It's a legend. Keep it alive for our grandchildren. The food is great the neighbors at your table are even better.

We decided to try famous Lou Mitchell's for our first meal in Chicago for vacation... plane landed at 9:30 on Sunday morning, and we headed straight to Lou's. The line stretched to the end of the block, but it moved much faster than I expected - took us less than half an hour to be seated. Ordered 3 breakfasts - 2 eggs-in-a-skillet combinations and an omelette. All were delicious - servers are direct and don't waste time, but we thought Ms. Linda was wonderful. We did find that when they ask if you'd like orange juice, you can't just say no and expect to have to time to throw in something else (as in, "No, I think I'd rather have milk."). As soon as they hear no, they're off to the next table because the place is packed to the gills. The conversation should go much more like this: "Coffee?" "Juice." :-)

We thought the fun touches (bringing out doughnut holes to hand out to those waiting on the sidewalk & the Milk Duds for the ladies) made our experience all the more memorable.

Was a great way to kick off our vacation - in fact, we were so full we skipped lunch altogether. Lots of good food in a fun atmosphere.

I ate at Lou's on Friday, April 21, 2006, with my two children. Worst service ever. Waitress named Maria. She took 5 minutes to bring our drinks, 10 for our food. We requested ketchup, syrup and Tabasco sauce, and re-fills. She appeared to have no other tables, just visited with other waitresses. She never brought any of these items, only our bill. I complained and the clerk at the counter, just shrugged and said that it did not surprise him. Sad, sad, that a place with such history of good food and service could be in such poor shape. I doubt that we will ever return to Lou Mitchell's -

Lou Mitchell's is classic Americana - great food, huge portions (no lyin' - you can split a breakfast here)and good ole fashion service the way it's posed to be. We will never go to Chicago without having breakfast at Lou's - and while you are downtown, don't miss the Berghoff for an amazing lunch.