Excellent breakfast. I went there at 8 am on a Wednesday then 6am the next day. Lots of regular customers on weekday mornings. It's great to see folks enjoying each other's company over breakfast and coffee. Service could not have been better.
(5)
Lord Of T.
This is simple good food at a fair price. I've been here more than once and always felt it was a fair deal for good food. There's nothing great, but it is always good enough. The people there are pretty nice.
(3)
Alexander L.
Been eating here since childhood! I've only ever had the bfast, gypsy skillet mostly. It's a good spot for a good meal! The old man passed away some time ago, which sucks, he was a nice man. His daughters maintain it well, always a busy place, they have many customers. I come here often with family & my lady friends! :)
(5)
JL Q.
When we lived in Chicago, we would regularly visit this great diner. Fantastic for breakfast, they're also good for lunch or dinner. But breakfast is what we go for and we're never disappointed. This place has a breakfast item called a Skillet. It's served in a plate with a handle and is a brown ceramic. But what's in it is the real reward. There are a variety of choices available. We chose a ladies skillet and the veggie one and they were incredible. Basically, it's a bottom layer of fried potatoes and a mix of items like veggies, chicken and other stuff. On top are 2 eggs served whatever style you like. You also get a side of toast or pancakes. If you visit this place, this is the breakfast to get!
(5)
Annette Q.
I've eaten here in the past & it was ok however, I decided to order the Greek Mousaka at this Greek owned diner. I will NEVER order this again. EVER. Silly me thinking Greeks could make this (usually) delicious dish. What was I thinking??? Can you say potatoes, potatoes & MORE potatoes? I know it's supposed to have potatoes but really? The bechamel sauce was more like cottage cheese in its consistency. The tomato sauce tasted on some bites like spaghetti sauce, other bites like tomato sauce straight out of a can. I was told by one married to a Greek person that it's usually a vegetarian dish. I've had it with ground beef before but the amount of beef in this was so minimal that I wasn't even sure that it was meat. The amount of eggplant pieces equaled MAYBE 3 tbsp. I found this dismal & tasteless aling with the inedible canned corn. If this were my first visit here, I'd be giving this place 1 star but since my other meals here were ok, I give it 2 stars. Where else can one get a decent meal in this area? Pray tell? I'm being serious.
(2)
Jordan V.
Shout out to the brother Alexander for being the first breakfast joint to serve me a breakfast that I lost to and couldn't finish, another big shoutout to the Cali bro skillet for kicking my ass and making me enjoy every second of it
(4)
Laura G.
Love this place! It's tiny, and often pretty busy, but the service is speedy, so the turnover is quick enough that you never seem to have to wait. The food is always consistently delicious, and you get a lot for your money. -But I have to say, there's more to the place then good food at a decent price. It's charm is that it feels like stepping back into time. Something about this place is wonderfully nostalgic. If you're looking for a friendly little diner, good food, reasonably priced, served to you with a smile by the friendliest people, go here. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Liz A.
I had tickets to a show at The Raven Theatre and was looking for a place to grab a quick meal before the play started. I knew this place was directly across the street so it was a perfect choice. The patty melt was recommended so I went with it and it was delicious. While I didn't think our server was that great, the manager did stop by our table a couple times throughout our meal to see how we were doing and asked if we were going to the play. I think they probably get a fair amount of business prior to shows at the theatre. I'd go back before a show again.
(4)
Kye S.
Just moved in across the street and decided to walk over. The smells wafting into my apartment are always delicious. The diner is small upon entering, and when we went it was very busy. It took about 5 minutes to be greeted by a waitress, but everyone was very friendly. I got the breakfast special for 8.99, which was 3 eggs, 3 bacon strips, hash browns, 2 pancakes, and a small cup of juice and split it with my girlfriend. We were both full and had leftover hash browns. The pancakes were sweet and amazing, and the eggs were fluffy. The only thing is that the bacon was a bit overdone but other than that it was very good food. If it wasn't busy I'm sure the service would have been better. I will most likely return.
(4)
Kimberly J.
Delicious! We had about an hour to kill so we stopped in for lunch! It's a kitschy old diner! Loved it!! Everyone was so friendly and attentive!! I had a bacon and turkey club. The turkey was not lunch meat it was thick turkey breast slices all stacked up! Sooo good!! All of the soups are homemade as well!! My son had a grilled chicken sandwich, equally delicious. The breakfast menu was huge and looked delicious! They even have free parking behind the restaurant or across the street!! Score! Check it out!
(4)
Marion C.
We were visiting from a Texas and were looking for a place unique to Chicago. The food at Alexander's was excellent. We visited during breakfast and had a Belgium waffle, potatoes and sausage. Food was delicious and made to feel like I was having breakfast at home. Definitely recommend. Good price, good food, good service.
(5)
Julia J.
Alexander's looks a little run down, maybe a little shady from the outside, but it's a great neighborhood breakfast joint. Friendly, fast service, great options and variety. This isn't the place for large groups or the brunch crowd. It's a standard neighborhood diner. I loved it and will return.
(4)
John T.
Great place for breakfast, food was very good, bottomless coffee and did I say the food was very good. The staff is extremely accommodating. It was my 1st time there and I see many more breakfasts there in my future.
(5)
Jonathan N.
Ahhh....my new favorite neighborhood diner. Just a few blocks north of Peterson and Clark and beyond the higher menu prices of Andersonville. My first visit in I enjoyed a hearty egg and bacon breakfast with biscuits and gravy. The menu is so large!! So many options. I opted for counter seating as it was Saturday morning and the place had a line at the door. Obviously they are doing more than one thing right. From my perch I could see the ice cream freezer, the milkshake machine, huge cakes and pies....I think I gained five pounds just peering over the counter. Can't wait to come back and try those goodies. Great local crowd and it was fun to watch the banter between wait staff and regular patrons. When waitstaff and manager call you by name, you know it is a special place. What a jewel of a place. I will be back.
(5)
Leah K.
We have been going here for breakfast since my husband & I first started dating (10 years ago) and we just love this little diner. The menu is pretty standard breakfast joint but we highly reccomend their pancakes (they're so tasty without being heavy & doughy.) It does get busy on the weekend but hey that's when people go get brunch and we've never had to wait too awful long. Maybe it's just nostalgic for us but it's a great little find
(4)
Jose M.
I was craving biscuits and gravy, and thought I'd make a trip to Alexander's to check them out. The biscuits and the gravy were really good. The potatoes were all right, the eggs were good, and the melon wedge was just all right. The fresh squeezed orange juice was fantastic, albeit a little pricy. I'll probably come back if I'm ever craving biscuits and gravy again.
(4)
Kelly W.
Went here today with the bf. We both ordered the special Greek omelet, with gyro meat, feta cheese, onions, and tomato. (We both opted out of the kalamata olives) The food arrived in about 7 minutes, no joke. The pancakes that came with the omelet were AMAZING! My bf is not particularly fond of pancakes, but even he was smitten. The coffee is tasty as well. It was about $30 total and we left, already wanting to return. The owner's daughter gave my bf a 10% off coupon for us to use the next time we came back. 5 stars all the way!
(5)
Stuart D.
Love this place!!! A friend took me here several years ago --- and I've returned many times since. Family owned for many years with a very loyal following. The neighborhood is lucky to have this gem.
(5)
Emily S.
Came here with my boyfriend and a few friends this past Sunday. Never heard of it but my friend recommended it so we went. It wasn't too busy so we got day quickly for a table for 5. The restaurant itself is clean and bright, I likes their decor as well. I ordered the bacon chocolate chip Belgium waffle (which I think was a Sunday special since it was separate from the main menu) and a side of the potatoes. IT WAS DELICIOUS! The food itself was presented very nicely, and everything tasted great. Best waffle I've ever had! The only meh I had was the server. She was nice, but when it came to the bill it was about $80 which I thought was a bit much for breakfast but whatever it was worth it lol. Will defiantly be back!
(4)
Mark E.
Pretty typical diner, with the usual suspects on the menu. They did have a fairly decent skillet selection, and the coffee was decent. Service was pretty unremarkable. I suppose, overall, this is just your standard neighborhood diner, and if you find yourself in need of a good old-fashioned eggs, potatoes and meat breakfast, it's not a bad option in the area. Then again, for not much more, you can go a little further south on Clark and find someplace outstanding for breakfast/brunch, like M.Henry.
(3)
Wayne W.
The Best verity menu hands down. Good food that makes me go there every Saturday morning. The waitresses are a hoot, funny and friendly. I always get a different skillet every week. Never disappointed.
(5)
Julie K.
I went with my husband and son for sunday breakfast. We were all so happy with our food. I kept it simple and ordered eggs Sunnyside up sausage and toast. Everything was perfect, I've been looking for a place that does descent breakfast sausage and I hit a home run. Those hash browns are to die for too, I can't say enough about them. My husband had over easy eggs and corned beef hash with pancakes. He couldn't say enough about how great everything was, he is picky about how his eggs are cooked. my son got a Denver omelet. He was impressed by everything even the coffee! The service was attentive without being intrusive. The place itself was clean and comfortable. we will be back! We may try lunch.
(5)
Justin P.
Wow...I had a great experience on a Sunday afternoon. As mentioned, you could drive right by this place and not notice it because it's small and the sign isn't huge (even though it's bright yellow.) But the food, service, and price are great; it's one of the better diners in that area. I ordered the biscuits and gravy, and it did not disappoint. I also had a milkshake (pretty good) and hash browns (not bad.) I'll be back here real soon.
(5)
Maria C.
Old school diner with charming staff. They are very attentive and are just as silly as I am. They have your average diner items and at a fair price. I had many coffee refills and didn't have to call our waitress, she came just at the right time. I had scrambled eggs and bacon with a side of pancakes. All were delicious and she recommended a special which also came in a toddler size freshly squeezed orange juice, which I didn't mind since I had my coffee.
(4)
Kate H.
My friends and I wanted a place with classic breakfast food (as opposed to the frilly stuff of pricier restaurants). Alexander's gave just that. It's a typical diner with good food. I've had the biscuits and gravy with eggs and sausage (possibly the biscuits were a bit dry, but covered in gravy it didn't really matter) and another morning I got pancakes with strawberry topping. Both were delicious and just what I wanted. Staff is friendly and we especially liked the blonde short haired waitress.
(4)
Marcee W.
Great neighborhood place for solid breakfast offerings any time of the day. I always opt for the Kayana (scrambled eggs, tomato and feta cheese). Good coffee and an oversized booth up front, which is more comfortable than other booths.
(3)
T K.
Fluffiest eggs EVER. Had the denver omelette and it was delicious. Our waitress was soo nice and attentive. Would not have went in based on outside decor. So glad we checked out Yelp for near by places before show at Raven theater started.
(5)
Karpick M.
This place has a large variety of subs and sandwiches. I ordered the reuben sandwich, the bread was a little dry but the sandwich tasted pretty good. next time I think Ill try another deli.
(3)
Nicklaus R.
Great greasy spoon, not a fancy food place. Just a normal dinner, that rocks it. Food, service, atmosphere.
(5)
Zach D.
I love this place! Its just a very cute little corner diner restaurant. Reminds me of back home getting hungry in the middle of the night and going with friends to the local diner and getting burgers and coffee and cokes. I wouldn't say the food is remarkable, but when you work the morning shift and this place is right around the corner from your house, how could you not stop in for a breakfast skillet? The service is friendly and attentive. The ladies always greet me and chat. They even remember me! (Since I've been coming in like 2 a week haha). If you need a quick breakfast or wanted to meet someone for a coffee stop in here! Tip your waitress :D
(5)
Joe R.
I called in ONE to-go order. I inquired about a skillet breakfast that included biscuits and gravy. Only after I got there was I told they didn't have what I ordered. So, in lieu of them asking me, they put one together and charged me for each and every item-including the sausage, which I thought came with the gravy. My single biscuits and gravy order was almost $12.00. I used to go there and eat in mainly because if the short haired blond that has been there for over 10 years. I used to be a regular for at least ten years. She has always been nice and friendly. Whether I ate in or not, I always tipped her because of her service politeness. The larger brunette is not as nice and is only about nickle and diming customers. I won't go there again. There are too many diners in this area to be nickled and dimed. I should've followed my initial instinct and walked.
(1)
Justin N.
Love this place, as old school diners go, it's a winner. Better than the diner up the street.
(4)
Kristin G.
Does NOT close at 9pm. I called on a Wednesday before heading over and she informed me that they were already closed at 7pm.
(3)
Neil C.
Alexander's is the real deal. a family run, old-fashioned. honest-to-god diner with everything that implies. Service is exactly what you'd expect it to be. Fast and wonderfully friendly. The menu is full of tried and true diner classics, all of which are prepared well. The coffee is good, hot and plentiful. No dirty looks on your fourth refill here! Fantastic place. Alexander's is pretty much THE authentic diner on the far north side.
(5)
Lauren C.
Such a great experience! Great food, coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice! Awesome service as well
(5)
Alex J.
First timer at this small diner and it was a great experience. I ordered the breakfast special. It came with 3 eggs (I ordered them scrambled), 2 bacon strips (or other meat), hash browns, toast (or pancakes), cup of coffee AND a small juice. The food was excellent. Alexander's blows away Deluxe Diner from down the block (food quality, taste, and value). I will certainly be back again.
(5)
Judith M.
Like Zach D said, it's a nice down home kind of place. NOT Fine Dining, but Fine Food. And nice folks. Good sized greek salad with lots of Feta and olives got the fourth star. The Greek chicken special was great. The breakfasts are all day and they have Rye toast to go with their perfectly over medium eggs. One thing- you won't love their coffee if you are a Metropolis kind of snob- so bring your own.
(4)
Chitown G.
Duper super fast and I love the homemade skillets. It was a great breakfast! May be our new weekend joint
(4)
Peter O.
Always very good to excellent food, never yet a failure of any kind. In all, a highly recommended city diner. Cozy, clean, well lighted and smells good. Waitresses are friendly, warm and admirably efficient. You're family here, a visiting cousin. The Ka-ya-na is mouth wateringly creamy and delicious- the best I've ever had- and I always order this any time it's on any menu anywhere. Bacon is prepared fresh to order and still spitting grease, not cooked ahead of time and all stiff and dried out. Oatmeal is sided with real cream, raisins and nuts, cinnamon. Chicken ABC soup is particularly appealing. Patty melt is large and properly prepared. Crispy, buttery grilled cheese melts in your mouth as it should and seldom does. Salad greens are fresh and crisp. Notably aromatic, very good diner coffee. A limited amount of free parking is available in a lot in back and during certain hours in The Raven Theatre lot across the street when they're closed. The tiny washroom could use a bit of attention to its perceived cleanliness; their only known flaw. All my best, Peter O.
(4)
Suzanne B.
Great prices, portions, quality. They also gave the kids rice krispie treats on our way out. Excellent.
(5)
Amanda O.
We took too much time so we got kicked out. For real. I met a friend to catch up after a year of not seeing her and we planned to have coffee and breakfast. We drank coffee for about 30 minutes then ordered skillets. In the 30 minutes it took to order we had 2 people back to back ask us if we were ready to order. When we finally ate, I set aside half my skillet while eating pancakes and two people back to back asked if I wanted a box. Then when I was actually done they cleared my plates and about 30-40 minutes later, what appeared to be the owner or the manager, approached us saying they needed the booth and we had to move to the counter or to leave. Really??? I've worked in the restaurant industry before and the closest I've EVER come to telling a patron that they've overstayed their welcome is to ask them to cash out their checks so I could go home at the end of my shift. The best part about it is that the reason they needed the booth was for the one guy standing at the door. Why not tell him to sit at the counter?? And we still tipped the waitress $7.00 on a $25 tab. Even though the food was good I'd have to say I'll never come back.
(1)
Chris M.
Great place for breakfast. Nice to know that if you are at Fritzy's Pub next door and Alexander's is open, you can order in.
(4)
Mike P.
Friendly, down home Chicago. The biscuits are very good. Prices are a buck or so over what you can get for the same offering at other diners around the hood, but the quality for the extra cash is there. Good coffee, friendly staff. Waitstaff holding the cooks accountable to get the orders correct. All good things.
(4)
June W.
Recommended to me by Long time Edgewater resident, and it didn't.t disappoint. Good food, service, just a little bit more expensive than anticipated. But I 'll be back.
(4)
Restaurant G.
This is a great, family owned and run, diner. The staff are genuinely friendly and helpful and the food is great. The greek chicken is excellent, and the soups are homemade (also excellent.)
(4)
Irem U.
They are very friendly, it is almost like having brunch at a friend's house. The food are also really good. Skillets are the best! We will go this weekend again!!
(4)
dave a.
It may be fine for breakfast, but we went there on Saturday in the late afternoon and I ordered a Julienne salad - soggy brown lettuce, not much of it (barely covered the plate) one sliced in half hard-boiled egg, old nasty tomatoes, meager amount of meats/cheeses - for $9! I will stick with A&T Family Restaurant down the way a bit - much better.
(1)
Marissa G.
Unfortunately, I wish i could say, go to Alexander's for lunch and dinner too! But...alas, I must say-- don't. I had the broiled perch and mac and cheese. Perch was overcooked and fishy, and the mac and cheese was overcooked and needed tons of salt to be edible. My partner had the gyro plate, which didn't have enough meat at all. All in all, after paying $20 for lunch, I left so unsatisfied! I really wanted to come here for all my future meals! If all my future meals are eggs and pancakes, then maybe-- but otherwise I guess Alexander's is just a breakfast place for me.
(2)
Chris H.
A solid family-owned diner that features friendly service and good food. Why go to a soulless chain when you can eat at one of these Chicago originals?
(4)
Jared S.
Nothing better than a small, family owned place. Add to that low prices, huge portions, and great service and you have a neighborhood favorite. If you haven't been in here yet, you need to check it out. However, don't be fooled during breakfast, Greek toast is really just Texas toast. It says it all over the bread bags. Probably not good for big groups. Four people would be able to max for them.
(4)
Jenny B.
Fast, yummy, diner-y. Sunday mornings are busy--what good restaurant wouldn't be? It gets a little cramped, best suited for 2-4 people. it's nothing out of the ordinary fantastic, but if you just want to grab some yummy breakfast without dilly-dallying, Alexander's is the place!
(4)
Steve O.
Great place and excellent service!
(5)
Wayne G.
I recently moved out of the Edgewater/Roger's Park neighborhood and one of the things I miss most about the area is *definitely* Alexander's. It's small, reasonably priced, family owned, and the staff is beyond friendly. There's lots of variety to the menu, but I've never had anything but biscuits and gravy (I'm from the South. If I find B&G that I enjoy in Chicago, I cling to it like grim death) which are delicious! Friendly atmosphere, great food and value, and a nice comforting place to sit down for a relaxing meal.
(4)
Cindy S.
Nothing better than the local corner diner for breakfast! The owner unfailingly greets each customer with a smile, and waitress-extraordinaire Angel bustles around with coffee refills and sassy quips, basically functioning as a benevolent "den mother" for the regulars who return on a daily basis. The place is nothing fancy, But give me Alexander's for its $3.95 egg-hash brown-toast-fruit plate and true atmosphere of community.
(4)
S J.
Love this place mostly bc the staff is so awesome. I usually eat breakfast and the food is quick and tasty. Made the mistake of ordering a hot meal once and the mashed potatoes tasted like they came from a box. I will stick with breakfast from now on!
(4)
Jay B.
This is a Chicago diner classic. They just don't make them like this anymore. Good homemade comfort food. Daily Specials. Good food. Affordable prices for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
(4)
Andi V.
Alexander's is the perfect neighborhood diner. Good food, good service, with a really nice comfortable vibe. Often they will have great specials. It can be pretty busy during their peak hours, however so be aware of your timing.
(4)
Melina D.
This place delivers. Hot food, fast, delicious, crappy diner coffee, friendly servers, a bucket of candy at the register. Every restaurant should be run like Alexander's.
(5)
Lucy G.
Have you ever seen "My Big Fat Greek Wedding?" Walking into this diner, I felt like I was on the set. This Greek owned restaurant is precious. It's literally half a block from me, so I have been here a few times and enjoyed it- both for it's proximity, it's charm, and it's good food. First of all, you will never leave hungry. They give you so much food at an affordable price. They offer your typical American diner foods, but then they'll have a few menu items or specials that reflect the Greek patronage, the spinach pie, mousaka, or greek omelette for instance. So far my favorite is the Eggs Florentine, which includes two halves of an English muffin, topped with wilted spinach, two poached eggs, and drenched in the rich hollandaise sauce, a side of hash browns, more than you can eat, and a little bit of the fresh fruit of the day (it could be a couple slices of orange or half a banana.) This easily became 2 meals. Coffee is good, service is perky, and the place is never empty. It's small though, so don't bring a huge group of people. This neighborhood diner will see my hungry face again soon.
(3)
Ashley S.
Alexanders is a great little diner. I've been there for breakfast quite a few times and for lunch just once. The prices are good, the quality is good, and the portions are huge! I've really enjoyed everything I've ordered from there and the service is great too. Whenever I have friends or family in town, this is my go-to place for brunch. Everyone always enjoys it!
(4)
Kevin R.
Great place to get a huge omelette or some biscuits and gravy to soak up some of the booze from the night before. Instant hangover cure. Along with the friendly staff, the service is fast and reliable, and you get a lot of food for not much $$. Never really tried much outside of the breakfast menu, aside from some club sandwiches and melts that were good... highly recommend for breakfast if you're in the area.
(5)
Heather S.
Great pancakes, enormous skillets and awesome coffee. Staffed by wonderful folks who will call you "sweetie" or "honey." Just wish it was open 24 hrs.
(4)
Anonymous N.
This place is incredible! Where do I even start?The waitresses are attentive, prompt and friendly. The food here is delicious, I love the mom and pop feel of this place.
(5)
Kirsten R.
My boyfriend and I have visited Alexander's on many occasions. The wait staff is always super nice and the food has never been anything but delicious. If you have never been here, do yourself a favor and give it a shot.
(5)
Kyle J.
I love me a good diner and now I have one within walking distance, I love everything about this place. Oh yeah and the foods good too, no really it's quite good. biscuits and gravy!
(5)
James B.
Great Greek Style Greasy Spoon.
(5)
Luis B.
Get a ham, bacon and cheddar omelet. They use real eggs. Delicious! But bring your own maple syrup unless you like flavored corn syrup for the pancakes. Great food. Great value.
(4)
Drew S.
Everyone loves being badgered every 10 seconds to order on Sunday morning, right? To the point where the lady comes back before you've even opened the menu again? I overheard several tables order while they were sitting down so I can see where this comes from but that doesn't make it any less irritating. The staff was up in our grill on the good side of things as well. Water and coffee stayed topped off consistently and thoroughly. Lexie's might have gone up to 4 stars if the hashed browns were the awesome crispy shredded Waffle House kind and not the sad pile of mush closely related to mashed potatoes kind. My corned beef hash was like Stacey's mom and had it going on.
(3)
Mike G.
IN-credible. Love this place. Their food is great, their staff is great, couldn't be happier with this place. You'll feel the same way.
(5)
Liz J.
I had a hankering for some pancakes. I'm too scared to try Deluxe Diner, what with all the bad reviews, plus it's kind of shady looking .... so it looked like Alexander's was the next closest place. I've found MY diner, I think it's safe to say. Wait staff was super nice and friendly, they made small-talk with the regulars, and were super nice to families with children who came in. My waitress kept my coffee refilled, which is really all I ask of a diner. The pancakes were wonderfully fluffy and tasty. Some diner pancakes sit in your belly like lead; these didn't. I ordered the pancakes with country ham .... my only quibble is that the piece of ham was a little small. But my order came with a bonus half-a-banana! I can't wait to go back to try their lunch and dinner menu. Breakfast runs breakfast prices: under 10 bucks for breakfast and coffee. The other stuff on their menu and their specials seemed to hover around the $9-$12 range.
(4)
Pam C.
Good food, great service. I would not make a special trip to eat here, but it is great if you are close by. The owner is always on site and very friendly. Their portions are pretty big and they usually include a piece of fruit with your dinner. Breakfast is yummy and you can get fresh squeezed OJ.
(4)
Mike L.
Yup, I am a fan. Alexander's has amazing food. The wait staff is friendly and helpful. I've only been their a few times, but they already know me well enough to bring me coffee. One of the highlights is the homemade soup. Every soup I have tried has been AMAZING. That is not to say everything else I have had great. I have enjoyed both great breakfast food and sandwiches. If you live in Edegwater, or near by and are up for a great lunch or breakfast Alexander's is the place to go.
(4)
Rob J.
I've always had a good experience at Alexander's, and I'll take it over any of the high end breakfast/brunch places any day. Honestly, I've been to several of the boutique-ish brunch places and the food has mainly been good, but I've found more often than not that the service is very hit and miss. Don't get me wrong, I don't expect waistaff to fawn over me. Just treat me like a person is all I ask, but sometimes that's a bit too much to ask for at the "to die for" brunch places with their varying levels of exclusivity. That's never happened to me at Alexander's. Their food is always good, reasonably priced, but the staff are the reason I will keep going back. The waitresses and owner are always gracious and genuine, they'll greet you without giving you the impression that they are doing you a favor by deigning to take your order. No bs, no ceremony, no Trotter-like aspirations. I also recently went here for lunch with a friend in from downstate, which I hadn't done before. I had a really delicious Patty Melt with fries (again, really simple, just right, no huge frills) and would go back in a heartbeat. If you like no nonsense diner food and don't need a lot of ambience or hipster platitudes, this is a genuinely good and friendly place.
(5)
Lydia B.
I can't believe this place is right by my house and I never tried it til this morning :) I had biscuits and gravy and it was delicious and cheap. I'll definitely be coming back when I'm in the mood for diner food.
(4)
Jenna N.
Total hole-in-the-wall diner, but I can appreciate that. They have some really delicious biscuits and gravy...stay away from the meatloaf though. I like that they always give you a piece of fruit with your breakfast. The food...again, stay away from the meatloaf...is always very flavorful and they don't mind giving their dishes a tasty kick. The waitresses have always been really friendly and they have actual conversations with you, as opposed to the "i'm just talking to you because it means more cash for me" waiters that you'll find in other establishments. The food is also priced really well, so I don't mind giving a little extra to the staff because they really deserve it. Good food, easy parking.
(3)
Brandon Y.
I was super hungry today and checked yelp to find whatever was closest to me. Alexander's showed up with decent reviews and was like a 2 minute walk away so I decided to check it out. The restaurant was fairly clean and the staff was pretty nice. The menu had a much larger selection than I had anticipated. There are a lot of burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and the like, and some other entrees. Breakfast is served all day, too. I decided on the Chicken Bacon Cheddar sandwich and my girlfriend got a Roast Beef Croissant sandwich. The flavor of the chicken sandwich was good but the chicken itself was super rubbery and I couldn't bring myself to finish it. However, I'm a sucker for crinkle fries so that sort of made up for it. My girlfriend's croissant wasn't bad, though. I may return here to try breakfast sometime but I will definitely never have another chicken dish... If I don't find something good there the next time I go then I probably won't be returning. To be honest White Castle is slightly closer, cheaper, and I liked it a little better.
(2)
Christopher L.
I love their breakfast skillets and small cozy diner atmosphere. Staff is very friendly too. Definitely one of my favorite breakfast places on the Northside. Try the Steak skillet!
(4)
Scott H.
I can order pancakes, since they always have sugar-free syrup. Affordable prices for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Nice service with a friendly staff. This place 6 blocks from my house.
(5)
sheena r.
biscuits and gravy, some of the best i've had in chicago! it's really hard to find a place that serves up decent gravy. a lot of the times its too chalky, or not runny enough, or too runny. alexander's does gravy right! the country skillet is awesome because it's basically a skillet with biscuits and gravy. and well, i already mentioned how awesome their gravy is. the service is good, your coffee gets topped off often, and the prices are very reasonable.
(5)
steve s.
Great skillets and super friendly service. Clean and Quick. Perfect when you need a quick breakfast without having to worry if your hair looks ok.
(4)
John B.
I've been in mourning for Augie's, my neighborhood diner, since they closed last month, and searching for a replacement. Pauline's is a little too unpredictable, the Ravenswood is a little too far away, and the Golden Nugget just doesn't cut it. Based on other Yelp reviews, I decided to check out Alexander's. You know the Seinfeld episode where Elaine starts hanging out with Kevin, Gene, and Feldman? That's what it was like walking into Alexander's. Same old Greek guy, but different model, taller and a bit more robust. Two older waitresses -- one his wife and one his sister? Or his daughter? Hard to tell. Much brighter than Augie's, but a similar style if a different vintage -- more 70s/80s than 50s/60s. [Actually, Alexander's looks likes a Baker's Square that has been repurposed into a Greek diner -- check out the sunken ceiling with the typical burgundy paint job.] Nicer counter, but in the wrong place. the whole thing kind of threw me for a loop. Good food and great prices, which you expect from a place like this. Sandwiches, a handful of entrees, and breakfast all day. Signature skillets, including a Ladies Skillet, for you girls who are watching your figures, for 7 bucks. Lovely laminated menus. Fast and friendly service. I had the Reuben sandwich -- because I didn't see the Monte Cristo, which was on another page -- and it was okay. This is not the kind of place you go for a Reuben, and theirs was more like a corned beef and Swiss cheese sandwich. Where's the Russian dressing? But the meat was good and the toast was crisp and the deluxe sandwich comes with fries AND a cup of soup, so how can you lose? If Alexander's was closer to my house, I could see it becoming a go-to spot. But it's a mile and a half away, and for someone without a car, that's too far for a casual drop-in. But I'm sure I'll be back. And after a few more visits, I may knock it up a star. For now, it's on the high side of average. EDIT: I knocked it up a star. But be wary of the vegetables. I was served corn on the cob that had been sitting in hot water since hot water was invented.
(4)
Night S.
I grew up in Edgewater / Roger's Park and have been going to Alexander's for years... I remember graduating elementary school and one of my aunts taking me to Alexander's to celebrate over an ice cream sundae. This place is owned, if I recall correctly by a Greek couple, both of which are very friendly. This place serves some surprisingly good food, although I have to say the quality has gone downhill a little bit over the years, that is common with most restaurants and is to be expected. This is basically your usual , north-side, corner diner that serves your typical breakfast dishes (french toast, pancakes, etc) as well as sandwiches and entrees. One of my favorite dishes there is the Monte Cristo sandwich with the powdered sugar on top. The waffles are good here as well. I have never really eaten there, always opting for Sunday breakfast instead. The coffee here is not very good, I know that's a big pet peeve of mine, when coffee is mild or watery. I really like my coffee to be bitter and flavorful. The prices are what you'd expect of a place like this. $6.99 for pancakes with eggs and that sort of deal, which I don't consider to be expensive this day and age. Now one of the best things about this place is the staff, they are freakin, awesome. They are very friendly, older ladies that have been working there since I was a kid and pretty much all of them treat you very well. They DO NOT accept debit or credit cards here, so bring cash! Parking usually isn't an issue.
(3)
Albert E.
I've been going to this place for breakfast for a few years now, and no matter how much time passes between my visits, the waitstaff always seems to remember me. The food is nothing special, but they do have some home made specialties like some of their soups and the hollandaise sauce that comes on the eggs benedict, etc. The place is always clean and the waitstaff has always been very friendly. (Expect a few "hons" and "sweeties" mixed into the conversation.) This is a neighborhood place. I've seen all segments of the neighborhood represented in the customers: young families, seniors, gay couples, high school kids, ancient regulars and multiple nationalities from the 'hood. You go to Alexanders because you know what it is, a no frills neighborhood diner with basic food that is served with a smile and maybe even a little friendly attitude you're used to getting in a small town diner. Breakfast at a stop like this is my ideal, serving up the basics quickly and a cup of coffee that barely has a chance to get half drunk before getting topped off with a warm-up, even when the restaurant is packed.
(4)
Mimi C.
Never having been a big omelette aficionado, I'm always happy to see eggs + the traditional omelette fillings prepared differently. Alexander's has a large selection of skillets, with hash browns topped with eggs and various ingredients - perfect! Most of the skillets incorporate meat, but they'll leave it out if requested (I did). Cheese is melted on top, but they use slices of cheese and it didn't get fully melted. It'd be a lot better to have shredded cheese for this purpose, and I brought it up but was told that 'we've always done it this way.' Toast or pancakes come with the skillet (WAY too much food for me). A yummy, filling breakfast but I sure would prefer shedded, melted cheese...
(3)
Donovan H.
This place is a great bargin! The portions and quality of food is well worth the price. They have great daily specials and a good variety on their menu. I love a good burger and fries and here its cheap and tasty. The service reminds me of my experiences with small town wait staff. They will strike up a conversation and flirt as much as you allow. I think the personal service is what keeps the regulars coming back.
(4)
Steve J.
Mmm. Best roast beef sandwich on a croissant! I want to try some other stuff here, but I can't resist going with what I know I love!
(5)
Joey Y.
For a neighborhood diner, it's just perfect. Great breakfast, fun staff. Not too frilly, just a down-to-earth place.
(4)
Duncan S.
Fairly good Greek diner with an extensive menu, plenty of affordable options and usually has a crowd in the mornings. Basic seating at the counter, booths on the side and tables in the middle and pretty standard diner look and feel, albeit a little dated. Went with the flank steak that was a little chewy and struggled with the 'steak' knife to cut it, house potatoes and eggs pretty good and a decent serving size. The pancakes are always good, flowing average coffee and good service.
(3)
Michael O.
Love this place. Food is very good and reasonably priced. Family style diner. Limited seating, pretty packed for weekend brunch. I was led to try this place because they have a 15% off coupon in my parish bulletin. The biscuits and gravy were very tasty. The staff was friendly and seemed glad we were there. I like that, a positive atmosphere even when they are busy. I do wish the coffee was a little stronger brew, but hey you can have as many refills as you need to get your fix. You should give this place a try.
(4)
Jeff D.
Good breakfast place so that's what the 4 stars is for. I haven't had another other meal here other than b-fast. Quick service with a smile and fluffy pancakes as well! I also love the fact they use whipped butter at their tables which is called Danish Maid. It goes really well with Pancakes! Very good!
(4)
Christine S.
I absolutely LOVE Alexander's. The wait staff there are excellent. Super friendly and attentive without being in your face. The food is really good (sometimes they have homemade Greek specialties like Greek pie and Greek chicken, etc.) and really inexpensive. I love that it is a family-owned place (they're Greek, hence the Greek food specialties) and the family has a consistent presence in the restaurant. It's clean and homey and wonderful. If you're in Edgewater, it's definitely the best diner around.
(5)
Nora T.
I love their food! Their staff is super wonderful! My daughters love going there =)
(5)
Amy M.
I love Alexander's for breakfast. It's good, simple diner food that has never disappointed me. Wait staff is attentive, but not overly so. The Greek Scrambled Eggs are really yummy. Can't beat the price, either. Thumbs up for Alexander's.
(4)
Jackie T.
The Hispanic waitress who served me at Alexanders Restaurant recently, was more interested in her cellphone conversation than refilling my coffee. And it wasn't a busy morning; I was the only customer present. She was on her cellphone THE ENTIRE TIME I was in the restaurant. As a result, I left her no tip and, on the check, wrote the reason why, along with a message intended for the restaurant's manager. UPDATE: A SECOND (AND LAST) CHANCE I thought I would give Alexander's another chance. For about 20 minutes, I was ignored until I went up to the counter with my cup for some coffee. Still none of the 3 or 4 servers brought me a menu or water. Needless to say, I was getting very perturbed. Finally, a menu came. When it came time to pay the check, once again, I left no tip and scribbled on the check the reason why. Will not be returning to Alexander's any time soon!
(1)
Ted F.
If you're like me, trying to figure out where to take one of your parents to eat when they're in town can be a little perplexing. Perhaps you've been blessed with gastronomically adventurous parents, or, if you're like me, your mom still thinks Italian food is an exotic treat. Anyway, what I'm saying is that having a place like Alexander's around takes the anxiety out of your parochial parent's breakfast visits. It's good, straightforward diner food, and they've always been warm and friendly whenever I've gone there.
(4)
Arch S.
Very solid neighborhood diner. A little small, no table for groups over four. But an added plus is Alex's next door neighbor, expecially if you want a beer with your breakfast. Go next door to Champions and order your food through the secret window that connects the two places.
(4)
Katrina H.
hmm when in doubt.. DONT!! Yes they have cheap eats.. but the food is midiocre for even cheap food... If you see that a place like this is hardly ever packed with cars and customers.. Take that as your Tale Tale Sign!!
(3)
Jocelyn S.
Great for a greasy spoon. The wait staff are all very nice and great chatters. Fast service with the food as well. We came on a Sunday morning around 9:30 am. The skillets were really good. And I couldn't finish - because the portion size was very generous. And the coffee keeps coming. So drink up!
(3)
Anjali B.
My boyfriend and I moved into an apartment a few blocks away in August, and to celebrate our first day in our new place, we had breakfast at Alexander's. The atmosphere was small and cozy, a typical cute diner. Our waitress was fun and attentive with a good-natured but funny/sarcastic attitude, which my boy and I can appreciate. The fresh squeezed orange juice was amazingly good, and the eggs Benedict were to die for. The chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, and sausage were also perfect. The only downside is that it's not open 24 hours for my ridiculous food cravings at 3:00 am.
(4)
Lee S.
As a neighbor, the great staff at Alexander's have to deal with me at my worst, just having rolled out of bed and in dire need of coffee and some nourishment. Yet, they always greet you with a smile, or after I've received my food, a sarcastic comment if I ask for more coffee (but it comes immediately!). There are always a wide array of specials - something to fit anyone's taste. The staples for breakfast are what we go for, and they never fail to please. It is everything a diner is supposed to be.
(4)
Amanda K.
The food is okay, the regulars are fun to see. The service is so annoying though, today we had the worst waitress! It wasn't a lack of service, too much service. I think she wanted to join us for lunch actually.
(2)
Antonio S.
This is a great neighborhood diner. The food is better than average, and the price is pretty cheap for Chicago. The service is good, if not, a little too much. If you are looking for a cozy diner to keep you warm in the crappy Chicago winter, then Alexander's is a good choice.
(4)
Jeff C.
Go there for breakfast. Eat anything. Good. Fresh. Classic.
(4)
Erica M.
This is such a great little local spot......they have a pretty big menu, all the food is great and the waitstaff is super friendly. The prices and specials are great- this is one of my favorite breaksfast spots!
(4)
John R.
Alexander's is very much a neighborhood diner. Lots of fat single men whom the waitresses greet on a first-name basis and who have been having the same lunch together every day since 1972. Comb-overs and big and tall khakis abound. If you really want to gross yourself out, count the flies. Here is how my experience went. Before I could sit down at the counter my waitress waddled up and asked if I was here for breakfast (this at 4pm-ish) and if so did I have a look at the special. She nodded in the general direction of the window. No, I said I hadn't seen it. "Well you get three eggs, choice of meat, toast, coffee and a slice of pie," she said. "That sounds like too much food for me," I said. She scowled and sighed at this obviously wrong answer. "But I bet it's a great deal," I added. At this she smiled and confirmed that it was a indeed a great deal. I ordered a bowl of oatmeal and coffee, an order which did not seem to meet with her disapproval. As I ate she cleaned out the jello bin in the fridge cabinet behind the counter, about 6 inches from my plate. "They made this jello too watery. Should I throw it away?" she asked as she poked at the contents of the vat with a plastic fork. This question seemed directed at no person in particular, and I wondered if I ought to respond. Silence was the right choice, because a voice coming from the kitchen chimed in "don't ask me." She piled the jello into little dishes and put them back in the fridge cabinet. God knows what became of the jello. I'll bet it's still there. About halfway through my oatmeal, whose temperature prevented me from eating quickly enough, I met with a middle aged face even closer to me than the jello. It was another waitress. She was reaching down for something under the counter. "Hi, oatmeal? Healthy and delicious," said the face. "Yes, I guess." I poked at the oatmeal a little. "I love oatmeal. Swear by the stuff. Great for the complexion. I always save just a bit for my skin," said the face. She had a wart on her nose with a curly hair sprouting from it. "Is that so?" "Yes. Smear it on. Helps the pores." She demonstrated by rubbing her face with her free hand. "Keeps you smooth." "Oh. That's good to know." She finished rummaging around and left. The other waitress returned. She had a mustache and stud earrings and her hair, coarse and pulled back, with stray strands hanging from her bangs, was dyed a dull shade of red, almost the color of weak coffee. "It sure is good for you. You know vino's? The soap. They've been using oatmeal for centuries," the other waitress said. "Yes that's right," responded the first waitress, "Swear by the stuff. Keeps you young, you know?" There was then an extended discussion of the merits of oatmeal as a moisturizer. I pretended to be occupied with organizing my wallet. I left a five dollar tip (didn't have singles) and left.
(3)
Bella D.
3+ This place is close and perfect for some quick breakfast. Love the old school diner feel. Over easy eggs, sausage, hashbrowns and rye bread. Cup of milk or OJ = ) Nice easy lazy sunday brunch.
(3)
Daryl N.
Almost everything about this place is outstanding for breakfast. OJ is out-of-this-world. Coffee excellent. Biscuits and gravy some of the best I have had in the city. Much better than the diner at Devon and Clark. Service wonderful. Pancakes perfect. Bacon great. Only thing wrong: no fresh jalapenos for the La Bomba skillet. Otherwise a great breakfast place.
(5)
Kayleigh M.
This is a cute little diner on the corner that caught the eye while walking in search of a Ruby Tuesdays. Greeted right upon arrival by friendly staff. The prices are pretty cheap for the amount of food. Soup came w/ my gyro meal and a whole basket of bread and crackers were brought out as well! I was in heaven!!! The food was good and I would definitely go back and try the breakfast!
(4)
Zena V.
Alexander's is a great neighborhood dive. The food is good and the staff is friendly. I have seen all different kinds of people here and they are all treated like good friends.
(4)
John L.
This is the best neighborhood restaurant for a breakfast that is inexpensive and fills you up. The morning waitress, Linda, is a gem and is a professional. I am always happy to be a patron of Alexanders.
(5)
steve c.
Can't believe this place hasn't been reviewed more. The breakfast special ( Eggs, bacon, oj, coffee, hash browns, etc.) is the best! Nice little old school place. it gets crowded on sunday mornings besides that its filled with regulars.
(4)
a w.
This is a great little restraunt that has been around for ages. It's family owned and family run and the service is great. You can get a really great meal here for a very reasonable price. The restraunt is well-kept and the service is great. The restraunt never gets tooo crowded, but they do have limited seatings, so it's not really a place for a big group of people to have a meal.
(3)
Joe T.
Alexander's has good food and even better service. I have met the owner, an upstanding man running a great family business, and several waitresses who always make one feel at home. The food comes in large portions for a good value. It isn't the best cuisine you've ever tasted, but it isn't highway diner food either. This restaurant gets four stars on the service alone! It's a good place to have lunch with friends or to have a bite to eat in the morning.
(4)
A T.
I need to amend my review. While the service can suck it can also be very good. I think it depends on the waitress. It is family owned, which I consider important. The food is really good when is comes out hot. I am going to give it another chance. If you live in the neighborhood it is not a bad deal.
(3)
Hm C.
The folks here are really sweet and nice. Everyone from the waitstaff to the customers -- all were very accommodating. We have a kid+car seat, and I believe the couple in the booth actually sped up the last bits of their meal to let us sit down. And I swear the owner is the same guy from Salonica's in Hyde Park.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Tyler P.
Excellent breakfast. I went there at 8 am on a Wednesday then 6am the next day. Lots of regular customers on weekday mornings. It's great to see folks enjoying each other's company over breakfast and coffee. Service could not have been better.
(5)Lord Of T.
This is simple good food at a fair price. I've been here more than once and always felt it was a fair deal for good food. There's nothing great, but it is always good enough. The people there are pretty nice.
(3)Alexander L.
Been eating here since childhood! I've only ever had the bfast, gypsy skillet mostly. It's a good spot for a good meal! The old man passed away some time ago, which sucks, he was a nice man. His daughters maintain it well, always a busy place, they have many customers. I come here often with family & my lady friends! :)
(5)JL Q.
When we lived in Chicago, we would regularly visit this great diner. Fantastic for breakfast, they're also good for lunch or dinner. But breakfast is what we go for and we're never disappointed. This place has a breakfast item called a Skillet. It's served in a plate with a handle and is a brown ceramic. But what's in it is the real reward. There are a variety of choices available. We chose a ladies skillet and the veggie one and they were incredible. Basically, it's a bottom layer of fried potatoes and a mix of items like veggies, chicken and other stuff. On top are 2 eggs served whatever style you like. You also get a side of toast or pancakes. If you visit this place, this is the breakfast to get!
(5)Annette Q.
I've eaten here in the past & it was ok however, I decided to order the Greek Mousaka at this Greek owned diner. I will NEVER order this again. EVER. Silly me thinking Greeks could make this (usually) delicious dish. What was I thinking??? Can you say potatoes, potatoes & MORE potatoes? I know it's supposed to have potatoes but really? The bechamel sauce was more like cottage cheese in its consistency. The tomato sauce tasted on some bites like spaghetti sauce, other bites like tomato sauce straight out of a can. I was told by one married to a Greek person that it's usually a vegetarian dish. I've had it with ground beef before but the amount of beef in this was so minimal that I wasn't even sure that it was meat. The amount of eggplant pieces equaled MAYBE 3 tbsp. I found this dismal & tasteless aling with the inedible canned corn. If this were my first visit here, I'd be giving this place 1 star but since my other meals here were ok, I give it 2 stars. Where else can one get a decent meal in this area? Pray tell? I'm being serious.
(2)Jordan V.
Shout out to the brother Alexander for being the first breakfast joint to serve me a breakfast that I lost to and couldn't finish, another big shoutout to the Cali bro skillet for kicking my ass and making me enjoy every second of it
(4)Laura G.
Love this place! It's tiny, and often pretty busy, but the service is speedy, so the turnover is quick enough that you never seem to have to wait. The food is always consistently delicious, and you get a lot for your money. -But I have to say, there's more to the place then good food at a decent price. It's charm is that it feels like stepping back into time. Something about this place is wonderfully nostalgic. If you're looking for a friendly little diner, good food, reasonably priced, served to you with a smile by the friendliest people, go here. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Liz A.
I had tickets to a show at The Raven Theatre and was looking for a place to grab a quick meal before the play started. I knew this place was directly across the street so it was a perfect choice. The patty melt was recommended so I went with it and it was delicious. While I didn't think our server was that great, the manager did stop by our table a couple times throughout our meal to see how we were doing and asked if we were going to the play. I think they probably get a fair amount of business prior to shows at the theatre. I'd go back before a show again.
(4)Kye S.
Just moved in across the street and decided to walk over. The smells wafting into my apartment are always delicious. The diner is small upon entering, and when we went it was very busy. It took about 5 minutes to be greeted by a waitress, but everyone was very friendly. I got the breakfast special for 8.99, which was 3 eggs, 3 bacon strips, hash browns, 2 pancakes, and a small cup of juice and split it with my girlfriend. We were both full and had leftover hash browns. The pancakes were sweet and amazing, and the eggs were fluffy. The only thing is that the bacon was a bit overdone but other than that it was very good food. If it wasn't busy I'm sure the service would have been better. I will most likely return.
(4)Kimberly J.
Delicious! We had about an hour to kill so we stopped in for lunch! It's a kitschy old diner! Loved it!! Everyone was so friendly and attentive!! I had a bacon and turkey club. The turkey was not lunch meat it was thick turkey breast slices all stacked up! Sooo good!! All of the soups are homemade as well!! My son had a grilled chicken sandwich, equally delicious. The breakfast menu was huge and looked delicious! They even have free parking behind the restaurant or across the street!! Score! Check it out!
(4)Marion C.
We were visiting from a Texas and were looking for a place unique to Chicago. The food at Alexander's was excellent. We visited during breakfast and had a Belgium waffle, potatoes and sausage. Food was delicious and made to feel like I was having breakfast at home. Definitely recommend. Good price, good food, good service.
(5)Julia J.
Alexander's looks a little run down, maybe a little shady from the outside, but it's a great neighborhood breakfast joint. Friendly, fast service, great options and variety. This isn't the place for large groups or the brunch crowd. It's a standard neighborhood diner. I loved it and will return.
(4)John T.
Great place for breakfast, food was very good, bottomless coffee and did I say the food was very good. The staff is extremely accommodating. It was my 1st time there and I see many more breakfasts there in my future.
(5)Jonathan N.
Ahhh....my new favorite neighborhood diner. Just a few blocks north of Peterson and Clark and beyond the higher menu prices of Andersonville. My first visit in I enjoyed a hearty egg and bacon breakfast with biscuits and gravy. The menu is so large!! So many options. I opted for counter seating as it was Saturday morning and the place had a line at the door. Obviously they are doing more than one thing right. From my perch I could see the ice cream freezer, the milkshake machine, huge cakes and pies....I think I gained five pounds just peering over the counter. Can't wait to come back and try those goodies. Great local crowd and it was fun to watch the banter between wait staff and regular patrons. When waitstaff and manager call you by name, you know it is a special place. What a jewel of a place. I will be back.
(5)Leah K.
We have been going here for breakfast since my husband & I first started dating (10 years ago) and we just love this little diner. The menu is pretty standard breakfast joint but we highly reccomend their pancakes (they're so tasty without being heavy & doughy.) It does get busy on the weekend but hey that's when people go get brunch and we've never had to wait too awful long. Maybe it's just nostalgic for us but it's a great little find
(4)Jose M.
I was craving biscuits and gravy, and thought I'd make a trip to Alexander's to check them out. The biscuits and the gravy were really good. The potatoes were all right, the eggs were good, and the melon wedge was just all right. The fresh squeezed orange juice was fantastic, albeit a little pricy. I'll probably come back if I'm ever craving biscuits and gravy again.
(4)Kelly W.
Went here today with the bf. We both ordered the special Greek omelet, with gyro meat, feta cheese, onions, and tomato. (We both opted out of the kalamata olives) The food arrived in about 7 minutes, no joke. The pancakes that came with the omelet were AMAZING! My bf is not particularly fond of pancakes, but even he was smitten. The coffee is tasty as well. It was about $30 total and we left, already wanting to return. The owner's daughter gave my bf a 10% off coupon for us to use the next time we came back. 5 stars all the way!
(5)Stuart D.
Love this place!!! A friend took me here several years ago --- and I've returned many times since. Family owned for many years with a very loyal following. The neighborhood is lucky to have this gem.
(5)Emily S.
Came here with my boyfriend and a few friends this past Sunday. Never heard of it but my friend recommended it so we went. It wasn't too busy so we got day quickly for a table for 5. The restaurant itself is clean and bright, I likes their decor as well. I ordered the bacon chocolate chip Belgium waffle (which I think was a Sunday special since it was separate from the main menu) and a side of the potatoes. IT WAS DELICIOUS! The food itself was presented very nicely, and everything tasted great. Best waffle I've ever had! The only meh I had was the server. She was nice, but when it came to the bill it was about $80 which I thought was a bit much for breakfast but whatever it was worth it lol. Will defiantly be back!
(4)Mark E.
Pretty typical diner, with the usual suspects on the menu. They did have a fairly decent skillet selection, and the coffee was decent. Service was pretty unremarkable. I suppose, overall, this is just your standard neighborhood diner, and if you find yourself in need of a good old-fashioned eggs, potatoes and meat breakfast, it's not a bad option in the area. Then again, for not much more, you can go a little further south on Clark and find someplace outstanding for breakfast/brunch, like M.Henry.
(3)Wayne W.
The Best verity menu hands down. Good food that makes me go there every Saturday morning. The waitresses are a hoot, funny and friendly. I always get a different skillet every week. Never disappointed.
(5)Julie K.
I went with my husband and son for sunday breakfast. We were all so happy with our food. I kept it simple and ordered eggs Sunnyside up sausage and toast. Everything was perfect, I've been looking for a place that does descent breakfast sausage and I hit a home run. Those hash browns are to die for too, I can't say enough about them. My husband had over easy eggs and corned beef hash with pancakes. He couldn't say enough about how great everything was, he is picky about how his eggs are cooked. my son got a Denver omelet. He was impressed by everything even the coffee! The service was attentive without being intrusive. The place itself was clean and comfortable. we will be back! We may try lunch.
(5)Justin P.
Wow...I had a great experience on a Sunday afternoon. As mentioned, you could drive right by this place and not notice it because it's small and the sign isn't huge (even though it's bright yellow.) But the food, service, and price are great; it's one of the better diners in that area. I ordered the biscuits and gravy, and it did not disappoint. I also had a milkshake (pretty good) and hash browns (not bad.) I'll be back here real soon.
(5)Maria C.
Old school diner with charming staff. They are very attentive and are just as silly as I am. They have your average diner items and at a fair price. I had many coffee refills and didn't have to call our waitress, she came just at the right time. I had scrambled eggs and bacon with a side of pancakes. All were delicious and she recommended a special which also came in a toddler size freshly squeezed orange juice, which I didn't mind since I had my coffee.
(4)Kate H.
My friends and I wanted a place with classic breakfast food (as opposed to the frilly stuff of pricier restaurants). Alexander's gave just that. It's a typical diner with good food. I've had the biscuits and gravy with eggs and sausage (possibly the biscuits were a bit dry, but covered in gravy it didn't really matter) and another morning I got pancakes with strawberry topping. Both were delicious and just what I wanted. Staff is friendly and we especially liked the blonde short haired waitress.
(4)Marcee W.
Great neighborhood place for solid breakfast offerings any time of the day. I always opt for the Kayana (scrambled eggs, tomato and feta cheese). Good coffee and an oversized booth up front, which is more comfortable than other booths.
(3)T K.
Fluffiest eggs EVER. Had the denver omelette and it was delicious. Our waitress was soo nice and attentive. Would not have went in based on outside decor. So glad we checked out Yelp for near by places before show at Raven theater started.
(5)Karpick M.
This place has a large variety of subs and sandwiches. I ordered the reuben sandwich, the bread was a little dry but the sandwich tasted pretty good. next time I think Ill try another deli.
(3)Nicklaus R.
Great greasy spoon, not a fancy food place. Just a normal dinner, that rocks it. Food, service, atmosphere.
(5)Zach D.
I love this place! Its just a very cute little corner diner restaurant. Reminds me of back home getting hungry in the middle of the night and going with friends to the local diner and getting burgers and coffee and cokes. I wouldn't say the food is remarkable, but when you work the morning shift and this place is right around the corner from your house, how could you not stop in for a breakfast skillet? The service is friendly and attentive. The ladies always greet me and chat. They even remember me! (Since I've been coming in like 2 a week haha). If you need a quick breakfast or wanted to meet someone for a coffee stop in here! Tip your waitress :D
(5)Joe R.
I called in ONE to-go order. I inquired about a skillet breakfast that included biscuits and gravy. Only after I got there was I told they didn't have what I ordered. So, in lieu of them asking me, they put one together and charged me for each and every item-including the sausage, which I thought came with the gravy. My single biscuits and gravy order was almost $12.00. I used to go there and eat in mainly because if the short haired blond that has been there for over 10 years. I used to be a regular for at least ten years. She has always been nice and friendly. Whether I ate in or not, I always tipped her because of her service politeness. The larger brunette is not as nice and is only about nickle and diming customers. I won't go there again. There are too many diners in this area to be nickled and dimed. I should've followed my initial instinct and walked.
(1)Justin N.
Love this place, as old school diners go, it's a winner. Better than the diner up the street.
(4)Kristin G.
Does NOT close at 9pm. I called on a Wednesday before heading over and she informed me that they were already closed at 7pm.
(3)Neil C.
Alexander's is the real deal. a family run, old-fashioned. honest-to-god diner with everything that implies. Service is exactly what you'd expect it to be. Fast and wonderfully friendly. The menu is full of tried and true diner classics, all of which are prepared well. The coffee is good, hot and plentiful. No dirty looks on your fourth refill here! Fantastic place. Alexander's is pretty much THE authentic diner on the far north side.
(5)Lauren C.
Such a great experience! Great food, coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice! Awesome service as well
(5)Alex J.
First timer at this small diner and it was a great experience. I ordered the breakfast special. It came with 3 eggs (I ordered them scrambled), 2 bacon strips (or other meat), hash browns, toast (or pancakes), cup of coffee AND a small juice. The food was excellent. Alexander's blows away Deluxe Diner from down the block (food quality, taste, and value). I will certainly be back again.
(5)Judith M.
Like Zach D said, it's a nice down home kind of place. NOT Fine Dining, but Fine Food. And nice folks. Good sized greek salad with lots of Feta and olives got the fourth star. The Greek chicken special was great. The breakfasts are all day and they have Rye toast to go with their perfectly over medium eggs. One thing- you won't love their coffee if you are a Metropolis kind of snob- so bring your own.
(4)Chitown G.
Duper super fast and I love the homemade skillets. It was a great breakfast! May be our new weekend joint
(4)Peter O.
Always very good to excellent food, never yet a failure of any kind. In all, a highly recommended city diner. Cozy, clean, well lighted and smells good. Waitresses are friendly, warm and admirably efficient. You're family here, a visiting cousin. The Ka-ya-na is mouth wateringly creamy and delicious- the best I've ever had- and I always order this any time it's on any menu anywhere. Bacon is prepared fresh to order and still spitting grease, not cooked ahead of time and all stiff and dried out. Oatmeal is sided with real cream, raisins and nuts, cinnamon. Chicken ABC soup is particularly appealing. Patty melt is large and properly prepared. Crispy, buttery grilled cheese melts in your mouth as it should and seldom does. Salad greens are fresh and crisp. Notably aromatic, very good diner coffee. A limited amount of free parking is available in a lot in back and during certain hours in The Raven Theatre lot across the street when they're closed. The tiny washroom could use a bit of attention to its perceived cleanliness; their only known flaw. All my best, Peter O.
(4)Suzanne B.
Great prices, portions, quality. They also gave the kids rice krispie treats on our way out. Excellent.
(5)Amanda O.
We took too much time so we got kicked out. For real. I met a friend to catch up after a year of not seeing her and we planned to have coffee and breakfast. We drank coffee for about 30 minutes then ordered skillets. In the 30 minutes it took to order we had 2 people back to back ask us if we were ready to order. When we finally ate, I set aside half my skillet while eating pancakes and two people back to back asked if I wanted a box. Then when I was actually done they cleared my plates and about 30-40 minutes later, what appeared to be the owner or the manager, approached us saying they needed the booth and we had to move to the counter or to leave. Really??? I've worked in the restaurant industry before and the closest I've EVER come to telling a patron that they've overstayed their welcome is to ask them to cash out their checks so I could go home at the end of my shift. The best part about it is that the reason they needed the booth was for the one guy standing at the door. Why not tell him to sit at the counter?? And we still tipped the waitress $7.00 on a $25 tab. Even though the food was good I'd have to say I'll never come back.
(1)Chris M.
Great place for breakfast. Nice to know that if you are at Fritzy's Pub next door and Alexander's is open, you can order in.
(4)Mike P.
Friendly, down home Chicago. The biscuits are very good. Prices are a buck or so over what you can get for the same offering at other diners around the hood, but the quality for the extra cash is there. Good coffee, friendly staff. Waitstaff holding the cooks accountable to get the orders correct. All good things.
(4)June W.
Recommended to me by Long time Edgewater resident, and it didn't.t disappoint. Good food, service, just a little bit more expensive than anticipated. But I 'll be back.
(4)Restaurant G.
This is a great, family owned and run, diner. The staff are genuinely friendly and helpful and the food is great. The greek chicken is excellent, and the soups are homemade (also excellent.)
(4)Irem U.
They are very friendly, it is almost like having brunch at a friend's house. The food are also really good. Skillets are the best! We will go this weekend again!!
(4)dave a.
It may be fine for breakfast, but we went there on Saturday in the late afternoon and I ordered a Julienne salad - soggy brown lettuce, not much of it (barely covered the plate) one sliced in half hard-boiled egg, old nasty tomatoes, meager amount of meats/cheeses - for $9! I will stick with A&T Family Restaurant down the way a bit - much better.
(1)Marissa G.
Unfortunately, I wish i could say, go to Alexander's for lunch and dinner too! But...alas, I must say-- don't. I had the broiled perch and mac and cheese. Perch was overcooked and fishy, and the mac and cheese was overcooked and needed tons of salt to be edible. My partner had the gyro plate, which didn't have enough meat at all. All in all, after paying $20 for lunch, I left so unsatisfied! I really wanted to come here for all my future meals! If all my future meals are eggs and pancakes, then maybe-- but otherwise I guess Alexander's is just a breakfast place for me.
(2)Chris H.
A solid family-owned diner that features friendly service and good food. Why go to a soulless chain when you can eat at one of these Chicago originals?
(4)Jared S.
Nothing better than a small, family owned place. Add to that low prices, huge portions, and great service and you have a neighborhood favorite. If you haven't been in here yet, you need to check it out. However, don't be fooled during breakfast, Greek toast is really just Texas toast. It says it all over the bread bags. Probably not good for big groups. Four people would be able to max for them.
(4)Jenny B.
Fast, yummy, diner-y. Sunday mornings are busy--what good restaurant wouldn't be? It gets a little cramped, best suited for 2-4 people. it's nothing out of the ordinary fantastic, but if you just want to grab some yummy breakfast without dilly-dallying, Alexander's is the place!
(4)Steve O.
Great place and excellent service!
(5)Wayne G.
I recently moved out of the Edgewater/Roger's Park neighborhood and one of the things I miss most about the area is *definitely* Alexander's. It's small, reasonably priced, family owned, and the staff is beyond friendly. There's lots of variety to the menu, but I've never had anything but biscuits and gravy (I'm from the South. If I find B&G that I enjoy in Chicago, I cling to it like grim death) which are delicious! Friendly atmosphere, great food and value, and a nice comforting place to sit down for a relaxing meal.
(4)Cindy S.
Nothing better than the local corner diner for breakfast! The owner unfailingly greets each customer with a smile, and waitress-extraordinaire Angel bustles around with coffee refills and sassy quips, basically functioning as a benevolent "den mother" for the regulars who return on a daily basis. The place is nothing fancy, But give me Alexander's for its $3.95 egg-hash brown-toast-fruit plate and true atmosphere of community.
(4)S J.
Love this place mostly bc the staff is so awesome. I usually eat breakfast and the food is quick and tasty. Made the mistake of ordering a hot meal once and the mashed potatoes tasted like they came from a box. I will stick with breakfast from now on!
(4)Jay B.
This is a Chicago diner classic. They just don't make them like this anymore. Good homemade comfort food. Daily Specials. Good food. Affordable prices for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
(4)Andi V.
Alexander's is the perfect neighborhood diner. Good food, good service, with a really nice comfortable vibe. Often they will have great specials. It can be pretty busy during their peak hours, however so be aware of your timing.
(4)Melina D.
This place delivers. Hot food, fast, delicious, crappy diner coffee, friendly servers, a bucket of candy at the register. Every restaurant should be run like Alexander's.
(5)Lucy G.
Have you ever seen "My Big Fat Greek Wedding?" Walking into this diner, I felt like I was on the set. This Greek owned restaurant is precious. It's literally half a block from me, so I have been here a few times and enjoyed it- both for it's proximity, it's charm, and it's good food. First of all, you will never leave hungry. They give you so much food at an affordable price. They offer your typical American diner foods, but then they'll have a few menu items or specials that reflect the Greek patronage, the spinach pie, mousaka, or greek omelette for instance. So far my favorite is the Eggs Florentine, which includes two halves of an English muffin, topped with wilted spinach, two poached eggs, and drenched in the rich hollandaise sauce, a side of hash browns, more than you can eat, and a little bit of the fresh fruit of the day (it could be a couple slices of orange or half a banana.) This easily became 2 meals. Coffee is good, service is perky, and the place is never empty. It's small though, so don't bring a huge group of people. This neighborhood diner will see my hungry face again soon.
(3)Ashley S.
Alexanders is a great little diner. I've been there for breakfast quite a few times and for lunch just once. The prices are good, the quality is good, and the portions are huge! I've really enjoyed everything I've ordered from there and the service is great too. Whenever I have friends or family in town, this is my go-to place for brunch. Everyone always enjoys it!
(4)Kevin R.
Great place to get a huge omelette or some biscuits and gravy to soak up some of the booze from the night before. Instant hangover cure. Along with the friendly staff, the service is fast and reliable, and you get a lot of food for not much $$. Never really tried much outside of the breakfast menu, aside from some club sandwiches and melts that were good... highly recommend for breakfast if you're in the area.
(5)Heather S.
Great pancakes, enormous skillets and awesome coffee. Staffed by wonderful folks who will call you "sweetie" or "honey." Just wish it was open 24 hrs.
(4)Anonymous N.
This place is incredible! Where do I even start?The waitresses are attentive, prompt and friendly. The food here is delicious, I love the mom and pop feel of this place.
(5)Kirsten R.
My boyfriend and I have visited Alexander's on many occasions. The wait staff is always super nice and the food has never been anything but delicious. If you have never been here, do yourself a favor and give it a shot.
(5)Kyle J.
I love me a good diner and now I have one within walking distance, I love everything about this place. Oh yeah and the foods good too, no really it's quite good. biscuits and gravy!
(5)James B.
Great Greek Style Greasy Spoon.
(5)Luis B.
Get a ham, bacon and cheddar omelet. They use real eggs. Delicious! But bring your own maple syrup unless you like flavored corn syrup for the pancakes. Great food. Great value.
(4)Drew S.
Everyone loves being badgered every 10 seconds to order on Sunday morning, right? To the point where the lady comes back before you've even opened the menu again? I overheard several tables order while they were sitting down so I can see where this comes from but that doesn't make it any less irritating. The staff was up in our grill on the good side of things as well. Water and coffee stayed topped off consistently and thoroughly. Lexie's might have gone up to 4 stars if the hashed browns were the awesome crispy shredded Waffle House kind and not the sad pile of mush closely related to mashed potatoes kind. My corned beef hash was like Stacey's mom and had it going on.
(3)Mike G.
IN-credible. Love this place. Their food is great, their staff is great, couldn't be happier with this place. You'll feel the same way.
(5)Liz J.
I had a hankering for some pancakes. I'm too scared to try Deluxe Diner, what with all the bad reviews, plus it's kind of shady looking .... so it looked like Alexander's was the next closest place. I've found MY diner, I think it's safe to say. Wait staff was super nice and friendly, they made small-talk with the regulars, and were super nice to families with children who came in. My waitress kept my coffee refilled, which is really all I ask of a diner. The pancakes were wonderfully fluffy and tasty. Some diner pancakes sit in your belly like lead; these didn't. I ordered the pancakes with country ham .... my only quibble is that the piece of ham was a little small. But my order came with a bonus half-a-banana! I can't wait to go back to try their lunch and dinner menu. Breakfast runs breakfast prices: under 10 bucks for breakfast and coffee. The other stuff on their menu and their specials seemed to hover around the $9-$12 range.
(4)Pam C.
Good food, great service. I would not make a special trip to eat here, but it is great if you are close by. The owner is always on site and very friendly. Their portions are pretty big and they usually include a piece of fruit with your dinner. Breakfast is yummy and you can get fresh squeezed OJ.
(4)Mike L.
Yup, I am a fan. Alexander's has amazing food. The wait staff is friendly and helpful. I've only been their a few times, but they already know me well enough to bring me coffee. One of the highlights is the homemade soup. Every soup I have tried has been AMAZING. That is not to say everything else I have had great. I have enjoyed both great breakfast food and sandwiches. If you live in Edegwater, or near by and are up for a great lunch or breakfast Alexander's is the place to go.
(4)Rob J.
I've always had a good experience at Alexander's, and I'll take it over any of the high end breakfast/brunch places any day. Honestly, I've been to several of the boutique-ish brunch places and the food has mainly been good, but I've found more often than not that the service is very hit and miss. Don't get me wrong, I don't expect waistaff to fawn over me. Just treat me like a person is all I ask, but sometimes that's a bit too much to ask for at the "to die for" brunch places with their varying levels of exclusivity. That's never happened to me at Alexander's. Their food is always good, reasonably priced, but the staff are the reason I will keep going back. The waitresses and owner are always gracious and genuine, they'll greet you without giving you the impression that they are doing you a favor by deigning to take your order. No bs, no ceremony, no Trotter-like aspirations. I also recently went here for lunch with a friend in from downstate, which I hadn't done before. I had a really delicious Patty Melt with fries (again, really simple, just right, no huge frills) and would go back in a heartbeat. If you like no nonsense diner food and don't need a lot of ambience or hipster platitudes, this is a genuinely good and friendly place.
(5)Lydia B.
I can't believe this place is right by my house and I never tried it til this morning :) I had biscuits and gravy and it was delicious and cheap. I'll definitely be coming back when I'm in the mood for diner food.
(4)Jenna N.
Total hole-in-the-wall diner, but I can appreciate that. They have some really delicious biscuits and gravy...stay away from the meatloaf though. I like that they always give you a piece of fruit with your breakfast. The food...again, stay away from the meatloaf...is always very flavorful and they don't mind giving their dishes a tasty kick. The waitresses have always been really friendly and they have actual conversations with you, as opposed to the "i'm just talking to you because it means more cash for me" waiters that you'll find in other establishments. The food is also priced really well, so I don't mind giving a little extra to the staff because they really deserve it. Good food, easy parking.
(3)Brandon Y.
I was super hungry today and checked yelp to find whatever was closest to me. Alexander's showed up with decent reviews and was like a 2 minute walk away so I decided to check it out. The restaurant was fairly clean and the staff was pretty nice. The menu had a much larger selection than I had anticipated. There are a lot of burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and the like, and some other entrees. Breakfast is served all day, too. I decided on the Chicken Bacon Cheddar sandwich and my girlfriend got a Roast Beef Croissant sandwich. The flavor of the chicken sandwich was good but the chicken itself was super rubbery and I couldn't bring myself to finish it. However, I'm a sucker for crinkle fries so that sort of made up for it. My girlfriend's croissant wasn't bad, though. I may return here to try breakfast sometime but I will definitely never have another chicken dish... If I don't find something good there the next time I go then I probably won't be returning. To be honest White Castle is slightly closer, cheaper, and I liked it a little better.
(2)Christopher L.
I love their breakfast skillets and small cozy diner atmosphere. Staff is very friendly too. Definitely one of my favorite breakfast places on the Northside. Try the Steak skillet!
(4)Scott H.
I can order pancakes, since they always have sugar-free syrup. Affordable prices for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Nice service with a friendly staff. This place 6 blocks from my house.
(5)sheena r.
biscuits and gravy, some of the best i've had in chicago! it's really hard to find a place that serves up decent gravy. a lot of the times its too chalky, or not runny enough, or too runny. alexander's does gravy right! the country skillet is awesome because it's basically a skillet with biscuits and gravy. and well, i already mentioned how awesome their gravy is. the service is good, your coffee gets topped off often, and the prices are very reasonable.
(5)steve s.
Great skillets and super friendly service. Clean and Quick. Perfect when you need a quick breakfast without having to worry if your hair looks ok.
(4)John B.
I've been in mourning for Augie's, my neighborhood diner, since they closed last month, and searching for a replacement. Pauline's is a little too unpredictable, the Ravenswood is a little too far away, and the Golden Nugget just doesn't cut it. Based on other Yelp reviews, I decided to check out Alexander's. You know the Seinfeld episode where Elaine starts hanging out with Kevin, Gene, and Feldman? That's what it was like walking into Alexander's. Same old Greek guy, but different model, taller and a bit more robust. Two older waitresses -- one his wife and one his sister? Or his daughter? Hard to tell. Much brighter than Augie's, but a similar style if a different vintage -- more 70s/80s than 50s/60s. [Actually, Alexander's looks likes a Baker's Square that has been repurposed into a Greek diner -- check out the sunken ceiling with the typical burgundy paint job.] Nicer counter, but in the wrong place. the whole thing kind of threw me for a loop. Good food and great prices, which you expect from a place like this. Sandwiches, a handful of entrees, and breakfast all day. Signature skillets, including a Ladies Skillet, for you girls who are watching your figures, for 7 bucks. Lovely laminated menus. Fast and friendly service. I had the Reuben sandwich -- because I didn't see the Monte Cristo, which was on another page -- and it was okay. This is not the kind of place you go for a Reuben, and theirs was more like a corned beef and Swiss cheese sandwich. Where's the Russian dressing? But the meat was good and the toast was crisp and the deluxe sandwich comes with fries AND a cup of soup, so how can you lose? If Alexander's was closer to my house, I could see it becoming a go-to spot. But it's a mile and a half away, and for someone without a car, that's too far for a casual drop-in. But I'm sure I'll be back. And after a few more visits, I may knock it up a star. For now, it's on the high side of average. EDIT: I knocked it up a star. But be wary of the vegetables. I was served corn on the cob that had been sitting in hot water since hot water was invented.
(4)Night S.
I grew up in Edgewater / Roger's Park and have been going to Alexander's for years... I remember graduating elementary school and one of my aunts taking me to Alexander's to celebrate over an ice cream sundae. This place is owned, if I recall correctly by a Greek couple, both of which are very friendly. This place serves some surprisingly good food, although I have to say the quality has gone downhill a little bit over the years, that is common with most restaurants and is to be expected. This is basically your usual , north-side, corner diner that serves your typical breakfast dishes (french toast, pancakes, etc) as well as sandwiches and entrees. One of my favorite dishes there is the Monte Cristo sandwich with the powdered sugar on top. The waffles are good here as well. I have never really eaten there, always opting for Sunday breakfast instead. The coffee here is not very good, I know that's a big pet peeve of mine, when coffee is mild or watery. I really like my coffee to be bitter and flavorful. The prices are what you'd expect of a place like this. $6.99 for pancakes with eggs and that sort of deal, which I don't consider to be expensive this day and age. Now one of the best things about this place is the staff, they are freakin, awesome. They are very friendly, older ladies that have been working there since I was a kid and pretty much all of them treat you very well. They DO NOT accept debit or credit cards here, so bring cash! Parking usually isn't an issue.
(3)Albert E.
I've been going to this place for breakfast for a few years now, and no matter how much time passes between my visits, the waitstaff always seems to remember me. The food is nothing special, but they do have some home made specialties like some of their soups and the hollandaise sauce that comes on the eggs benedict, etc. The place is always clean and the waitstaff has always been very friendly. (Expect a few "hons" and "sweeties" mixed into the conversation.) This is a neighborhood place. I've seen all segments of the neighborhood represented in the customers: young families, seniors, gay couples, high school kids, ancient regulars and multiple nationalities from the 'hood. You go to Alexanders because you know what it is, a no frills neighborhood diner with basic food that is served with a smile and maybe even a little friendly attitude you're used to getting in a small town diner. Breakfast at a stop like this is my ideal, serving up the basics quickly and a cup of coffee that barely has a chance to get half drunk before getting topped off with a warm-up, even when the restaurant is packed.
(4)Mimi C.
Never having been a big omelette aficionado, I'm always happy to see eggs + the traditional omelette fillings prepared differently. Alexander's has a large selection of skillets, with hash browns topped with eggs and various ingredients - perfect! Most of the skillets incorporate meat, but they'll leave it out if requested (I did). Cheese is melted on top, but they use slices of cheese and it didn't get fully melted. It'd be a lot better to have shredded cheese for this purpose, and I brought it up but was told that 'we've always done it this way.' Toast or pancakes come with the skillet (WAY too much food for me). A yummy, filling breakfast but I sure would prefer shedded, melted cheese...
(3)Donovan H.
This place is a great bargin! The portions and quality of food is well worth the price. They have great daily specials and a good variety on their menu. I love a good burger and fries and here its cheap and tasty. The service reminds me of my experiences with small town wait staff. They will strike up a conversation and flirt as much as you allow. I think the personal service is what keeps the regulars coming back.
(4)Steve J.
Mmm. Best roast beef sandwich on a croissant! I want to try some other stuff here, but I can't resist going with what I know I love!
(5)Joey Y.
For a neighborhood diner, it's just perfect. Great breakfast, fun staff. Not too frilly, just a down-to-earth place.
(4)Duncan S.
Fairly good Greek diner with an extensive menu, plenty of affordable options and usually has a crowd in the mornings. Basic seating at the counter, booths on the side and tables in the middle and pretty standard diner look and feel, albeit a little dated. Went with the flank steak that was a little chewy and struggled with the 'steak' knife to cut it, house potatoes and eggs pretty good and a decent serving size. The pancakes are always good, flowing average coffee and good service.
(3)Michael O.
Love this place. Food is very good and reasonably priced. Family style diner. Limited seating, pretty packed for weekend brunch. I was led to try this place because they have a 15% off coupon in my parish bulletin. The biscuits and gravy were very tasty. The staff was friendly and seemed glad we were there. I like that, a positive atmosphere even when they are busy. I do wish the coffee was a little stronger brew, but hey you can have as many refills as you need to get your fix. You should give this place a try.
(4)Jeff D.
Good breakfast place so that's what the 4 stars is for. I haven't had another other meal here other than b-fast. Quick service with a smile and fluffy pancakes as well! I also love the fact they use whipped butter at their tables which is called Danish Maid. It goes really well with Pancakes! Very good!
(4)Christine S.
I absolutely LOVE Alexander's. The wait staff there are excellent. Super friendly and attentive without being in your face. The food is really good (sometimes they have homemade Greek specialties like Greek pie and Greek chicken, etc.) and really inexpensive. I love that it is a family-owned place (they're Greek, hence the Greek food specialties) and the family has a consistent presence in the restaurant. It's clean and homey and wonderful. If you're in Edgewater, it's definitely the best diner around.
(5)Nora T.
I love their food! Their staff is super wonderful! My daughters love going there =)
(5)Amy M.
I love Alexander's for breakfast. It's good, simple diner food that has never disappointed me. Wait staff is attentive, but not overly so. The Greek Scrambled Eggs are really yummy. Can't beat the price, either. Thumbs up for Alexander's.
(4)Jackie T.
The Hispanic waitress who served me at Alexanders Restaurant recently, was more interested in her cellphone conversation than refilling my coffee. And it wasn't a busy morning; I was the only customer present. She was on her cellphone THE ENTIRE TIME I was in the restaurant. As a result, I left her no tip and, on the check, wrote the reason why, along with a message intended for the restaurant's manager. UPDATE: A SECOND (AND LAST) CHANCE I thought I would give Alexander's another chance. For about 20 minutes, I was ignored until I went up to the counter with my cup for some coffee. Still none of the 3 or 4 servers brought me a menu or water. Needless to say, I was getting very perturbed. Finally, a menu came. When it came time to pay the check, once again, I left no tip and scribbled on the check the reason why. Will not be returning to Alexander's any time soon!
(1)Ted F.
If you're like me, trying to figure out where to take one of your parents to eat when they're in town can be a little perplexing. Perhaps you've been blessed with gastronomically adventurous parents, or, if you're like me, your mom still thinks Italian food is an exotic treat. Anyway, what I'm saying is that having a place like Alexander's around takes the anxiety out of your parochial parent's breakfast visits. It's good, straightforward diner food, and they've always been warm and friendly whenever I've gone there.
(4)Arch S.
Very solid neighborhood diner. A little small, no table for groups over four. But an added plus is Alex's next door neighbor, expecially if you want a beer with your breakfast. Go next door to Champions and order your food through the secret window that connects the two places.
(4)Katrina H.
hmm when in doubt.. DONT!! Yes they have cheap eats.. but the food is midiocre for even cheap food... If you see that a place like this is hardly ever packed with cars and customers.. Take that as your Tale Tale Sign!!
(3)Jocelyn S.
Great for a greasy spoon. The wait staff are all very nice and great chatters. Fast service with the food as well. We came on a Sunday morning around 9:30 am. The skillets were really good. And I couldn't finish - because the portion size was very generous. And the coffee keeps coming. So drink up!
(3)Anjali B.
My boyfriend and I moved into an apartment a few blocks away in August, and to celebrate our first day in our new place, we had breakfast at Alexander's. The atmosphere was small and cozy, a typical cute diner. Our waitress was fun and attentive with a good-natured but funny/sarcastic attitude, which my boy and I can appreciate. The fresh squeezed orange juice was amazingly good, and the eggs Benedict were to die for. The chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, and sausage were also perfect. The only downside is that it's not open 24 hours for my ridiculous food cravings at 3:00 am.
(4)Lee S.
As a neighbor, the great staff at Alexander's have to deal with me at my worst, just having rolled out of bed and in dire need of coffee and some nourishment. Yet, they always greet you with a smile, or after I've received my food, a sarcastic comment if I ask for more coffee (but it comes immediately!). There are always a wide array of specials - something to fit anyone's taste. The staples for breakfast are what we go for, and they never fail to please. It is everything a diner is supposed to be.
(4)Amanda K.
The food is okay, the regulars are fun to see. The service is so annoying though, today we had the worst waitress! It wasn't a lack of service, too much service. I think she wanted to join us for lunch actually.
(2)Antonio S.
This is a great neighborhood diner. The food is better than average, and the price is pretty cheap for Chicago. The service is good, if not, a little too much. If you are looking for a cozy diner to keep you warm in the crappy Chicago winter, then Alexander's is a good choice.
(4)Jeff C.
Go there for breakfast. Eat anything. Good. Fresh. Classic.
(4)Erica M.
This is such a great little local spot......they have a pretty big menu, all the food is great and the waitstaff is super friendly. The prices and specials are great- this is one of my favorite breaksfast spots!
(4)John R.
Alexander's is very much a neighborhood diner. Lots of fat single men whom the waitresses greet on a first-name basis and who have been having the same lunch together every day since 1972. Comb-overs and big and tall khakis abound. If you really want to gross yourself out, count the flies. Here is how my experience went. Before I could sit down at the counter my waitress waddled up and asked if I was here for breakfast (this at 4pm-ish) and if so did I have a look at the special. She nodded in the general direction of the window. No, I said I hadn't seen it. "Well you get three eggs, choice of meat, toast, coffee and a slice of pie," she said. "That sounds like too much food for me," I said. She scowled and sighed at this obviously wrong answer. "But I bet it's a great deal," I added. At this she smiled and confirmed that it was a indeed a great deal. I ordered a bowl of oatmeal and coffee, an order which did not seem to meet with her disapproval. As I ate she cleaned out the jello bin in the fridge cabinet behind the counter, about 6 inches from my plate. "They made this jello too watery. Should I throw it away?" she asked as she poked at the contents of the vat with a plastic fork. This question seemed directed at no person in particular, and I wondered if I ought to respond. Silence was the right choice, because a voice coming from the kitchen chimed in "don't ask me." She piled the jello into little dishes and put them back in the fridge cabinet. God knows what became of the jello. I'll bet it's still there. About halfway through my oatmeal, whose temperature prevented me from eating quickly enough, I met with a middle aged face even closer to me than the jello. It was another waitress. She was reaching down for something under the counter. "Hi, oatmeal? Healthy and delicious," said the face. "Yes, I guess." I poked at the oatmeal a little. "I love oatmeal. Swear by the stuff. Great for the complexion. I always save just a bit for my skin," said the face. She had a wart on her nose with a curly hair sprouting from it. "Is that so?" "Yes. Smear it on. Helps the pores." She demonstrated by rubbing her face with her free hand. "Keeps you smooth." "Oh. That's good to know." She finished rummaging around and left. The other waitress returned. She had a mustache and stud earrings and her hair, coarse and pulled back, with stray strands hanging from her bangs, was dyed a dull shade of red, almost the color of weak coffee. "It sure is good for you. You know vino's? The soap. They've been using oatmeal for centuries," the other waitress said. "Yes that's right," responded the first waitress, "Swear by the stuff. Keeps you young, you know?" There was then an extended discussion of the merits of oatmeal as a moisturizer. I pretended to be occupied with organizing my wallet. I left a five dollar tip (didn't have singles) and left.
(3)Bella D.
3+ This place is close and perfect for some quick breakfast. Love the old school diner feel. Over easy eggs, sausage, hashbrowns and rye bread. Cup of milk or OJ = ) Nice easy lazy sunday brunch.
(3)Daryl N.
Almost everything about this place is outstanding for breakfast. OJ is out-of-this-world. Coffee excellent. Biscuits and gravy some of the best I have had in the city. Much better than the diner at Devon and Clark. Service wonderful. Pancakes perfect. Bacon great. Only thing wrong: no fresh jalapenos for the La Bomba skillet. Otherwise a great breakfast place.
(5)Kayleigh M.
This is a cute little diner on the corner that caught the eye while walking in search of a Ruby Tuesdays. Greeted right upon arrival by friendly staff. The prices are pretty cheap for the amount of food. Soup came w/ my gyro meal and a whole basket of bread and crackers were brought out as well! I was in heaven!!! The food was good and I would definitely go back and try the breakfast!
(4)Zena V.
Alexander's is a great neighborhood dive. The food is good and the staff is friendly. I have seen all different kinds of people here and they are all treated like good friends.
(4)John L.
This is the best neighborhood restaurant for a breakfast that is inexpensive and fills you up. The morning waitress, Linda, is a gem and is a professional. I am always happy to be a patron of Alexanders.
(5)steve c.
Can't believe this place hasn't been reviewed more. The breakfast special ( Eggs, bacon, oj, coffee, hash browns, etc.) is the best! Nice little old school place. it gets crowded on sunday mornings besides that its filled with regulars.
(4)a w.
This is a great little restraunt that has been around for ages. It's family owned and family run and the service is great. You can get a really great meal here for a very reasonable price. The restraunt is well-kept and the service is great. The restraunt never gets tooo crowded, but they do have limited seatings, so it's not really a place for a big group of people to have a meal.
(3)Joe T.
Alexander's has good food and even better service. I have met the owner, an upstanding man running a great family business, and several waitresses who always make one feel at home. The food comes in large portions for a good value. It isn't the best cuisine you've ever tasted, but it isn't highway diner food either. This restaurant gets four stars on the service alone! It's a good place to have lunch with friends or to have a bite to eat in the morning.
(4)A T.
I need to amend my review. While the service can suck it can also be very good. I think it depends on the waitress. It is family owned, which I consider important. The food is really good when is comes out hot. I am going to give it another chance. If you live in the neighborhood it is not a bad deal.
(3)Hm C.
The folks here are really sweet and nice. Everyone from the waitstaff to the customers -- all were very accommodating. We have a kid+car seat, and I believe the couple in the booth actually sped up the last bits of their meal to let us sit down. And I swear the owner is the same guy from Salonica's in Hyde Park.
(4)