5 and go there roughly once a week you get tons of $10 of coupons! I would eat here daily if I didn't think I would have a heart attack do to my current hollandaise addiction. **1-21-11 update.. While still good, something seems to have changed with the food. It's been coming out cold and lacking some of the great flavor it once had.
(4)Tina B.
My husband and I are new to Crystal Lake and Benedict's La Strata was recommended by our Realtor. She knows what she's talking about! We enjoyed our breakfast on the outside patio this morning. The service was good and the food was delicious. The breakfast menu is pages long with so many choices it was difficult to decide. This restaurant has made our list of 'where to take family for breakfast' when they're visiting from out of town. Yummy :)
(5)Elijah M.
Exceptional Breakfast and Dinner Too - Five stars in my book Breakfast is always delightful. Served hot, the quality food, expedient service and attentive servers like Nate make it an enjoyable experience to start the day. The Crystal Lake restaurant is open on Friday and Saturday evenings for dinner. It is a limited menu, but there are unique dishes that are superbly prepared with high quality fresh ingredients. Our server Bonnie was outstanding and made the evening enjoyable. The lighter fare menu is exceptional for appetizers. A high quality fresh salmon carpaccio with capers and fresh lemon, gorgonzola stuffed olives and an incredible fresh salad with cold navy beans, crisp cucumber and fresh tomato led the way to an awesome talapia that was crisp on the outside and perfectly cooked, a lobster bisque with large pieces of lobster and a nicely prepared grilled salmon made our dinner leisurely and most enjoyable. Outstanding preparation and service made this the best meal I have had within 75 miles in years. Well worth the travel time to get here, great ambiance and service that was superb, courteous, friendly and attentive. They accept reservations, but the restaurant was not crowded. With the quality of food and service this place deserves the attention of anyone who claims to enjoy great food and service
(5)Laura A.
over a year later from my first review, and the place is still excellent!! i also order carry out since i work across the street. always great service and food!
(4)Tracy T.
I cannot believe there are all 4 and 5 star reviews! I went here for dinner with a friend on Friday, which was likely my first mistake. As a fan of Eggs Benedict, it was recommended many times. The dining room was EMPTY, we were the only ones in the entire restaurant. We were only offered a dinner menu which had about 10 entrees, 3 salads, and a few starters. We both tried the lobster bisque and neither of us finished it. Very mealy and not homemade. He ordered the flank special which arrived overcooked and pre-cut! Who plates a steak in pieces? I could not find anything appetizing on the entree menu so I ordered a Mediterranean salad. It was standard, nothing good about it but nothing unexpectedly terrible. For two soups, one salad, one special, one iced tea, and one beer, our meal came out to over $50 disappointing dollars. The breakfasts might impress, but STEER CLEAR AT DINNER.
(2)Marc B.
Went here for breakfast with my family and was very impressed. Large outdoor seating area, cozy indoors as well. I loved the menu choices. They have a great selection of traditional breakfast choices along with some more creative things. The finishing touch was their offer to give us our last cup of coffee "to-go" in small carryout cups. Very nice idea. Well priced for the quality of food.
(4)