Staff Picks: Will’s Ultimate Chicago Breakfast Spots

To close out 2013, we asked library staff members to write lists–of anything they want. Today we feature Will Kent’s Ultimate Chicago Breakfast Spots.

We are NOT talking about brunch. Have brunch, please, but what follows has nothing to do with it. We are talking about breakfast – an early morning meal you don’t wait in line for – a plate full of filling, greasy scrambles, slap-in-the-face cups of coffee, function-over-form feasts.

Good breakfast doesn’t discriminate, but for now, we’re limiting things to Chicago. This list comes from enjoying the early morning city, savoring neighborhoods as much as meals, and being so excited to eat that waking up is always a treat.

Ultimate Chicago Breakfast List

10. Lou Mitchell’s, Downtown.
Skillets on the table, donut holes while you wait, and the chocolate-y patriarchy of Milk Duds for the women diners — Lou Mitchell’s is a Chicago mainstay, complete with the hustle ‘n’ bustle of downtown, bright neon, and an attitude that will take you back a few decades. There is no place more deserving of your big-shoulders appetite than Lou’s. (Image: Wikipedia )



9. Svea, Andersonville.
To live like a Viking you must wake up like a viking and eat like a Viking. Imagine an early-morning Andersonville devoid of couples and strollers. Consider Swedish food beyond exaggerated cinnamon rolls or furniture stores. This breakfast earns its lineage – limpa toast, pickled herring, flavorful korv (sausage), all with a blue-and-white backdrop. (Image: BiddingForGood)



8.Chicago Chicken and Waffles, Bronzeville.
For those with insatiable appetites, you will never have to fear leaving Chicago Chicken and Waffles hungry. Be drawn in by the sweet-savory combo of maple syrup and hot sauce, but venture further into their substantial menu of hot links, biscuits, grits, and other delicious surprises. (Image: FromTheRootsUp)



7. Nana, Bridgeport.
If you are as interested in ambiance as quality of food, a visit to Nana’s should be in your future. With a more complex, seasonal menu, Nana should live right up there with Lula and Toast as a coveted location to wait in line for brunch. But it’s not. And you should be thrilled about it. Take advantage of the outstanding, home-recipe delights, while loving one of the many gems of South Halsted. (Image: CitySearch)



6. Moon’s, West Side/E. Garfield Park.
With a name from prohibition (Moonshine!), and set in the same location for decades, Moon’s is a restaurant from another era — Chicagoans are lucky to have it. If you can forego the roast beef, their eggs and pancakes will get you ready for any day. The winding counter makes it easy to greet other breakfast-goers, and the timelessness of the place makes it one of the warmest breakfasts you will find in the city.
(Image: WBEZ)



5. Ruby’s (Edna’s), E. Garfield Park.
Ox tail, Catfish, grits, pancakes, coffee, and all the morning news you can take in at a meal. Join the company of ever-present, well-dressed gentlemen commenting on the week’s happenings. Feel right at home as you start your day with a welcoming staff and the “Finest Soul Food on Earth.” (Image: TripAdvisor)



4. Inspiration Kitchen, E. Garfield Park/Uptown.
Just because it’s food for a cause doesn’t make it a good breakfast. The food by itself makes Inspiration a remarkable place — but combine this meal with a purpose and you easily have one of the best breakfast in the city. Inspiration’s training program is as peerless as their shrimp and grits. Support the staff and neighborhood by eating well. Plan to walk off your feast in Garfield Park or the Lake Path, depending on which you visit. (Image: MetropolisMag)



3. El Faro, Little Village.
Looking for vegan/vegetarian options for breakfast? What about amazing breakfast sandwiches? Juices you’ve never heard of? A neighborhood feel and no wait? Don’t compromise! Have it all at 31st and Pulaski. From their liquados to tofu scramble, there’s no wrong choice at El Faro, unless, of course, you decide to eat somewhere else. (Image: CityData)



2. Nellie’s, Humboldt Park.

Start your day with a piping hot, sweet, exciting bowl of avena de coco (coconut oatmeal). Maybe the plantain omelette grabs you. Can’t go wrong with the Mofongo either. Pair distinct flavors with a wide range of menu options and you will be delighted after a bite. Walk off all your good decisions in Humboldt Park afterward and soak up everything Paseo Boricua has to offer. (Image: TripAdvisor)



1. Sweet Maple, University Village.

When something is perfect you just know it. The people, the food, the place are all exactly as they should be. When you hear your first “good morning!,” take that first sip of coffee, sink your teeth into a cloud-like muffin, or hear the soft swing music filter in through the speakers, Sweet Maple will win you over. What sets it apart is the entire experience. There is no more complete feeling than taking in the food, people, place, old chairs, and cups of coffee at Sweet Maple. I take great comfort in knowing that the places that make this list exist right here in the city. They ground me as I start my days. Maybe they’ll do the same for you. Go early because you can, talk to strangers because you should, and have an extra cup because waking up to a good breakfast is something worth savoring. (Image: Blogspot)