Lou Mitchell's — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

We took our son for his birthday. It was some place we all wanted to visit because it sounded like a great/fun place to go eat. Street parking was available and there was no waiting. The hostess was accomodating and had a fun personality. She took our drink order and brought it out promptly. Our waiter came and said when we were ready he would come back and take our order. That was kind of the last time we saw him for at least 15 minutes. It really was not very busy. When I needed cream for my coffee my son got up and got it for me off the coffee cart. When I needed a refill my son called over a young lady and she poured it for me. Then she brought my husband a refill of hot water for his tea without him even asking her. What a delight she was. The waiter came back to take our order which took less than 5 minutes. While we were waiting we took in the atmosphere around us. The staff all had on Cubs shirts because the Chicage Cubs were playing that night. That was cute to see. It does have all the old time diner vibes, including the lunch counter. When our waiter brought our order out my husband's was not ready, which was a mushroom omelette. Didn't think that would take too long. Anyway we waited a few minutes to start eating until his was brought out. The food was run of the mill, nothing exciting, as was the coffee. Not the best in the world, as the reviews say. Waiter never came and asked if we needed drink refills, the young lady did so we compensated her for doing such a great job. Was well worth it. Then our check was brought to us and he said thanks and if we needed something else let him know. Really?? At the end of the meal?? Well I left 20% begrudgingly. I did not think he deserved, nor earned it but my mother was a waitress and taught us to leave the appropriate percentage for the tip. My son decided to go purchase some sweet rolls so my husband and I got up and waited by the door so other people could be seated. As I was standing there running everything through my mind I remembered people saying they enjoy the scoop of ice cream served after your meal, free of charge. We never received that ice cream. When I asked the woman sitting behind the plastic window she said oh I'm sorry. Would you like it now? Well I said I don't think so, we're leaving! And I started telling her about the service we received. How bad we thought it was. And how we traveled here from the suburbs because it sounded like a great place and this was our first time and probably our last. I would not recommend this place to my friends. She didn't seem too offended. I dont think this is the first bad review for this waiter. Anyway, i feel better getting this off my chest. Not sure I should leave his full name on this review but let's just say it rhymes...

TLDR: Lou Mitchell's is not worth it at all. The food is less than mediocre and the service is bad and the vibes are chaotic.

Wait: Arrived at 12:15pm on a Wednesday in January and was seated at 12:45pm. No reservations available, which is fine given it's an old school diner style restaurant. Be prepared to wait in a line outside as there is very little space inside the restaurant itself. There are heaters outside that were not turned on. Seating is given in the order of the line, no wait list. No complaint for wait time as this was expected, but would have liked to see the heaters turned on when it's 29° and you have lots of customers waiting outside.

Service: Party of 2 seated at a table with no menus, no napkins or utensils, no cream and sugar. Had to go hunt down menus ourselves. Had to ask multiple people multiple times for cream for coffee. Sugar had to be "stolen" from another table by our server since our table was "supposed to have some." Very difficult to ask for things from your server as they all seem very single minded. We asked for coffee and water, and she said she could only do coffee. If you ask for more than one thing at a time it's like they can't handle it. We were not ready to order food upon ordering beverages, and didn't see our server again for a solid 15 minutes. There was no way to get extra napkins for the sticky syrup. It was so loud and crowded inside that we couldn't even speak to our server in passing to ask for anything.

Food: Coffee was fine, served in a very tiny teacup. Difficult to chase down server for refills. Donut holes that are supposed to be provided as an appetizer were unavailable by noon. The restaurant accommodated by cutting up pieces of a whole donut, but other tables seated after us were provided theirs before us. They were also inconsistent with quantities as three tables of 2 were provided anywhere from 2-6 donut pieces. Any pancakes with inclusions (not plain) are not baked in, but instead just sprinkled on top. Pancakes come in a stack of 3 and are a generous portion, but are dry. The restaurant menu boasts fresh pure whipped butter and house maple syrup, but the butter comes pre packaged in little plastic cups (some of which were open) and syrup is in a large bottle on the table. Hashbrowns are actually thick slices of potato barely cooked. 90% of the potato pieces are white with no crisp or char at all, soggy unseasoned discs. The omelets are thick but ingredients are in huge unpleasant chunks rather than diced. No salt or pepper anywhere within the potatoes or eggs.

I wanted good old fashioned diner food and friendly service but the food was not good and neither was the service. I can say I went and now I don't...

"I recently dined at Lou Mitchell's, a venerable establishment that has been a cornerstone of its community for generations. The moment you step through the doors, you're enveloped in an ambiance that speaks volumes of its rich history and tradition, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere that feels like coming home.

Lou Mitchell's menu is a masterful blend of timeless classics and inventive twists, a culinary homage to its storied past with an eye towards the future. Each dish, prepared with the utmost care and quality ingredients, is a celebration of flavor. The signature omelettes, fluffy and filled with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, were particularly memorable, showcasing the kitchen's commitment to excellence.

What distinguishes Lou Mitchell's, however, is its dedication to creating a truly exceptional dining experience. The staff, with their attentive and personable service, embody the spirit of hospitality. It's evident that for them, Lou Mitchell's is more than a restaurant; it's a passion.

Lou Mitchell's stands as a testament to what a dining establishment can achieve with dedication, love, and a commitment to its community. It's not just the exquisite food that will beckon me back, but the sense of history, community, and warmth that surrounds you from the moment you enter. For anyone seeking an authentic, heartfelt dining experience, Lou Mitchell's is a must-visit...