Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant in Chicago, Illinois

Name: Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant in Chicago, Illinois
Rating: 5

Jump to Section

[show]

Photos of Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant in Chicago, Illinois

Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant in Chicago, Illinois Route 66 Diner

Pancakes and bacon at Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant in Chicago, Illinois Route 66 Diner

Coffee at Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant in Chicago, Illinois Route 66 Diner

Know Before You Go

To make the most of your visit to Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant in Chicago, Illinois, here are some things to know before you go.

Where is Lou Mitchell’s located on Route 66?

This popular diner is located at 565 W. Jackson Blvd in downtown Chicago, Illinois. It’s just a few blocks west of the Route 66 Begin sign, making it a perfect start-line for your Route 66 itinerary.

What is the best time to visit this diner?

Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant is open Wednesday through Friday from 6:00 am until 2:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm. It is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Because it’s popular with Route 66 road trippers, tourists, and locals, you may encounter a line. If you want a smoother experience, try arriving early morning on a weekday. Also note that downtown Chicago traffic, parking and getting from your car to the diner might take longer than you think.

Where can you park?

This Route 66 diner does not have its own lot, but metered street or nearby paid lot parking is available. If you are staying downtown consider walking from your hotel.

What is on the Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant menu?

Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant is known for its classic all-day breakfast and brunch fare, plus hearty lunch options. Try their famous Meltaway Pancakes, one of our picks of 66 Must-Eat Dishes on Route 66 and 15 Best Route 66 Foods to Eat in Illinois. Be sure to wash it down with a cup of the “World’s Best Coffee.”

The menu features a wide variety of pancakes (banana, pecan, chocolate chip), waffles, jumbo omelets, breakfast skillets, and fresh-squeezed juices.

The lunch menu is served after 10:30 am, but you can also enjoy the breakfast menu, which is served all day.

Lou Mitchell’s Breakfast Menu

Coffee, Tea & Milk

Coffee (Lou Mitchell’s Special Blend)
Hot Tea (Darjeeling or assorted herbal teas)
Hot Chocolate
Hot Water Pot
Milk or Chocolate Milk

Fruits & Juices

Fresh-Squeezed Orange or Grapefruit Juice
Tomato or Apple Juice
Cranberry Cocktail
Melon or Grapefruit
Fresh Fruit Cup
Yogurt Parfait

Cereals

Cold Cereal with Milk
Cooked Cereal (with hot apples & cinnamon, sliced bananas, or raisins)

Pancakes, Waffles & French Toast

Served with whipped butter and Lou Mitchell’s maple-syrup blend.

Meltaway, Silver Dollar, or Multigrain Pancakes
Banana, Pecan, or Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Gluten-Free Pancakes
Belgian Malted Waffle
Pecan, Bacon, or Pecan & Bacon Waffle
Waffle and Wings
Grilled French Toast (add fresh fruit, pecans, or wings)

Omelettes

Fluffy jumbo omelettes made to order.

Denver (Ham, green pepper & onion)
Apple and Cheese (Michigan apples with sharp cheddar)
Sour Cream Special (Bacon bits & tomato with sour cream)
Cottage Cheese Special (Cottage cheese, bacon bits & tomato)
Spinach, Greek Feta, Mushroom, Zucchini, or Broccoli Specials (Fresh vegetables with cheeses)
Greek Cheese or Sausage Special (Tomato, pepper, onion & Greek Feta or sausage)
Ham & Cheese, Salami & Swiss, or Vegetarian (Classic favorites)
Norwegian Smoked Salmon & Onion
Espaniole (Topped with garden-fresh tomato, green pepper, mushroom & onion sauce)
Chicken Sausage Omelette (Topped with house sausage gravy)
Jardinière Omelette (Jardinère, cheddar cheese & sour cream)
Asparagus Omelette (seasonal)

Country Fresh Eggs

Served with toast, orange marmalade, and hash browns.

Two Eggs Any Style
Two Eggs with Bacon, Sausage or Ham
One Egg Options
Fluffy Fresh Egg Whites Only
Egg Sandwiches
Eggs Benedict (Traditional Ham, Florentine/Spinach, or Smoked Salmon)
Corned Beef Hash and Eggs
Smoked Salmon Plate
Buttermilk Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

Breakfast Sides

Hash Browns or French Fries
Single Pancake or Two Pancakes
Signature Fries with Feta and Cheddar
Bacon, Ham, Sausage, Greek Sausage, Chicken Sausage, or Turkey Bacon
One Egg or Egg White
Jardinière

Bakery

Baked fresh daily on-site using Lou Mitchell’s original recipes.

Pecan Rolls, Doughnuts, Muffins, Bagels, Toast Selections
Cream Cheese or Peanut Butter Spreads

Lou Mitchell’s Lunch Menu

Served after 10:30 am

Super Deluxe Sandwiches

All served on house-baked bread or buns.

Classic ½ lb Burger (served on a homemade bun with lettuce and tomato; cheese or bacon optional)
Royal Burger Delight
Olive Burger Special
Chicken Breast Sandwich
Baked Meatloaf Sandwich
Marinated Skirt Steak Sandwich
Filet of Sole Sandwich
Reuben
La Conga Delight
Grilled Patty Melt
Mitchell’s Club House
BLT Club
Tuna Salad Melt
Popeye Sandwich

Plain Sandwiches

Baked Ham or Ham & Cheese
Fresh Turkey
Corned Beef
Tuna Salad
BLT
Grilled Cheese

Refreshing Crisp Salads

Garden Spinach Salad (Mushrooms, red onion, bacon bits, choice of dressing)
Hollywood Salad Bowl (Turkey, cheese, ham & egg on crisp greens)
Salmon Caesar Salad (Grilled salmon on romaine with Parmesan & croutons)
Slenderella Salad (Tuna salad, cottage cheese, tomato & pineapple)
Chicken Caesar Salad (Grilled chicken on romaine with Parmesan & croutons)
Greek Salad (Olives, feta cheese & anchovies)
Classic Caesar or Small Tossed Salad

Sides

Fresh Vegetables
Cottage Cheese
Cole Slaw
Tomato Slices

Homemade Desserts

Hand-crafted daily from family recipes.

Pie of the Day
Pecan Roll, Brownie, Pound Cake, Cookies, Muffins
Fresh Fruit Cup

Lou Mitchell’s Children’s Menu

Mitchell Mouse Pancakes
Milk Dud Pancakes
One Egg with Toast & Hash Browns
Sausage Links or Bacon Strips
Hash Browns
Fruit Cup
Hot or Cold Cereal
½ Grilled Cheese and Fries
Chicken Fingers and Fries
Noodles and Butter
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

Is this a popular Route 66 restaurant?

Yes! With its history, delicious food, and location close to the beginning of Route 66, Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant is a popular restaurant for road trippers to eat at before beginning their journey. While in the area, check out more of the best attractions on Route 66 in Chicago, Illinois.

Where to Stay Near Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant

Complete your travel itinerary and get a good night’s rest at the beginning or end of your journey with a stay at one of these downtown Chicago hotels near Route 66.

Congress Plaza Hotel

Located near the start of Route 66, the Congress Plaza Hotel has been in operation since 1893 and is a welcoming stay for the beginning of your journey on the Mother Road.

Check Rates

Read Reviews

Freehand Chicago

Located in the River North neighborhood, just one mile from the beginning of Route 66, Freehand Chicago is a hip hotel featuring unique designs, a fun atmosphere, and happy hour specials at the on-site bar, Broken Shaker. Freehand is housed in a 1927 building that originally operated as the Devonshire Hotel.

Check Rates

Read Reviews

Palmer House Hilton

Located just steps from Route 66, Palmer House Hilton is a luxurious historic hotel with all the modern conveniences you could desire alongside award-winning services. Palmer House was built in 1925 and was the city’s first hotel with elevators, electric light bulbs, and telephones in the guest rooms. The French neo-classical influences of the design give this landmark its distinctive charm.

Check Rates

Read Reviews

Enhance your visit to Chicago with a tour! Whether you love history, architecture, or family-friendly adventures, there are plenty of options for everyone.