Chicago Waffles Oak Park — Restaurant in Oak Park

Dining out is meant to be an enjoyable experience—one where customers can relax, enjoy good food, and spend time with loved ones. However, my recent visit to Chicago Waffles in Oak Park was anything but pleasant. From slow service to an unacceptable wait time and an overpriced bill, this experience was one of the worst I have had at any restaurant. The severe mismanagement of orders, lack of attentiveness from the staff, and the ultimate disappointment of a delayed meal all contributed to an unfortunate experience that left my family and me frustrated.

When we first arrived at Chicago Waffles, things seemed promising. The restaurant was busy but not overwhelmingly so. We were almost immediately seated, which initially gave me the impression that service would be quick and efficient. However, as we soon discovered, this assumption was far from accurate. After sitting down, we noticed that the table next to us, who arrived slightly after we did, placed their order before we had the chance to. While this was slightly frustrating, we remained patient, assuming that the restaurant had an efficient system in place to ensure food was prepared and delivered in a timely manner. Little did we know that this was just the beginning of an infuriating wait time.

Once we finally placed our order, we expected our food to arrive within a reasonable time frame. However, we soon realized that the table next to us—who had ordered before us—received their meals well before we did. While this was frustrating, it still seemed like an isolated case. That assumption was quickly shattered when a group of six people sat at the table behind me, placed their order, and received their food before we did. By this time, we had already been waiting for nearly 45 minutes. At this point, we began to question what was going on. We had already been seated for an excessive amount of time without receiving any updates from our server. There was no communication from the staff regarding why our food was delayed, nor did they attempt to apologize or check in on us. Instead, we were left waiting in frustration as other tables that had arrived after us were served first.

After a total wait time of 55 minutes, my father and sister finally received their meals. However, my meal had still not arrived. By this point, frustration had turned into outright disbelief. Why was there such a lack of coordination in the kitchen? How could a restaurant operate in such a disorderly manner? Ten minutes later, after a full hour of waiting, my food finally arrived. But by this time, the damage had already been done. My father and sister had waited for my food so that we could eat together, meaning their meals had gone cold. No one enjoys eating cold food, especially after paying a premium price for it.

To make matters worse, when the bill arrived, we were shocked by how expensive the meal was. Given the poor service, extreme wait time, and overall negative experience, the high cost of the meal felt completely unjustified. Not only was our dining experience frustrating, but we were left with a bill that did not reflect the quality of service or food we received. Chicago Waffles made no effort to make up for the poor service, whether through an apology or any kind of compensation.

This experience at Chicago Waffles was truly disappointing. The combination of poor service, excessive wait times, disorganized kitchen staff, and high prices made for one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had. If a restaurant cannot deliver food in a timely manner—especially when other customers are being served first despite ordering later—then it is clear that there are serious operational and management issues at play. For anyone considering dining at Chicago Waffles in Oak Park, I strongly advise against it. There are plenty of other restaurants in the area that respect their customers' time and money. My experience here has ensured that I will never return, and I hope that others can avoid the frustration that my family...

If you’re in Oak Park and craving a breakfast spot that goes beyond your usual greasy spoon, Chicago Waffles is a must-visit. From creative spins on traditional dishes to indulgent waffles that could double as dessert, this spot delivers a solid morning experience.

Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Waffle – 9.3/10 This was the standout dish. Light and crispy waffle with just the right balance of sweet and tart. The blueberry-lemon combo is refreshing without being overpowering, and the cheesecake drizzle ties it all together in a way that feels rich but not too heavy. A near-perfect plate—beautifully plated, generously portioned, and totally worth coming back for.

Caramel Latte – 8.2/10 Smooth and creamy with a well-balanced caramel flavor. Not too sugary, and the espresso still comes through. It’s a solid coffeehouse-quality latte—definitely better than your average diner brew. Bonus points for being served at the perfect sipping temperature.

Meat Lovers Skillet – 7.3/10 Your classic meat-heavy skillet—bacon, sausage, ham, and potatoes—but with a slight upgrade in execution. The meat was flavorful, though a bit on the salty side. What stood out most was the softness of the eggs—perfectly cooked and surprisingly delicate for a skillet dish. It’s a familiar comfort meal, done with just enough flair to feel elevated.

Overall Vibe: Bright, casual, and friendly. Service is efficient, portions are generous, and everything feels freshly made. This is the kind of breakfast place you bring family or friends to for a laid-back brunch without compromising on quality. Chicago Waffles Oak Park hits the sweet spot between traditional and inventive.

Final Verdict: A great breakfast option whether you’re in the mood for something sweet, savory, or...

My family of three and I dined here on a Monday afternoon.

We were seated immediately, however, we waited 30 minutes for the waitress to take our order.

We then waited another 30 minutes for our food to arrive.

During that hour of sitting and waiting, we could really take in our surroundings: An annoying mix of royalty free music blaring on the speakers; Two televisions: one playing a Waffles ad on loop and the other playing daytime TV. And the real star of the show: Trash. Everywhere. There were wrappers, used napkins, and smashed food all over the floor. We watched as staff wiped down tables with the same dirty rag, reset the settings, and neglected to sweep any of the piles of smashed eggs, jelly, potatoes, and used napkins that continuously multiplied on the ground. The bathrooms were sticky and dirty, unsure if they even get wiped down (and if they did, probably with the same dirty rag that was used on the tables).

The food was ok, nothing spectacular nor good quality. Stale, subpar, but we were hungry and shoveled it into our mouths regardless.

Additionally, the water tasted really bad and I could not stomach it, especially with the poor upkeep of the entire restaurant.

The kitchen was backed up horribly: we watched as made plates were left to sit out for 15+ minutes before being served. It seemed the cooks were getting all the orders wrong? Eventually, more staff pitched in, but we still waited 30 minutes for our simple order of two waffles and one pancake.

After an hour in without food, our waitress was extremely apologetic and offered a 20% discount on our bill, which we accepted. However, this is not enough to ever make us want to...