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Name: Frances’ Deli
Address: 2552 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60614
Telephone: (773) 248-4580
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.56

Frances’ Deli

2552 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60614

(773) 248-4580
Store is closed

Frances’ Deli Menu

Deli Sandwiches

Hot Roast Beef

Hot Brisket Of Beef

Real Roast Turkey Breast

Hot Corned Beef

Hot Pastrami
Sandwiches - Triple Deckers

The Douglas Boulevard

The "zookie The Bookie"

The Davey Miller

The Clark & Arlington

The Collins Avenue
Dinners

Real Roast Turkey

Baked Meatloaf

Roast Beef

Brisket Of Beef
Desserts - Soda Fountain

Hot Fudge Sundae

Banana Hot Fudge

Dusty Miller

Banana Split Sundae

Turtle Brownie Sundae

Healthy Meal suggestions for Frances’ Deli

Deli Sandwiches

Hot Roast Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot Brisket Of Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Real Roast Turkey Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot Corned Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hot Pastrami [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sandwiches - Triple Deckers

The Douglas Boulevard [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The "zookie The Bookie" [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Davey Miller [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Clark & Arlington [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

The Collins Avenue [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dinners

Real Roast Turkey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked Meatloaf [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roast Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Brisket Of Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts - Soda Fountain

Hot Fudge Sundae [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banana Hot Fudge [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dusty Miller [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Banana Split Sundae [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Turtle Brownie Sundae [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Rick B.

Mexican omelet was the bomb ah chihuaha.
(4)
Michael L.

Great location, decent place overall.
(3)
Ellen M.

Hard one to rate, and not really a deli. The food is pretty good, but it's priced pretty high. The servers are hit-or-miss, but usually fine. My biggest complaint is the number of tables crammed in - too hard to walk around.
(3)
Wade M.

I can't say much that hasn't already been covered, but I just want to chime in and say what a GREAT breakfast/brunch spot Frances' is. Yeah, there's gonna be a little bit of a wait if you come on the weekend, but it's not too bad, and you can use the time for some primo peoplewatching. The environment just really feels like a fun city brunch place; it feels like the place to be. You won't mind waiting. I also want to emphasize how good the milkshakes are. Yeah, five dollars for a shake is a little steep, but for god's sake, you owe it to yourself to get one of these things. They even give you some extra shake in a little cup because they make more than the glass can hold.
(4)
Erin S.

Food is decent. The big pluses are outdoor seating with your pooch AND...the best milkshakes I have ever had. Get the chocolate peanut butter extra thick! And take a lactaid!
(4)
Ande L.

I've been here a few times and I just can't seem to stray away from their enormous reuben. It's large enough that I can take the other half home for later. Frances' has such a cute diner atmosphere, I just wish the menu reflected diner prices. But the food and service is great and I mean to try this place for breakfast soon.
(3)
mike h.

They'd get a 5 but I think they're a few dollars high on their menu. I always leave the restaurant very satisfied with whatever I've ordered. If you're in the mood for a deli sandwich they are the best around.
(4)
Stephanie D.

I have come here for numerous meals, during all times of day and have always left feeling full and satisfied. However, minus one star for this place being super expensive! Yikes! Went last week for dinner actually, and had the NICEST waiter ever. He was just a great server: resourceful, knowledgeable about the menu, and very friendly. I recommend the open faced turkey dinner, the french toast, and the Reuben. Delish.
(4)
Hannah B.

I went to Frances' often when I lived in Lincoln Park. The breakfast menu is great and my mom raves that this is one of the few restaurants that can prepare eggs sunny side up without slapping runny-gooey egg whites on your plate. I am a big fan of the omelets and I always know I can come here to start the day with a great meal.
(4)
A.S. V.

I wouldn't think of this as a deli. It's more like a diner/pancake house. But there are some deli items on the menu, so what the hey.
(3)
Jennifer C.

Love the chicken sandwich and their huge choclate chip cookies in the glass jar!
(4)
Brian S.

This place has the best deli sandwiches outside NYC. Try "The King" - a mix of hot pastrami and corned beef. Delicious! My fiancee favors their open-faced turkey sandwich.
(4)
Jen S.

Cute little restaurant. Saw Vince Vaughn in there, but way overpriced!
(3)
Adrienne M.

I love the breakfast skillet with habenaro cheese. It's usually crowded on weekend but the service is friendly and quick. Also the bloody marys are amazing
(3)
Laura F.

best triple deck sandwich for $9.95. i could only eat half of it. fries were perfect too. this was my 2nd time there and the first time i had a burger that was also pretty awesome. didn't see my waitress for awhile but i think she was busy in the back either cooking or taking a break. the host guy had to refill my diet coke for me. other than that, recommended highly. they have an outdoor eating area which is lovely however, the sidewalks of lincoln park are always crowded so it can get crammed.
(4)
Kerrye D.

I have eaten lunch here a few times and found the food to be fairly average. The grilled sandwiches are good, but there is so much butter and grease if you don't eat them quickly (and I generally don't), the bread turns into a soggy mess. The food is also fairly expensive. They do have good milkshakes though -- thick and full of chocolate flavor. All in all though, this isn't a place I would come regularly.
(2)
Chloe M.

Not my favorite deli, but a good spot for brunch every so often. Their omelettes are pretty good and while there is usually a wait it isn't too long. It's not your typical jewish deli so don't expect that when you go!
(3)
Jeff K.

I've been here a ton of times and have never had a bad experience (food or staff). The food always looks and tastes great. The only thing preventing me from giving it five stars is the food's lack of personality. There doesn't seem to be an effort to make anything stand out. You get fresh ingredients and nice preparation, but no "special something" to make you crave it. It's not bland by any means, but it's comparable to something John or Jane Doe might make at home. (Which is why I like the place. I don't have John's or Jane's skills.)
(4)
Kara M.

i always take people here for brunch when they are visiting. the food is good but the wait can get a little out of control if you go at peak times. i like the omelet with spicy cheese, bacon and jalapenos. it was def good! the pancakes are melt in your mouth good and their lunch sandwiches aren't half bad either. you have to order a shake, those are great too. it's a solid LP establishment that i highly recommend!
(4)
Lisa T.

Love this place! Omlettes are incredible, one of the best in the city! Not your traditional deli and the service is a bit so. Though the food is great. It's busy so get there early or you'll be waiting, but it's worth it!
(4)
Angela B.

I've only been here for breakfast but really liked the atmosphere (relaxed but lively, if that makes sense) and the service was great. The breakfast menu was a little limited - mostly eggs - but the eggs were really good, not too rubbery or runny. The chicken sausage here is excellent, but the bacon was disappointing - ask for it really crispy or it comes out undercooked. I am definitely going back to try them out for lunch!
(4)
Ang R.

I can't give this place four stars because the breakfast potatoes just aren't up to snuff. But the rest of our meal was very good. Great omelette, fantastic pancakes, and super-crispy bacon; I'd certainly eat here again, but I plan to try other breakfast places first.
(3)
John M.

I vote no on this place. Couldn't stand listening to the owner yell at the employees. Brutal. This happened two of the three times we went there. Food was not that great either. NO.
(1)
Jeremy T.

Had a chocolate oreo milkshake and a triple decker club sandwich with roast beef, turkey, 1000 island, cole slaw, and swiss cheese on it on whole wheat. All in all, it was excellent. I've been here once before and had a huge, greasy burger that was also really good. There was no wait to get in even though it was kinda crowded. It was right around lunch time, and I just wanna say again how perfect the milkshake was. It says on the menu "Best milkshakes in town" or something...they ain't kidding. I give it 4 stars since our waitress took a little while refilling our soda and water.
(4)
Patricia B.

I am being generous giving two stars, but the server was personable and efficient, and the coffee was okay. Yet I am forever surprised that breakfast can be so mediocre and overpriced at so many Lincoln Park places. Frances' is a prime example. On a recent weekday morning, I just wanted decent eggs and decent toast with my coffee. One egg was a pricey $5.95 and two are $7.95, with the obligatory side of hash browns which I really didn't want anyway, and toast. Coffee was $2.50, and it was fine but certainly nothing special about it. I was hoping for good flavorful eggs; at those prices, would free-range organic or at least ones that have some taste be too much to ask? Yup. Smallish egg, no flavor, way too many hash browns that were obviously prepared earlier and had been sitting. They were clumped together and altogether forgettable. The toast came in my least favorite way: with not very soft butter in little tubs that you had to spread yourself, or at least try to. The toast had a somewhat odd taste and I finished nothing on the plate. Perhaps their other food is better but I won't waste my money trying Frances' again. Good ingredients really do make a good meal. I will stay with the Original Pancake House at Armitage and Clark with somewhat lower prices and much higher quality.
(2)
Jim L.

This is one of Chicago's many awesome breakfast joints. Great food, great decor.
(5)
Mindy S.

I've only been here for brunch, but I've seemed to have a good meal every time. I love that they have muenster cheese for their omelettes! There are better breakfast places in the city, but for a convenient diner type meal, this place is worth a try.
(3)
Audra S.

The food here looks as good as it tastes! I came in for a light lunch and my chef salad was all I expected and more. A HUGE portion, yes, but well worth the price. Adjacent tables ordered burgers and omlettes; everything looked fantastic, and from the sound of things, they were! End your meal with a banana split -- the homemade ice cream and toppings are delicious!
(5)
ali a.

I love the food here! The sandwiches are grilled and they are so good. The portions are huge though and alot of times I definitely go into a little bit of a food coma. The salads are average, but the breakfast and the sandwiches are worth trying.
(4)
Tiff B.

I used to go to this joint all the time since I lived pretty much across the street from it. I think I just went out of habit or something. And then one day it occurred to me one day when I was there with my boyfriend that the place kinda sucked. It's always packed there with people and their ill behaved children. The food is pretty good, but it's really overpriced in my opinion. If you go there for brunch, a tab of over $30 is pretty standard for 2 people. Because heaven forbid someone want one scrambled egg along with their massive pancake as big as your head. Frances' charges over $3 for one egg. You can buy a DOZEN of organic, cage free eggs for $3.50. So yeah, that's clearly a ripoff. And the service is kinda crappy too. The servers do the bare minimum. I think they just take for granted that the place will always be crowded and they don't need to have reasonable prices or good service. And hell, they're probably right. But I'm still only giving them 3 stars. And that's because they do have good food.
(3)
Marissa D.

I don't know...I really like this place. The wait is never too long. Their egg sandwiches are incredible. Same with their milkshakes, pancakes, grilled cheese, etc. Never had bad service. Never had bad food. Can be a tiny bit overpriced for what it is, but it's my go-to place when I need some good greasy food.
(4)
Hannah L.

Excellent for casual breakfast and diner food. I ordered a skillet with red potatotes, mushrooms, and habanero cheese. Was probably the best skillet I've had in Chicago and better than skillets at Original Pancake House. The omelets also are large and tasty. Decent prices and just a great classic diner that's been around since the 1930s in the neighborhood.
(5)
Oscar the Death Cat B.

Prices at Frances' are a bit on the high side as diner food goes, but the servings are typically big enough to fill you up without the need to add an appetizer or dessert. I usually stop there for late lunch or early dinner, the restaurant is seldom busy at those times & service is pretty good. Frances' is one of my favored locations for a quick bite to eat before a movie at the Landmark Century, the tables by the windows are great for people-watching along Clark St.
(4)
Mary C.

This is a "deli" in the sense of the NY Jewish diner deli restaurants. It's not literally a deli serving cold cuts by the pound. The sandwiches may be pricey to some, but the portions are big and the side dishes are very good. Wholesome food, bad location because parking is tricky.
(4)
Becca K.

I used to really enjoy this place but my experiences there get worse and worse. One manager in particular is extremely rude and I've seen and heard him yelling at wait staff in front of a full restaurant. As a former server I was offended. I used to love the service there too but as of late there are a lot of new servers most of which don't seem to know what they are doing. For a place that used to be in my top five I'm seriously disappointed in where it's headed.
(2)
Sarah B.

A Chicago classic, this deli/diner is ideal for brunch. Of course, all the standards are on the menu, but you'll also find items like matzo ball soup and reuben omelettes. Good prices, good food.
(4)
Chris S.

The food is good, but not as good as the prices might indicate. I paid over $10 for a sandwich that was good, but is bigger, better, and costs less at Perry's. I do like the insode of the place and the peple there are always friendly, so I can't, and don't want to knock anything about it other than the high prices.
(3)
Sydney K.

This place offers huge portions of your usual diner fare at cheap prices. The matzo ball soup is delicious, and they have great breakfast items, especially their omelets. They also have a variety of desserts to choose from.
(3)
Simon J.

Here's the thing. Apparently the owners of this place think that just because their restaurant is on Clark St. they can charge twice as much as every other average diner in the city. Actually sorry.. this place is worse than average. I just got home from my second visit there and I think I had almost an entire onion in my pastrami sandwich. Seriously, you will not find many people who like onions more than me, but that was excessive. If I have to take apart my sandwich to take out ingredients, you have not done your job. The thing I don't get is that this place is still always crowded. Even if you don't care about their terrible prices, why wouldn't you just go over to Clarke's on Lincoln or Pine Grove on Diversey, both of which will give you better prices, service, and food. And if you are not attached to the diner atmosphere, there are a bunch of other awesome eateries literally within sight of this place. (Angela's, Sultan's Market, Lito's) Honestly, the only reason I decided to give this place a second chance in the first place is because my girlfriend was on her way to work and this place happened to be on the way (also, I wanted to have some shitty diner coffee). Please give your business to a place that's worthwhile. Don't go to Frances' Deli
(2)
K.C. B.

Yummmmmm....The best grilled cheese ever. The waitresses are always kind of snooty, but the awesome food makes up for the service. I highly recommend to people who are fans of diners!
(4)
frankie r.

they are a little pricey, but i do enjoy the shakes(really really good cappuccino shake), but a few times they didn't have the stuff to make it =( , they also have a good brownie sundae. the burgers and sandwiches are good as well. the waitressing staff is friendly. all in all not a bad place to go to when around the area.
(4)
Julia B.

Great deli right up the street from me. The menu is large and so are the portions. You will be filled up on anything you get. Don't get too much to go on the side of your meal because you probably won't end up eating all of it. The prices are good for what you get and the service is fast and friendly. On Sunday's there is usually a wait to get in here.
(4)
P A.

This deli has a great history behind it. My husband tells me the storys back when it first opened. This is back in the good ole days folks, when there was a line out the door, the old women would start cooking the turkeys at 4am, it was cafeteria style, and for a few bucks the food was HOT, FRESH, tasty, home-cooked, HUGE portions. Hot turkey plates, food PILED on your plate. Meatloaf plates, Turkey plates, etc. Back in the early 70's. Frances' has been around a very long time, I only go for the hot turkey dinner plates, or of course a hot open faced turkey sandwich. I love every bite, just not the old days anymore. If it were my deli, I would make it a little more cozy, a fireplace would do wonders here., Try to make it to Frances' , it really is a good old place.
(4)
Ry O.

Waited 15 minutes for a server. When we saw her go for a group of people that had just gotten there, we split. Their loss. Prices looked a little expensive, even for the neighborhood. something like $7.50 for eggs and sausage. Plenty of other options nearby. And if any other tourist wants to mention that it's a Lincoln Park "classic" .... then so is stuffing cash into my mail slot. It's classic Lincoln Park and you'll really feel like part of the culture after you do it.
(1)
K R.

You get what you pay for, and in this case, it's quality. Don't expect to get in and out for a cool 5 spot, but if you really want to savor your meal instead of just feeding your face, this is the place for you. Fantastic Matzo Ball Soup, flavorful & moist Corned Beef, and praiseworthy Burgers. It's worth the wait if they're busy and the staff is super nice. If you're expecting diner food... um... go to a diner. This is something much more special. In closing, I will leave you with this: Maker's Mark spiked milkshake with caramel. You're welcome.
(5)
Matt M.

A haiku: Gets an extra star For never pretending to Be from New York
(4)
Laura S.

You know, I'm torn with this one. Some parts of my experience were delightful, others decidedly less so. I suppose that's the epitome of a 3-star review, so here we go: Service was surprisingly slow considering that it was 3 pm on Thursday and only four tables were occupied. Our server would disappear for long stretches at inappropriate times, like when we were clearly ready to order. When she did come over, however, she was very sweet and made the most superb milkshake recommendation. I can confidently say that Frances' Vanilla Oreo is fighting with Edzo's Nutella for All-Time #1 Milkshake in my eyes. As for the rest of the food, it was just fine, though nothing spectacular. I ordered a bacon mushroom burger, which came out closer to well done than the requested medium. The fries were standard, again nothing that stood out. Yummy, but not exactly worth $10. My roommate was far more satisfied with her veggie sandwich, which she made to order because there are *zero* vegetarian options on the lunch menu. I suppose it's nice that they accommodated her, but you'd think that just one veggie option would already be in place. I have to agree with so many other reviewers who question the pricing here, as the quality simply doesn't match. But I will say, when I'm craving an afternoon milkshake, I'm making a bee-line for Frances'.
(3)
Courtney Y.

Good food, unfortunately, the service gets worse and worse every time I go. From the hostess, to the waiters, to the management, I rarely have a good experience here anymore.
(2)
Johnny R.

Yesterday was like going back in time... My wife and I ate at Frances' Deli, just like we did when we were dating and lived on Wrightwood. But then reality roared back in with the thock-thock of trixies walking by and cooing while looking at my boys. Yup, six years later, I've I'm eating again at one of our old fave eateries but this time with the wife and my two kids. Back to the dream state... It was like we had never left. The ceiling fan blades lazily chased one another, and the floor still is composed of those small old tiles that many patrons will probably remember when they read this over-indulgent review. What to eat... I ordered a Clark and Arlington, a triple decker on rye featuring brisket and pastrami topped with swiss cheese and 1000 island dressing. I had to pick the potato pancake side, had not had one in ages. A few minutes later, a sandwich of epic proportions arrived accompanied by the blaring of taxi horns. It was delicious. I could only finish half, my diet and my conscience joined hands and told me sternly to stop. I did find myself sleep-eating later at 9pm and the other half was finally united with its twin. I also sampled my youngest's mac'n cheese and it was surprisingly good, was a wee bit eggy which told me it was homemade. My other kid had the burger, and he ate it in about ten minutes so we'll take that as a sign that it was good. So for those LP folks who have moved out to Roscoe Village or Lincoln Square like us, take a trek by to Clark Street. Parking turned over a lot, spots freed up, and people watch until your eyes hurt. Come on back and get noshin'. Also, totally dug the music, was like an indie mix, like Sirius U.
(4)
Mrs. F.

Having heard about Frances' Deli for years, I wanted to try it. What a dirty old place!! When was the last time the water glasses were washed? And how about tables that are so sticky that the napkins stick to them? When we sat down, I noticed that the table hadn't been completely wiped, so I tried, with a napkin, and came up with a soiled napkin, pieces of which remained on the table. BTW, have they EVER washed the floor?? I don't care if the place is 75 years old, 7 years old, or 175 years old--this joint is so disgustingly dirty it should be closed by the Board of Health. My companion had a hot roast beef sandwich that looked and tasted like Lloyd's roast beef (from the freezer section of the supermarket) and I opted for a salad that turned out to be more bland than one from McDonald's. What a mistake! If you're looking for a deli, go to Manny's.
(1)
Mikala D.

Amazing! We ordered kind of boring stuff but it was oh so delicious, we couldn't believe it! We split the tuna melt on sourdough and the lox and bagel sandwich. I don't know how such simple things can taste so good. We also got milkshakes, pb and choc. and boozy oreo. It was my first boozy milkshake and I'm sold. Check it out, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Taylor G.

My boyfriend and I wanted a simple breakfast and decided to go here. The coffee was awesome and the food was great. Their fried egg sandwich was very good, with the potatoes. We couldn't believe we were the only people eating there at 9am. We would recommend eating their breakfast!
(4)
Dylan H.

I absolutely love Frances' Deli! I have been eating there for years, and the food has always been consistent. It is definitely one of the better Jewish delis in the city. Their matzah ball soup is excellent, but the latkes are just okay. My favorite sandwich is the Lincoln Park sandwich. Their milkshakes are fantastic as well. The service is okay, and the wait can be long on the weekends. But overall this is great place to grab breakfast or lunch.
(4)
Rita I.

Fast, huge portions, lots to choose from, pretty tasty deli fare.
(4)
MoeGirl K.

Best pancakes (consistenly) in town!
(5)
Elizabeth C.

I came here before I even moved to Chicago, it was love at first bite and 5 years later I'm still loving it. They have the best ruebens and they have beer! Thier sandwiches are really good but I'm not a fan of their breakfast items. Also, delicious shakes.
(4)
Jeremy W.

I like how the matzo ball soup is real chicken broth and not yellow chicken bullion cube soup like at The Bagel. Wish they had kreplach for their soup though like The Bagel! The corned beef is just ok though, eleven city down the street has way better corned beef if that's what you're looking for.
(4)
Lir W.

This is my boyfriend and my favorite on-the-corner brunch place. They have the best French toast at least in Lincoln Park. There's usually a long wait on weekend but during week days, it's a great pleasure to sit by the window and watch people and cars rush through Clark.
(5)
Dzeinara P.

My boyfriend has recently become allergic to carrageenan and they were very kind to check the ingredients to make sure it wasn't in there. -- Staff is really kind and care about you -- Food is fresh and delicious -- I had the turkey club and basically inhaled -- The turkey on the sandwich actually tastes like real roasted turkey... because it is! -- Take-out food was still warm when I got home. -- Latkes (potatoe pancakes) are just as good as my grandma made them Come here to have a nice breakfast/ lunch and enjoy yourself and your company. I
(5)
William L.

My dad is the king of breakfast. He took me here years ago and ever since, I've been a fan. I've been back many times and haven't found something I didn't like. It's hard to get away from the banana pancakes, they are huge, fluffy, rich, and just the right amount of banana without being overpowering. The potato pancakes are crisp and dense without being too greasy. Their deli sammiches are real deli sammiches, not just a dab of sliced meat between two hacked off pieces of bread.
(4)
Karen T.

In terms of curing a hangover with a giant, greasy breakfast, Frances' more than meets the bill. Things unique to this particular Lincoln Park diner - Tint of Jew = Challah Bread + Matzo ball soup Mimosas (and other vodka-y drinks) Admit it, how many times have you wished the Golden Nugget had a liquor license? Solid, generously portioned malts/milkshakes - I had the Chocolate Oreo Malt once, and it alone was enough for breakfast. Pick your own ingredient omelettes - muenster, bacon, awesomeness, etc... Amy's chicken sausage - big fan. Perfect fries - crispy but not too thin/burnt, salty but not enough to give you heart palpitations. Sandwiches that are almost as big and bad-ass as Perry's. And like everywhere else decent in LP, a line out the door on Saturday/Sundays with the occasional overflow of Chads & Trixies, but it doesn't piss off the servers. Our hostess was more than accommodating in adding a side table to an initial table for two for a late joiner on a particularly busy Saturday morning. My personal recommendation: A drinking game with mimosas. Drink once for every time you see a skunk (fading blond with serious dark roots showing) and twice for every pair of big oversized sunglasses. Three times if you see someone fold their arms on the table and bury their head in them. Amusement will make your potato pancakes taste that much better.
(3)
Meredith B.

I kind of love this place. It's not like, super fancy or original - or even fancy at all - but it's the classic comfort food that gets me every time. Last time I went... Fresh squeezed orange juice - NOM. You wouldn't think a place like this would have fresh orange juice,but guess what folks - they do. I also had the breakfast skillet containing red potatoes, green onions, cheddar cheese, 2 eggs sunny side up, and bacon. ummmm is that perfection on a plate, or is it not? For those of you who wouldn't know - it is. All the ingredients just mush up so well together. It looks like a disaster once I start working on it - a big mess of random mixed up food - but the melty cheese goes so well with everything, the potatoes and the bacon, and once the egg yolks spill out on top... I am hooked. Plus, they have matzo ball soup and potato pancakes which I've had before and they rock. Also, they have FRIED MATZAH - which I've never seen on a menu before. The portion of that is HUGE though, so bewaresies. come here for brunch, it is deliiiicious and you won't regret it!
(4)
Angie M.

I thought this was a great place for breakfast, however I did not give five stars because I feel like it is overpriced. I had two blueberry pancakes and chicken sausage. There was nothing special about my meal but thought it was tasty. I went on a Sunday at 11:30 and got right in. The service was great! Overall a pleasant experience. If I got a deal, I think I would go back but would rather go somewhere that costs less.
(4)
Coleen K.

This is my new go-to deli in Chicago. The menu is huge and has almost anything you could possibly imagine. Came in on a weekend morning and was pleasantly surprised to see that the wait was only 15 minutes. Staff is always friendly, and the restaurant is super cozy. They're able to get you in and out quickly without making it feel rushed. I highly recommend their blueberry pancakes and any skillet with sunny-side-up eggs. Oh, and the oreo milkshake is the BOMB!
(4)
Kelz M.

Right. I was out running errands today after my workout and, feeling a bit peckish, I started eyeballing the many eateries on my route home. I was in the mood to sit down, relax and be waited on in a casual place so, as I was tra-la-la-ing down Clark Street, Frances' caught my eye. At first glance, Frances' is fairly unassuming and I didn't have high hopes - I was just in the mood for something decent to eat. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised! Even though the place was fairly hopping, my server showed up, menu in hand, to take my drink order within a minute or two of me being seated. My drink came quickly and, having browsed the menu, I knew exactly what I wanted. I ordered a blackened chicken sandwich with grilled onions and green peppers. The standard sandwich is served with mozzarella cheese but I requested mine without. My sandwich arrived within 10 minutes and here was my reaction upon taking my first bite: "Oh wow. Wow." I prefer my meat like my men: lean, juicy and full of flavour. Unfortunately, average has become the norm in American deli's and I've gotten to a point where I kind of think, "meh. A sandwich is a sandwich is a sandwich - just please don't under cook the chicken." Suffice it to say I was extremely pleasantly surprised. It really was THAT good. The dab of coleslaw was a bit on the creamy side for my preference but that's probably just a personal thing - it was crunchy and flavourful. I'm not exactly a connoisseur of french fries so, keeping that in mind, the fries that came with my sandwich were fine - nothing terribly exciting but you know... they're fries. Also, they might have tasted better if I'd eaten them when they first arrived but I was so into my chicken sandwich, I forgot about everything else until it was gone! At no time did I feel rushed and yet my server was always nearby whenever I needed her. My bill was very reasonable. Food, drink and tip put me out $17. Totally worth every penny! ------------------------------------------ Frances' Restaurant and Deli has been around since 1938. The menu is not huge and yet it has everything you need. Good solid breakfasts, lunches and dinners (bonus - breakfast is served all day). The decor is homey - looks a bit like an old Route 66 diner, circa 1959. For this hick chick replanted into the city, it was like a taste of home and I loved everything about it.
(5)
Brad A.

I'm a simple person. I went to have breakfast by myself. Environment was good. Waitress was really nice. Bus boy filled my coffee regularly. Omelette was the best I've ever had. Seriously. I was surprised. Price was reasonable, but not cheap. I paid about 16 with a nice tip. I'll be going here again.
(5)
Michael N.

Good food but I'm not sure you actually get what you pay for. (except the breakfast sandwiches...those are very reasonably priced. Their sandwiches are pretty basic N.Y. deli. Their breakfast food is good not great. I definitely recommend the skillet.
(3)
Edward E.

Out and about on Saturday, (6-6-09) 9am ish My friend and I decide to take the 22 bus North on Clark to try something new. So we get off at Fullerton and look around. I approach a woman unlocking her bike near walgreeens and ask where the best breakfast is. She ponders and says Frances. She point and says where It is, and I reply, thanks, I know where. Frances is laid back, grab some menu's and seat yourself, poof, water instantly on the table. Nice menu, many. many options, a tad bit expensive, (Not Cozy corner for sure). I digress, I get upset when there is no breakfast item that comes with pancakes, thats illegal right? (LOL) I ordered 2 eggs over medium, bacon (crispy) with potato's and a Bagel (nice to have Bagels as a choice) (8.95) My friend orders the same, and we also order pancakes (5.95) to split. Food comes, Hot and fresh. Potato's are typical lazy North side potato's (why does the North side seem to embrace chunks over Hash browns) Eggs were cooked well, bagel late but great, Bacon cooked perfectly. And the pancakes were AWESOME. They have the best pancakes I have yet to have in Illinois. (And I have had lots of pancakes.) Pro's. Good service, no wait to be seated (my experience) many options, food cooked as ordered. Con's. Only 2 waitresses for 23 tables (we counted) But they are efficient and work hard (management hire more waitresses) No pancakes with anything other than ordering them seprately (5.95 for 2), these are just batter right?5.95 for 2 pancakes is a RIP off) Good place to go, best pancakes in town, they will cost you though. I gave 3 stars It would of been easy 4 if they (a) offered pancakes as a bread option like every other breakfast place, and another star if they served hash browns instead of potato cubes. Nice place, Seriously great pancakes but at $5.95 two will certainly not fill you up. I am wondering if their Reuben's are good?
(3)
Dennis J.

The #11 (Lincoln Park) was really good. It was good enough that I didn't regret ordering a turkey sandwich the day after Thanksgiving! The mustard they use is delicious (tangy and just a touch of sweet) and the challah bread is fantastic. My wife got two pancakes (cooked well and just the right level of spongy), egg over hard (good) and fried ham (just okay). The atmosphere is okay, but it's a diner so it's not like you need it to be romantic. We're definitely going to come back to try the shakes, burgers, chocolate chip pancakes ...
(4)
Ericka S.

Eh.. the food is nothing to write home about and I've always found it father tasteless. I've found the service to be the worst part about the entire experience of going to Frances'. The food is usually greasy. The last time I visited (out of maybe 4 times) I found black hairs throughout my food. I was disgusted and asked to speak to the manager. Upon hearing my complaint there was no apology, but rather just saying that they didn't know how they got in there. I suggested someone's body and the manager stated they would look into it. The manager came back five minutes later and said they would remake my food and I said no. There wasn't a good apology or even a caring look. Out of all the diners, restaurants, and brunch joints in Lincoln Park, I will never go back to Frances'.
(1)
Sam P.

Good food, but a little overpriced for what you're getting. They do make a good Bloody Mary though.
(3)
Margaret N.

HOW HOW HOW HOW HOW are people giving this place five stars?! This place is so forgettable I don't know how it stays open. For starters, I will always remember this about Frances': this was the place I had the most disgusting ginger ale I've ever tasted in my life. It was 2 dollars for them to hand me the can (brand: Dr Brown's) from which I could stomach no more than a single sip. It tasted like how I would imagine urine to taste, annnnd my fellow diners who tried it agreed! My grilled cheese with bacon was more bread than anything else, and the side of potato salad that came with was nothing special either. Bland and fresh out of a not-so-fresh bucket I presume. The whole atmosphere was weird too. For example, half the lights weren't even turned on in the dining room/entrance, I couldn't even tell from first glance if they were open. Plus, if you're going to throw a bunch of kitschy crap on the walls, at least make an effort to have the place look cohesive. It's just weird. There was one waitress for the entire place, which was moderately full, and it appeared that the only other employee in the building was probably the unseen cook in the kitchen. Cook is singular because our simple orders took approximately 45 mins. to arrive to the table, and I have to imagine that would be the reason. Off the top of my head, I can name at least seven other brunch places in the city that are wayyyyy better service, food and atmosphere. Sure, I'll come back to Frances'..... If someone drags me there kicking and screaming.
(2)
Jill S.

I liked it. Came for brunch with another couple who had been before. I ordered lunch, but the omelets and skillets looked good as well. I ordered the south-of-the-border chicken sandwich and it was really yummy. And huge. Full for the rest of the day! It can get very loud in there... I'm sure because the restaurant has been around since the 30's, but it wasn't designed well to keep the sound low that's for sure. The vintage signs and coca-cola things had me swooning... I'm a sucker for a great old timey feel in a diner and this one had me. The waitress we had was very sweet and attentive, it seemed like although it was crowded, everyone was hustling and bustling to serve. Solid brunch.
(3)
Katy S.

On a cold or rainy day, Frances' matzo ball soup will cure your blues. Frances' is very popular and is typically crowded on the weekends. Their menu is huge. Making a decision on what to eat can be challenging because it all sounds so good! You can have breakfast or lunch. I'm a fan of their deli sandwiches. Portions are generous and the food quality is excellent. That makes it a little more expensive but worth it. Staff is friendly. Frances' is great.
(4)
Lydia P.

I'm adhering to Yelp guidelines and giving Frances' three stars, because it's a solid A-OK. I've been here three times so far. The service has been decent to stellar. The food is good, but not outstanding. I'm a vegetarian, so I get a lot of omelets and things. I've had the fried egg sandwich twice. The first time, the waitress asked what I kind of cheese I wanted, and how I wanted the eggs. The second time, I wasn't asked either of those, and I was rewarded with a teeny-tiny sandwich that was mainly bread and maybe a little bit of cheese. The first time, though, my scrambled egg and habanero (I think) cheddar on whole wheat was great. I'll definitely be in again (I live right near it), but some consistency would be super.
(3)
Chuck K.

Went here for breakfast this morning. It was delicious but not sitting well after (this is probably due to the excessive amounts of booze from last night). The skillets are good and you get some decent portions. Staff is friendly and the restaurant has a very cheesy fifty's diner feel to it. But it's worth a shot!
(3)
Emily C.

Great deli with fantastic, fast service and an extensive menu for anything you're craving. Never a bad experience here and can't truly make a real complaint. If I had to improve on anything I would say the coffee is not my favorite. I eat something different almost every time and I have never been disappointed.
(5)
John Z.

Been going here for a while now and I've never had a bad experience. The breakfast skillet featuring habanero cheddar is awesome. Some other favorites are the mushroom soup, fancy-schmancy salad and pretty much every sandwich on the menu. It may not be as cheap as other places in the neighborhood, but it's totally worth it. Oh yeah, try the Clark and Arlington!
(4)
Brandie R.

Stumbled across this place while walking looking for another place. My husband said "lets go in here" and instantly I knew it would be good. The crowded little place smelled like someone was cooking at grandmas. The skillets we ordered were both really good. The house-made breakfast sausage was delish. I can't say I agreed with the cost for the OJ, but other than that, no complaints out of us!
(4)
Kari O.

Nothing beats this place for homestyle yumminess. The banana pancakes... to die for... Meatloaf sandwich.... whoa... Egg salad???? WHAT?! I haven't had one thing that was short of amazing. This is my go-to place every weekend.
(5)
Kairo C.

ok i'd like to give this place more credit but i am just not sold. shared w my sis: 1) a "fancy schmancy salad" with cranberries, walnuts, apples, grapes, manchego cheese and balsamic vinaigrette. entirely too sweet. unpalatable enough to throw away. we were too nice to complain. waitress never checked up on us to see if we were satisfied after serving the food - and the place had maybe 3 patrons in it. so far food and service 1 star. 2) a turkey reuban - turkey, swiss, 1000 island, coleslaw. my sister has been raving about this and while it was good i wasn't impressed. i don't even remember it really. maybe i'd get it again. i'd probably explore the menu though. 3) an oreo shake - the special we wanted was out of stock? bummer. oreo will suffice! it's hard to go wrong on shakes. we were smitten with the oreo. a lil pricey i'd say for what it's worth. i could match much of the menu in my own kitchen. but it's lincoln park so i am not surprised by the overpriced. it's not a bad go to if you are in the area for a classic sit down diner, just not stellar.
(2)
Lorelei C.

Frances' Deli on Clark Street, I am a Fan! Today I was dreaming about a Corned Beef Sandwich from a Deli, someone I know had reccommended Frances' to me, so I thought I'd give them a try- On Clark Street, this place no false pretention here,you walk in the door, grab your own menu, seat yourself- This is a pretty small place, about 30 tables or so, only a couple of Booths, but thats perfectly okay for me- Every table has Condiments in Beer Six Pack paper containers which I have'nt seen before but I kindda liked that- So, I ordered a plain Corned Beef Sandwich on Rye- thats all I wanted- What came to me was a Reuben on Grilled Rye Bread, which is not what I wanted- It had Sauerkraut and I don't do Sauerkraut Ever! So, it was taken back by my Server and she brought me my plain corned beef on rye, with a really great potato pancake, so, I was happy! Frances' has wonderful sandwiches, Corned Beef, Pastrami, Etc... They are supposed to have Great Breakfasts there, I am told the Banana Pancakes are the Best- That will be for next time! They also have some wonderful ice cream creations on their menu, their shakes have been rated the best in the city- I did resist the temptation though- Hey, Props to Me! The Sandwiches are piled high, the Deli Creations are the best- I am a Fan and I would reccommend this place, price wise they charge $10.00 for most sandwiches but they are really good so I feel it's worth it- So, if you're ever Craving Real Deli Food like Corned Beef or Pastrami France's would be the place to go- And the Huge Frances' welcomes you sign on the wall was a nice touch!
(4)
Jason D.

Best breakfast sliders EVER!!! I haven't had a bad meal yet. At this point it's almost an every Saturday "ruin everything you just worked so hard at the gym for" brunch for me.
(5)
Melissa D.

Looking for a breakfast/lunch combo because your posse is split between the type of food they want to consume? Looking to be knocked on your ass by a delicious bloody Mary? Go to Frances'. It works for my crew because I have a wonderful foodie friend who despises breakfast and cheese. It's odd. Anyway, Frances' is the place to go when you can't commit- their brunch menu is full of omelets, hash, etc., and their lunch and dinner offerings are varied and delicious - huge salads with just-grilled chicken, juicy burgers with fresh-prepped and creative toppings, and , of course, the best Reuben I've had in Chicago. I've been going here for years, but only discovered their bloody Marys a few weeks ago. They come with celery, cheese and sausage, taste fresh and homemade, and at least when made by our server, come chock-full of vodka. So good, you'll have two. Service is pretty good, the wait isn't too bad - tables turn over quickly. Space is a bit cramped, but for the food, it's worth it.
(4)
Tim Y.

Late Sunday lunch that really hit the spot. Pastrami on rye with mustard was filling and not obscenely sized (not that it's a bad thing, I love a head-sized sammy) and came with a nice potato pancake and a side of slaw. Excellent slaw - next time I'm going to ask for a large side of that instead of the other choices of potato pancake, potato salad, or fries. I found the service fine - neither too rushed nor absent. It wasn't very crowded, so maybe that had something to do with my service experience being a lot better than the average as expressed by many previous reviewers.
(3)
Jennifer B.

Admittingly, I think it's really cool that this place is like 1,000 years old. It's historical, and the architecture on the inside is really cool. It was established way before the popular Clark Street, and it's been around probably through a couple generations now of Trixie and Chad. But that might be where the awesomeness of this place ends. The food isn't that great, and the service isn't that great, and inevitably the order always gets confused in the kitchen. I think Frances' is a great place to come if you want to sip coffee all day and read through the entire New York Times. If you are looking for a great breakfast/brunch experience, I would probably head a half block south to Orange.
(3)
Jonathan H.

I am a fan of Frances'. When I take my family, I am always seated pretty quickly. We can always put in an order for our kids first. And I love the fact that when you order a milkshake you get the part that couldn't fit in the glass in another glass. That's old school. I enjoy the meats from this place. From a Pastrami sandwich to a Reuben the portions are just huge and tasty. I also like being able to get a bacon & egg sandwich at night. I take friends and family all the time.
(4)
Desmond L.

I've always wanted to try Frances' Deli, and yesterday I had a showing across the street at 3pm. I left my office a half an hour early to make it over there time enough to stop by to get a quick sandwich. I arrived at 2:39pm, and walked up to the door, and looked at the menu. As I proceeded to enter, the server or busser inside signaled to me with the "neck-cutting sign" , that they were closing or closed? I'm not sure if their watch is 20 minutes fast or what, but that's pretty rude, considering they don't close until 3pm. I didn't plan to stay all day or anything....I would have even probably gotten carryout. Needless to say, I won't be back.
(1)
Erica K.

It's an enthusiastic 3 stars, trust me. 3.5, even. I had some awesome banana pancakes here. And amen to places that serve breakfast all day! The second time I went it was a Saturday afternoon, the place was not at all crowded and they let us take up the table sipping coffee with no rush. I recommend the breakfast food for sure. I think I liked it more than the sandwich I got the second time. Though I didn't get their special or anything. Portions are huge, and I would frequent Frances' if I lived closer.
(3)
Jana C.

I love this place. This was my second visit there and I am a fan. Their omelettes are as thin as a crape, rolled with all the goodies you order in it, it is impressive. Staff is friendly and their shakes - oh so dangerous.
(4)
Robyn T.

Cutesy kitsch atmosphere with decent deli favorites. I tend to get the matzoh brie with salami & onions when I visit (it's hard for me to get anything else) though I will on occasion order the Lincoln Park sandwich (turkey and cheese melt on thick slices of challah). It's definitely a kid-friendly place and it can get pretty busy on weekends. They offer take-out service as well which is nice.
(3)
Ben K.

Oh Frances, why do you keep such odd hours? I feel like this place is always closed for the dinner hour and I cannot for the life of me understand how they can run a profitable operation this way. Nevertheless, Frances' is one of my absolute favorite spots in the city for when I can't decide between brunch and lunch. I try and make it here as often as possible between 11am and 1pm on weekend mornings. My two highlights: Turkey avocado club sandwich: turkey, bacon, avocado and a light aioli served up between two big thick pieces of toasty deliciously greasy challah bread. This thing is a serious home run. It's rare that a combination of ingredients feels so goddamn right. Try it with the potato pancake instead of fries. Bacon onion and cheddar omelet: pretty straightforward here, but Frances' omelets are done up pretty uniquely with the egg cooked super thin so that 3 eggs really manages to wrap itself around the inner contents of the omelet 2-3 times. Pretty effective; great for optimal bite-engineering if you need something of everything in each bite. The only reason I can't give Frances' 5 stars is because their breakfast potatoes absolutely suck. Sigh. Someday, perhaps? Frances' seems pretty set in its (tasty) ways, but a man can dream.
(4)
Hanna S.

Headed to Frances' for brunch one morning after walking by this place time and time again. Wasn't anything special menu-wise, your typical deli foods. The set-up for the place is a bit cramped. Literally felt like I was intruding on a shacking brunch right next to our table and didn't feel like I could breathe, let alone eat. Maybe we were just in a tight section of the place. It's very lively atmosphere, so if you're nursing a severe hangover, i wouldn't wait for this place.
(3)
Elia R.

The manager blatantly told me that he would not take my order because "it was too busy" (the place was not even completely filled). I have never experienced a restaurant that denied my order because of the volume in orders it was experiencing. I would have better understood "I apologize, but orders are a bit backed up and your order will take approximately an hour to prepare" Was it so difficult for the manager to be professionally civil? I work near France's but it will no longer be an option for lunch hour. Seeing as it is incapable of handling my nonexistent appreciated business. (p.s - Yelp should have a zero star rating)
(1)
Payden C.

How can anyone have anything bad to say about this place? My friend and I were just getting back from the inside farmers market with no purchases sadly, but that was ok the minute we sat down. This place is a great little diner that looks as if it should be attached to a gas station or in a small little town (and I mean that in the best of ways). My friend had a salad and I had a chicken salad with bacon sandwich that was fantastic. Nothing special just deliciousness!! The service was great, could have used some a/c because it was a freakishly hot day for Chicago, but then again I think it added to the charm. Basically, If you're looking for some classic diner food and atmosphere, France's Restaurant and Deli is the place to go.
(5)
christoph g.

Absolutely awesome! I love how as your sitting there waiting for your meal you look around the restaurant and imagine people sitting in Lincoln Park 70+ years ago enjoying a pastrami sandwich. I'm sure the interior hasn't changed much since they first opened. The deli sandwiches are as fresh and tasty as anyone can ask for. The breakfast there is just as fresh and delicious. I have been going through the menu and trying something different almost every weekend for the past few months. For breakfast I would have to say that the breakfast sliders are my favorite so far. There's a reason they have been around since 1938 and are packed every weekend. Friendly service and great food!
(5)
Parris M.

I've been here about 5 times, I live about 2 blocks away but I am well aware of the other options in my vicinity... I just choose to go there. Each time I go I am more than pleased with the service. I think once the waitress was gone for too long, but came back quick and apologized. The food, in my opinion, is wonderful. I went for breakfast twice, and I think I almost died at how good everything was. My mom, who is a wonderful cook, said that she loved it. "It's the way breakfast is supposed to taste," she said. I went there and got french toast: phenomenal!! and I went there for lunch, and got the clark and arlington. basically a reuben with both pastrami and corned beef. and it was out of this world. I'm giving it four stars because I went once and it was too crowded, and the service was poor. However, I am very pleased with this place. Yes, it's slightly expensive but I keep going back...
(4)
alice c.

Forgive the rant but im BIG on customer service and here, its not up to par. First they brought me the ricketiest high chair, I asked for a new one and she brought a decent replacement. Feel bad for the kid who got stuck with the dud tho. Any ways after seating my child on the corner I was told she couldnt be there after I stated I would prefer it. Then my friend asked for her water to be removed, I said loud enough mine too & wad ignored. Next another family with a baby sat next to us and put thier baby how mine was so I was pissed to say the least. Sliding into the seats is ridiculous as well ur sitting back to back with people. I ordered my daughter chocolate chip pancakes, when they came I was again pissed. They dnt mix em in the batter no, they out 3 chips ontop of cooked pancaje to melt. Worst experience of chicago! Never again
(1)
Peter Z.

Go there because their food is awesome. But lately their service has been going down hill. Last time I had to go find host to find my waiter. Went in this time, waitress came to take order for drinks, said I was ready to order but said she would be right back and left. After 10 minutes we got up to leave. Then waitress came back and yelled at me for not waiting for her and that she came right back. 10+ minutes is not right back, but regardless I shouldn't have been talked to like that. Host just said sorry and dismissed it. Quality of the food is losing out to bad service. I don't know that I will go back.
(1)
k E.

It would get five stars if they used apostrophes correctly- it should be Frances's. However really good breakfasts, pastrami on rye is my fave, and everything is pretty solid. Crowded on weekends.
(4)
Jay S.

Every Saturday, two friends and I always volunteer around the Chicagoland area. It has been customary to eat in the neighborhood that we were in. This past Saturday, we dined for lunch in the famed Lincoln Park neighborhood...a place that is littered with culinary talents and great eats. Our venue of choice was Frances' Restaurant & Deli. It was noon when we finished volunteering and we were tasting for either breakfast or lunch, but couldn't decide which. We settled here after Orange was filled with a 30 minute wait (we were starving now. Haha). Turned out to be a great choice. Buddy of mine ordered their "famed" milkshakes (their words, not mine). He had a little extra for me to taste...and it was delicious! I'm a sucker for vanilla milkshakes and this one was outstanding! I recommend ordering one when you are here. I settled for a breakfast skillet with habanero cheddar and chicken sausage. It was the perfect portion that wasn't gut-busting but filling nonetheless. The habanero cheddar provided the right amount of heat where I didn't have to add any additional Tabasco sauce. The skillet hit the spot. The three of us all enjoyed what we ate there and came away impressed. The milkshake stole the show. I read other reviews saying that the service was slow. I can see that but it did not bother me. I don't think it bothered my friends either. Other people might be peeved if they came in deathly-starving. That might be a complaint that people could have with this place. I thought service was great, courteous, and friendly. The gal seemed very happy to serve us on a busy Saturday - which is always great to see!
(4)
Anna H.

After my last review, the manager wrote and offered me a $20 gift certificate to give Frances' one more shot. Obviously I'm not one to pass up anything preceded by the word 'free', so I took him up on the offer and visited again yesterday. I went with another person and we shared two items - 'The Works' Burger and some kind of triple-decker sandwich that I've forgotten the name of already. The burger was really good; if I were craving another like it and had $10 to spend, I'd go back. I'm realizing now that the main problem with this business is simply that they're too packed on the weekends to operate efficiently, and it definitely cuts the service quotient. We waited 10 minutes for a server to greet us, 15 for a coffee refill, and the table next to us (which was sat about 10 minutes after we were) got their food 10 minutes before we did. On top of that, the tables are so tightly packed that the servers have to do some fancy footwork to manuever between diners - meaning that since I happened to be at the table closest to the kitchen entrance, I was hit a few times over the course of my meal. I'd be willing to bet that if they cut four tables out of their dining room, they'd probably cull the insanity that they're experiencing during the brunch rush, and be able to offer a little more personal attention to their tables. Overall, it was a good meal. The server was sweet, the food was decent, but I just can't call myself a fan. I'll go again if someone asks me and is paying, but I wouldn't choose to go there myself, and will never go during a weekend day again under any circumstances. Money's too tight to not have a fantastic time when you're eating out, and Frances' just doesn't cut it.
(3)
daniel c.

The first time I came here, I was less than impressed. I was the only one in my "party", and it was about 2 in the afternoon on a weekday. The place obviously wasn't busy. I spent about an hour and 15 minutes at the restaurant to eat a well-done burger that I had ordered medium rare. The server was very new, I believed, or just plain inept. The busboy did a great job of taking care of me that day. I decided to try it again, and I'm very glad I did. I've eaten there half a dozen times since, and haven't had a bad experience yet. The same slightly-inept server is still there, but with a bit of patience, he gets it all down and correct. You won't get a drink refill without asking, but what do you expect from a "sammitch" shop? The burgers are delicious. They have about 10 types on the menu, but you can mix and match and put whatever-the-heck you want on there, on a regular or pretzel bun. The fries are hot and fresh, but you have the option of a potato pancake (!) with sour cream and applesauce if you aren't in the mood for fries. I have yet to try the other items on the menu, as I walk there with a burger craving in my heart, but when I do, I'll post an update :)
(4)
Kate Z.

Just left Frances... As in walked out without service. Food is great. Used to go there often. Service has drastically gone downhill. Today, our waitress came over, she took our drink order and we said we were ready to order our food too. She leaves!?! 10 minutes later she comes back AS WE ARE GETTING UP TO LEAVE and, when we tell her why -- to go someplace else for food -- she actually YELLS AT US!!! Seriously, what the hell? So we complain to host/management (rather than just leaving as previously planned) and he was less than interested or concerned. I guess I'm going to have to find someplace else to dine after 3 years of coming here. Good diner food just isn't worth that!
(1)
Gwendolyn H.

The salads here are amazing!! This is a great brunch place - especially in the summer when you can sit outside and people watch. The atmosphere is a little quirky but so much fun! There's always a good crowd of lively people and an energetic buzz. The menu has everything you'd want for breakfast plus some great sandwiches and salads. It has a Jewish-deli theme... but I didn't notice until the 3rd time I went. I probably should have known by the lox and bagel platter (a great choice) and the large portions... A great place for a Saturday or Sunday morning with friends!
(4)
Jim D.

The best way I can describe Frances is that I can't complain about it, yet I forget it exists for 6 month periods of time because there isn't anything special about it despite living a mere block away. Don't get me wrong, the matzo ball soup and Lincoln Park sandwich are a treat on Sunday, the wait staff is super amiable, and I like having the option of root beer with my Saturday or Sunday brunch. The problem for Frances is its sandwiched near extremely awesome places (Sushi Toro), wildly fast and tasty food (Lito's and Angela's) and the most popular cupcake place in town (Molly's). With this kind of competition, its hard to stand out. If you want a good deli sandwich and a root beer, I recommend it, but I'm also quite certain you will get distracted.
(4)
Marshall H.

Here on a Sunday morning for brunch with and old friend... good spot for breakfast food, but kinda pricey. The portions were fairly huge, and I couldn't finish my plate, so I suppose that justifies the prices. The service was fine. Some people were wearing pajamas and that's great stuff in my opinion. Any restaurant that is okay with people dining in pajamas gets a thumbs up from me. Plus, if this is where people go right when they roll out of bed then you know it must be at least pretty good. I'd definitely come back here if I lived nearby. Not necessarily a destination though.
(3)
Bada Bing L.

I prefer this place to Nookies, Toast, and John's Place. Yea thats right. Its got brunch/lunch/dinner on lock down. Get a sandwich and take the rest home.
(5)
Robyn B.

My husband and I love having brunch here. It's good deli food, though it does have something of a yuppie deli vibe. All of the standards are done well.
(4)
Karyn K.

A great brunch place. The staff was running around making sure everyone got their food quickly. Lots of people waiting, which meant a big crowd by the door. I had the skillet breakfast with sausage--yum! My friend had the cheese blintzes, which she enjoyed. I'll be back and am interested in trying their sandwiches, which looked huge and delicious as they came out of the kitchen.
(4)
Michelle S.

After being in Chicago for a visit over the weekend a girlfriend and I decided to grab a quick bite here before heading out for some fun. It was PACKED when we arrived but we were quickly given a table and our server came by rather quickly. I'm kicking myself for not remember his name because he deserves a shout out. By far the best server I've ever had at the Deli and not one item was left behind. Food was tasty as usual and we got out in a timely matter :)
(3)
Sachi P.

Okay, so it's kind of embarrassing, but I LOVE reubens more than anything. Finally, after much searching in the Chicago area, I have found the #1 spot for corn beef reubens. I have lived here for 6 years, and never have I tasted a reuben so good. If you're like me (a lover of pure lean corn beef, melted swiss, and saurkraut on fresh crisp rye) then you better go to Frances' the next time you have a craving. Seriously. Man oh man.
(5)
Magneto L.

Just went there the other day. The shakes are great, but the food is even better. This place has been here awhile for a reason... My only complaint is that they aren't open later. Great service! Had an awesome waitress named Callie! Will be back there again.
(5)
Josh H.

Well since Nicole B. beat me... I am going to ditto her review and say that I am knocking down my a review one star. OMFG dont ever serve me warm coleslaw! Quit smoking your cig in the back and leaving my food under a hot lamp. You lost big points for that one!
(3)
James C.

My wife and I were out on a bike ride last Saturday afternoon and we stayed out a little longer than we planned, so we decided to grab a bite to eat. We went to Clark street and decided to give this place a try. I had been wanting to eat there for a while, since I am a fan of diners, but never got a chance until Saturday. We walked in and saw the little sign that said to grab a menu and sit anywhere we wanted, so we found a little table next to the window and waited. Then we waited some more. After a few minutes I started watching the clock. We noticed that it wasn't too busy, but not exactly dead, maybe about 12 other people in the place. There were three men who looked like they worked there, but we never really saw them do anything except talk to each other and walk to the kitchen. We had time to go over the menus and decide what we wanted, but no one had bothered to come by our table and see if we wanted anything. I decided to give them two more minutes, and then we were leaving. Towards the end of the two minute mark, one of the workers there looked directly at us, frowned, and walked to the back. We left. I am giving them one star because the front door was open and the place looked clean. I have no idea what the food is like, because we were never offered anything, not even a glass of water. In total, we were there for a little over 15 minutes. Needless to say, the Golden Nugget down the street made these guys look like amateurs. EDIT: Shortly after giving this review, I was contacted by the owner and offered a free meal. I decided to decline since we were leaving for vacation in the next few days. If they are so concerned about good reviews, they need to make sure they serve people promptly and offer a good value for the money. Sorry, you guys blew your chance. Still one star.
(1)
Cathy H.

I have a great love for Thanksgiving dinner, so any place that serves me T-day dinner year-round is an automatic fave. Frances' does, so it wins. My dinner companions had a variety of things (some kind of enormous triple-decker sandwich that put the Sears...um, Willis?!...Tower to shame, and a bbq sandwich that looked like it was oozing fat and goodness) that all looked really tasty, too. A definite win. I award it one(1) haiku: Tasty tasty turkey D Delicious turkey yummy Eat it at Frances' (pretend that last line isn't a stretch)
(4)
Kate P.

I stopped in here when I was down in the city. Very nice little restaurant with a slightly "gritty" city feel and ambiance to it. It was a little crowded and the food took a while to get there, but overall we enjoyed the experience. I had the bacon cheeseburger and it was a good size and tasted great. The fries were nice and crunchy ( I hate soggy fries). The staff was very friendly and helpful and the meals were well priced.
(4)
Rosie S.

I have been to this place many times...it has a great diner feel with the non-dirty feeling. Portions are large and service is usually fast (unless you were here with me last Sunday--when we stuck in the front where all customers are forgotten). The food is better than diner food...it is worth going to for a non-formal, non-bar type breakfast. And I like it better than the Nugget
(3)
Jo W.

Hm. I really torn on 3 or 4 stars, because I've had lots of different experiences here. Frances is what it is - a diner in the middle of Lincoln Park. It's usually packed on the weekends so I try to avoid it, but on the rare occasion that I go on a weekend I've had a good experience and found that the service is top notch and the food is good. Today's experience left me feeling eh. I popped in here today for lunch in between appointments, and I arrived right at noon. When I walked in there were only two other patrons, though by the time I left the place had actually filled up. The sign said grab a menu and pick your own table, so I did. Before I even sat down the bus boy had my water glass filled and asked me if I wanted coffee. He was impressive and on top of things, not just with me but with everyone there. My server? Not so much. When I told him I was going to stick with water, he didn't look happy. I like water. Is that not okay? Then when I ordered a salad he asked me twice if I wanted anything else. No, really, I'm good. He looked like I slapped him in the face. With my $10 salad. I considered that it was slow for lunchtime and I know he needs tips, but really? How much food can one person eat? And it's not like you're selling $30 steaks, buddy. It's diner food! And I didn't order the cheapest thing on the menu at all! So he annoyed me. Server aside, my salad was actually good. The chicken was warm (is it wrong that I love freshly cooked chicken and not cold chicken on my salads? If so, I don't want to be right.), and it was a huge salad so I left full and happy. My one small complaint is there was a mix of romaine and iceberg lettuce - I could have done without the iceberg, but it was still good. I'm sure I'll be back since I live in the neighborhood and it's convenient. I did notice the other server being awesome with her tables, so perhaps next time I go in I'll just make sure to avoid Mr. Pouty Face Server.
(3)
denise b.

A great friend of mine suggested this place for lunch. Wow what a great surprise to find a fantastic Ruben Sandwich served with tasty co-slaw and a potato pancake that tasted as wonderful as my Bushia made. Sarah was an excellent waitress and poured us ice tea with a smile on her face the entire time. As I looked around at the other tables all the breakfast dishes and club sandwiches were extremely plentiful. I must admit this is probably the best Ruben I have ever eaten. What a nice comfortable atmosphere and great food for a fair price.
(5)
Gareth J.

Awesome sandwiches and milkshakes, never had a bad meal here. Recommended.
(4)
Lea L.

Great deli/diner. Love the potato pancake as a side option. Great food all around.
(4)
kara c.

So I cam here back in September and was disappointed. I love deli's, but this doesn't cut it. I got a salami sandwich and the meat tasted awful, really low grade. On top of that, my sandwich had hairs on it. The waitress was nice, but I had to ask for a refund on my hairy sandwich.
(2)
S M.

The French Toast was very tasty!
(4)
Tara M.

Frances' is a very typical diner-ish restaurant but they offer a bit more variety in their menu. When I lived nearby, it was a consistent spot for a late lunch on a Sunday afternoon. I would give them three stars for having solid food. I don't go to restaurants like this for the service, so as long as I have food in front of me I am happy. The reason that I am only giving two stars is pretty simple. Frankly, I am surprised that no one else on Yelp had this experience as it happened to me not once, but twice. What, you ask, happened? Hair did. On two separate occasions, a hair in my sandwich. Both times it was short and black. A man's hair. So you are saying that the joke's on me because after it happened once I should not have gone back. But I liked a lot of their sandwiches and felt like it was something that I could get past. And it took several trips for the second hair incident to happen, but that was it for me. But if you do go there...their chocolate peanut butter milkshakes are awwwwwwesome. And hopefully hairless.
(2)
Angelique R.

After a long afternoon at the zoo for mother's day, my step mom was craving a reuben sandwich. The boy googled for something in the area, and lo and behold we began our trip to France's. I liked the laid back atmosphere, grab a menu, sit down. The offered to pull together tables for us, which is always nice. We were glad it wasn't a nuthouse, probably lucky we missed brunch. The food was simple and awesome. Mom raved about the reuben, sister loved grilled cheese/tomato, the nephew dug the cajun chicken but was a bit messy, the boy enjoyed his meatloaf sandwich (no frills), and I got the 1/2 soup 1/2 sandwich with egg salad and mushroom barley - f'n delicious. It was $70 bucks for 6 people. I will be back to try some of the sweets and the breakfast!
(4)
Amy J.

Had lunch/breakfast here this morning. Personally I really liked it! Our waitress was friendly, and their menu is pretty big. I got the grilled cheese (I know, so exciting) with tomato, but it was REALLY REALLY good. Their fries are good - crispy but not too crispy. I am really picky about my fries. My friend got the skillet and also really enjoyed it. They were quick to refill my coffee and our waters. I did notice that some of the things seemed pretty expensive ($11 for some sandwiches?) but I can't complain b/c I think our total bill was $22.00 or something like that for the two of us. Not too bad. I'd go back, I thought it was pretty good! The soup looked really good--I wished I had gotten some when I saw them come to other tables. All in all, a neat little diner type of place. I enjoyed it :)
(4)
Ryan K.

This is a really good place to have in your neighborhood. Something on the menu for everybody. Plenty of seating. The only reason it isn't rated higher is because of the prices. You pay a premium on everything. And that is before the tip too. Tips: - Potato pancakes with the deli sandwiches are great. Not as good as Manny's, but still pretty great.
(3)
Brandon G.

Nothing special. The place is old, and the sandwich offering could be better than the breakfast that I ordered. The prices are high for two eggs with bacon and hash browns, and everything tasted very bland. I ordered a side of the sausage patties and they were so bad I almost had to spit them out.
(2)
Nicole B.

I really enjoyed it here! It's cute and a little run down looking inside - we grabbed a menu and sat ourselves. I was in awe of the selection but my friend and I decided on 2 of the top 3 sellers to split. Both were grilled turkey sandwiches with a heap of turkey on thick toasted bread. One had avocado and bacon, the other munster cheese and cranberry's with mustard. The only complaint is I like my sandwiches dripping with mustard/mayo/dressing/whatever, I should have asked for extra because the one with the avocado was a tad bland. I put some honey mustard left from my salad on it to jazz it up. The "Lou's on the Lake" with cranberries was a good mix of salty and sweet. The potato salad was tasty, but forget the slaw. Nasty. Side house salad was a good size portion.
(4)
Cheryl B.

We decided to try this place after living around the corner for over 6 months. It was a Saturday morning and the place was pretty busy- but not packed. We waited quite awhile for a server. Someone stopped by and said one would be with us, then went over to talk to another worker. A server finally came and took our drink order- when she came back the manager came over in the middle of it to yell at her for taking another server's table. He pulled the server away and didn't say anything to us. All we wanted to do was order! Our new server came a minute or two later, and they sat this large party to the side of us. Once they sat down our server could no longer get to our table.... In any case, the service was pretty terrible. The food was mediocre and overpriced. So we probably won't be back.... Save your money, there are definitely better diners in town!
(2)
B C.

These people know how to make sandwiches. They pile the cold cuts so high you might end up straining your jaw during the intake. They have plenty of options for all us deli carnivores, but I like to keep it simple. Reuben + potato pancakes + matzo ball soup + sprecher rootbeer = weekend afternoon paradise. Next to Manny's (which is a bit inconveniently located for us northsiders) this is my favorite spot to grab a reuben, and the sidewalk crowd watching never fails to entertain. If I lived any closer to Lincoln Park, I'd be a regular at this place.
(4)
Beth P.

I would've given 3.5 if I could. I used to live about a minute away, so convenience was definitely I frequented Frances so much. They have GIANT sandwiches and a comfy atmosphere. It is a little pricey for what you're getting, I guess. The major complaint I have with Frances is that they have the most messed up hours. They are always changing a taped up piece of paper on the door that reads the "new" hours...which are something like MON: 11-3 and 4-7:44pm, TUES-FRI: 10-5pm, etc etc it just makes me mad that I can never predict when the damn place is open. Since moving, I've rarely been back to Frances', but when I'm back near the old hood and crave a sandwich as big as my head, Frances' will do.
(3)
Rebecca H.

We went to Frances' on a Friday night at 6pm. It was seat yourself. There weren't many people in here, but what I would like to point out was the number of older people (50+) and families and the lack of pretentious loud fratboys that wanted a cheap meal before heading to Duffy's. That is worth 3 stars alone. Our water waiter (the one that only pours water but doesn't do anything else) was on top of it - plus one star. Our real waiter was not, for instance, took a very long time to tell us they were out of chili and didn't bring our 2 soups together, was in general too laid back and not around, forced us to read beer list off of the faded chalkboard - minus 2 stars. Plus one star for their root beer selection - it really is quite impressive, including diet root beer. No star change for food, portions, price, and ambiance, it was pretty average for what it was (mushroom barley soup and burgers and fries). I imagine this place is a mad house for brunch, but I'd give it a shot.
(3)
Mustangg D.

I've walked by this place for years not thinking to try them out...Saw them on tv and had to try them out...Turkey Panini with REAL turkey, swiss cheese, coleslaw and grilled onions..Enough said. I'm going back for carry out this weekend. AWESOME PLACE!
(5)
Andrea C.

frances' is a good deli. good, not great. the bf and i were in the mood for a sandwich so we decided to head down to lincoln park and play for a while... there is good variety to the menu...breakfast to typical deli staples (sandwiches, matzah ball soup etc) and the food portion is gigantic. the bf got the triple decker sandwich and holy moly! it was the size of his head! the only downside? the price! i paid nearly $9 for a sandwich...i mean...really? really? they seem to get away with it because of the depaul demographic...but you can run up quite a bill just for a quick lunch. sheesh!
(4)
Jonathan R.

It's a great spot if your hungover and need a quick bite. Unfortunately there isn't much special there. They have triple deckers which accommodate for the hunger aspect, as far as the taste factor goes extremely lacking. Service is extremely in consistent, sometimes I can the quickest service and sadly most of the time is inattentive staff that don't know I'm there.
(3)
Stephen G.

Frances' was recommended to me by a neighbor as I enjoy breakfast dining. I ordered an omelet and coffee which was delicious, includiong the coffee. The place has a very homy feel. Lot of history there and they have a loyal following. I would like to go back and try a skillet ofrlunch but I don't usually get that far north. They open at 10 on most weekdays so don't plan for an early breakfast like I did.
(4)
Emily N.

There really is not much to say. Frances' is our home away from home. We eat here every weekend for brunch, and sometimes during the week if were lucky enough to get away from work. I have NEVER had a meal I was not happy with at Frances' they know how to make everything on their menu and they make it well. Best deli in the city BY FAR!!!! I just wish they would start serving fat free tuna!!!! (hint hint) xooxxoxox Frances'!
(5)
Jen B.

Nice, low-key breakfast all day kind of place. Hadn't noticed it here before on Clark but it's been here hiding all this time! We were seated immediately about 11am on a Saturday and our server gave us plenty of time to look over the menu after getting our drinks. I was just going basic, having the need to soothe my stomach after a rough night out with scrambled w/cheese, bacon & toast. My dining partner went exotic with the reuben omelette. My eggs were a little soft/undercooked for me and the cheddar was very strong for eggs. Bacon was perfect & not a bit greasy! I tried the challah toast which was sweet & chewy-perfect! The reuben omelette was a bit of a letdown, although it was just as described on the menu. We recommend getting rye toast with this so you can incorporate that taste back into it. The thousand island dressing was sorely missed as well. I guess corned beef & sauerkraut alone are not enough to make a reuben! Busboys were very prompt with coffee & water refills and we got our check & paid very quickly-just in time, as the lobby was filling up with the lunch crowd!
(3)
Robert S.

There's not much to tell. It should have been a tip-off when we walked in on a Friday evening and were two out of six people eating in the dining room. Expensive diner crap--myriad sandwich choices, typical shakes, pleasant but not overwhelming service. I think $18 for a turkey Reuben with fries and a chocolate shake is pricey for diner food. Also, what's with so many of these divey places thinking it's kitsch to let your restaurant interior get grimy and shabby?
(2)
Damian C.

Yeah, it was pretty tasty. I was a little freaked out by the Matzah ball soup - I thought they would be little matzah balls, but turns out it was one GIANT ball! Ha
(4)
Allyson C.

After my experience here I'm surprised to read so many reviews about awful service people have received. Of course I always fall in love with any waitress who brings me a sandwich with NO pickle, so I'm pretty easy to please. And this waitress also brought me a pickle-less bloody mary, so she was 2 for 2. I had a great lunch here on the weekend. We got a table outside with no wait. The challe bread alone is worth giving this place a try!
(5)
Phil S.

Lincoln Park sandwich. Nuff said.
(5)
Bryan W.

Dead of Winter and I will still drink a milkshake. If everyone made them like France's I would drink them all year round. It was perfect, and they provide you with the entire container which is always awesome. My burger was a little more done than usual, but next time I'll know to order medium. We will be back for breakfast or brunch at some point and we'll see how that is.
(5)
Rory G.

Trying to bring NYC deli is a bold statement to say the least. It isn't a Carnegie Deli but the feel and the lackadaisical service is just right. I always feel strange when I go into a deli and it isn't bustling with activity moving those slabs of protein with hyper speed intensity. We ordered two sandwiches and a fried appetizer that would make a gas station burp. The turkey club was dry and tasteless, you may be asking why the three stars then? Well, that's all due to their Reuben which is absolutely wonderful. So save yourself a long wait, order a Reuben or two to go and find a dark Smeegal like spot so you can devour your Precious-es Reuben in peace.
(3)
Christina S.

As you might have noticed, I'm slowly eating my way up Clark Street. If you're into old-fashioned diner food, you're in luck. Frances is an expert at whipping up ooey gooey turkey ruebens and big, frosty vanilla shakes. If you're on a diet, you might have a tougher time. Check the chalkboard for the soups du jour.
(4)
Donovan H.

I have eaten at Frances a couple times, breakfast and lunch. I preferred lunch because the sandwich was unforgettable. The healthy portion of high quality meat made the sandwich. The sandwiches are a little pricey for lunch but well worth it if you have the appetite.
(4)
Peter L.

We had brunch here on a recent weekend morning and it was exactly what we wanted. No fancy decoration themes or witty names for omelets, just no-frills quality food. The Reuben Omelet was delicious -- what a great idea. Came packed with hefty portions of meat, sauerkraut, and cheese. I had a good amount of my girlfriend's skillet and the habanero cheddar was solid. We were seated right away (we came from a nearby brunch place with a 30-minute wait), the service was great, food came out quick. Hit the spot, I'll be back for lunch.
(4)
Lenene W.

Found this place by accident. MY cousin and I couldn't decide what we wanted to eat so we ended up going in the next place we walked by. So many options on the menu it was hard to choose. I got the avocado club burger which was giant. staff was friendly and food came out quick and was good. will def go back to try the breakfast and huge milkshakes we saw!
(4)
Justin H.

Went here with some now not out of town guests after shopping for her furniture at Affordable Portables. The owner there recommended this to us. I had the open face Turkey sandwich. Best open face sandwich I ever had. The meat was perfectly cooked and the mashed potato's were obviously fresh made with some small lumps! Service was attentive and friendly and the atmosphere was that of a nice old school diner. If only they had old school soda fountain drinks... Aka: green river, since they do have the old soda fountain there might push them to up another start. Overall great food, good service, good atmosphere. Nothing really over the top but everything was good!
(4)
Robin R.

I used to go to Frances' way back when it was a tiny hole-in-the-wall place before Lincoln Park was Lincoln Park! My dad's side of the family were Frances' fans and we'd get food from there pretty often when I was a little kid. Now Frances' is just like any other restaurant - crowded, noisy. I really can't say the food was that great - it was ok. I was actually disappointed in the size of the portions. I ordered a grilled cheese and fries and there just were not that many fries! The sandwhich was acceptable, but nothing to write home about, as the old saying goes. I also was disappointed that there were no decent vegetarian options - at least The Bagel has a veggie burger and veggie chili. I had to resort to grilled cheese because I wanted lunch, but I had considered the potato pancakes or cheese blintzes. The coke was good though - cold and very carbonated. I may try there again and get the pancakes or blintzes and see what happens, and then I will re-review.
(2)
nicole h.

We were going to grab some standard breakfast at a greasy spoon place like Golden Nugget, but a spontaneous u-turn made by the hubby landed us in Frances'. And I was glad. I loved the warm, inviting atmosphere. Our waitress was super sweet. The matzo ball soup didn't knock my socks off, but the egg-salad sandwich on CRAZY fresh rye was awesome. My husband had a breakfast skillet with habanero cheese. He was in awe of how powerful the spice in the cheese was. Next time we're in the area and looking for breakfast, there will be no need to hit up a greasy spoon because I've found just-like-homemade breakfast in the city.
(4)
Brigid C.

Maybe this is the closest thing to a new york deli, but are they importing the food directly from there?? There must be a reason a chicken sandwich costs 11 dollars. Our waiter was so spacey he may have been travelling to new york to get our potato pancakes necause he was gone for so long. The food was good, but there were kids crawling around all over, and tons of babies crying... not my favorite atmosphere. If you want a NY deli so bad, save your pennies on their expensive food and buy a flight to new york. : )
(2)
Candice R.

I'll bump them up a star because the owner contacted me within a week of me writing my review, and sent me a $20 gift card. I've yet to use it, I haven't been in the neighborhood since, but I'm definitely going tot give them another shot when I am.
(3)
katie k.

I will start by saying I work here, so I am a bit partial, but I was eating here long before I got the job! Im writing the review actually because my boyfriend and I were trying to think of where to go for a great soup and sandwich and we ended up a frances! Every time we try to go somewhere else for the same type of food we end up disappointed. He gets the pastrami and corned beef with slaw and 1000 (#4), and I love half turkey and half corned beef with slaw and 1000! Can I also say that since I am a server here, please please let us know if something isnt the way you like. we always want you to leave full and happy, so please speak up!! : )
(5)
Matthew L.

Brought in a coupon that was valid on weekends, they said they are no longer accepting them. Not a good idea for a slow Saturday with a half empty restaurant. Especially considering you're five feet from Dunlays and Sarkis.
(1)
Michelle K.

I've been coming to Frances' for over 20 years (I used to dine in the little shack they called a "restaurant" down the street where Frank's is now located, if that gives you an idea of how long this place has been on my foodie roster), and it has remained one of my favorite spots in the city ever since. And while a lot has changed (the place has been seriously yuppified!!!), a few of their staples have remained the same. The cheese blintzes are more amazing than words can describe. If sent to death, Frances' cheese blintzes would be my last meal. That's how delicious they are!!! I had two Jewish grandmothers growing up who wanted nothing more than to feed me their homemade blintzes ... but neither of their recipes could hold a candle to the Frances' variety. My father, who fancies himself a gourmet, tried tirelessly to replicate the recipe for me, but to no avail. So I have been, and will continue to be, a Frances' patron for life, if for no other reason than the fact that I NEED those blintzes!!! Yes, I truly need them! The milkshakes and deli sandwiches are also well above average, though I do usually head straight for the blintzes, so I can't go into too much detail on these fronts. I have only given 4 stars here because, as much as I hate to admit it, the chicken soup at Frances' has gone down hill a bit. I'm a huge soup fan, so I know a good one when I taste it. Unfortunately, Frances' soup is usually either bland or over-salted, and the matzoh balls can tend to run a little undercooked. But don't let this missing star fool you ... this place is awesome!!!
(4)
Katie T.

I went here for lunch once but it sounds like I need to try their breakfast. I had a tuna melt which was great and their fries where big, hot and crispy. The tuna melt had hard boiled egg in it. Sounds kind of gross but it was really good. This place gets the extra star because they had at least 5 different types of root beer. I am absolutely in love with root beer and when I grow up I want to be a root beer connoisseur. I definitely plan on going back. Maybe next time I'll get an omelet and a root beer. (gross)
(5)
Lesley G.

I have been here a whole bunch of times, almost always on a Saturday or Sunday for breakfast, brunch or lunch...depending when I get up. The milkshakes are good, the chocolate chip pancakes are yummy (though last time I was there I felt they could have had more chocolate chips) and the sandwiches are big and delicious. It's a great place for a not that expensive, not fancy weekend brunch or lunch. You won't get the weird concoctions of other places, but if you want a good pastrami sandwich, some pancakes or eggs, this place will do the trick.
(3)
Kevin S.

I used to quasi-live in the area and I always stopped in once a week for a cheeseburger, fries and Oreo milkshake. Hands down my favorite comfort food in Chicago. Also, spent my birthday there...it's that special to me. Their other items are quite tasty as well. The matzoh ball soup is awesome. The sammiches are really good when the mood hits. The fact they have dreamsicle pop available is another selling point. Be prepared to wait on the weekends. It is a little loud and gets cozy, but well worth the wait. My Saturday morning was slightly ruined once due to some pancakes that did not meet my expectations only because I was so used to the quality of their brunch/lunch items.
(4)
dj z.

Get their sandwiches to go. You're gonna make a mess since they're so HUGE and towering. You'll wanna take a shower afterwards. This establishment has some of the best pickles ever. Thinly sliced corned beef (aw, DROOOOOOOL!) and fresh hallah bread. Hallah! I used to eat that stuff by itself, straight out of the bag as I'm walking out the door. Minus a star for the atmosphere and lack of easy parking.
(4)
Michael S.

You could go here for lunch every day for a couple of weeks, and still have new and tasty options to choose from. Still, I gravitate to the Lincoln Park (or the No.11 if you will) consistently. Turkey, melted munster cheese, and honey cup mustard.... all on grilled hallah. Mmmm. Plus, if you are up for it, they make a seriously good shake.
(4)
Heather B.

I came here with a friend and I'm so glad I was introduced to this place! Best matzo ball soup I've ever had and it's a huge ball o' matzo too. Lots of great sandwiches to choose from. I tried some of my friend's latke since I didn't get one with my soup/sandwich. The latke was deliciously greasy, fattening goodness! Very friendly and nice wait staff as well :)
(4)
Stephen R.

Despise. This place is overpriced and lame. You'd think that a facade and decor that tries to feel its "established" public persona would be more regular diner breakfast/brunch/lunch fare. No. It's overpriced. It's not good. Frances obviously turned a good investment by waiting it out for the long term and overcharging to compensate for their Clark Street rent, but it is. not. good. Go up the street to Golden Nugget. It's less than perfect, but better than the overpriced waste that awaits you here.
(2)
Jules H.

Best damn Reuben.....period! Nothing else to say.
(4)
Katie S.

This place is da' bomb. Yeah thats right- da' bomb. Words that are only used to describe something better than 'awesome'. Their malts are delicious, the server seemed to be managing an 18 table section with zero problems, and ALL of the food I have tried is great. Go here, or be square....or something like that.....
(5)
Dave S.

It has been ages since I was here last. Hmmm... Before my most recent visit, i think my last visit was in 1998, I believe. it was in every way that I remember it. The decor has changed very little, if at all, which is fine by me as i really liked and still like the feel of the place. I had a bacon, broccoli, and cheese omelet which was tasty and filled with just the right amount of ingredients. Our server was fine as she did a good job. However, I was a bit disappointed in the value. I mean the food was good but I don't think the portion size or the taste lived up to the price I paid. It was close but not quite there. Overall, I enjoyed my meal and i will be back when i am in the neighborhood but this is just not going to be a destination for me. I would like to come back and give their lunches a try.
(3)
Joon M.

My favorite place to go for breakfast or lunch when I'm really hungry. The nova lox sandwich is incredible... I would have given this place 5 stars if it included dill. The staff is polite & there are usually an interesting variety of characters dining there.
(4)
Katy O.

Frances has pretty good deli sandwiches. I especially like the reuben. My fiance hasn't been as impressed with his food here. He's tried the burgers and a turkey sandwich. If this place wasn't right around the corner from our home we probably wouldn't return, not because it's bad but just because there are so many other good sandwich places around that are not priced quite as high. I would like this place a lot more if the prices were a little bit lower.
(3)
Kristy C.

I ordered to go brisket sandwhich on white with potato pancakes, served with slaw. It was packed perfectly, including sauce for cake & pickle individually wrapped (which I appreciated as I'm not a huge fan of pickles). The staff was nice, the food was ready on time. Funny tho, the pickle was the best part of the meal- actually great & I don't like them. The potato pancake was disappointing, had absolutely no flavor & neither did the sauce that came with. The brisket looked like roast beef, the bread was literally miracle bread style slices no bun (& they don't carry sourdough as advertised). Also the slaw was tiny and wasn't like normal slaw it looked almost like potato salad. So in the end I'd say they were consistent & detailed but there food just wasn't wat I expected in a bad way.
(3)
Rocky B.

My husband came here practically every Sunday morning when we lived in the area and the only thing I really remember was their corned beef hash! Their corned beef hash was crispy and greasy! Mmm, put that with their runny eggs and delicious buttery toast and you are in heaven! The restaurant itself is nothing to look at but hey when you are half asleep on a Sunday morning who cares what the place looks like!
(3)
TN T.

I came here for breakfast twice, not because my first experience was awesome but b/c every time I walk by for breakfast it's always so packed. And when places are packed usually that means the food is good...I ordered an omelet with 3 toppings and it didn't even come with hash browns. The omelet came out and the eggs were so flavorless and airy like the egg batter was extremely watered down. My boyfriend and I both left hungry, were out 30 bucks and were pissed we didn't go to Dunlay's up the street...
(1)
Marianne S.

I can now get milkshakes anytime I feel like it :) I got the chocolate banana, which tasted good enough to satisfy my intermittent cravings. Burgers were good, as well as the fries. Their omelette (got the cheese and mushroom) were too dry! My friend and I only ate 1/4 of it. Will be going back for the milkshakes, for sure.
(3)
MsAnthro P.

I need to preface this review with the fact that I absolutely never go there when it's packed full (generally on weekends) of yuppies with hangovers or screeching kids. I did that once a few years back and have since been very careful to only head there during off hours. Now that that's out of the way, despite sometimes spotty service, I think it's definitely one of the best diners in the neighborhood. I'm not sure that's saying much considering the most nearby diner options are the Golden Nugget and the Golden Cup, both of which are lackluster. The best breakfast and lunch in the world? No. But it's hearty comfort food and I definitely have a few favorites, in particular the omelettes. Most diners serve those god-awful super Americanized "fluffy" omelettes whose textures are more akin to frittatas, but Frances' serves thinner omelettes that are still teeming with goodness. And, unlike a lot of places, you can get an omelette with four or five ingredients that doesn't cost you a dollar or more an ingredient. I also enjoy their grilled chicken salad and the chicken sandwich on challah. And the Nova Lox sandwich. Their portions are generous and they're usually especially on top of refilling drinks. Also, the menu is extensive. That said, I do find it a bit strange that I've been there several times on several different days over the years and the Soup of the Day has never been anything besides Mushroom Barely, which does not appeal to me in the least. Basically, I've never ordered anything here that displeased me and I've always left very full.
(4)
Steve W.

I've eaten at this place many Sundays, and all though it can be very packed, the food and service is always good.
(4)
Jeremy Z.

This is a terrific local brunch joint that has a very cozy feel. The made to order omelets are perfectly prepared and have very fresh ingredients. The deli also has some traditional Jewish favorites like challah french toast and matzo ball soup. If you want a quiet place at which to eat and pretend like you are on an episode of Friends, this is a good bet.
(4)
Carey A.

Yum! Hamburgers are big and messy!
(4)
David G.

Great lookin, great service. The food has no taste. I was excited to think I could get great corned beef. Wrong! Too bad this is so terrible!
(1)
j w.

Good food. Nice staff. Excellent matzo ball soup.
(4)
Robin W.

I've given Frances a few tries, and it's just okay. I was wavering between 2 and 3 stars and decided on 2 stars, because I just don't see myself going here ever again, even though it's 2 blocks from my house. I won't say the food was bad at all; it's decent food, but it's food that I could make at home in my opinion. Nothing special, and a little overpriced for a dingy diner. There are so many great brunch places in the area, even great diners, that I can't stand to spend $10 here on an omelet or $11 on an average quality reuben. Sorry Frances...
(2)
courtney g.

this may not affect your feelings about the place, but my philosophical objections stem mostly from the fact that they serve breakfast all day, and yet there are no waffles to be had. nary a one. challah french toast; a few kind of pancakes (which i thought were quite good); even blintzes. but ix-nay on the waffles, and that was what i wanted, so ... my dining companion had the bacon club and pronounced it good. so there's that. the two stars are mainly for the service. it was sub-standard. our waitress at least was pleasant, but disorganized, inattentive, and frequently absent for long periods. we were not wowed. also, i think their prices are a little out of line; just a shade. i think i'll stick to salt and pepper.
(2)
Katie S.

Ive been looking for breakfast places since I moved here a month ago. I decided to check this place out. I was able to get a table immediately as it was still fairly early (as far as brunch goes). My server was Erica. She was awesome! Friendliest service I think I've had in Chicago so far! She alone bumped it from 3 and a half stars to 4. I There was a nice variety in food. The challah toast yummy! The skillet was tasty and plentiful. You will be taking home leftovers!
(4)
Kris A.

Some of my friends love this place, and I don't get it. I've gone there a bunch of times, and it is kind of cute inside and I have no complaints with the staff...but the food just isn't good. Maybe I'm ordering the wrong things? But I don't like eggs so I always go for pancakes/ french toast/ crepes for breakfast, and they just are NOT good. Worst I've had is the french toast - the inside was dripping with egginess and the vanilla/cinnamon flavoring was just being overwhelmed by the egg taste. Also, I asked for crispy bacon and that evidently meant - microwave it. Yuk. Sorry , I hate microwaved bacon. I'm normally really not a picky person, but I have not enjoyed my meals here.
(2)
Corinne W.

After an evening of cocktails, Frances' is my favorite place to go - The chicken salad sandwich, ice tea, and grilled cheese on challah bread are fantastic, and they also have a chicken breast, avocado club that is so good. Whenever I have friends visiting from back east, I take them here, and so far, everyone has loved it.
(5)
Paul C.

I like this place for breakfast when my folks come to visit. They've got a pretty big menu and there's definitely something for everyone.
(4)
Liz K.

If you're a sandwich kind of person, it's definitely a good idea to come to frances'. Probably one of the best in the city.
(4)
Mike P.

Not bad, not great. Sometimes a long wait. Hit the Bagel if you want a good deli experience
(3)
Michael S.

The Bagel at Broadway and Barry has all the same food stuff, shorter waits, better food, and a free parking lot. You might as well go to the Bagel. A friend of mine and her daughter were sweet enough to host me at Frances's today. It was crowded, noisy, a long wait, and very average food. Oh, well, it was the thought that counts.
(2)
Andrea R.

I've tried this restaurant on two occasions and found the food to be very mediocre both times. There was also a very long wait (about 45 minutes) each time. Personally I'd rather spend the 45 minutes waiting at Tempo.
(2)
Laura B.

This place is average. It's kind of over priced and closes really early in the evening. I go to Frances for convenience and no other reason. I've had a few omelets and bacon and home fries. The bacon was soggy and fatty, and the home fries were also a little soggy. Also, I'm not a fan of the eggs in the omelet being super thing, it seems unnatural, like they used an egg mix instead of fresh eggs. I did try a milk shake which was very thick and pretty tasty but I certainly would not come here just for that.
(2)
Jaime S.

Great Matzah Ball Soup! Feels like home. Generous portions! They even gave an extra matzah ball for free and challah! Lots of toppings on the side salad too!
(5)
Teresa L.

Jon and I were in search of weekday breakfast option that wasn't named McDonald's, and luckily Frances' Deli was open for business. Upon walking into the restaurant, you're hit with historic nostalgia. Established in 1938, the deli is proud to display its long-standing presence in the neighborhood. The tiled floor, no frills wooden chairs, vintage coca cola vending machines (anyone have a penny?) collectively age Frances' Deli and bring you back to its roots. I ordered the lentil soup and the garden salad, and Jon probably got some dish that offered corned beef hash. Unfortunately, there was nothing to rave about.
(3)
Kara H.

When I`ve been drinking the night before- the next morning I just want some Matzo Ball soup and good ol' fashioned carbs. I found Frances' Deli on Yelp Eat24 and decided to give them a try. To hit the delivery minimum I got a bagel with cream cheese , a side of sliced tomatoes (I wish I could have just ordered a slice on the bagel, I didn't need a whole side), potato pancakes and some matzo ball soup. Feedback: Bagel- Meh. Wouldn't order it again. Soup- Yummy! Would get it again, however I wish it was heartier. I enjoy a good matzo ball soup with lots of chicken & noodles in it. That being said- the broth & matzo ball were both good. Potato Pancakes- Good. Nothing to write home about. Delivery- Site said ~ 50 minutes and the food came in under 30. I was extremely happy about that, and the food was still nice and hot.
(3)
Tracy Y.

My boyfriend and I came here for breakfast several months ago. He lives down the street, and we had wanted to try it for awhile. I have to say I was not impressed at all. It wasn't busy when we visited. I think it was a holiday weekend and a lot of people were out of town. I had one of the breakfast sandwiches and it was a complete mess. I couldn't even finish it because it was so messy. We decided we have no desire to go back and try again. Sometimes we walk by on the weekends and this place is so busy, and other times there's one or two tables occupied. You can definitely find a better place to eat breakfast in the neighborhood.
(2)
Evee S.

I took my spouse and parents here for Sunday lunch. I ordered the grilled chicken salad and everyone else ordered sandwiches. They look good but unfortunately everything was bland. None of the meat was properly seasoned. All 4 of us felt that the food was "eh...ok". Even though I was very hungry I found it hard to finish my meal. The coffee is also quite horrible. I will say that the service is good and everyone was friendly but that is not enough for us to return.
(1)
Claire L.

I used to eat at this place a lot, but recently I've come to the conclusion that there are better places to eat in the area for a quick breakfast/brunch/lunch. First off, something about 3 bucks for a diet coke really gets me. Maybe I don't order enough drinks anymore but that just feels so over priced to me. Second, the last time I was there I ordered an omelette with ham and cheddar cheese. Food came quickly but I found it extremely off when I took z bite of my omelette and discovered that the ham wasn't cut, they literally just to piece lunch meat ham and put it in the omelette. I found this so bizarre and truthfully unappetizing. When I asked the waitress if I could please get another one, she was so confused as to why and almost fought me on it, saying something along the lines of "you got ham, what's the issue". I got her to take it back and a new omelette returned a few minutes later, so I appreciate that but I guess I've seen the moving Waiting too many times that I'm afraid to send food back, so I just sort of picked at it. Lots of other options in the area, so I can't say I'd be back.
(3)
Susi M.

I went there for a late breakfast and ordered an egg sandwich with fried potatoes. I asked for the sandwich to be grilled and it was grilled to perfection. Tasted really good overall and the waitstaff was very courteous and attentive. I can see why this place is always full whenever I walk by.
(4)
Elizabeth W.

When I lived down the street from this place I'd usually walk the 2 blocks hungover on a Saturday or Sunday and I even found myself in there solo at a few off hours. While the food is pretty good if you're looking for some good, old fashioned comfort food in the form of Matzah Ball Soup, Ruebens, root beer, etc, the prices are kind of outrageous for standard diner fare.
(3)
Colleen W.

Food: Really good Service: Straight-up awful We arrived on a Sunday morning with a group, and the restaurant was obviously busy. No surprises there. We waited a while for a table, and when we finally sat down, waited another 20 minutes before asking to have our waitress come over. I will give her the benefit of the doubt and say it must have been her first day ever working at a restaurant, because taking our order was an incredibly arduous process for her. Drinks took another 20-30 minutes to come out, and when we asked another waitress if she could check on one she literally SCREAMED at us that she was not our waitress. It was scary and awkward. My drink did not come out until after I was finished eating, at which point I didn't even want it anymore. The food came out, a few things were messed up, and they charged us for a some things that we never received, but we were so fed up at that point that we just paid the bill. The servers were either rude, incompetent, or both. I'll stick to take-out from this place, if anything.
(2)
Molly D.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet! Frances' is definitely a solid choice for breakfast/brunch/lunch. It has a diner vibe with their love for Chicago displayed in their decorations and pictures around the restaurant. On warm days they open their garage windows to let the breeze come in and also have a few tables outside. Omelettes here are very good (if you like spicy try the habanero cheddar cheese in your omelette). Their Bloody Mary's are amazing (if you're a vegetarian/pescatarian like me, ask them to hold the meat on your toothpick). They also make a mean grilled cheese (try it on challah bread... best comfort food ever!) Here's my one gripe: While their prices are reasonable for the area, it's still a diner- and I expect my local diner to not only fill my plate with a boat load of food (they do) but to also make me feel like I saved a dollar or two.
(3)
Sadaf J.

Definitely not a deli, more like a greasy diner. Went for lunch and had the Grilled Turkey Avocado Sandwich. It was well dressed with veggies but I couldn't get over the unseasoned meat. Used lots of hot sauce to compensate the bland. Not worth a $13 sandwich. I'd try something else if I HAD to go again - Probably something fried. But if it's up to me, I won't be returning. Plus the waiter accidentally dropped a dirty knife from the table onto my clothes. Poor guy felt bad, and did take off a whopping $2 for the inconvenience. #womp
(2)
Jeff K.

Frances' has been a favorite since I first moved to Chicago over ten years ago. My first apartment was around the corner and Frances' quickly became my go to brunch place. I still try to go back when I'm in the neighborhood and the turkey reuben is consistently my choice. It's amazing. French fries or potato pancakes as a side. They serve booze, too, so you can enjoy a beer or Bloody Mary with your meal.
(5)
Mary M.

My husband and I have been coming here for a few years now. Not as much as we would like to, however, because the parking situation isn't that great and sometimes the wait is really long. But, if you do happen to have the chance to stop by and try it, PLEASE DO. BEST bloody mary's....really, really great fresh food. The skillets are awesome, I usually get them with the corned beef (which comes from Manny's). I've also tried the chicken soup which was great, the potato pancakes (yum), and the Reuben...SUPER TASTEY. My husband usually gets breakfast as well...the pancakes are REALLY GOOD! He has also had the "fatty melt", which is a patty melt made between two grilled cheese sandwiches. Yea, that was really tasty lol. Like I said, if you are able to make it here, please do. They have something for everyone from breakfast, to sandwiches, to salads and soups. They even have milkshakes and alcoholic milkshakes which I haven't tried yet, but will! Deducted one star just for the parking situation...makes it kind of difficult.
(4)
Kate U.

This place is sooooo good! Great option for a sunday brunch. As great as the typical brunch food sounds though, you have to come here for the deli meat. I'm talking about hot roast beef, pastrami, corned beef, and stuffed roast turkey. These sandwiches have so much meat that you can't possibly even eat them the typical way. I've never been one for deli meat sandwiches- but these come out on a tasty bread and they just make you happy. This diner has an old school charm to it, kind of like you're going to a deli as a kid. In my opinion it should be on Diners & drives, because the meat is that good. If you come on Sunday for brunchtime, you may have a bit of wait but not too bad compared to some other options in the area. Fantastic sandwiches!
(4)
Miranda B.

I eat here at least once a week. The chocolate chip pancakes are out of this world! I'm a bit picky about food, and the owner told me they are made in house with buttermilk, eggs, sugar, and Belgian chocolate. They also have a really great blueberry pancakes. You can mix and match such as bacon chocolate chip or blueberry banana, etc. Also a big fan of the skillets. You can get Amy's all natural chicken sausage (again, that's me being picky...) among other real meats, as well as add as many vegetables and cheeses as you want in addition to mushrooms, onions, and green peppers. The servings are HUGE-- you will have leftovers. As far as drinks, try the Bacon Habanero Bloody Mary. They also have fantastic mimosas which seem to use more champagne than orange juice (sometimes on mimosas at other places it seems more juice... ). Service can be slower on weekends when they're very busy, so get there before 10am or go after 3pm if you can't wait. It is also great during the week, when you can get right in. The owners are also really cool! A few times when I've ordered delivery I've noticed they've thrown in a cupcake or a cookie.
(5)
Sean B.

Came here on a Saturday and was very pleased with the service and food. I had a big omelette and it was delicious. Kind of obnoxious that you have to pay an extra charge for every omelette topping, but w/e. My sister got the BLAT sandwich and it looked great as well. They also offer spiked milkshakes which I hadn't seen before but looked really cool!
(4)
Stefan C.

I came here a few months back. I ordered Breakfast, one of my favorite meals. I asked the server if the buttermilk pancakes were made with real buttermilk. She said yes, but didn't really know. When I finally got my meal, I put the butter and syrup on the pancakes. The butter never melted. The syrup was not hot, nor were the pancakes - also, they were not real buttermilk pancakes. I called her over to tell her about it. She basically brushed me off saying I let them get cold. I asked the busser to see the mgr. And my waitress came over and told me that she was the Mgr. I told her I did not like her attitude and demeanor. Later the busboy came over and told me the owner was there. I spoke with him and told him I would never have someone with her attitude as front of house staff. He said he would talk with her. I will not go back.
(1)
Casey R.

Love this place. Have only been in the area for three weeks and we've had it three times! Everything we've had is so good.
(5)
Christopher V.

I really love this place. I've gone here several times over the years for both lunch and breakfast and it's always been great. I love their french toast and their sandwiches are all really good. I've never had a bad experience with any of the staff. It can get pretty packed at certain times, but a lot of times it's slower and it's a comfortable, mellow diner type place. Definitely worth a try if you haven't already.
(5)
Rebecca R.

Had a great brunch here at this dinner spot. I ordered the skillet and enjoyed every bite. My dude ordered the breakfast sliders as he wanted something a little more lunch like and was not disappointed. Service was quick, our waters were always full, and we left with an all around pleasant feeling. A good spot for a solid dinner breakfast/brunch. Looks like there were some good sandwiches heading out of the kitchen too.
(4)
Christie M.

I don't really understand the appeal of this place. It is just a regular ol' diner with pretty basic food. The menu is pretty limited and certainly not original by any means. They only have few different kinds of breakfast plates (eggs, omelettes, skillet, french toast, pancakes). Seriously, just bare bones breakfast fare, done in a very traditional way. Recently came for breakfast, I had the blueberry pancakes and hubby had the egg skillet. Everything was fine, I guess. I've certainly had better elsewhere. I don't know why I would spend $9 on pancakes here though, considering the other amazing brunch places within walking distance. Even the Edge up the block and more interesting breakfast fare! Won't be back.
(2)
Kyle D.

Good solid breakfast/brunch option that's relatively cheap. The atmosphere is old school, which is welcome for a change. The food was good and hearty, don't come here expecting a healthy meal. You could squeeze by, but the menu is already pretty small and mostly unhealthy. That was my biggest complaint of the place...the lack of menu. Still, the service was good and the food was great too. Good sized portions too. Overall a good, semi-greasy casual place for breakfast/brunch. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 7.5/10 Food: 7/10
(4)
Eli W.

This is a great diner. The sandwiches are all great. Burgers are yummy and the milkshakes are BAM so yummy. It's cute inside too. Very friendly waitstaff as well. The only thing was that it's very pricey! 6 bucks for a shake, 12 for a grilled turkey sandwich. 13 bucks for a burger. Come on... Whatever though, it's yummy. Stop by for lunch or breakfast, even dinner. This place is yummy. Get a milkshake. The turkey Reuben on challa is delicious. Love a good diner.
(4)
Katherine R.

I LOVE their omelets, they are expensive but sooooo good. All of the food is excellent, weekday service can be spotty but overall this is a solid place and we are lucky to have it in our neighborhood. Try the soups....really good.
(5)
Chris M.

Good stuff. Matzo soup, pastrami on Hallah! Yum!
(5)
Calli A.

Slow delivery. 30 minutes late. Bland and cold food. Never ordering from here again.
(2)
John Z.

The food is great. They forgot an omelet on our delivery and more than made up for it in customer service.
(5)
Katie K.

Ordered delivery 2 hours ago- (2 sandwiches). I have called twice to see where my food is because it still hasn't arrived, and they can't provide an answer as to where the food is or give an accurate answer when it will actually get here. Over 2 hours for 2 sandwiches is pretty ridiculous (this place is only about 2 miles from me). Won't be ordering here again.
(1)
David L.

Best deli in town. Ran out of matzo ball soup and waiter gave us more broth! What a mensch.
(5)
Mike B.

This is the best diner in the neighborhood. I would come here for breakfast as a kid and get the French toast and still do for breakfast. Also there sandwiches are very good
(5)
Kyle P.

I really like this place. I have been coming for years and think not only is it a cool location it has a wide variety of choices and is truly one of the last new York deli style places in the city. Wish people voted based on food and service and experience with waitstaff. Kinda tired of hearing people give places 2 stars because there is a 45 min wait and they were told there was going to be one and they read there was going to be one.......If you don't want to wait for the food great but you can't really take stars away when you were told it will take time and guess why there are waits and lines at places...? cause it's good
(5)
Leslie B.

As Chicagoans, most of us understand that you will often face a hefty wait while attempting to go to brunch. Sometimes, you simply cannot wait. This is the perfect time to go to Frances'. I had walked by this Clark Street staple countless times, but had only decided to sit down a few days ago. Our waitress (Sara) was incredibly friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Even though we sat outside, our water and coffee cups were constantly being filled which was fantastic. As a breakfast sandwich fiend, I could not resist the BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado, tomato) egg sandwich. My dining companion ordered the scramble. My sandwich came and was MASSIVE. Luckily, it came with a large knife to cut, but I knew this would still be a challenge. There was a ton of flavor and I loved the sourdough bread that the sandwich came on. I tried the boyfriend's scramble and it was super tasty, his addition of chicken sausage definitely added to the dish. I'm still undecided on how I felt about the breakfast potatoes. I actually had to add salt which I almost never do; they were just ok. Overall, great breakfast experience. Next time, I'll return for matzo ball soup and a traditional deli sandwich!
(4)
Brady H.

We live just around the corner and it took almost two years before we finally got around to eating at this lovely diner. There are a lot of options on this stretch of Clark street. Since then we've been there many times - its just a lovely place. Service is good, the food is uncomplicated and delicious, and prices are fair. The hours are a bit inconvenient - I guess people in Chicago just don't eat pastrami sandwiches and matzo ball soup late at night. This place and Eleven Diner down the street close rather early. Summer hours here are a bit later during the week, but they still close early on Fridays, perhaps to rest up for the weekend crowd. The kids plates are a decent value - my kid likes the mac and cheese. Seems to be just kraft box mac and cheese, but shrug. Comes with fries and some apple sauce. Keeps the kid happy. The chicken strips are also decent.
(4)
Jonathan C.

First let me just explain that the food was JUST OK, the fact that I was spending 12 bucks on two little sliders with French fries i expected the food to taste much better -the two sliders had hamburger, cheese, egg and bacon, the hamburger meat was pretty good a little burnt, the cheese tasted good, the egg was perfect and the bacon was pretty good, but the food just didn't seem to go well together. -the French fries were good but could've used a bit more seasoning. -I ordered a small chocolate milk for 2 bucks, it was literally two sips which made me pretty mad. -the waitress was VERY GOOD despite our luck with food. -my sister ordered a fried egg sandwich with sausage for 8 bucks which seemed a bit expensive still, she seemed to like it though, maybe I'm just a bit more picky...
(3)
Rick T.

Hot diggity dog, do I like Frances'! They've been in the neighborhood for 75 years, so you know they're doing something groovy. I gotta tell you up front that they do keep some weird hours. They open at 8AM daily and they seem to close whenever they damn well please. Hey, after 75 years I guess you earn the right to keep your own hours. Weekend brunch hours are slamming here, so I prefer to visit on weekdays when there's never a wait, but the food is just as good. If you're in a breakfast mood, let me recommend the omelet department. They're a little pricey in my book--all of those add-ons add up quickly. But, I'm willing to overlook that because Frances' cooks create masterpiece omelets. These are the sort of omelets that almost look like burritos. The eggmasters cook your eggs into the form of a thin sheet, which they then gently fold repeatedly over and around your ingredients until they've created a rectangular beauty. JUST LOOK AT THAT DARN THING, WOULDYA? Amazing. They're like little yellow pillows. If only pillows were stuffed with meat, cheese, and veggies. Most often when I do the Frances, though, I'm in a carnivorous state of mind and the triple-decker sandwich platters never disappoint. I'll admit that since I discovered the "Davey MIller" sandwich, I've rarely strayed to any other selection. The DM is a delicious 50/50 stack of corned beef and pastrami that's piled high between slabs of Swiss cheese and rye bread. Freakin' fresh deliciousness here, my friends. These babies come with a side of always piping hot, crisp, and beautiful fries, a pickle, and a small side of slaw. (These beasts have three slices of bread, with the third running down the middle of the sandwich. I always pull that third one out 'cuz I don't want it interfering with all of that delicious COW!) Do the Frances' Deli thing...At a time that's convenient for them, of course.
(5)
Ted C.

A good breakfast spot, but a little too much money, also, can they call themselves a deli any more when they don't sell any cold cuts? I got their breakfast sliders which were a tasty, messy (especially since I got it over easy) breakfast treat. I got a side of their sausage patties which were also a good, but for breakfast, I think it's a little pricey. Breakfast almost cost 20 bucks, which I think is a little steep for breakfast, it's just eggs and potatoes, right? Service wise, our waitress was friendly but hard to find at times. We were the only ones sitting up front but the place was pretty empty so I don't think it was too much to ask if I had more water.
(3)
B B.

Very disappointed in Frances'. Ordered a sandwich from the prices on their online menu. I went to pick It up and I was quoted $5 more. No offer to price match, just a solid take it and pay it, or cyonara. I chose the latter.
(2)
Mazal B.

Food for what ails ya. Frances' rendition is the holy grail of chicken matzoh ball soup in chitown. Delivery was superb!! hot and fast--delivery guy seemed to take pride in his job. A pleasure all around.
(5)
Phil F.

Classic Chicago deli with home-style atmosphere. Great service. The food was awesome. I had a pastrami and beef brisket on rye sandwich. Meat was very thinly cut, flavorful, and not greasy. The misses had cheeseburger which she loved, no frills burger that just tastes good. Baby tried everything off of our plates and left happy and smiling at waitress.
(5)
Charles S.

Great service! Our waitress was very attentive! I had the Clark & Arlington. Hot Pastrami and Corned Beef with Swiss, coleslaw, and TI dressing. Huge sandwich with tasty lean meat on your choice of bread. $12.95 for sandwich and side.
(3)
Rachel W.

Loved the lox and bagel! Fast delivery too!
(5)
Alexa K.

Two words : Bacon Pancaaaaaaakes! And now a song from my favorite cartoon, Adventure Time: "Makin pancakes, makin bacon pancakes, take some bacon and u put it ina pancake".... Sara is awesome, food is awesome (especially the bacon chocolate chip pancakes) Eat here!.....That is all.
(5)
Kimberly M.

I was in the mood for breakfast delivery and found this gem through GrubHub. My fiancÃ© and I actually ended up going in instead of ordering online. I wish I would have found them sooner! Everything was delicious! I ordered an omelet (Denver style) and my fiancÃ© got the skillet with habanero cheese and Frances' sausage which gave it a nice kick. I also had their bacon habanero Bloody Mary and I have to admit, this is one of the best. Will definitely be back! A little more pricey than other places, especially with omelet additions, but mmmm yum!
(4)
Alexandra D.

Token diner vibe with updated feel. Reuben was amazing. The service was stellar. Oh, and if you like spicy mustard, theirs is truly outstanding. Easily the best mustard I have ever had...ever.
(5)
Brittany H.

I've been searching for a delish brunch place in the hood, and ended up at France's deli. They underestimated the wait time by about 20 minutes, but they have a system where they text you when your table is ready. And when your hungover, that is a god send. Frances' has a typical lincoln park hole in the wall feel, equipped with kitschy vintage decor. I prefer breakfast at brunch, but wasn't too impressed by the breakfast portion of the menu. There wasn't much to choose from besides a few omelets and breakfast sandwiches. I ended up getting the avocado BLT egg sandwich, which was messy, but delish. The potatoes were pretty standard, nothing special. My friend got the egg and cheese sandwich, which I probably could've made better at home. I've heard good things about their lunch sandwiches, so I'd be willing to go back to try them for a late lunch. But I will definitely be continuing my search for a better brunch spot in LP.
(3)
Sarah K.

I have visited a fair share of diners in Lakeview and Lincoln Park and Frances might just be my new favorite. My friend and I stopped in one frigid Saturday morning to get brunch. We were immediately seated and given waters. Our server was attentive and visited our table in a timely manner throughout the meal. The menu had plenty of options, but was not so overwhelming that it would be impossible to make a selection. My friend ordered an egg white omelette - which was HUGE. She really enjoyed all of the ingredients she selected and need that they were fresh. I ordered the skillet without meat and I thought it was phenomenal. We split a short stack of the banana chocolate chip pancakes. Oh my goodness they were fantastic and I don't typically enjoy pancakes. Overall I had a great first experience at Frances and I will definitely be back to try other items on the menu.
(5)
Jennifer H.

Oh Frances. You are an institution. You are a destination. You are one of my favorite places to go for breakfast, brunch or lunch. I originally found Frances because I was on a mission to find a fabulous deli that served REAL turkey -- not the processed, pressed into a round ball type of turkey you find at most places. Well, Frances did not disappoint. Don't arrive expecting red carpet treatment. This is a deli, clean and simple. They crowd in the tables and serve people quickly. But this have been a favorite for almost a decade in my books. Tuna melt. Love it! Pancakes. Love it! Turkey sandwich on wheat. Love it! You want pastrami, potato pancakes with apple sauce, omelets? Then come on down. As a connoisseur of root beer, I also fell in love with Frances because they actually have a menu of root beers. And yes, for those uninitiated folks... there is a difference between brands. That's like saying Bud Light and Amstel are the same thing. (And that's what happens to you when you live in Milwaukee for a while... the culture gets under your skin.) Oh my goodness. And don't forget their shakes. Vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. We used to walk by, sneak in for a shake to go on hot summer days. Oh! And you can call ahead and do take out here -- they may not advertise it but there's a to-go menu. Frances becomes a place that you feel is your own. I'm not in the city anymore but I still crave Frances.
(4)
Mad I.

I could almost give this place 5 stars...but the service! We got this lame waitress who was acting sooo somber, quite put out when I asked her to see if she could make a cherry coke (which of course she did not). Proceeded to drop our food off, never to return. She walked past at the very end and stood the bill up in the condiment tray(??) "Why yes, everything was fine, no I would not like a marshmallow shake for dessert, thank you for asking" Haha, that def didn't happen. What a rag! If she spoke I would've gotten her name... And in the mean time, the other two waitresses whose shift just ended, plopped down next to us to b**** loudly about their shift while the bus boy swapped out and filled sugars/salt at the other table next to us. Awkward. I should've grabbed the MOD but I was engulfed in my delicious # pastrami on Challah with slaw, mmmmmmmmm
(4)
Stoney C.

Perfect spot for a traditional breakfast. Casual, friendly staff. Yummy food like you'd make at home if you had the time. I live in California, and stop here on every trip to Chicago. Sometimes twice.
(4)
Rits M.

I have heard good things about the brunch here, but I chose to not have brunchy items the day I went. Instead I had the Cajun burger, of which I am now a fan. The meat was ell cooked and was moist and delicious. The fries that accompanied it were great as well. They have some outdoor seating, inside it is much like a diner with a lot of wood, wodden walls, tables and chairs. They also have a vintage coke machine. I would say the service is a little slow, but I was with friends and was jabbering a lot, so I didn't really notice. Go here if you want a solid brunch option.
(4)
Sean H.

The bread on my sandwich had mold on it.
(2)
Nida K.

It was a cool place. We ordered the turkey sandwich - which whoa was huge!! It was a good, average turkey sandwich. Also had the egg sandwich. Which again was good and average. Not as big as my turkey sandwich. We were starving and they helped us out. It was cool. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back. But if I lived in the hood, I would go back.
(3)
Tim M.

I would not send my worst enemy to this dump. After picking up a Togo order with three bowls of soup and three bagels I returned home to have one of the soups completely open and leaking throughout the bag and my auto. After opening the bag I noticed that two of the soups were wrapped properly while the other was not. I returned and politely presented it to what I guess was either manager or owner. He was on phone and looked in bag and then said did you drop it. I said the soup was not packaged correctly, he looked and rolled his eyes. I said, You are kidding me, correct?? Then he proceeded to say I was lucky to get anything considering how busy they were. I flipped. By the way, I did not complain that three bagels and three bowls of soup cost 29.90. Never going back.
(1)
Frank S.

The best Reuben in Chicago by far. I get the half and half (corned beef and pastrami) and its a real delight. I am a Reuben connoisseur and they have the proper ratio of everything and the bread is grilled nicely. I use their Reuben as the benchmark when comparing to others I eat. I also like their omeletes. I like the thinner ones not the fluffy Chodeomeletes so France's are my cup of tea. I would recommend american cheese with corned beef, green peppers, onions, and mushrooms. I'm not a Jew so might not be an expert but this is my favorite Matza ball soup as well.
(5)
Loretta D.

I sometimes crave a Ruben sandwich and this one was one of the very best ever! So was the side potato pancake, crispy outside and dense inside. We shared it with an order of cheese blitzes any bubby would be proud to claim her own
(5)
J D.

It was memorial day, and I know they were busy, but this place is always great, today it was horrible. Waited ten minutes for a Diet Coke, then forty minutes for a pastrami sandwich. The pastrami was more like beef jerky, it was dry and tasteless. The waiter tried to be nice but he was clearly overwhelmed and not very experienced. Will go back but maybe not if they are so swamped. I am willing to wait for food, but no if it is sub-par.
(1)
April P.

Yes I've been obsessed with matzo ball soup lately. So how happy was I to have found out that some pretty amazing matzo ball soup was on one of the greatest food blocks in Chicago. Don't believe me? Lito's Empanadas. Maria's Mexican. Aloha Grill. Molly's Cupcakes. Del Seoul Korean tacos. Now add Frances's to that list. I was on a mission to get some of their matzo ball soup to feed my unwanted, common cold. And theirs did the trick. Gigantic size, dense matzo ball sitting atop a richly seasoned broth. Chunks of chicken, onion and carrot slivers. Perfect for the lingering cold days of our pseudo -winter -Chicago- weather. Their breakfast entrees look pretty fantastic but I have an eye on their shakes next time I need a M.B.S fix. . Banana Nutella. Yum!!!! ***** Who's in?
(5)
Lois A.

I'd give anything to have this in wicker park. The matzo ball soup is so good. Amazing corned beef and pastrami. Great fries and cole slaw. Really good turkey reuben. Very friendly staff and good bloody marys. Lots of great sandwich combinations and alcoholic milkshakes. It is hard for me to find any fault with this place.
(4)
Linda S.

This one is tricky, on one hand this place is way over-priced ($2 for a can of Sprite? $7 for a milkshake?? $2.50 for medium coffee - Starbucks doesn't charge this much!) on the other hand, the burgers we got were first class, enormous with side of fries...a LOT of fries, definitively worth the price! I wanted to take a picture but when I saw it I just threw restrain into the wind and tackled this monster! Half way through it I felt like I'm going to explode - this is definitively a very filling and yummy meal! My advice is to get the burger at Frances but get your drink somewhere else.
(3)
Keyla R.

Oh, Frances', how we love you! Nice people serving, comfortable surroundings, quick seating -even on your busy days -, and, ohhh, that lovely comfort food! Perfect after a hard night of Chi-town entertainment. The hubby and I love having late breakfasts on the weekends here. It's not fancy food, so don't go there looking for that. But you will find good pancakes, this great french toast made with Challah bread, and damned good omelets made with whatever you want in them. Oh, and the orange juice is fresh.
(4)
Taylor A.

Tried, based on everyone's recommendation, to get in here on a Sunday after St. Patrick's Day, and it just wasn't going to happen without an insane wait, so we came back on Monday morning to an almost empty breakfast spot. To me, the food was fine. Standard breakfast items like eggs, bacon, pancakes, and french toast were all about the same as you would get in any brunch spot, but my main beef is how most items are sold separately, so if you want a normal breakfast you're going to get nickel and dimed to death. My breakfast: French toast: $8 Bacon: $4 Two eggs: $4 Vanilla shake:$5 If there was some way to combine these items to get a better deal our waitress wasn't offering it up. $16 for standard french toast, eggs, and bacon just isn't worth it to me. The $5 shake was pretty damn awesome though, so I'd definitely head back there just for that!
(2)
Wendi M.

I saw this place on grubhub and decided to give then a try. I'm always looking for a really good deli that delivers. Frances' is it! I've ordered from here twice in a week! So far, I've tried the corned beef sandwich and the ham sandwich, the potato pancake and the chicken noodle soup. Everything has been so good, even the pancake, which most places can't seem to deliver without it getting nasty.
(5)
Stacy H.

One of my favorite brunch places. Great milkshakes. ;)
(5)
Jared J.

I went here on Saturday after getting black out drunk on Friday. I stumbled in with shades on, a massive headache and a mess of hair yet was greeted with all smiles. Thank goodness they served Bloody Marys because it was the perfect pick me up I needed at 10 in the morning. To add, they have the most DE-LICIOUS skillet entree I have ever had. I was brought out a sizzling hot skillet filled with a mix of fresh veggies, thick ham, habanero cheddar and a side fresh wheat bread. Definitely the perfect hang over cure and just down right phenomenal food served by a great wait staff. I would LOVE to go back to this place. Hell, open one in TX and I'll become a regular.
(4)
Jordan D.

I've lived in the neighborhood for a while, but always walked past this unassuming spot. When my fiance and I were walking down Clark, looking for a new place to get some grub we thought we'd give Frances' a shot and I am so glad we did! We both got deli sandwiches-him with the corned beef and I with the turkey club and I can say that we both had amazingly fresh plates! It was reasonably priced and the service was great. I'll definitely be visiting again and testing the breakfast menu next time! :)
(5)
Jess Z.

Frances' brought Mazoh balls and deli meat back into my life. After leaving NYC I figured we were done with it unless I made it at home. Luckily, I can once again be as lazy as I want and just hop in here for a delicious bowl of soup and 2 meals worth of sandwich any time I feel like gaining 10lbs in one sitting. Totally worth it though.
(5)
Ramya P.

Great place for breakfast! I typically venture out into farther neighborhoods when the weather is pleasant but I save places to try that are closer to where I live for cold winter days. So, recently me and my husband stopped here for an early breakfast. I got an egg-white omelet with assorted veggies which came with a side of crispy potatoes and toast. I also got to try my husband's choice of blueberry pancakes. Both dishes were fluffy and tasted great. Highly recommend getting breakfast here.
(4)
Lauren B.

I've successfully been here twice but tried to visit a few other times unsuccessfully....I would give Frances' an extra star, if it weren't for the weird hours. They're only open for dinner on the weekends (!) and even then, close early---Yelp said they close at 7, their website said 8 so we called and they said "7:30ish." We showed up around 7:30 and were seated but they closed down while we were there. We've been pleased with everything we've had--- great sandwiches and shakes. The breakfast menu looks solid too--- I only wish they'd follow more traditional hours.
(3)
Piper W.

Love this deli. My favorite deli when I loved in Chicago and after moving 6 years ago, it is still consistent and the same great quality. I take comfort knowing I can always count on Frances to be delicious and hopefully never close. I took cab ride from south loop just to eat here on my last visit. I LOVE the turkey Ruben- yummy coleslaw right on the sandwich. The Lincoln Park turkey sandwich is yummy too. Love you Frances!
(4)
Frances B.

I love a good diner. Besides loving this place because we share a name, it is everything you want in a diner: swift seating and service, good-quality fresh food, and at the right price. I usually can't NOT order the chicken avocado club because it's too good. But when I do venture out of my normal meal it is the blueberry pancakes and/or a skillet. I have never tried anything here I didn't like. Oh and the spiked milkshakes, lord help me.
(5)
Lisa L.

Midwest = Jewish central. Frances' is quite the establishment. Homey yet comfortable. Loud yet you don't have to scream to hear the people at your table. Came here for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. I had the matzah ball soup with a half hot corned beef sandwich. Others had a tuna melt (which looked amazing) and an avocado chicken (which also looked great)... I vote for coming here for a hot sandwich with melted cheese because it simply looked delicious. Good place for groups and casual dining. If I lived in the neighorhood, it'd be one of my go to spots.
(3)
Jessica A.

My first time here was nothing exciting. I ordered breakfast (some kind if omelet) and my boyfriend had a burger. It was decent for diner food, inexpensive, and came out hot. However my eggs were swimming in oil, and the fries were super greasy. Most likely will not eat here again seeing that there are so many other places nearby like the Edge that has more selection and big portions.
(3)
Ariel B.

So i see this place has mixed reviews and i don't understand why it has bad reviews. Honestly this is one of my favorite go-to's in Lincoln Park! From the pancakes to the sandwiches to the spiked milkshakes this place offers great food for breakfast, lunch and brunch! If anything, You should definitely come check out France's for ONE reason.. spiked milkshakes! My favorite being the Maker's Mark with vanilla ice cream and caramel.. YUMMINESS! As far as service i always get from just good to great service. I always seem to get a different waitress but no complaints from service. This place definitely has me coming back!
(5)
Parris M.

Oh, frances'. I lived around the corner from this place, and had to limit the amount of times I'd go. I grew up outside of NYC and knew what a good deli should be. I moved to Lincoln Park, and my hunt began. My personal favorite was the clark and arlington, a reuben with both corned beef and pastrami. My two favorites, combined. Also, they have the best breakfast I've had since I moved out of my mom's. Legitimately, if I moved out of Chicago I would plan trips back strictly for the breakfast here.
(4)
D. M.

4 words- Peanut butter chocolate milkshake. It's unreal. The matzo ball soup is fab and the sandwiches are huge. Love it.
(5)
Andre W.

A buddy of mine shamed me because I live around the corner from this place and have yet to check it out.... He told me how great their Pancakes are and how great their sandwiches are. I trust his judgement in places to eat because he has never steered me wrong. I met him there for breakfast last Saturday and I was craving the pancakes he raved about. I'm a regular pancakes guy so none of that blueberry or chocolate chip action for me. I was starving so I ordered a 3 stack along with chicken sausage. The pancakes came out and they were very fluffy (I probably should have ordered 2 instead of 3). Slapped the butter on, poured the syrup and destroyed some of the best flapjacks I have ever tasted! The chicken sausage was outta this world as well. As I write this I am flashing back to every bite (good stuff!) Yesterday afternoon I started thinking about how good he told me their sandwiches are, especially "The Lincoln Park". I got off of work and jumped on the bus with their phone number in my pocket. As I reached Clark and Division on the #22, I figured that was enough time for my sandwich to be ready if I called in for pickup. They told me 10 minutes...perfect! I jumped off of the bus and strolled in to pickup this famous sandwich I has been hearing about for the past couple of weeks..Ran home and burst open the bag...That was one of the best sandwiched I had in awhile! The Lincoln Park consists of grilled roast turkey, muenster cheese, honeycup mustard on grilled challah bread and it comes along with fries. Definitely will be trying again!!!! Definitely a place I want to go to more & more
(5)
Gabi M.

Three of us went for a walk this morning and happened upon Frances' just as hunger struck. It was busy inside but they sat the three of us immediately which was a good sign. Unfortunately, that was about the only good sign Frances' had in store for us... Coffee was decent, service was friendly but ridiculously slow, and word to the wise: do not order anything 'a la carte.' My friend went for a side of tomatoes ($2.50) to go with her omelette and my sister and I had a side of egg whites ($9.90) to go with our challah french toast. The total bill for the three of us was over $40 before tip... for a mediocre meal? No thanks! In addition to the above, one of the staff members dropped a glass near our table that shattered everywhere... it literally hit my foot - thanks goodness I was wearing close toed shoes or I would've likely gotten cut with the glass. When we complained to the manager about the surprise charges and slow service, he didn't really apologize; he told us he'd discount our bill by 25% but fifteen minutes later, he hadn't returned, so we left cash and said goodbye. With so many awesome breakfast places in Chicago, I highly doubt I'd return to Frances.
(2)
Carmen M.

I love Frances' deli! I go there almost every weekend and I've eaten something different every time I've been. (Okay, maybe I've done a few repeats of the Lincoln Park sandwich...) Everything is always great. The omelettes are so, so good. You get to build your own and they're always fluffy and perfect. I like mine with sausage, feta, green peppers and tomatos. It comes with two slices of toast and I always get the challah toast. It's wonderful. Also, in terms of breakfast, the skillet is also amazing. Friend potatoes, green peppers and onions topped with two eggs cooked any way you want them and your choice of cheese. (It also usually has mushrooms in it but I ask them to take them off because i don't like them.) Delicious! Lunch is also always really good. I have, like, five favorites. The Lincoln Park sandwich is crazy good. Grilled challah bread, delicious fresh roast turkey, muenster cheese and honeycup mustard. Fantastic. Also, try the turkey avocado club. It's basically the same sandwich... just with bacon and avocado.... which are two of my favorite things. Order the potato pancakes because they're amazing. Served with sides of both applesauce and sour cream... you really can't ask for more. Most of the potato pancakes I've had are kind of soft and bland... but these are crispy and perfect. The service is great. The line can get kind of long on the weekends but the hostess always seats us within a reasonable amount of time. Our servers are always really nice and attentive... coffee and water always keep refilling themselves without us even having to ask... and the vibe is really cool. On Sunday, they had this jazz music playing and I really liked it. Frances' is a great place to eat... whether you're ordering takeout on your lunch break in the middle of the week, battling your hangover on a Sunday morning or having breakfast with friends and family that are from out of town. Try this place. You'll like it. It's been around for years and years for a reason.
(5)
Nathan J.

Was in the mood for Classic Jew cuisine. Frances Is the kind if place that relies on its history, more than its food. it wasn't bad but it has a lack of chive cream cheese and doesn't do anything particularly great. Try it, I could be wrong
(2)
Nichole M.

Holy H. E. Doublehockeysticks! This place is expensive! Is this some sort of gourmet, fine dining restaurant? It sure didn't look it. $8 for a ham and cheese omelet and not even hashbrowns come with it? Not worth it. The food is decent, but not worth the price and there's not even a hostess to seat you. So what are they doing with all that money they're making??? Cuz they certainly aren't spending it on the food... The omelet I had tasted fine and the fried potatoes that I ordered on the side are actually quite tasty, but it ended up costing me $12 for an omelet and potatoes...so.... AND my omelet had lunchmeat ham on it, and it wasn't even cut up! And it took over 30 minutesfor us to get our food? The ladies that ordered after us were served before us and they didn't even cut up the ham, so what the heck were they doing for all that time?? Waiting for the chickens to lay the eggs?!! Honestly, I was surprised they didn't charge us extra for the jelly packets that came with our toast. The service was ok, aside from not getting our food for a while in a restaurant that was not at all busy. But we didn't have an actual server either, 2 women seemed to just be waiting on each of the tables. Never got a name from either.
(2)
Laura C.

How did this place get a Bib Gourmand? Standard deli food at it's best...Frances' fell short on all three dishes that we tried. Dish 1: Fried Matzoh with salami and onions. Without ever trying this Jewish specialty, I had high expectations of the giant floating ball. When it arrived, the plate was covered in flat, potato pancake-like pieces of matzoh. Under seasoned and dry, I had to order a side of thousand island to make the matzoh a little more palatable. I was really disappointed with the texture...usually I am a big fan of anything fried, and I would have described this dish as more "cooked on a flat top" than fried. Dish 2: Frances' sausage and mozzarella omelette. For a homemade sausage, I really wanted some seasoning. The bland sausage was worse than a frozen Brown 'n Serve that I used to eat as a kid on Sunday mornings. The omelette was cooked well, although one could argue that an omelette should be yellow instead of brown. Dish 3. Reuben omelette with corned beef and pastrami. This met expectations. Eggs were cooked well with a generous amount of meat and cheese fillings. The pastrami was a little on the fatty side, but I guess that is to be expected. Extras: Whole wheat toast and challah toast were overcooked. Maybe I just needed to ask them to lightly toast them. Fresh squeezed orange juice: "Meh. I've experienced better" as Yelp would say. I made some orange juice at home with oranges that had been sitting in my fridge for close to a month, and mine tasted better, which makes me wonder how long these oranges were sitting at Frances'. Atmosphere: loud and bustling for Sunday brunch. Interesting decorations reminiscent of a Potbelly's. Service: our server was really friendly and attentive, with drink refills appearing without needing to ask. Conclusion: stick with the corned beef omelette and you'll be fine. Anything else, try Orange or Yolk.
(2)
Lindsey W.

Another neighborhood joint that I waited way too long to try. On a cold Sunday I was trying to to find a brunch/lunch place that would satisfy two of us- one wanting breakfast and one wanting lunch. Ta-da! I ordered the matzoball soup and half roast beef sandwich. Seriously, while this was half and half, it was still like two meals. The matzoball soup was delicious, really hit the spot if that's what you're looking for. The meat was very good- not too fatty and felt fresh. The other ordered the special of bacon and chocolate chip pancakes, which was my second choice. While it definitely seemed like the bacon and cc's were just a topping, the dish was still delicious and enough to feed multiple people. Can't wait to come back and try more of the homestyle cooking they have, plus snazzy looking drink specials!
(4)
Allison V.

I just happened upon this place after getting my saddle adjusted at the bike shop. I wanted somewhere I could just sit, relax, and grab a bite to eat. I ordered the corned beef on rye with deli mustard and kraut...the kraut was an option I was informed of by my service. The service here is fantastic. I apparently has entered around 2:45pm and I was not aware that they closed at 3pm. Funny thing is, nobody treated me any differently and it was not until I was walking out the door and I asked the busyboy why he was locking the door that I was made aware that it was their closing time. Service was prompt and friendly. The iced tea was fantastic. The food was really good. I will definitely be back, maybe I will just arrive a little earlier. Bike parking on street.
(5)
Jaime S.

Great Matzah Ball Soup! Feels like home. Generous portions! They even gave an extra matzah ball for free and challah! Lots of toppings on the side salad too!
(5)
Teresa L.

Jon and I were in search of weekday breakfast option that wasn't named McDonald's, and luckily Frances' Deli was open for business. Upon walking into the restaurant, you're hit with historic nostalgia. Established in 1938, the deli is proud to display its long-standing presence in the neighborhood. The tiled floor, no frills wooden chairs, vintage coca cola vending machines (anyone have a penny?) collectively age Frances' Deli and bring you back to its roots. I ordered the lentil soup and the garden salad, and Jon probably got some dish that offered corned beef hash. Unfortunately, there was nothing to rave about.
(3)
Kara H.

When I`ve been drinking the night before- the next morning I just want some Matzo Ball soup and good ol' fashioned carbs. I found Frances' Deli on Yelp Eat24 and decided to give them a try. To hit the delivery minimum I got a bagel with cream cheese , a side of sliced tomatoes (I wish I could have just ordered a slice on the bagel, I didn't need a whole side), potato pancakes and some matzo ball soup. Feedback: Bagel- Meh. Wouldn't order it again. Soup- Yummy! Would get it again, however I wish it was heartier. I enjoy a good matzo ball soup with lots of chicken & noodles in it. That being said- the broth & matzo ball were both good. Potato Pancakes- Good. Nothing to write home about. Delivery- Site said ~ 50 minutes and the food came in under 30. I was extremely happy about that, and the food was still nice and hot.
(3)
Tracy Y.

My boyfriend and I came here for breakfast several months ago. He lives down the street, and we had wanted to try it for awhile. I have to say I was not impressed at all. It wasn't busy when we visited. I think it was a holiday weekend and a lot of people were out of town. I had one of the breakfast sandwiches and it was a complete mess. I couldn't even finish it because it was so messy. We decided we have no desire to go back and try again. Sometimes we walk by on the weekends and this place is so busy, and other times there's one or two tables occupied. You can definitely find a better place to eat breakfast in the neighborhood.
(2)
Claire L.

I used to eat at this place a lot, but recently I've come to the conclusion that there are better places to eat in the area for a quick breakfast/brunch/lunch. First off, something about 3 bucks for a diet coke really gets me. Maybe I don't order enough drinks anymore but that just feels so over priced to me. Second, the last time I was there I ordered an omelette with ham and cheddar cheese. Food came quickly but I found it extremely off when I took z bite of my omelette and discovered that the ham wasn't cut, they literally just to piece lunch meat ham and put it in the omelette. I found this so bizarre and truthfully unappetizing. When I asked the waitress if I could please get another one, she was so confused as to why and almost fought me on it, saying something along the lines of "you got ham, what's the issue". I got her to take it back and a new omelette returned a few minutes later, so I appreciate that but I guess I've seen the moving Waiting too many times that I'm afraid to send food back, so I just sort of picked at it. Lots of other options in the area, so I can't say I'd be back.
(3)
Susi M.

I went there for a late breakfast and ordered an egg sandwich with fried potatoes. I asked for the sandwich to be grilled and it was grilled to perfection. Tasted really good overall and the waitstaff was very courteous and attentive. I can see why this place is always full whenever I walk by.
(4)
Elizabeth W.

When I lived down the street from this place I'd usually walk the 2 blocks hungover on a Saturday or Sunday and I even found myself in there solo at a few off hours. While the food is pretty good if you're looking for some good, old fashioned comfort food in the form of Matzah Ball Soup, Ruebens, root beer, etc, the prices are kind of outrageous for standard diner fare.
(3)
Colleen W.

Food: Really good Service: Straight-up awful We arrived on a Sunday morning with a group, and the restaurant was obviously busy. No surprises there. We waited a while for a table, and when we finally sat down, waited another 20 minutes before asking to have our waitress come over. I will give her the benefit of the doubt and say it must have been her first day ever working at a restaurant, because taking our order was an incredibly arduous process for her. Drinks took another 20-30 minutes to come out, and when we asked another waitress if she could check on one she literally SCREAMED at us that she was not our waitress. It was scary and awkward. My drink did not come out until after I was finished eating, at which point I didn't even want it anymore. The food came out, a few things were messed up, and they charged us for a some things that we never received, but we were so fed up at that point that we just paid the bill. The servers were either rude, incompetent, or both. I'll stick to take-out from this place, if anything.
(2)
Molly D.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet! Frances' is definitely a solid choice for breakfast/brunch/lunch. It has a diner vibe with their love for Chicago displayed in their decorations and pictures around the restaurant. On warm days they open their garage windows to let the breeze come in and also have a few tables outside. Omelettes here are very good (if you like spicy try the habanero cheddar cheese in your omelette). Their Bloody Mary's are amazing (if you're a vegetarian/pescatarian like me, ask them to hold the meat on your toothpick). They also make a mean grilled cheese (try it on challah bread... best comfort food ever!) Here's my one gripe: While their prices are reasonable for the area, it's still a diner- and I expect my local diner to not only fill my plate with a boat load of food (they do) but to also make me feel like I saved a dollar or two.
(3)
Sadaf J.

Definitely not a deli, more like a greasy diner. Went for lunch and had the Grilled Turkey Avocado Sandwich. It was well dressed with veggies but I couldn't get over the unseasoned meat. Used lots of hot sauce to compensate the bland. Not worth a $13 sandwich. I'd try something else if I HAD to go again - Probably something fried. But if it's up to me, I won't be returning. Plus the waiter accidentally dropped a dirty knife from the table onto my clothes. Poor guy felt bad, and did take off a whopping $2 for the inconvenience. #womp
(2)
Jeff K.

Frances' has been a favorite since I first moved to Chicago over ten years ago. My first apartment was around the corner and Frances' quickly became my go to brunch place. I still try to go back when I'm in the neighborhood and the turkey reuben is consistently my choice. It's amazing. French fries or potato pancakes as a side. They serve booze, too, so you can enjoy a beer or Bloody Mary with your meal.
(5)
Mary M.

My husband and I have been coming here for a few years now. Not as much as we would like to, however, because the parking situation isn't that great and sometimes the wait is really long. But, if you do happen to have the chance to stop by and try it, PLEASE DO. BEST bloody mary's....really, really great fresh food. The skillets are awesome, I usually get them with the corned beef (which comes from Manny's). I've also tried the chicken soup which was great, the potato pancakes (yum), and the Reuben...SUPER TASTEY. My husband usually gets breakfast as well...the pancakes are REALLY GOOD! He has also had the "fatty melt", which is a patty melt made between two grilled cheese sandwiches. Yea, that was really tasty lol. Like I said, if you are able to make it here, please do. They have something for everyone from breakfast, to sandwiches, to salads and soups. They even have milkshakes and alcoholic milkshakes which I haven't tried yet, but will! Deducted one star just for the parking situation...makes it kind of difficult.
(4)
Kate U.

This place is sooooo good! Great option for a sunday brunch. As great as the typical brunch food sounds though, you have to come here for the deli meat. I'm talking about hot roast beef, pastrami, corned beef, and stuffed roast turkey. These sandwiches have so much meat that you can't possibly even eat them the typical way. I've never been one for deli meat sandwiches- but these come out on a tasty bread and they just make you happy. This diner has an old school charm to it, kind of like you're going to a deli as a kid. In my opinion it should be on Diners & drives, because the meat is that good. If you come on Sunday for brunchtime, you may have a bit of wait but not too bad compared to some other options in the area. Fantastic sandwiches!
(4)
Miranda B.

I eat here at least once a week. The chocolate chip pancakes are out of this world! I'm a bit picky about food, and the owner told me they are made in house with buttermilk, eggs, sugar, and Belgian chocolate. They also have a really great blueberry pancakes. You can mix and match such as bacon chocolate chip or blueberry banana, etc. Also a big fan of the skillets. You can get Amy's all natural chicken sausage (again, that's me being picky...) among other real meats, as well as add as many vegetables and cheeses as you want in addition to mushrooms, onions, and green peppers. The servings are HUGE-- you will have leftovers. As far as drinks, try the Bacon Habanero Bloody Mary. They also have fantastic mimosas which seem to use more champagne than orange juice (sometimes on mimosas at other places it seems more juice... ). Service can be slower on weekends when they're very busy, so get there before 10am or go after 3pm if you can't wait. It is also great during the week, when you can get right in. The owners are also really cool! A few times when I've ordered delivery I've noticed they've thrown in a cupcake or a cookie.
(5)
Sean B.

Came here on a Saturday and was very pleased with the service and food. I had a big omelette and it was delicious. Kind of obnoxious that you have to pay an extra charge for every omelette topping, but w/e. My sister got the BLAT sandwich and it looked great as well. They also offer spiked milkshakes which I hadn't seen before but looked really cool!
(4)
Stefan C.

I came here a few months back. I ordered Breakfast, one of my favorite meals. I asked the server if the buttermilk pancakes were made with real buttermilk. She said yes, but didn't really know. When I finally got my meal, I put the butter and syrup on the pancakes. The butter never melted. The syrup was not hot, nor were the pancakes - also, they were not real buttermilk pancakes. I called her over to tell her about it. She basically brushed me off saying I let them get cold. I asked the busser to see the mgr. And my waitress came over and told me that she was the Mgr. I told her I did not like her attitude and demeanor. Later the busboy came over and told me the owner was there. I spoke with him and told him I would never have someone with her attitude as front of house staff. He said he would talk with her. I will not go back.
(1)
Casey R.

Love this place. Have only been in the area for three weeks and we've had it three times! Everything we've had is so good.
(5)
Evee S.

I took my spouse and parents here for Sunday lunch. I ordered the grilled chicken salad and everyone else ordered sandwiches. They look good but unfortunately everything was bland. None of the meat was properly seasoned. All 4 of us felt that the food was "eh...ok". Even though I was very hungry I found it hard to finish my meal. The coffee is also quite horrible. I will say that the service is good and everyone was friendly but that is not enough for us to return.
(1)
Christopher V.

I really love this place. I've gone here several times over the years for both lunch and breakfast and it's always been great. I love their french toast and their sandwiches are all really good. I've never had a bad experience with any of the staff. It can get pretty packed at certain times, but a lot of times it's slower and it's a comfortable, mellow diner type place. Definitely worth a try if you haven't already.
(5)
Rebecca R.

Had a great brunch here at this dinner spot. I ordered the skillet and enjoyed every bite. My dude ordered the breakfast sliders as he wanted something a little more lunch like and was not disappointed. Service was quick, our waters were always full, and we left with an all around pleasant feeling. A good spot for a solid dinner breakfast/brunch. Looks like there were some good sandwiches heading out of the kitchen too.
(4)
Christie M.

I don't really understand the appeal of this place. It is just a regular ol' diner with pretty basic food. The menu is pretty limited and certainly not original by any means. They only have few different kinds of breakfast plates (eggs, omelettes, skillet, french toast, pancakes). Seriously, just bare bones breakfast fare, done in a very traditional way. Recently came for breakfast, I had the blueberry pancakes and hubby had the egg skillet. Everything was fine, I guess. I've certainly had better elsewhere. I don't know why I would spend $9 on pancakes here though, considering the other amazing brunch places within walking distance. Even the Edge up the block and more interesting breakfast fare! Won't be back.
(2)
Kyle D.

Good solid breakfast/brunch option that's relatively cheap. The atmosphere is old school, which is welcome for a change. The food was good and hearty, don't come here expecting a healthy meal. You could squeeze by, but the menu is already pretty small and mostly unhealthy. That was my biggest complaint of the place...the lack of menu. Still, the service was good and the food was great too. Good sized portions too. Overall a good, semi-greasy casual place for breakfast/brunch. Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 7.5/10 Food: 7/10
(4)
Eli W.

This is a great diner. The sandwiches are all great. Burgers are yummy and the milkshakes are BAM so yummy. It's cute inside too. Very friendly waitstaff as well. The only thing was that it's very pricey! 6 bucks for a shake, 12 for a grilled turkey sandwich. 13 bucks for a burger. Come on... Whatever though, it's yummy. Stop by for lunch or breakfast, even dinner. This place is yummy. Get a milkshake. The turkey Reuben on challa is delicious. Love a good diner.
(4)
Katherine R.

I LOVE their omelets, they are expensive but sooooo good. All of the food is excellent, weekday service can be spotty but overall this is a solid place and we are lucky to have it in our neighborhood. Try the soups....really good.
(5)
Chris M.

Good stuff. Matzo soup, pastrami on Hallah! Yum!
(5)
Calli A.

Slow delivery. 30 minutes late. Bland and cold food. Never ordering from here again.
(2)
John Z.

The food is great. They forgot an omelet on our delivery and more than made up for it in customer service.
(5)
Katie K.

Ordered delivery 2 hours ago- (2 sandwiches). I have called twice to see where my food is because it still hasn't arrived, and they can't provide an answer as to where the food is or give an accurate answer when it will actually get here. Over 2 hours for 2 sandwiches is pretty ridiculous (this place is only about 2 miles from me). Won't be ordering here again.
(1)
David L.

Best deli in town. Ran out of matzo ball soup and waiter gave us more broth! What a mensch.
(5)
Mike B.

This is the best diner in the neighborhood. I would come here for breakfast as a kid and get the French toast and still do for breakfast. Also there sandwiches are very good
(5)
Kyle P.

I really like this place. I have been coming for years and think not only is it a cool location it has a wide variety of choices and is truly one of the last new York deli style places in the city. Wish people voted based on food and service and experience with waitstaff. Kinda tired of hearing people give places 2 stars because there is a 45 min wait and they were told there was going to be one and they read there was going to be one.......If you don't want to wait for the food great but you can't really take stars away when you were told it will take time and guess why there are waits and lines at places...? cause it's good
(5)
Leslie B.

As Chicagoans, most of us understand that you will often face a hefty wait while attempting to go to brunch. Sometimes, you simply cannot wait. This is the perfect time to go to Frances'. I had walked by this Clark Street staple countless times, but had only decided to sit down a few days ago. Our waitress (Sara) was incredibly friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Even though we sat outside, our water and coffee cups were constantly being filled which was fantastic. As a breakfast sandwich fiend, I could not resist the BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado, tomato) egg sandwich. My dining companion ordered the scramble. My sandwich came and was MASSIVE. Luckily, it came with a large knife to cut, but I knew this would still be a challenge. There was a ton of flavor and I loved the sourdough bread that the sandwich came on. I tried the boyfriend's scramble and it was super tasty, his addition of chicken sausage definitely added to the dish. I'm still undecided on how I felt about the breakfast potatoes. I actually had to add salt which I almost never do; they were just ok. Overall, great breakfast experience. Next time, I'll return for matzo ball soup and a traditional deli sandwich!
(4)
Brady H.

We live just around the corner and it took almost two years before we finally got around to eating at this lovely diner. There are a lot of options on this stretch of Clark street. Since then we've been there many times - its just a lovely place. Service is good, the food is uncomplicated and delicious, and prices are fair. The hours are a bit inconvenient - I guess people in Chicago just don't eat pastrami sandwiches and matzo ball soup late at night. This place and Eleven Diner down the street close rather early. Summer hours here are a bit later during the week, but they still close early on Fridays, perhaps to rest up for the weekend crowd. The kids plates are a decent value - my kid likes the mac and cheese. Seems to be just kraft box mac and cheese, but shrug. Comes with fries and some apple sauce. Keeps the kid happy. The chicken strips are also decent.
(4)
Jonathan C.

First let me just explain that the food was JUST OK, the fact that I was spending 12 bucks on two little sliders with French fries i expected the food to taste much better -the two sliders had hamburger, cheese, egg and bacon, the hamburger meat was pretty good a little burnt, the cheese tasted good, the egg was perfect and the bacon was pretty good, but the food just didn't seem to go well together. -the French fries were good but could've used a bit more seasoning. -I ordered a small chocolate milk for 2 bucks, it was literally two sips which made me pretty mad. -the waitress was VERY GOOD despite our luck with food. -my sister ordered a fried egg sandwich with sausage for 8 bucks which seemed a bit expensive still, she seemed to like it though, maybe I'm just a bit more picky...
(3)
Rick T.

Hot diggity dog, do I like Frances'! They've been in the neighborhood for 75 years, so you know they're doing something groovy. I gotta tell you up front that they do keep some weird hours. They open at 8AM daily and they seem to close whenever they damn well please. Hey, after 75 years I guess you earn the right to keep your own hours. Weekend brunch hours are slamming here, so I prefer to visit on weekdays when there's never a wait, but the food is just as good. If you're in a breakfast mood, let me recommend the omelet department. They're a little pricey in my book--all of those add-ons add up quickly. But, I'm willing to overlook that because Frances' cooks create masterpiece omelets. These are the sort of omelets that almost look like burritos. The eggmasters cook your eggs into the form of a thin sheet, which they then gently fold repeatedly over and around your ingredients until they've created a rectangular beauty. JUST LOOK AT THAT DARN THING, WOULDYA? Amazing. They're like little yellow pillows. If only pillows were stuffed with meat, cheese, and veggies. Most often when I do the Frances, though, I'm in a carnivorous state of mind and the triple-decker sandwich platters never disappoint. I'll admit that since I discovered the "Davey MIller" sandwich, I've rarely strayed to any other selection. The DM is a delicious 50/50 stack of corned beef and pastrami that's piled high between slabs of Swiss cheese and rye bread. Freakin' fresh deliciousness here, my friends. These babies come with a side of always piping hot, crisp, and beautiful fries, a pickle, and a small side of slaw. (These beasts have three slices of bread, with the third running down the middle of the sandwich. I always pull that third one out 'cuz I don't want it interfering with all of that delicious COW!) Do the Frances' Deli thing...At a time that's convenient for them, of course.
(5)
Ted C.

A good breakfast spot, but a little too much money, also, can they call themselves a deli any more when they don't sell any cold cuts? I got their breakfast sliders which were a tasty, messy (especially since I got it over easy) breakfast treat. I got a side of their sausage patties which were also a good, but for breakfast, I think it's a little pricey. Breakfast almost cost 20 bucks, which I think is a little steep for breakfast, it's just eggs and potatoes, right? Service wise, our waitress was friendly but hard to find at times. We were the only ones sitting up front but the place was pretty empty so I don't think it was too much to ask if I had more water.
(3)
B B.

Very disappointed in Frances'. Ordered a sandwich from the prices on their online menu. I went to pick It up and I was quoted $5 more. No offer to price match, just a solid take it and pay it, or cyonara. I chose the latter.
(2)
Mazal B.

Food for what ails ya. Frances' rendition is the holy grail of chicken matzoh ball soup in chitown. Delivery was superb!! hot and fast--delivery guy seemed to take pride in his job. A pleasure all around.
(5)
Phil F.

Classic Chicago deli with home-style atmosphere. Great service. The food was awesome. I had a pastrami and beef brisket on rye sandwich. Meat was very thinly cut, flavorful, and not greasy. The misses had cheeseburger which she loved, no frills burger that just tastes good. Baby tried everything off of our plates and left happy and smiling at waitress.
(5)
Charles S.

Great service! Our waitress was very attentive! I had the Clark & Arlington. Hot Pastrami and Corned Beef with Swiss, coleslaw, and TI dressing. Huge sandwich with tasty lean meat on your choice of bread. $12.95 for sandwich and side.
(3)
Kimberly M.

I was in the mood for breakfast delivery and found this gem through GrubHub. My fiancÃ© and I actually ended up going in instead of ordering online. I wish I would have found them sooner! Everything was delicious! I ordered an omelet (Denver style) and my fiancÃ© got the skillet with habanero cheese and Frances' sausage which gave it a nice kick. I also had their bacon habanero Bloody Mary and I have to admit, this is one of the best. Will definitely be back! A little more pricey than other places, especially with omelet additions, but mmmm yum!
(4)
Alexandra D.

Token diner vibe with updated feel. Reuben was amazing. The service was stellar. Oh, and if you like spicy mustard, theirs is truly outstanding. Easily the best mustard I have ever had...ever.
(5)
Brittany H.

I've been searching for a delish brunch place in the hood, and ended up at France's deli. They underestimated the wait time by about 20 minutes, but they have a system where they text you when your table is ready. And when your hungover, that is a god send. Frances' has a typical lincoln park hole in the wall feel, equipped with kitschy vintage decor. I prefer breakfast at brunch, but wasn't too impressed by the breakfast portion of the menu. There wasn't much to choose from besides a few omelets and breakfast sandwiches. I ended up getting the avocado BLT egg sandwich, which was messy, but delish. The potatoes were pretty standard, nothing special. My friend got the egg and cheese sandwich, which I probably could've made better at home. I've heard good things about their lunch sandwiches, so I'd be willing to go back to try them for a late lunch. But I will definitely be continuing my search for a better brunch spot in LP.
(3)
Sarah K.

I have visited a fair share of diners in Lakeview and Lincoln Park and Frances might just be my new favorite. My friend and I stopped in one frigid Saturday morning to get brunch. We were immediately seated and given waters. Our server was attentive and visited our table in a timely manner throughout the meal. The menu had plenty of options, but was not so overwhelming that it would be impossible to make a selection. My friend ordered an egg white omelette - which was HUGE. She really enjoyed all of the ingredients she selected and need that they were fresh. I ordered the skillet without meat and I thought it was phenomenal. We split a short stack of the banana chocolate chip pancakes. Oh my goodness they were fantastic and I don't typically enjoy pancakes. Overall I had a great first experience at Frances and I will definitely be back to try other items on the menu.
(5)
Jennifer H.

Oh Frances. You are an institution. You are a destination. You are one of my favorite places to go for breakfast, brunch or lunch. I originally found Frances because I was on a mission to find a fabulous deli that served REAL turkey -- not the processed, pressed into a round ball type of turkey you find at most places. Well, Frances did not disappoint. Don't arrive expecting red carpet treatment. This is a deli, clean and simple. They crowd in the tables and serve people quickly. But this have been a favorite for almost a decade in my books. Tuna melt. Love it! Pancakes. Love it! Turkey sandwich on wheat. Love it! You want pastrami, potato pancakes with apple sauce, omelets? Then come on down. As a connoisseur of root beer, I also fell in love with Frances because they actually have a menu of root beers. And yes, for those uninitiated folks... there is a difference between brands. That's like saying Bud Light and Amstel are the same thing. (And that's what happens to you when you live in Milwaukee for a while... the culture gets under your skin.) Oh my goodness. And don't forget their shakes. Vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. We used to walk by, sneak in for a shake to go on hot summer days. Oh! And you can call ahead and do take out here -- they may not advertise it but there's a to-go menu. Frances becomes a place that you feel is your own. I'm not in the city anymore but I still crave Frances.
(4)
Mad I.

I could almost give this place 5 stars...but the service! We got this lame waitress who was acting sooo somber, quite put out when I asked her to see if she could make a cherry coke (which of course she did not). Proceeded to drop our food off, never to return. She walked past at the very end and stood the bill up in the condiment tray(??) "Why yes, everything was fine, no I would not like a marshmallow shake for dessert, thank you for asking" Haha, that def didn't happen. What a rag! If she spoke I would've gotten her name... And in the mean time, the other two waitresses whose shift just ended, plopped down next to us to b**** loudly about their shift while the bus boy swapped out and filled sugars/salt at the other table next to us. Awkward. I should've grabbed the MOD but I was engulfed in my delicious # pastrami on Challah with slaw, mmmmmmmmm
(4)
Stoney C.

Perfect spot for a traditional breakfast. Casual, friendly staff. Yummy food like you'd make at home if you had the time. I live in California, and stop here on every trip to Chicago. Sometimes twice.
(4)
Rits M.

I have heard good things about the brunch here, but I chose to not have brunchy items the day I went. Instead I had the Cajun burger, of which I am now a fan. The meat was ell cooked and was moist and delicious. The fries that accompanied it were great as well. They have some outdoor seating, inside it is much like a diner with a lot of wood, wodden walls, tables and chairs. They also have a vintage coke machine. I would say the service is a little slow, but I was with friends and was jabbering a lot, so I didn't really notice. Go here if you want a solid brunch option.
(4)
Sean H.

The bread on my sandwich had mold on it.
(2)
Nida K.

It was a cool place. We ordered the turkey sandwich - which whoa was huge!! It was a good, average turkey sandwich. Also had the egg sandwich. Which again was good and average. Not as big as my turkey sandwich. We were starving and they helped us out. It was cool. I wouldn't go out of my way to go back. But if I lived in the hood, I would go back.
(3)
Tim M.

I would not send my worst enemy to this dump. After picking up a Togo order with three bowls of soup and three bagels I returned home to have one of the soups completely open and leaking throughout the bag and my auto. After opening the bag I noticed that two of the soups were wrapped properly while the other was not. I returned and politely presented it to what I guess was either manager or owner. He was on phone and looked in bag and then said did you drop it. I said the soup was not packaged correctly, he looked and rolled his eyes. I said, You are kidding me, correct?? Then he proceeded to say I was lucky to get anything considering how busy they were. I flipped. By the way, I did not complain that three bagels and three bowls of soup cost 29.90. Never going back.
(1)
Frank S.

The best Reuben in Chicago by far. I get the half and half (corned beef and pastrami) and its a real delight. I am a Reuben connoisseur and they have the proper ratio of everything and the bread is grilled nicely. I use their Reuben as the benchmark when comparing to others I eat. I also like their omeletes. I like the thinner ones not the fluffy Chodeomeletes so France's are my cup of tea. I would recommend american cheese with corned beef, green peppers, onions, and mushrooms. I'm not a Jew so might not be an expert but this is my favorite Matza ball soup as well.
(5)
Loretta D.

I sometimes crave a Ruben sandwich and this one was one of the very best ever! So was the side potato pancake, crispy outside and dense inside. We shared it with an order of cheese blitzes any bubby would be proud to claim her own
(5)
J D.

It was memorial day, and I know they were busy, but this place is always great, today it was horrible. Waited ten minutes for a Diet Coke, then forty minutes for a pastrami sandwich. The pastrami was more like beef jerky, it was dry and tasteless. The waiter tried to be nice but he was clearly overwhelmed and not very experienced. Will go back but maybe not if they are so swamped. I am willing to wait for food, but no if it is sub-par.
(1)
April P.

Yes I've been obsessed with matzo ball soup lately. So how happy was I to have found out that some pretty amazing matzo ball soup was on one of the greatest food blocks in Chicago. Don't believe me? Lito's Empanadas. Maria's Mexican. Aloha Grill. Molly's Cupcakes. Del Seoul Korean tacos. Now add Frances's to that list. I was on a mission to get some of their matzo ball soup to feed my unwanted, common cold. And theirs did the trick. Gigantic size, dense matzo ball sitting atop a richly seasoned broth. Chunks of chicken, onion and carrot slivers. Perfect for the lingering cold days of our pseudo -winter -Chicago- weather. Their breakfast entrees look pretty fantastic but I have an eye on their shakes next time I need a M.B.S fix. . Banana Nutella. Yum!!!! ***** Who's in?
(5)
Lois A.

I'd give anything to have this in wicker park. The matzo ball soup is so good. Amazing corned beef and pastrami. Great fries and cole slaw. Really good turkey reuben. Very friendly staff and good bloody marys. Lots of great sandwich combinations and alcoholic milkshakes. It is hard for me to find any fault with this place.
(4)
Linda S.

This one is tricky, on one hand this place is way over-priced ($2 for a can of Sprite? $7 for a milkshake?? $2.50 for medium coffee - Starbucks doesn't charge this much!) on the other hand, the burgers we got were first class, enormous with side of fries...a LOT of fries, definitively worth the price! I wanted to take a picture but when I saw it I just threw restrain into the wind and tackled this monster! Half way through it I felt like I'm going to explode - this is definitively a very filling and yummy meal! My advice is to get the burger at Frances but get your drink somewhere else.
(3)
Keyla R.

Oh, Frances', how we love you! Nice people serving, comfortable surroundings, quick seating -even on your busy days -, and, ohhh, that lovely comfort food! Perfect after a hard night of Chi-town entertainment. The hubby and I love having late breakfasts on the weekends here. It's not fancy food, so don't go there looking for that. But you will find good pancakes, this great french toast made with Challah bread, and damned good omelets made with whatever you want in them. Oh, and the orange juice is fresh.
(4)
Taylor A.

Tried, based on everyone's recommendation, to get in here on a Sunday after St. Patrick's Day, and it just wasn't going to happen without an insane wait, so we came back on Monday morning to an almost empty breakfast spot. To me, the food was fine. Standard breakfast items like eggs, bacon, pancakes, and french toast were all about the same as you would get in any brunch spot, but my main beef is how most items are sold separately, so if you want a normal breakfast you're going to get nickel and dimed to death. My breakfast: French toast: $8 Bacon: $4 Two eggs: $4 Vanilla shake:$5 If there was some way to combine these items to get a better deal our waitress wasn't offering it up. $16 for standard french toast, eggs, and bacon just isn't worth it to me. The $5 shake was pretty damn awesome though, so I'd definitely head back there just for that!
(2)
Wendi M.

I saw this place on grubhub and decided to give then a try. I'm always looking for a really good deli that delivers. Frances' is it! I've ordered from here twice in a week! So far, I've tried the corned beef sandwich and the ham sandwich, the potato pancake and the chicken noodle soup. Everything has been so good, even the pancake, which most places can't seem to deliver without it getting nasty.
(5)
Stacy H.

One of my favorite brunch places. Great milkshakes. ;)
(5)
Jared J.

I went here on Saturday after getting black out drunk on Friday. I stumbled in with shades on, a massive headache and a mess of hair yet was greeted with all smiles. Thank goodness they served Bloody Marys because it was the perfect pick me up I needed at 10 in the morning. To add, they have the most DE-LICIOUS skillet entree I have ever had. I was brought out a sizzling hot skillet filled with a mix of fresh veggies, thick ham, habanero cheddar and a side fresh wheat bread. Definitely the perfect hang over cure and just down right phenomenal food served by a great wait staff. I would LOVE to go back to this place. Hell, open one in TX and I'll become a regular.
(4)
Jordan D.

I've lived in the neighborhood for a while, but always walked past this unassuming spot. When my fiance and I were walking down Clark, looking for a new place to get some grub we thought we'd give Frances' a shot and I am so glad we did! We both got deli sandwiches-him with the corned beef and I with the turkey club and I can say that we both had amazingly fresh plates! It was reasonably priced and the service was great. I'll definitely be visiting again and testing the breakfast menu next time! :)
(5)
Rachel W.

Loved the lox and bagel! Fast delivery too!
(5)
Alexa K.

Two words : Bacon Pancaaaaaaakes! And now a song from my favorite cartoon, Adventure Time: "Makin pancakes, makin bacon pancakes, take some bacon and u put it ina pancake".... Sara is awesome, food is awesome (especially the bacon chocolate chip pancakes) Eat here!.....That is all.
(5)
Jess Z.

Frances' brought Mazoh balls and deli meat back into my life. After leaving NYC I figured we were done with it unless I made it at home. Luckily, I can once again be as lazy as I want and just hop in here for a delicious bowl of soup and 2 meals worth of sandwich any time I feel like gaining 10lbs in one sitting. Totally worth it though.
(5)
Ramya P.

Great place for breakfast! I typically venture out into farther neighborhoods when the weather is pleasant but I save places to try that are closer to where I live for cold winter days. So, recently me and my husband stopped here for an early breakfast. I got an egg-white omelet with assorted veggies which came with a side of crispy potatoes and toast. I also got to try my husband's choice of blueberry pancakes. Both dishes were fluffy and tasted great. Highly recommend getting breakfast here.
(4)
Lauren B.

I've successfully been here twice but tried to visit a few other times unsuccessfully....I would give Frances' an extra star, if it weren't for the weird hours. They're only open for dinner on the weekends (!) and even then, close early---Yelp said they close at 7, their website said 8 so we called and they said "7:30ish." We showed up around 7:30 and were seated but they closed down while we were there. We've been pleased with everything we've had--- great sandwiches and shakes. The breakfast menu looks solid too--- I only wish they'd follow more traditional hours.
(3)
Piper W.

Love this deli. My favorite deli when I loved in Chicago and after moving 6 years ago, it is still consistent and the same great quality. I take comfort knowing I can always count on Frances to be delicious and hopefully never close. I took cab ride from south loop just to eat here on my last visit. I LOVE the turkey Ruben- yummy coleslaw right on the sandwich. The Lincoln Park turkey sandwich is yummy too. Love you Frances!
(4)
Frances B.

I love a good diner. Besides loving this place because we share a name, it is everything you want in a diner: swift seating and service, good-quality fresh food, and at the right price. I usually can't NOT order the chicken avocado club because it's too good. But when I do venture out of my normal meal it is the blueberry pancakes and/or a skillet. I have never tried anything here I didn't like. Oh and the spiked milkshakes, lord help me.
(5)
Lisa L.

Midwest = Jewish central. Frances' is quite the establishment. Homey yet comfortable. Loud yet you don't have to scream to hear the people at your table. Came here for lunch on a Saturday afternoon. I had the matzah ball soup with a half hot corned beef sandwich. Others had a tuna melt (which looked amazing) and an avocado chicken (which also looked great)... I vote for coming here for a hot sandwich with melted cheese because it simply looked delicious. Good place for groups and casual dining. If I lived in the neighorhood, it'd be one of my go to spots.
(3)
Jessica A.

My first time here was nothing exciting. I ordered breakfast (some kind if omelet) and my boyfriend had a burger. It was decent for diner food, inexpensive, and came out hot. However my eggs were swimming in oil, and the fries were super greasy. Most likely will not eat here again seeing that there are so many other places nearby like the Edge that has more selection and big portions.
(3)
Ariel B.

So i see this place has mixed reviews and i don't understand why it has bad reviews. Honestly this is one of my favorite go-to's in Lincoln Park! From the pancakes to the sandwiches to the spiked milkshakes this place offers great food for breakfast, lunch and brunch! If anything, You should definitely come check out France's for ONE reason.. spiked milkshakes! My favorite being the Maker's Mark with vanilla ice cream and caramel.. YUMMINESS! As far as service i always get from just good to great service. I always seem to get a different waitress but no complaints from service. This place definitely has me coming back!
(5)
Parris M.

Oh, frances'. I lived around the corner from this place, and had to limit the amount of times I'd go. I grew up outside of NYC and knew what a good deli should be. I moved to Lincoln Park, and my hunt began. My personal favorite was the clark and arlington, a reuben with both corned beef and pastrami. My two favorites, combined. Also, they have the best breakfast I've had since I moved out of my mom's. Legitimately, if I moved out of Chicago I would plan trips back strictly for the breakfast here.
(4)
D. M.

4 words- Peanut butter chocolate milkshake. It's unreal. The matzo ball soup is fab and the sandwiches are huge. Love it.
(5)
Andre W.

A buddy of mine shamed me because I live around the corner from this place and have yet to check it out.... He told me how great their Pancakes are and how great their sandwiches are. I trust his judgement in places to eat because he has never steered me wrong. I met him there for breakfast last Saturday and I was craving the pancakes he raved about. I'm a regular pancakes guy so none of that blueberry or chocolate chip action for me. I was starving so I ordered a 3 stack along with chicken sausage. The pancakes came out and they were very fluffy (I probably should have ordered 2 instead of 3). Slapped the butter on, poured the syrup and destroyed some of the best flapjacks I have ever tasted! The chicken sausage was outta this world as well. As I write this I am flashing back to every bite (good stuff!) Yesterday afternoon I started thinking about how good he told me their sandwiches are, especially "The Lincoln Park". I got off of work and jumped on the bus with their phone number in my pocket. As I reached Clark and Division on the #22, I figured that was enough time for my sandwich to be ready if I called in for pickup. They told me 10 minutes...perfect! I jumped off of the bus and strolled in to pickup this famous sandwich I has been hearing about for the past couple of weeks..Ran home and burst open the bag...That was one of the best sandwiched I had in awhile! The Lincoln Park consists of grilled roast turkey, muenster cheese, honeycup mustard on grilled challah bread and it comes along with fries. Definitely will be trying again!!!! Definitely a place I want to go to more & more
(5)
Gabi M.

Three of us went for a walk this morning and happened upon Frances' just as hunger struck. It was busy inside but they sat the three of us immediately which was a good sign. Unfortunately, that was about the only good sign Frances' had in store for us... Coffee was decent, service was friendly but ridiculously slow, and word to the wise: do not order anything 'a la carte.' My friend went for a side of tomatoes ($2.50) to go with her omelette and my sister and I had a side of egg whites ($9.90) to go with our challah french toast. The total bill for the three of us was over $40 before tip... for a mediocre meal? No thanks! In addition to the above, one of the staff members dropped a glass near our table that shattered everywhere... it literally hit my foot - thanks goodness I was wearing close toed shoes or I would've likely gotten cut with the glass. When we complained to the manager about the surprise charges and slow service, he didn't really apologize; he told us he'd discount our bill by 25% but fifteen minutes later, he hadn't returned, so we left cash and said goodbye. With so many awesome breakfast places in Chicago, I highly doubt I'd return to Frances.
(2)
Carmen M.

I love Frances' deli! I go there almost every weekend and I've eaten something different every time I've been. (Okay, maybe I've done a few repeats of the Lincoln Park sandwich...) Everything is always great. The omelettes are so, so good. You get to build your own and they're always fluffy and perfect. I like mine with sausage, feta, green peppers and tomatos. It comes with two slices of toast and I always get the challah toast. It's wonderful. Also, in terms of breakfast, the skillet is also amazing. Friend potatoes, green peppers and onions topped with two eggs cooked any way you want them and your choice of cheese. (It also usually has mushrooms in it but I ask them to take them off because i don't like them.) Delicious! Lunch is also always really good. I have, like, five favorites. The Lincoln Park sandwich is crazy good. Grilled challah bread, delicious fresh roast turkey, muenster cheese and honeycup mustard. Fantastic. Also, try the turkey avocado club. It's basically the same sandwich... just with bacon and avocado.... which are two of my favorite things. Order the potato pancakes because they're amazing. Served with sides of both applesauce and sour cream... you really can't ask for more. Most of the potato pancakes I've had are kind of soft and bland... but these are crispy and perfect. The service is great. The line can get kind of long on the weekends but the hostess always seats us within a reasonable amount of time. Our servers are always really nice and attentive... coffee and water always keep refilling themselves without us even having to ask... and the vibe is really cool. On Sunday, they had this jazz music playing and I really liked it. Frances' is a great place to eat... whether you're ordering takeout on your lunch break in the middle of the week, battling your hangover on a Sunday morning or having breakfast with friends and family that are from out of town. Try this place. You'll like it. It's been around for years and years for a reason.
(5)
Nathan J.

Was in the mood for Classic Jew cuisine. Frances Is the kind if place that relies on its history, more than its food. it wasn't bad but it has a lack of chive cream cheese and doesn't do anything particularly great. Try it, I could be wrong
(2)
Nichole M.

Holy H. E. Doublehockeysticks! This place is expensive! Is this some sort of gourmet, fine dining restaurant? It sure didn't look it. $8 for a ham and cheese omelet and not even hashbrowns come with it? Not worth it. The food is decent, but not worth the price and there's not even a hostess to seat you. So what are they doing with all that money they're making??? Cuz they certainly aren't spending it on the food... The omelet I had tasted fine and the fried potatoes that I ordered on the side are actually quite tasty, but it ended up costing me $12 for an omelet and potatoes...so.... AND my omelet had lunchmeat ham on it, and it wasn't even cut up! And it took over 30 minutesfor us to get our food? The ladies that ordered after us were served before us and they didn't even cut up the ham, so what the heck were they doing for all that time?? Waiting for the chickens to lay the eggs?!! Honestly, I was surprised they didn't charge us extra for the jelly packets that came with our toast. The service was ok, aside from not getting our food for a while in a restaurant that was not at all busy. But we didn't have an actual server either, 2 women seemed to just be waiting on each of the tables. Never got a name from either.
(2)
Courtney Y.

Good food, unfortunately, the service gets worse and worse every time I go. From the hostess, to the waiters, to the management, I rarely have a good experience here anymore.
(2)
Dylan H.

I absolutely love Frances' Deli! I have been eating there for years, and the food has always been consistent. It is definitely one of the better Jewish delis in the city. Their matzah ball soup is excellent, but the latkes are just okay. My favorite sandwich is the Lincoln Park sandwich. Their milkshakes are fantastic as well. The service is okay, and the wait can be long on the weekends. But overall this is great place to grab breakfast or lunch.
(4)
Rita I.

Fast, huge portions, lots to choose from, pretty tasty deli fare.
(4)
MoeGirl K.

Best pancakes (consistenly) in town!
(5)
Laura C.

How did this place get a Bib Gourmand? Standard deli food at it's best...Frances' fell short on all three dishes that we tried. Dish 1: Fried Matzoh with salami and onions. Without ever trying this Jewish specialty, I had high expectations of the giant floating ball. When it arrived, the plate was covered in flat, potato pancake-like pieces of matzoh. Under seasoned and dry, I had to order a side of thousand island to make the matzoh a little more palatable. I was really disappointed with the texture...usually I am a big fan of anything fried, and I would have described this dish as more "cooked on a flat top" than fried. Dish 2: Frances' sausage and mozzarella omelette. For a homemade sausage, I really wanted some seasoning. The bland sausage was worse than a frozen Brown 'n Serve that I used to eat as a kid on Sunday mornings. The omelette was cooked well, although one could argue that an omelette should be yellow instead of brown. Dish 3. Reuben omelette with corned beef and pastrami. This met expectations. Eggs were cooked well with a generous amount of meat and cheese fillings. The pastrami was a little on the fatty side, but I guess that is to be expected. Extras: Whole wheat toast and challah toast were overcooked. Maybe I just needed to ask them to lightly toast them. Fresh squeezed orange juice: "Meh. I've experienced better" as Yelp would say. I made some orange juice at home with oranges that had been sitting in my fridge for close to a month, and mine tasted better, which makes me wonder how long these oranges were sitting at Frances'. Atmosphere: loud and bustling for Sunday brunch. Interesting decorations reminiscent of a Potbelly's. Service: our server was really friendly and attentive, with drink refills appearing without needing to ask. Conclusion: stick with the corned beef omelette and you'll be fine. Anything else, try Orange or Yolk.
(2)
Lindsey W.

Another neighborhood joint that I waited way too long to try. On a cold Sunday I was trying to to find a brunch/lunch place that would satisfy two of us- one wanting breakfast and one wanting lunch. Ta-da! I ordered the matzoball soup and half roast beef sandwich. Seriously, while this was half and half, it was still like two meals. The matzoball soup was delicious, really hit the spot if that's what you're looking for. The meat was very good- not too fatty and felt fresh. The other ordered the special of bacon and chocolate chip pancakes, which was my second choice. While it definitely seemed like the bacon and cc's were just a topping, the dish was still delicious and enough to feed multiple people. Can't wait to come back and try more of the homestyle cooking they have, plus snazzy looking drink specials!
(4)
Allison V.

I just happened upon this place after getting my saddle adjusted at the bike shop. I wanted somewhere I could just sit, relax, and grab a bite to eat. I ordered the corned beef on rye with deli mustard and kraut...the kraut was an option I was informed of by my service. The service here is fantastic. I apparently has entered around 2:45pm and I was not aware that they closed at 3pm. Funny thing is, nobody treated me any differently and it was not until I was walking out the door and I asked the busyboy why he was locking the door that I was made aware that it was their closing time. Service was prompt and friendly. The iced tea was fantastic. The food was really good. I will definitely be back, maybe I will just arrive a little earlier. Bike parking on street.
(5)
P A.

This deli has a great history behind it. My husband tells me the storys back when it first opened. This is back in the good ole days folks, when there was a line out the door, the old women would start cooking the turkeys at 4am, it was cafeteria style, and for a few bucks the food was HOT, FRESH, tasty, home-cooked, HUGE portions. Hot turkey plates, food PILED on your plate. Meatloaf plates, Turkey plates, etc. Back in the early 70's. Frances' has been around a very long time, I only go for the hot turkey dinner plates, or of course a hot open faced turkey sandwich. I love every bite, just not the old days anymore. If it were my deli, I would make it a little more cozy, a fireplace would do wonders here., Try to make it to Frances' , it really is a good old place.
(4)
Ry O.

Waited 15 minutes for a server. When we saw her go for a group of people that had just gotten there, we split. Their loss. Prices looked a little expensive, even for the neighborhood. something like $7.50 for eggs and sausage. Plenty of other options nearby. And if any other tourist wants to mention that it's a Lincoln Park "classic" .... then so is stuffing cash into my mail slot. It's classic Lincoln Park and you'll really feel like part of the culture after you do it.
(1)
K R.

You get what you pay for, and in this case, it's quality. Don't expect to get in and out for a cool 5 spot, but if you really want to savor your meal instead of just feeding your face, this is the place for you. Fantastic Matzo Ball Soup, flavorful & moist Corned Beef, and praiseworthy Burgers. It's worth the wait if they're busy and the staff is super nice. If you're expecting diner food... um... go to a diner. This is something much more special. In closing, I will leave you with this: Maker's Mark spiked milkshake with caramel. You're welcome.
(5)
Matt M.

A haiku: Gets an extra star For never pretending to Be from New York
(4)
Laura S.

You know, I'm torn with this one. Some parts of my experience were delightful, others decidedly less so. I suppose that's the epitome of a 3-star review, so here we go: Service was surprisingly slow considering that it was 3 pm on Thursday and only four tables were occupied. Our server would disappear for long stretches at inappropriate times, like when we were clearly ready to order. When she did come over, however, she was very sweet and made the most superb milkshake recommendation. I can confidently say that Frances' Vanilla Oreo is fighting with Edzo's Nutella for All-Time #1 Milkshake in my eyes. As for the rest of the food, it was just fine, though nothing spectacular. I ordered a bacon mushroom burger, which came out closer to well done than the requested medium. The fries were standard, again nothing that stood out. Yummy, but not exactly worth $10. My roommate was far more satisfied with her veggie sandwich, which she made to order because there are *zero* vegetarian options on the lunch menu. I suppose it's nice that they accommodated her, but you'd think that just one veggie option would already be in place. I have to agree with so many other reviewers who question the pricing here, as the quality simply doesn't match. But I will say, when I'm craving an afternoon milkshake, I'm making a bee-line for Frances'.
(3)
Johnny R.

Yesterday was like going back in time... My wife and I ate at Frances' Deli, just like we did when we were dating and lived on Wrightwood. But then reality roared back in with the thock-thock of trixies walking by and cooing while looking at my boys. Yup, six years later, I've I'm eating again at one of our old fave eateries but this time with the wife and my two kids. Back to the dream state... It was like we had never left. The ceiling fan blades lazily chased one another, and the floor still is composed of those small old tiles that many patrons will probably remember when they read this over-indulgent review. What to eat... I ordered a Clark and Arlington, a triple decker on rye featuring brisket and pastrami topped with swiss cheese and 1000 island dressing. I had to pick the potato pancake side, had not had one in ages. A few minutes later, a sandwich of epic proportions arrived accompanied by the blaring of taxi horns. It was delicious. I could only finish half, my diet and my conscience joined hands and told me sternly to stop. I did find myself sleep-eating later at 9pm and the other half was finally united with its twin. I also sampled my youngest's mac'n cheese and it was surprisingly good, was a wee bit eggy which told me it was homemade. My other kid had the burger, and he ate it in about ten minutes so we'll take that as a sign that it was good. So for those LP folks who have moved out to Roscoe Village or Lincoln Square like us, take a trek by to Clark Street. Parking turned over a lot, spots freed up, and people watch until your eyes hurt. Come on back and get noshin'. Also, totally dug the music, was like an indie mix, like Sirius U.
(4)
Mrs. F.

Having heard about Frances' Deli for years, I wanted to try it. What a dirty old place!! When was the last time the water glasses were washed? And how about tables that are so sticky that the napkins stick to them? When we sat down, I noticed that the table hadn't been completely wiped, so I tried, with a napkin, and came up with a soiled napkin, pieces of which remained on the table. BTW, have they EVER washed the floor?? I don't care if the place is 75 years old, 7 years old, or 175 years old--this joint is so disgustingly dirty it should be closed by the Board of Health. My companion had a hot roast beef sandwich that looked and tasted like Lloyd's roast beef (from the freezer section of the supermarket) and I opted for a salad that turned out to be more bland than one from McDonald's. What a mistake! If you're looking for a deli, go to Manny's.
(1)
Mikala D.

Amazing! We ordered kind of boring stuff but it was oh so delicious, we couldn't believe it! We split the tuna melt on sourdough and the lox and bagel sandwich. I don't know how such simple things can taste so good. We also got milkshakes, pb and choc. and boozy oreo. It was my first boozy milkshake and I'm sold. Check it out, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Taylor G.

My boyfriend and I wanted a simple breakfast and decided to go here. The coffee was awesome and the food was great. Their fried egg sandwich was very good, with the potatoes. We couldn't believe we were the only people eating there at 9am. We would recommend eating their breakfast!
(4)
Elizabeth C.

I came here before I even moved to Chicago, it was love at first bite and 5 years later I'm still loving it. They have the best ruebens and they have beer! Thier sandwiches are really good but I'm not a fan of their breakfast items. Also, delicious shakes.
(4)
Jeremy W.

I like how the matzo ball soup is real chicken broth and not yellow chicken bullion cube soup like at The Bagel. Wish they had kreplach for their soup though like The Bagel! The corned beef is just ok though, eleven city down the street has way better corned beef if that's what you're looking for.
(4)
Lir W.

This is my boyfriend and my favorite on-the-corner brunch place. They have the best French toast at least in Lincoln Park. There's usually a long wait on weekend but during week days, it's a great pleasure to sit by the window and watch people and cars rush through Clark.
(5)
Karen T.

In terms of curing a hangover with a giant, greasy breakfast, Frances' more than meets the bill. Things unique to this particular Lincoln Park diner - Tint of Jew = Challah Bread + Matzo ball soup Mimosas (and other vodka-y drinks) Admit it, how many times have you wished the Golden Nugget had a liquor license? Solid, generously portioned malts/milkshakes - I had the Chocolate Oreo Malt once, and it alone was enough for breakfast. Pick your own ingredient omelettes - muenster, bacon, awesomeness, etc... Amy's chicken sausage - big fan. Perfect fries - crispy but not too thin/burnt, salty but not enough to give you heart palpitations. Sandwiches that are almost as big and bad-ass as Perry's. And like everywhere else decent in LP, a line out the door on Saturday/Sundays with the occasional overflow of Chads & Trixies, but it doesn't piss off the servers. Our hostess was more than accommodating in adding a side table to an initial table for two for a late joiner on a particularly busy Saturday morning. My personal recommendation: A drinking game with mimosas. Drink once for every time you see a skunk (fading blond with serious dark roots showing) and twice for every pair of big oversized sunglasses. Three times if you see someone fold their arms on the table and bury their head in them. Amusement will make your potato pancakes taste that much better.
(3)
Meredith B.

I kind of love this place. It's not like, super fancy or original - or even fancy at all - but it's the classic comfort food that gets me every time. Last time I went... Fresh squeezed orange juice - NOM. You wouldn't think a place like this would have fresh orange juice,but guess what folks - they do. I also had the breakfast skillet containing red potatoes, green onions, cheddar cheese, 2 eggs sunny side up, and bacon. ummmm is that perfection on a plate, or is it not? For those of you who wouldn't know - it is. All the ingredients just mush up so well together. It looks like a disaster once I start working on it - a big mess of random mixed up food - but the melty cheese goes so well with everything, the potatoes and the bacon, and once the egg yolks spill out on top... I am hooked. Plus, they have matzo ball soup and potato pancakes which I've had before and they rock. Also, they have FRIED MATZAH - which I've never seen on a menu before. The portion of that is HUGE though, so bewaresies. come here for brunch, it is deliiiicious and you won't regret it!
(4)
Angie M.

I thought this was a great place for breakfast, however I did not give five stars because I feel like it is overpriced. I had two blueberry pancakes and chicken sausage. There was nothing special about my meal but thought it was tasty. I went on a Sunday at 11:30 and got right in. The service was great! Overall a pleasant experience. If I got a deal, I think I would go back but would rather go somewhere that costs less.
(4)
Coleen K.

This is my new go-to deli in Chicago. The menu is huge and has almost anything you could possibly imagine. Came in on a weekend morning and was pleasantly surprised to see that the wait was only 15 minutes. Staff is always friendly, and the restaurant is super cozy. They're able to get you in and out quickly without making it feel rushed. I highly recommend their blueberry pancakes and any skillet with sunny-side-up eggs. Oh, and the oreo milkshake is the BOMB!
(4)
Dzeinara P.

My boyfriend has recently become allergic to carrageenan and they were very kind to check the ingredients to make sure it wasn't in there. -- Staff is really kind and care about you -- Food is fresh and delicious -- I had the turkey club and basically inhaled -- The turkey on the sandwich actually tastes like real roasted turkey... because it is! -- Take-out food was still warm when I got home. -- Latkes (potatoe pancakes) are just as good as my grandma made them Come here to have a nice breakfast/ lunch and enjoy yourself and your company. I
(5)
William L.

My dad is the king of breakfast. He took me here years ago and ever since, I've been a fan. I've been back many times and haven't found something I didn't like. It's hard to get away from the banana pancakes, they are huge, fluffy, rich, and just the right amount of banana without being overpowering. The potato pancakes are crisp and dense without being too greasy. Their deli sammiches are real deli sammiches, not just a dab of sliced meat between two hacked off pieces of bread.
(4)
Chuck K.

Went here for breakfast this morning. It was delicious but not sitting well after (this is probably due to the excessive amounts of booze from last night). The skillets are good and you get some decent portions. Staff is friendly and the restaurant has a very cheesy fifty's diner feel to it. But it's worth a shot!
(3)
Emily C.

Great deli with fantastic, fast service and an extensive menu for anything you're craving. Never a bad experience here and can't truly make a real complaint. If I had to improve on anything I would say the coffee is not my favorite. I eat something different almost every time and I have never been disappointed.
(5)
John Z.

Been going here for a while now and I've never had a bad experience. The breakfast skillet featuring habanero cheddar is awesome. Some other favorites are the mushroom soup, fancy-schmancy salad and pretty much every sandwich on the menu. It may not be as cheap as other places in the neighborhood, but it's totally worth it. Oh yeah, try the Clark and Arlington!
(4)
Kelz M.

Right. I was out running errands today after my workout and, feeling a bit peckish, I started eyeballing the many eateries on my route home. I was in the mood to sit down, relax and be waited on in a casual place so, as I was tra-la-la-ing down Clark Street, Frances' caught my eye. At first glance, Frances' is fairly unassuming and I didn't have high hopes - I was just in the mood for something decent to eat. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised! Even though the place was fairly hopping, my server showed up, menu in hand, to take my drink order within a minute or two of me being seated. My drink came quickly and, having browsed the menu, I knew exactly what I wanted. I ordered a blackened chicken sandwich with grilled onions and green peppers. The standard sandwich is served with mozzarella cheese but I requested mine without. My sandwich arrived within 10 minutes and here was my reaction upon taking my first bite: "Oh wow. Wow." I prefer my meat like my men: lean, juicy and full of flavour. Unfortunately, average has become the norm in American deli's and I've gotten to a point where I kind of think, "meh. A sandwich is a sandwich is a sandwich - just please don't under cook the chicken." Suffice it to say I was extremely pleasantly surprised. It really was THAT good. The dab of coleslaw was a bit on the creamy side for my preference but that's probably just a personal thing - it was crunchy and flavourful. I'm not exactly a connoisseur of french fries so, keeping that in mind, the fries that came with my sandwich were fine - nothing terribly exciting but you know... they're fries. Also, they might have tasted better if I'd eaten them when they first arrived but I was so into my chicken sandwich, I forgot about everything else until it was gone! At no time did I feel rushed and yet my server was always nearby whenever I needed her. My bill was very reasonable. Food, drink and tip put me out $17. Totally worth every penny! ------------------------------------------ Frances' Restaurant and Deli has been around since 1938. The menu is not huge and yet it has everything you need. Good solid breakfasts, lunches and dinners (bonus - breakfast is served all day). The decor is homey - looks a bit like an old Route 66 diner, circa 1959. For this hick chick replanted into the city, it was like a taste of home and I loved everything about it.
(5)
Brad A.

I'm a simple person. I went to have breakfast by myself. Environment was good. Waitress was really nice. Bus boy filled my coffee regularly. Omelette was the best I've ever had. Seriously. I was surprised. Price was reasonable, but not cheap. I paid about 16 with a nice tip. I'll be going here again.
(5)
Michael N.

Good food but I'm not sure you actually get what you pay for. (except the breakfast sandwiches...those are very reasonably priced. Their sandwiches are pretty basic N.Y. deli. Their breakfast food is good not great. I definitely recommend the skillet.
(3)
Edward E.

Out and about on Saturday, (6-6-09) 9am ish My friend and I decide to take the 22 bus North on Clark to try something new. So we get off at Fullerton and look around. I approach a woman unlocking her bike near walgreeens and ask where the best breakfast is. She ponders and says Frances. She point and says where It is, and I reply, thanks, I know where. Frances is laid back, grab some menu's and seat yourself, poof, water instantly on the table. Nice menu, many. many options, a tad bit expensive, (Not Cozy corner for sure). I digress, I get upset when there is no breakfast item that comes with pancakes, thats illegal right? (LOL) I ordered 2 eggs over medium, bacon (crispy) with potato's and a Bagel (nice to have Bagels as a choice) (8.95) My friend orders the same, and we also order pancakes (5.95) to split. Food comes, Hot and fresh. Potato's are typical lazy North side potato's (why does the North side seem to embrace chunks over Hash browns) Eggs were cooked well, bagel late but great, Bacon cooked perfectly. And the pancakes were AWESOME. They have the best pancakes I have yet to have in Illinois. (And I have had lots of pancakes.) Pro's. Good service, no wait to be seated (my experience) many options, food cooked as ordered. Con's. Only 2 waitresses for 23 tables (we counted) But they are efficient and work hard (management hire more waitresses) No pancakes with anything other than ordering them seprately (5.95 for 2), these are just batter right?5.95 for 2 pancakes is a RIP off) Good place to go, best pancakes in town, they will cost you though. I gave 3 stars It would of been easy 4 if they (a) offered pancakes as a bread option like every other breakfast place, and another star if they served hash browns instead of potato cubes. Nice place, Seriously great pancakes but at $5.95 two will certainly not fill you up. I am wondering if their Reuben's are good?
(3)
Dennis J.

The #11 (Lincoln Park) was really good. It was good enough that I didn't regret ordering a turkey sandwich the day after Thanksgiving! The mustard they use is delicious (tangy and just a touch of sweet) and the challah bread is fantastic. My wife got two pancakes (cooked well and just the right level of spongy), egg over hard (good) and fried ham (just okay). The atmosphere is okay, but it's a diner so it's not like you need it to be romantic. We're definitely going to come back to try the shakes, burgers, chocolate chip pancakes ...
(4)
Ericka S.

Eh.. the food is nothing to write home about and I've always found it father tasteless. I've found the service to be the worst part about the entire experience of going to Frances'. The food is usually greasy. The last time I visited (out of maybe 4 times) I found black hairs throughout my food. I was disgusted and asked to speak to the manager. Upon hearing my complaint there was no apology, but rather just saying that they didn't know how they got in there. I suggested someone's body and the manager stated they would look into it. The manager came back five minutes later and said they would remake my food and I said no. There wasn't a good apology or even a caring look. Out of all the diners, restaurants, and brunch joints in Lincoln Park, I will never go back to Frances'.
(1)
Sam P.

Good food, but a little overpriced for what you're getting. They do make a good Bloody Mary though.
(3)
Margaret N.

HOW HOW HOW HOW HOW are people giving this place five stars?! This place is so forgettable I don't know how it stays open. For starters, I will always remember this about Frances': this was the place I had the most disgusting ginger ale I've ever tasted in my life. It was 2 dollars for them to hand me the can (brand: Dr Brown's) from which I could stomach no more than a single sip. It tasted like how I would imagine urine to taste, annnnd my fellow diners who tried it agreed! My grilled cheese with bacon was more bread than anything else, and the side of potato salad that came with was nothing special either. Bland and fresh out of a not-so-fresh bucket I presume. The whole atmosphere was weird too. For example, half the lights weren't even turned on in the dining room/entrance, I couldn't even tell from first glance if they were open. Plus, if you're going to throw a bunch of kitschy crap on the walls, at least make an effort to have the place look cohesive. It's just weird. There was one waitress for the entire place, which was moderately full, and it appeared that the only other employee in the building was probably the unseen cook in the kitchen. Cook is singular because our simple orders took approximately 45 mins. to arrive to the table, and I have to imagine that would be the reason. Off the top of my head, I can name at least seven other brunch places in the city that are wayyyyy better service, food and atmosphere. Sure, I'll come back to Frances'..... If someone drags me there kicking and screaming.
(2)
Jill S.

I liked it. Came for brunch with another couple who had been before. I ordered lunch, but the omelets and skillets looked good as well. I ordered the south-of-the-border chicken sandwich and it was really yummy. And huge. Full for the rest of the day! It can get very loud in there... I'm sure because the restaurant has been around since the 30's, but it wasn't designed well to keep the sound low that's for sure. The vintage signs and coca-cola things had me swooning... I'm a sucker for a great old timey feel in a diner and this one had me. The waitress we had was very sweet and attentive, it seemed like although it was crowded, everyone was hustling and bustling to serve. Solid brunch.
(3)
Katy S.

On a cold or rainy day, Frances' matzo ball soup will cure your blues. Frances' is very popular and is typically crowded on the weekends. Their menu is huge. Making a decision on what to eat can be challenging because it all sounds so good! You can have breakfast or lunch. I'm a fan of their deli sandwiches. Portions are generous and the food quality is excellent. That makes it a little more expensive but worth it. Staff is friendly. Frances' is great.
(4)
Lydia P.

I'm adhering to Yelp guidelines and giving Frances' three stars, because it's a solid A-OK. I've been here three times so far. The service has been decent to stellar. The food is good, but not outstanding. I'm a vegetarian, so I get a lot of omelets and things. I've had the fried egg sandwich twice. The first time, the waitress asked what I kind of cheese I wanted, and how I wanted the eggs. The second time, I wasn't asked either of those, and I was rewarded with a teeny-tiny sandwich that was mainly bread and maybe a little bit of cheese. The first time, though, my scrambled egg and habanero (I think) cheddar on whole wheat was great. I'll definitely be in again (I live right near it), but some consistency would be super.
(3)
Brandie R.

Stumbled across this place while walking looking for another place. My husband said "lets go in here" and instantly I knew it would be good. The crowded little place smelled like someone was cooking at grandmas. The skillets we ordered were both really good. The house-made breakfast sausage was delish. I can't say I agreed with the cost for the OJ, but other than that, no complaints out of us!
(4)
Kari O.

Nothing beats this place for homestyle yumminess. The banana pancakes... to die for... Meatloaf sandwich.... whoa... Egg salad???? WHAT?! I haven't had one thing that was short of amazing. This is my go-to place every weekend.
(5)
Kairo C.

ok i'd like to give this place more credit but i am just not sold. shared w my sis: 1) a "fancy schmancy salad" with cranberries, walnuts, apples, grapes, manchego cheese and balsamic vinaigrette. entirely too sweet. unpalatable enough to throw away. we were too nice to complain. waitress never checked up on us to see if we were satisfied after serving the food - and the place had maybe 3 patrons in it. so far food and service 1 star. 2) a turkey reuban - turkey, swiss, 1000 island, coleslaw. my sister has been raving about this and while it was good i wasn't impressed. i don't even remember it really. maybe i'd get it again. i'd probably explore the menu though. 3) an oreo shake - the special we wanted was out of stock? bummer. oreo will suffice! it's hard to go wrong on shakes. we were smitten with the oreo. a lil pricey i'd say for what it's worth. i could match much of the menu in my own kitchen. but it's lincoln park so i am not surprised by the overpriced. it's not a bad go to if you are in the area for a classic sit down diner, just not stellar.
(2)
Lorelei C.

Frances' Deli on Clark Street, I am a Fan! Today I was dreaming about a Corned Beef Sandwich from a Deli, someone I know had reccommended Frances' to me, so I thought I'd give them a try- On Clark Street, this place no false pretention here,you walk in the door, grab your own menu, seat yourself- This is a pretty small place, about 30 tables or so, only a couple of Booths, but thats perfectly okay for me- Every table has Condiments in Beer Six Pack paper containers which I have'nt seen before but I kindda liked that- So, I ordered a plain Corned Beef Sandwich on Rye- thats all I wanted- What came to me was a Reuben on Grilled Rye Bread, which is not what I wanted- It had Sauerkraut and I don't do Sauerkraut Ever! So, it was taken back by my Server and she brought me my plain corned beef on rye, with a really great potato pancake, so, I was happy! Frances' has wonderful sandwiches, Corned Beef, Pastrami, Etc... They are supposed to have Great Breakfasts there, I am told the Banana Pancakes are the Best- That will be for next time! They also have some wonderful ice cream creations on their menu, their shakes have been rated the best in the city- I did resist the temptation though- Hey, Props to Me! The Sandwiches are piled high, the Deli Creations are the best- I am a Fan and I would reccommend this place, price wise they charge $10.00 for most sandwiches but they are really good so I feel it's worth it- So, if you're ever Craving Real Deli Food like Corned Beef or Pastrami France's would be the place to go- And the Huge Frances' welcomes you sign on the wall was a nice touch!
(4)
Jason D.

Best breakfast sliders EVER!!! I haven't had a bad meal yet. At this point it's almost an every Saturday "ruin everything you just worked so hard at the gym for" brunch for me.
(5)
Melissa D.

Looking for a breakfast/lunch combo because your posse is split between the type of food they want to consume? Looking to be knocked on your ass by a delicious bloody Mary? Go to Frances'. It works for my crew because I have a wonderful foodie friend who despises breakfast and cheese. It's odd. Anyway, Frances' is the place to go when you can't commit- their brunch menu is full of omelets, hash, etc., and their lunch and dinner offerings are varied and delicious - huge salads with just-grilled chicken, juicy burgers with fresh-prepped and creative toppings, and , of course, the best Reuben I've had in Chicago. I've been going here for years, but only discovered their bloody Marys a few weeks ago. They come with celery, cheese and sausage, taste fresh and homemade, and at least when made by our server, come chock-full of vodka. So good, you'll have two. Service is pretty good, the wait isn't too bad - tables turn over quickly. Space is a bit cramped, but for the food, it's worth it.
(4)
Tim Y.

Late Sunday lunch that really hit the spot. Pastrami on rye with mustard was filling and not obscenely sized (not that it's a bad thing, I love a head-sized sammy) and came with a nice potato pancake and a side of slaw. Excellent slaw - next time I'm going to ask for a large side of that instead of the other choices of potato pancake, potato salad, or fries. I found the service fine - neither too rushed nor absent. It wasn't very crowded, so maybe that had something to do with my service experience being a lot better than the average as expressed by many previous reviewers.
(3)
Jennifer B.

Admittingly, I think it's really cool that this place is like 1,000 years old. It's historical, and the architecture on the inside is really cool. It was established way before the popular Clark Street, and it's been around probably through a couple generations now of Trixie and Chad. But that might be where the awesomeness of this place ends. The food isn't that great, and the service isn't that great, and inevitably the order always gets confused in the kitchen. I think Frances' is a great place to come if you want to sip coffee all day and read through the entire New York Times. If you are looking for a great breakfast/brunch experience, I would probably head a half block south to Orange.
(3)
Jonathan H.

I am a fan of Frances'. When I take my family, I am always seated pretty quickly. We can always put in an order for our kids first. And I love the fact that when you order a milkshake you get the part that couldn't fit in the glass in another glass. That's old school. I enjoy the meats from this place. From a Pastrami sandwich to a Reuben the portions are just huge and tasty. I also like being able to get a bacon & egg sandwich at night. I take friends and family all the time.
(4)
Desmond L.

I've always wanted to try Frances' Deli, and yesterday I had a showing across the street at 3pm. I left my office a half an hour early to make it over there time enough to stop by to get a quick sandwich. I arrived at 2:39pm, and walked up to the door, and looked at the menu. As I proceeded to enter, the server or busser inside signaled to me with the "neck-cutting sign" , that they were closing or closed? I'm not sure if their watch is 20 minutes fast or what, but that's pretty rude, considering they don't close until 3pm. I didn't plan to stay all day or anything....I would have even probably gotten carryout. Needless to say, I won't be back.
(1)
Erica K.

It's an enthusiastic 3 stars, trust me. 3.5, even. I had some awesome banana pancakes here. And amen to places that serve breakfast all day! The second time I went it was a Saturday afternoon, the place was not at all crowded and they let us take up the table sipping coffee with no rush. I recommend the breakfast food for sure. I think I liked it more than the sandwich I got the second time. Though I didn't get their special or anything. Portions are huge, and I would frequent Frances' if I lived closer.
(3)
Ben K.

Oh Frances, why do you keep such odd hours? I feel like this place is always closed for the dinner hour and I cannot for the life of me understand how they can run a profitable operation this way. Nevertheless, Frances' is one of my absolute favorite spots in the city for when I can't decide between brunch and lunch. I try and make it here as often as possible between 11am and 1pm on weekend mornings. My two highlights: Turkey avocado club sandwich: turkey, bacon, avocado and a light aioli served up between two big thick pieces of toasty deliciously greasy challah bread. This thing is a serious home run. It's rare that a combination of ingredients feels so goddamn right. Try it with the potato pancake instead of fries. Bacon onion and cheddar omelet: pretty straightforward here, but Frances' omelets are done up pretty uniquely with the egg cooked super thin so that 3 eggs really manages to wrap itself around the inner contents of the omelet 2-3 times. Pretty effective; great for optimal bite-engineering if you need something of everything in each bite. The only reason I can't give Frances' 5 stars is because their breakfast potatoes absolutely suck. Sigh. Someday, perhaps? Frances' seems pretty set in its (tasty) ways, but a man can dream.
(4)
Hanna S.

Headed to Frances' for brunch one morning after walking by this place time and time again. Wasn't anything special menu-wise, your typical deli foods. The set-up for the place is a bit cramped. Literally felt like I was intruding on a shacking brunch right next to our table and didn't feel like I could breathe, let alone eat. Maybe we were just in a tight section of the place. It's very lively atmosphere, so if you're nursing a severe hangover, i wouldn't wait for this place.
(3)
Elia R.

The manager blatantly told me that he would not take my order because "it was too busy" (the place was not even completely filled). I have never experienced a restaurant that denied my order because of the volume in orders it was experiencing. I would have better understood "I apologize, but orders are a bit backed up and your order will take approximately an hour to prepare" Was it so difficult for the manager to be professionally civil? I work near France's but it will no longer be an option for lunch hour. Seeing as it is incapable of handling my nonexistent appreciated business. (p.s - Yelp should have a zero star rating)
(1)
Payden C.

How can anyone have anything bad to say about this place? My friend and I were just getting back from the inside farmers market with no purchases sadly, but that was ok the minute we sat down. This place is a great little diner that looks as if it should be attached to a gas station or in a small little town (and I mean that in the best of ways). My friend had a salad and I had a chicken salad with bacon sandwich that was fantastic. Nothing special just deliciousness!! The service was great, could have used some a/c because it was a freakishly hot day for Chicago, but then again I think it added to the charm. Basically, If you're looking for some classic diner food and atmosphere, France's Restaurant and Deli is the place to go.
(5)
Jana C.

I love this place. This was my second visit there and I am a fan. Their omelettes are as thin as a crape, rolled with all the goodies you order in it, it is impressive. Staff is friendly and their shakes - oh so dangerous.
(4)
Robyn T.

Cutesy kitsch atmosphere with decent deli favorites. I tend to get the matzoh brie with salami & onions when I visit (it's hard for me to get anything else) though I will on occasion order the Lincoln Park sandwich (turkey and cheese melt on thick slices of challah). It's definitely a kid-friendly place and it can get pretty busy on weekends. They offer take-out service as well which is nice.
(3)
Rick B.

Mexican omelet was the bomb ah chihuaha.
(4)
christoph g.

Absolutely awesome! I love how as your sitting there waiting for your meal you look around the restaurant and imagine people sitting in Lincoln Park 70+ years ago enjoying a pastrami sandwich. I'm sure the interior hasn't changed much since they first opened. The deli sandwiches are as fresh and tasty as anyone can ask for. The breakfast there is just as fresh and delicious. I have been going through the menu and trying something different almost every weekend for the past few months. For breakfast I would have to say that the breakfast sliders are my favorite so far. There's a reason they have been around since 1938 and are packed every weekend. Friendly service and great food!
(5)
Parris M.

I've been here about 5 times, I live about 2 blocks away but I am well aware of the other options in my vicinity... I just choose to go there. Each time I go I am more than pleased with the service. I think once the waitress was gone for too long, but came back quick and apologized. The food, in my opinion, is wonderful. I went for breakfast twice, and I think I almost died at how good everything was. My mom, who is a wonderful cook, said that she loved it. "It's the way breakfast is supposed to taste," she said. I went there and got french toast: phenomenal!! and I went there for lunch, and got the clark and arlington. basically a reuben with both pastrami and corned beef. and it was out of this world. I'm giving it four stars because I went once and it was too crowded, and the service was poor. However, I am very pleased with this place. Yes, it's slightly expensive but I keep going back...
(4)
alice c.

Forgive the rant but im BIG on customer service and here, its not up to par. First they brought me the ricketiest high chair, I asked for a new one and she brought a decent replacement. Feel bad for the kid who got stuck with the dud tho. Any ways after seating my child on the corner I was told she couldnt be there after I stated I would prefer it. Then my friend asked for her water to be removed, I said loud enough mine too & wad ignored. Next another family with a baby sat next to us and put thier baby how mine was so I was pissed to say the least. Sliding into the seats is ridiculous as well ur sitting back to back with people. I ordered my daughter chocolate chip pancakes, when they came I was again pissed. They dnt mix em in the batter no, they out 3 chips ontop of cooked pancaje to melt. Worst experience of chicago! Never again
(1)
Jay S.

Every Saturday, two friends and I always volunteer around the Chicagoland area. It has been customary to eat in the neighborhood that we were in. This past Saturday, we dined for lunch in the famed Lincoln Park neighborhood...a place that is littered with culinary talents and great eats. Our venue of choice was Frances' Restaurant & Deli. It was noon when we finished volunteering and we were tasting for either breakfast or lunch, but couldn't decide which. We settled here after Orange was filled with a 30 minute wait (we were starving now. Haha). Turned out to be a great choice. Buddy of mine ordered their "famed" milkshakes (their words, not mine). He had a little extra for me to taste...and it was delicious! I'm a sucker for vanilla milkshakes and this one was outstanding! I recommend ordering one when you are here. I settled for a breakfast skillet with habanero cheddar and chicken sausage. It was the perfect portion that wasn't gut-busting but filling nonetheless. The habanero cheddar provided the right amount of heat where I didn't have to add any additional Tabasco sauce. The skillet hit the spot. The three of us all enjoyed what we ate there and came away impressed. The milkshake stole the show. I read other reviews saying that the service was slow. I can see that but it did not bother me. I don't think it bothered my friends either. Other people might be peeved if they came in deathly-starving. That might be a complaint that people could have with this place. I thought service was great, courteous, and friendly. The gal seemed very happy to serve us on a busy Saturday - which is always great to see!
(4)
Anna H.

After my last review, the manager wrote and offered me a $20 gift certificate to give Frances' one more shot. Obviously I'm not one to pass up anything preceded by the word 'free', so I took him up on the offer and visited again yesterday. I went with another person and we shared two items - 'The Works' Burger and some kind of triple-decker sandwich that I've forgotten the name of already. The burger was really good; if I were craving another like it and had $10 to spend, I'd go back. I'm realizing now that the main problem with this business is simply that they're too packed on the weekends to operate efficiently, and it definitely cuts the service quotient. We waited 10 minutes for a server to greet us, 15 for a coffee refill, and the table next to us (which was sat about 10 minutes after we were) got their food 10 minutes before we did. On top of that, the tables are so tightly packed that the servers have to do some fancy footwork to manuever between diners - meaning that since I happened to be at the table closest to the kitchen entrance, I was hit a few times over the course of my meal. I'd be willing to bet that if they cut four tables out of their dining room, they'd probably cull the insanity that they're experiencing during the brunch rush, and be able to offer a little more personal attention to their tables. Overall, it was a good meal. The server was sweet, the food was decent, but I just can't call myself a fan. I'll go again if someone asks me and is paying, but I wouldn't choose to go there myself, and will never go during a weekend day again under any circumstances. Money's too tight to not have a fantastic time when you're eating out, and Frances' just doesn't cut it.
(3)
Peter Z.

Go there because their food is awesome. But lately their service has been going down hill. Last time I had to go find host to find my waiter. Went in this time, waitress came to take order for drinks, said I was ready to order but said she would be right back and left. After 10 minutes we got up to leave. Then waitress came back and yelled at me for not waiting for her and that she came right back. 10+ minutes is not right back, but regardless I shouldn't have been talked to like that. Host just said sorry and dismissed it. Quality of the food is losing out to bad service. I don't know that I will go back.
(1)
k E.

It would get five stars if they used apostrophes correctly- it should be Frances's. However really good breakfasts, pastrami on rye is my fave, and everything is pretty solid. Crowded on weekends.
(4)
Marshall H.

Here on a Sunday morning for brunch with and old friend... good spot for breakfast food, but kinda pricey. The portions were fairly huge, and I couldn't finish my plate, so I suppose that justifies the prices. The service was fine. Some people were wearing pajamas and that's great stuff in my opinion. Any restaurant that is okay with people dining in pajamas gets a thumbs up from me. Plus, if this is where people go right when they roll out of bed then you know it must be at least pretty good. I'd definitely come back here if I lived nearby. Not necessarily a destination though.
(3)
Bada Bing L.

I prefer this place to Nookies, Toast, and John's Place. Yea thats right. Its got brunch/lunch/dinner on lock down. Get a sandwich and take the rest home.
(5)
daniel c.

The first time I came here, I was less than impressed. I was the only one in my "party", and it was about 2 in the afternoon on a weekday. The place obviously wasn't busy. I spent about an hour and 15 minutes at the restaurant to eat a well-done burger that I had ordered medium rare. The server was very new, I believed, or just plain inept. The busboy did a great job of taking care of me that day. I decided to try it again, and I'm very glad I did. I've eaten there half a dozen times since, and haven't had a bad experience yet. The same slightly-inept server is still there, but with a bit of patience, he gets it all down and correct. You won't get a drink refill without asking, but what do you expect from a "sammitch" shop? The burgers are delicious. They have about 10 types on the menu, but you can mix and match and put whatever-the-heck you want on there, on a regular or pretzel bun. The fries are hot and fresh, but you have the option of a potato pancake (!) with sour cream and applesauce if you aren't in the mood for fries. I have yet to try the other items on the menu, as I walk there with a burger craving in my heart, but when I do, I'll post an update :)
(4)
Kate Z.

Just left Frances... As in walked out without service. Food is great. Used to go there often. Service has drastically gone downhill. Today, our waitress came over, she took our drink order and we said we were ready to order our food too. She leaves!?! 10 minutes later she comes back AS WE ARE GETTING UP TO LEAVE and, when we tell her why -- to go someplace else for food -- she actually YELLS AT US!!! Seriously, what the hell? So we complain to host/management (rather than just leaving as previously planned) and he was less than interested or concerned. I guess I'm going to have to find someplace else to dine after 3 years of coming here. Good diner food just isn't worth that!
(1)
Gwendolyn H.

The salads here are amazing!! This is a great brunch place - especially in the summer when you can sit outside and people watch. The atmosphere is a little quirky but so much fun! There's always a good crowd of lively people and an energetic buzz. The menu has everything you'd want for breakfast plus some great sandwiches and salads. It has a Jewish-deli theme... but I didn't notice until the 3rd time I went. I probably should have known by the lox and bagel platter (a great choice) and the large portions... A great place for a Saturday or Sunday morning with friends!
(4)
Jim D.

The best way I can describe Frances is that I can't complain about it, yet I forget it exists for 6 month periods of time because there isn't anything special about it despite living a mere block away. Don't get me wrong, the matzo ball soup and Lincoln Park sandwich are a treat on Sunday, the wait staff is super amiable, and I like having the option of root beer with my Saturday or Sunday brunch. The problem for Frances is its sandwiched near extremely awesome places (Sushi Toro), wildly fast and tasty food (Lito's and Angela's) and the most popular cupcake place in town (Molly's). With this kind of competition, its hard to stand out. If you want a good deli sandwich and a root beer, I recommend it, but I'm also quite certain you will get distracted.
(4)
Robyn B.

My husband and I love having brunch here. It's good deli food, though it does have something of a yuppie deli vibe. All of the standards are done well.
(4)
Karyn K.

A great brunch place. The staff was running around making sure everyone got their food quickly. Lots of people waiting, which meant a big crowd by the door. I had the skillet breakfast with sausage--yum! My friend had the cheese blintzes, which she enjoyed. I'll be back and am interested in trying their sandwiches, which looked huge and delicious as they came out of the kitchen.
(4)
Michelle S.

After being in Chicago for a visit over the weekend a girlfriend and I decided to grab a quick bite here before heading out for some fun. It was PACKED when we arrived but we were quickly given a table and our server came by rather quickly. I'm kicking myself for not remember his name because he deserves a shout out. By far the best server I've ever had at the Deli and not one item was left behind. Food was tasty as usual and we got out in a timely matter :)
(3)
James C.

My wife and I were out on a bike ride last Saturday afternoon and we stayed out a little longer than we planned, so we decided to grab a bite to eat. We went to Clark street and decided to give this place a try. I had been wanting to eat there for a while, since I am a fan of diners, but never got a chance until Saturday. We walked in and saw the little sign that said to grab a menu and sit anywhere we wanted, so we found a little table next to the window and waited. Then we waited some more. After a few minutes I started watching the clock. We noticed that it wasn't too busy, but not exactly dead, maybe about 12 other people in the place. There were three men who looked like they worked there, but we never really saw them do anything except talk to each other and walk to the kitchen. We had time to go over the menus and decide what we wanted, but no one had bothered to come by our table and see if we wanted anything. I decided to give them two more minutes, and then we were leaving. Towards the end of the two minute mark, one of the workers there looked directly at us, frowned, and walked to the back. We left. I am giving them one star because the front door was open and the place looked clean. I have no idea what the food is like, because we were never offered anything, not even a glass of water. In total, we were there for a little over 15 minutes. Needless to say, the Golden Nugget down the street made these guys look like amateurs. EDIT: Shortly after giving this review, I was contacted by the owner and offered a free meal. I decided to decline since we were leaving for vacation in the next few days. If they are so concerned about good reviews, they need to make sure they serve people promptly and offer a good value for the money. Sorry, you guys blew your chance. Still one star.
(1)
Cathy H.

I have a great love for Thanksgiving dinner, so any place that serves me T-day dinner year-round is an automatic fave. Frances' does, so it wins. My dinner companions had a variety of things (some kind of enormous triple-decker sandwich that put the Sears...um, Willis?!...Tower to shame, and a bbq sandwich that looked like it was oozing fat and goodness) that all looked really tasty, too. A definite win. I award it one(1) haiku: Tasty tasty turkey D Delicious turkey yummy Eat it at Frances' (pretend that last line isn't a stretch)
(4)
Jo W.

Hm. I really torn on 3 or 4 stars, because I've had lots of different experiences here. Frances is what it is - a diner in the middle of Lincoln Park. It's usually packed on the weekends so I try to avoid it, but on the rare occasion that I go on a weekend I've had a good experience and found that the service is top notch and the food is good. Today's experience left me feeling eh. I popped in here today for lunch in between appointments, and I arrived right at noon. When I walked in there were only two other patrons, though by the time I left the place had actually filled up. The sign said grab a menu and pick your own table, so I did. Before I even sat down the bus boy had my water glass filled and asked me if I wanted coffee. He was impressive and on top of things, not just with me but with everyone there. My server? Not so much. When I told him I was going to stick with water, he didn't look happy. I like water. Is that not okay? Then when I ordered a salad he asked me twice if I wanted anything else. No, really, I'm good. He looked like I slapped him in the face. With my $10 salad. I considered that it was slow for lunchtime and I know he needs tips, but really? How much food can one person eat? And it's not like you're selling $30 steaks, buddy. It's diner food! And I didn't order the cheapest thing on the menu at all! So he annoyed me. Server aside, my salad was actually good. The chicken was warm (is it wrong that I love freshly cooked chicken and not cold chicken on my salads? If so, I don't want to be right.), and it was a huge salad so I left full and happy. My one small complaint is there was a mix of romaine and iceberg lettuce - I could have done without the iceberg, but it was still good. I'm sure I'll be back since I live in the neighborhood and it's convenient. I did notice the other server being awesome with her tables, so perhaps next time I go in I'll just make sure to avoid Mr. Pouty Face Server.
(3)
denise b.

A great friend of mine suggested this place for lunch. Wow what a great surprise to find a fantastic Ruben Sandwich served with tasty co-slaw and a potato pancake that tasted as wonderful as my Bushia made. Sarah was an excellent waitress and poured us ice tea with a smile on her face the entire time. As I looked around at the other tables all the breakfast dishes and club sandwiches were extremely plentiful. I must admit this is probably the best Ruben I have ever eaten. What a nice comfortable atmosphere and great food for a fair price.
(5)
Gareth J.

Awesome sandwiches and milkshakes, never had a bad meal here. Recommended.
(4)
Lea L.

Great deli/diner. Love the potato pancake as a side option. Great food all around.
(4)
kara c.

So I cam here back in September and was disappointed. I love deli's, but this doesn't cut it. I got a salami sandwich and the meat tasted awful, really low grade. On top of that, my sandwich had hairs on it. The waitress was nice, but I had to ask for a refund on my hairy sandwich.
(2)
S M.

The French Toast was very tasty!
(4)
Tara M.

Frances' is a very typical diner-ish restaurant but they offer a bit more variety in their menu. When I lived nearby, it was a consistent spot for a late lunch on a Sunday afternoon. I would give them three stars for having solid food. I don't go to restaurants like this for the service, so as long as I have food in front of me I am happy. The reason that I am only giving two stars is pretty simple. Frankly, I am surprised that no one else on Yelp had this experience as it happened to me not once, but twice. What, you ask, happened? Hair did. On two separate occasions, a hair in my sandwich. Both times it was short and black. A man's hair. So you are saying that the joke's on me because after it happened once I should not have gone back. But I liked a lot of their sandwiches and felt like it was something that I could get past. And it took several trips for the second hair incident to happen, but that was it for me. But if you do go there...their chocolate peanut butter milkshakes are awwwwwwesome. And hopefully hairless.
(2)
Angelique R.

After a long afternoon at the zoo for mother's day, my step mom was craving a reuben sandwich. The boy googled for something in the area, and lo and behold we began our trip to France's. I liked the laid back atmosphere, grab a menu, sit down. The offered to pull together tables for us, which is always nice. We were glad it wasn't a nuthouse, probably lucky we missed brunch. The food was simple and awesome. Mom raved about the reuben, sister loved grilled cheese/tomato, the nephew dug the cajun chicken but was a bit messy, the boy enjoyed his meatloaf sandwich (no frills), and I got the 1/2 soup 1/2 sandwich with egg salad and mushroom barley - f'n delicious. It was $70 bucks for 6 people. I will be back to try some of the sweets and the breakfast!
(4)
Amy J.

Had lunch/breakfast here this morning. Personally I really liked it! Our waitress was friendly, and their menu is pretty big. I got the grilled cheese (I know, so exciting) with tomato, but it was REALLY REALLY good. Their fries are good - crispy but not too crispy. I am really picky about my fries. My friend got the skillet and also really enjoyed it. They were quick to refill my coffee and our waters. I did notice that some of the things seemed pretty expensive ($11 for some sandwiches?) but I can't complain b/c I think our total bill was $22.00 or something like that for the two of us. Not too bad. I'd go back, I thought it was pretty good! The soup looked really good--I wished I had gotten some when I saw them come to other tables. All in all, a neat little diner type of place. I enjoyed it :)
(4)
Ryan K.

This is a really good place to have in your neighborhood. Something on the menu for everybody. Plenty of seating. The only reason it isn't rated higher is because of the prices. You pay a premium on everything. And that is before the tip too. Tips: - Potato pancakes with the deli sandwiches are great. Not as good as Manny's, but still pretty great.
(3)
Brandon G.

Nothing special. The place is old, and the sandwich offering could be better than the breakfast that I ordered. The prices are high for two eggs with bacon and hash browns, and everything tasted very bland. I ordered a side of the sausage patties and they were so bad I almost had to spit them out.
(2)
Michael L.

Great location, decent place overall.
(3)
Sachi P.

Okay, so it's kind of embarrassing, but I LOVE reubens more than anything. Finally, after much searching in the Chicago area, I have found the #1 spot for corn beef reubens. I have lived here for 6 years, and never have I tasted a reuben so good. If you're like me (a lover of pure lean corn beef, melted swiss, and saurkraut on fresh crisp rye) then you better go to Frances' the next time you have a craving. Seriously. Man oh man.
(5)
Magneto L.

Just went there the other day. The shakes are great, but the food is even better. This place has been here awhile for a reason... My only complaint is that they aren't open later. Great service! Had an awesome waitress named Callie! Will be back there again.
(5)
Josh H.

Well since Nicole B. beat me... I am going to ditto her review and say that I am knocking down my a review one star. OMFG dont ever serve me warm coleslaw! Quit smoking your cig in the back and leaving my food under a hot lamp. You lost big points for that one!
(3)
Nicole B.

I really enjoyed it here! It's cute and a little run down looking inside - we grabbed a menu and sat ourselves. I was in awe of the selection but my friend and I decided on 2 of the top 3 sellers to split. Both were grilled turkey sandwiches with a heap of turkey on thick toasted bread. One had avocado and bacon, the other munster cheese and cranberry's with mustard. The only complaint is I like my sandwiches dripping with mustard/mayo/dressing/whatever, I should have asked for extra because the one with the avocado was a tad bland. I put some honey mustard left from my salad on it to jazz it up. The "Lou's on the Lake" with cranberries was a good mix of salty and sweet. The potato salad was tasty, but forget the slaw. Nasty. Side house salad was a good size portion.
(4)
Cheryl B.

We decided to try this place after living around the corner for over 6 months. It was a Saturday morning and the place was pretty busy- but not packed. We waited quite awhile for a server. Someone stopped by and said one would be with us, then went over to talk to another worker. A server finally came and took our drink order- when she came back the manager came over in the middle of it to yell at her for taking another server's table. He pulled the server away and didn't say anything to us. All we wanted to do was order! Our new server came a minute or two later, and they sat this large party to the side of us. Once they sat down our server could no longer get to our table.... In any case, the service was pretty terrible. The food was mediocre and overpriced. So we probably won't be back.... Save your money, there are definitely better diners in town!
(2)
B C.

These people know how to make sandwiches. They pile the cold cuts so high you might end up straining your jaw during the intake. They have plenty of options for all us deli carnivores, but I like to keep it simple. Reuben + potato pancakes + matzo ball soup + sprecher rootbeer = weekend afternoon paradise. Next to Manny's (which is a bit inconveniently located for us northsiders) this is my favorite spot to grab a reuben, and the sidewalk crowd watching never fails to entertain. If I lived any closer to Lincoln Park, I'd be a regular at this place.
(4)
Beth P.

I would've given 3.5 if I could. I used to live about a minute away, so convenience was definitely I frequented Frances so much. They have GIANT sandwiches and a comfy atmosphere. It is a little pricey for what you're getting, I guess. The major complaint I have with Frances is that they have the most messed up hours. They are always changing a taped up piece of paper on the door that reads the "new" hours...which are something like MON: 11-3 and 4-7:44pm, TUES-FRI: 10-5pm, etc etc it just makes me mad that I can never predict when the damn place is open. Since moving, I've rarely been back to Frances', but when I'm back near the old hood and crave a sandwich as big as my head, Frances' will do.
(3)
Kate P.

I stopped in here when I was down in the city. Very nice little restaurant with a slightly "gritty" city feel and ambiance to it. It was a little crowded and the food took a while to get there, but overall we enjoyed the experience. I had the bacon cheeseburger and it was a good size and tasted great. The fries were nice and crunchy ( I hate soggy fries). The staff was very friendly and helpful and the meals were well priced.
(4)
Rosie S.

I have been to this place many times...it has a great diner feel with the non-dirty feeling. Portions are large and service is usually fast (unless you were here with me last Sunday--when we stuck in the front where all customers are forgotten). The food is better than diner food...it is worth going to for a non-formal, non-bar type breakfast. And I like it better than the Nugget
(3)
Rebecca H.

We went to Frances' on a Friday night at 6pm. It was seat yourself. There weren't many people in here, but what I would like to point out was the number of older people (50+) and families and the lack of pretentious loud fratboys that wanted a cheap meal before heading to Duffy's. That is worth 3 stars alone. Our water waiter (the one that only pours water but doesn't do anything else) was on top of it - plus one star. Our real waiter was not, for instance, took a very long time to tell us they were out of chili and didn't bring our 2 soups together, was in general too laid back and not around, forced us to read beer list off of the faded chalkboard - minus 2 stars. Plus one star for their root beer selection - it really is quite impressive, including diet root beer. No star change for food, portions, price, and ambiance, it was pretty average for what it was (mushroom barley soup and burgers and fries). I imagine this place is a mad house for brunch, but I'd give it a shot.
(3)
Mustangg D.

I've walked by this place for years not thinking to try them out...Saw them on tv and had to try them out...Turkey Panini with REAL turkey, swiss cheese, coleslaw and grilled onions..Enough said. I'm going back for carry out this weekend. AWESOME PLACE!
(5)
Andrea C.

frances' is a good deli. good, not great. the bf and i were in the mood for a sandwich so we decided to head down to lincoln park and play for a while... there is good variety to the menu...breakfast to typical deli staples (sandwiches, matzah ball soup etc) and the food portion is gigantic. the bf got the triple decker sandwich and holy moly! it was the size of his head! the only downside? the price! i paid nearly $9 for a sandwich...i mean...really? really? they seem to get away with it because of the depaul demographic...but you can run up quite a bill just for a quick lunch. sheesh!
(4)
Jonathan R.

It's a great spot if your hungover and need a quick bite. Unfortunately there isn't much special there. They have triple deckers which accommodate for the hunger aspect, as far as the taste factor goes extremely lacking. Service is extremely in consistent, sometimes I can the quickest service and sadly most of the time is inattentive staff that don't know I'm there.
(3)
Stephen G.

Frances' was recommended to me by a neighbor as I enjoy breakfast dining. I ordered an omelet and coffee which was delicious, includiong the coffee. The place has a very homy feel. Lot of history there and they have a loyal following. I would like to go back and try a skillet ofrlunch but I don't usually get that far north. They open at 10 on most weekdays so don't plan for an early breakfast like I did.
(4)
Emily N.

There really is not much to say. Frances' is our home away from home. We eat here every weekend for brunch, and sometimes during the week if were lucky enough to get away from work. I have NEVER had a meal I was not happy with at Frances' they know how to make everything on their menu and they make it well. Best deli in the city BY FAR!!!! I just wish they would start serving fat free tuna!!!! (hint hint) xooxxoxox Frances'!
(5)
Jen B.

Nice, low-key breakfast all day kind of place. Hadn't noticed it here before on Clark but it's been here hiding all this time! We were seated immediately about 11am on a Saturday and our server gave us plenty of time to look over the menu after getting our drinks. I was just going basic, having the need to soothe my stomach after a rough night out with scrambled w/cheese, bacon & toast. My dining partner went exotic with the reuben omelette. My eggs were a little soft/undercooked for me and the cheddar was very strong for eggs. Bacon was perfect & not a bit greasy! I tried the challah toast which was sweet & chewy-perfect! The reuben omelette was a bit of a letdown, although it was just as described on the menu. We recommend getting rye toast with this so you can incorporate that taste back into it. The thousand island dressing was sorely missed as well. I guess corned beef & sauerkraut alone are not enough to make a reuben! Busboys were very prompt with coffee & water refills and we got our check & paid very quickly-just in time, as the lobby was filling up with the lunch crowd!
(3)
Robert S.

There's not much to tell. It should have been a tip-off when we walked in on a Friday evening and were two out of six people eating in the dining room. Expensive diner crap--myriad sandwich choices, typical shakes, pleasant but not overwhelming service. I think $18 for a turkey Reuben with fries and a chocolate shake is pricey for diner food. Also, what's with so many of these divey places thinking it's kitsch to let your restaurant interior get grimy and shabby?
(2)
Damian C.

Yeah, it was pretty tasty. I was a little freaked out by the Matzah ball soup - I thought they would be little matzah balls, but turns out it was one GIANT ball! Ha
(4)
Allyson C.

After my experience here I'm surprised to read so many reviews about awful service people have received. Of course I always fall in love with any waitress who brings me a sandwich with NO pickle, so I'm pretty easy to please. And this waitress also brought me a pickle-less bloody mary, so she was 2 for 2. I had a great lunch here on the weekend. We got a table outside with no wait. The challe bread alone is worth giving this place a try!
(5)
Phil S.

Lincoln Park sandwich. Nuff said.
(5)
Bryan W.

Dead of Winter and I will still drink a milkshake. If everyone made them like France's I would drink them all year round. It was perfect, and they provide you with the entire container which is always awesome. My burger was a little more done than usual, but next time I'll know to order medium. We will be back for breakfast or brunch at some point and we'll see how that is.
(5)
Rory G.

Trying to bring NYC deli is a bold statement to say the least. It isn't a Carnegie Deli but the feel and the lackadaisical service is just right. I always feel strange when I go into a deli and it isn't bustling with activity moving those slabs of protein with hyper speed intensity. We ordered two sandwiches and a fried appetizer that would make a gas station burp. The turkey club was dry and tasteless, you may be asking why the three stars then? Well, that's all due to their Reuben which is absolutely wonderful. So save yourself a long wait, order a Reuben or two to go and find a dark Smeegal like spot so you can devour your Precious-es Reuben in peace.
(3)
Christina S.

As you might have noticed, I'm slowly eating my way up Clark Street. If you're into old-fashioned diner food, you're in luck. Frances is an expert at whipping up ooey gooey turkey ruebens and big, frosty vanilla shakes. If you're on a diet, you might have a tougher time. Check the chalkboard for the soups du jour.
(4)
Donovan H.

I have eaten at Frances a couple times, breakfast and lunch. I preferred lunch because the sandwich was unforgettable. The healthy portion of high quality meat made the sandwich. The sandwiches are a little pricey for lunch but well worth it if you have the appetite.
(4)
Peter L.

We had brunch here on a recent weekend morning and it was exactly what we wanted. No fancy decoration themes or witty names for omelets, just no-frills quality food. The Reuben Omelet was delicious -- what a great idea. Came packed with hefty portions of meat, sauerkraut, and cheese. I had a good amount of my girlfriend's skillet and the habanero cheddar was solid. We were seated right away (we came from a nearby brunch place with a 30-minute wait), the service was great, food came out quick. Hit the spot, I'll be back for lunch.
(4)
Lenene W.

Found this place by accident. MY cousin and I couldn't decide what we wanted to eat so we ended up going in the next place we walked by. So many options on the menu it was hard to choose. I got the avocado club burger which was giant. staff was friendly and food came out quick and was good. will def go back to try the breakfast and huge milkshakes we saw!
(4)
Justin H.

Went here with some now not out of town guests after shopping for her furniture at Affordable Portables. The owner there recommended this to us. I had the open face Turkey sandwich. Best open face sandwich I ever had. The meat was perfectly cooked and the mashed potato's were obviously fresh made with some small lumps! Service was attentive and friendly and the atmosphere was that of a nice old school diner. If only they had old school soda fountain drinks... Aka: green river, since they do have the old soda fountain there might push them to up another start. Overall great food, good service, good atmosphere. Nothing really over the top but everything was good!
(4)
Robin R.

I used to go to Frances' way back when it was a tiny hole-in-the-wall place before Lincoln Park was Lincoln Park! My dad's side of the family were Frances' fans and we'd get food from there pretty often when I was a little kid. Now Frances' is just like any other restaurant - crowded, noisy. I really can't say the food was that great - it was ok. I was actually disappointed in the size of the portions. I ordered a grilled cheese and fries and there just were not that many fries! The sandwhich was acceptable, but nothing to write home about, as the old saying goes. I also was disappointed that there were no decent vegetarian options - at least The Bagel has a veggie burger and veggie chili. I had to resort to grilled cheese because I wanted lunch, but I had considered the potato pancakes or cheese blintzes. The coke was good though - cold and very carbonated. I may try there again and get the pancakes or blintzes and see what happens, and then I will re-review.
(2)
nicole h.

We were going to grab some standard breakfast at a greasy spoon place like Golden Nugget, but a spontaneous u-turn made by the hubby landed us in Frances'. And I was glad. I loved the warm, inviting atmosphere. Our waitress was super sweet. The matzo ball soup didn't knock my socks off, but the egg-salad sandwich on CRAZY fresh rye was awesome. My husband had a breakfast skillet with habanero cheese. He was in awe of how powerful the spice in the cheese was. Next time we're in the area and looking for breakfast, there will be no need to hit up a greasy spoon because I've found just-like-homemade breakfast in the city.
(4)
Brigid C.

Maybe this is the closest thing to a new york deli, but are they importing the food directly from there?? There must be a reason a chicken sandwich costs 11 dollars. Our waiter was so spacey he may have been travelling to new york to get our potato pancakes necause he was gone for so long. The food was good, but there were kids crawling around all over, and tons of babies crying... not my favorite atmosphere. If you want a NY deli so bad, save your pennies on their expensive food and buy a flight to new york. : )
(2)
Candice R.

I'll bump them up a star because the owner contacted me within a week of me writing my review, and sent me a $20 gift card. I've yet to use it, I haven't been in the neighborhood since, but I'm definitely going tot give them another shot when I am.
(3)
katie k.

I will start by saying I work here, so I am a bit partial, but I was eating here long before I got the job! Im writing the review actually because my boyfriend and I were trying to think of where to go for a great soup and sandwich and we ended up a frances! Every time we try to go somewhere else for the same type of food we end up disappointed. He gets the pastrami and corned beef with slaw and 1000 (#4), and I love half turkey and half corned beef with slaw and 1000! Can I also say that since I am a server here, please please let us know if something isnt the way you like. we always want you to leave full and happy, so please speak up!! : )
(5)
Matthew L.

Brought in a coupon that was valid on weekends, they said they are no longer accepting them. Not a good idea for a slow Saturday with a half empty restaurant. Especially considering you're five feet from Dunlays and Sarkis.
(1)
Michelle K.

I've been coming to Frances' for over 20 years (I used to dine in the little shack they called a "restaurant" down the street where Frank's is now located, if that gives you an idea of how long this place has been on my foodie roster), and it has remained one of my favorite spots in the city ever since. And while a lot has changed (the place has been seriously yuppified!!!), a few of their staples have remained the same. The cheese blintzes are more amazing than words can describe. If sent to death, Frances' cheese blintzes would be my last meal. That's how delicious they are!!! I had two Jewish grandmothers growing up who wanted nothing more than to feed me their homemade blintzes ... but neither of their recipes could hold a candle to the Frances' variety. My father, who fancies himself a gourmet, tried tirelessly to replicate the recipe for me, but to no avail. So I have been, and will continue to be, a Frances' patron for life, if for no other reason than the fact that I NEED those blintzes!!! Yes, I truly need them! The milkshakes and deli sandwiches are also well above average, though I do usually head straight for the blintzes, so I can't go into too much detail on these fronts. I have only given 4 stars here because, as much as I hate to admit it, the chicken soup at Frances' has gone down hill a bit. I'm a huge soup fan, so I know a good one when I taste it. Unfortunately, Frances' soup is usually either bland or over-salted, and the matzoh balls can tend to run a little undercooked. But don't let this missing star fool you ... this place is awesome!!!
(4)
Katie T.

I went here for lunch once but it sounds like I need to try their breakfast. I had a tuna melt which was great and their fries where big, hot and crispy. The tuna melt had hard boiled egg in it. Sounds kind of gross but it was really good. This place gets the extra star because they had at least 5 different types of root beer. I am absolutely in love with root beer and when I grow up I want to be a root beer connoisseur. I definitely plan on going back. Maybe next time I'll get an omelet and a root beer. (gross)
(5)
Lesley G.

I have been here a whole bunch of times, almost always on a Saturday or Sunday for breakfast, brunch or lunch...depending when I get up. The milkshakes are good, the chocolate chip pancakes are yummy (though last time I was there I felt they could have had more chocolate chips) and the sandwiches are big and delicious. It's a great place for a not that expensive, not fancy weekend brunch or lunch. You won't get the weird concoctions of other places, but if you want a good pastrami sandwich, some pancakes or eggs, this place will do the trick.
(3)
Kevin S.

I used to quasi-live in the area and I always stopped in once a week for a cheeseburger, fries and Oreo milkshake. Hands down my favorite comfort food in Chicago. Also, spent my birthday there...it's that special to me. Their other items are quite tasty as well. The matzoh ball soup is awesome. The sammiches are really good when the mood hits. The fact they have dreamsicle pop available is another selling point. Be prepared to wait on the weekends. It is a little loud and gets cozy, but well worth the wait. My Saturday morning was slightly ruined once due to some pancakes that did not meet my expectations only because I was so used to the quality of their brunch/lunch items.
(4)
dj z.

Get their sandwiches to go. You're gonna make a mess since they're so HUGE and towering. You'll wanna take a shower afterwards. This establishment has some of the best pickles ever. Thinly sliced corned beef (aw, DROOOOOOOL!) and fresh hallah bread. Hallah! I used to eat that stuff by itself, straight out of the bag as I'm walking out the door. Minus a star for the atmosphere and lack of easy parking.
(4)
Michael S.

You could go here for lunch every day for a couple of weeks, and still have new and tasty options to choose from. Still, I gravitate to the Lincoln Park (or the No.11 if you will) consistently. Turkey, melted munster cheese, and honey cup mustard.... all on grilled hallah. Mmmm. Plus, if you are up for it, they make a seriously good shake.
(4)
Heather B.

I came here with a friend and I'm so glad I was introduced to this place! Best matzo ball soup I've ever had and it's a huge ball o' matzo too. Lots of great sandwiches to choose from. I tried some of my friend's latke since I didn't get one with my soup/sandwich. The latke was deliciously greasy, fattening goodness! Very friendly and nice wait staff as well :)
(4)
Stephen R.

Despise. This place is overpriced and lame. You'd think that a facade and decor that tries to feel its "established" public persona would be more regular diner breakfast/brunch/lunch fare. No. It's overpriced. It's not good. Frances obviously turned a good investment by waiting it out for the long term and overcharging to compensate for their Clark Street rent, but it is. not. good. Go up the street to Golden Nugget. It's less than perfect, but better than the overpriced waste that awaits you here.
(2)
Jules H.

Best damn Reuben.....period! Nothing else to say.
(4)
Katie S.

This place is da' bomb. Yeah thats right- da' bomb. Words that are only used to describe something better than 'awesome'. Their malts are delicious, the server seemed to be managing an 18 table section with zero problems, and ALL of the food I have tried is great. Go here, or be square....or something like that.....
(5)
Dave S.

It has been ages since I was here last. Hmmm... Before my most recent visit, i think my last visit was in 1998, I believe. it was in every way that I remember it. The decor has changed very little, if at all, which is fine by me as i really liked and still like the feel of the place. I had a bacon, broccoli, and cheese omelet which was tasty and filled with just the right amount of ingredients. Our server was fine as she did a good job. However, I was a bit disappointed in the value. I mean the food was good but I don't think the portion size or the taste lived up to the price I paid. It was close but not quite there. Overall, I enjoyed my meal and i will be back when i am in the neighborhood but this is just not going to be a destination for me. I would like to come back and give their lunches a try.
(3)
Joon M.

My favorite place to go for breakfast or lunch when I'm really hungry. The nova lox sandwich is incredible... I would have given this place 5 stars if it included dill. The staff is polite & there are usually an interesting variety of characters dining there.
(4)
Katy O.

Frances has pretty good deli sandwiches. I especially like the reuben. My fiance hasn't been as impressed with his food here. He's tried the burgers and a turkey sandwich. If this place wasn't right around the corner from our home we probably wouldn't return, not because it's bad but just because there are so many other good sandwich places around that are not priced quite as high. I would like this place a lot more if the prices were a little bit lower.
(3)
Kristy C.

I ordered to go brisket sandwhich on white with potato pancakes, served with slaw. It was packed perfectly, including sauce for cake & pickle individually wrapped (which I appreciated as I'm not a huge fan of pickles). The staff was nice, the food was ready on time. Funny tho, the pickle was the best part of the meal- actually great & I don't like them. The potato pancake was disappointing, had absolutely no flavor & neither did the sauce that came with. The brisket looked like roast beef, the bread was literally miracle bread style slices no bun (& they don't carry sourdough as advertised). Also the slaw was tiny and wasn't like normal slaw it looked almost like potato salad. So in the end I'd say they were consistent & detailed but there food just wasn't wat I expected in a bad way.
(3)
Rocky B.

My husband came here practically every Sunday morning when we lived in the area and the only thing I really remember was their corned beef hash! Their corned beef hash was crispy and greasy! Mmm, put that with their runny eggs and delicious buttery toast and you are in heaven! The restaurant itself is nothing to look at but hey when you are half asleep on a Sunday morning who cares what the place looks like!
(3)
TN T.

I came here for breakfast twice, not because my first experience was awesome but b/c every time I walk by for breakfast it's always so packed. And when places are packed usually that means the food is good...I ordered an omelet with 3 toppings and it didn't even come with hash browns. The omelet came out and the eggs were so flavorless and airy like the egg batter was extremely watered down. My boyfriend and I both left hungry, were out 30 bucks and were pissed we didn't go to Dunlay's up the street...
(1)
Marianne S.

I can now get milkshakes anytime I feel like it :) I got the chocolate banana, which tasted good enough to satisfy my intermittent cravings. Burgers were good, as well as the fries. Their omelette (got the cheese and mushroom) were too dry! My friend and I only ate 1/4 of it. Will be going back for the milkshakes, for sure.
(3)
MsAnthro P.

I need to preface this review with the fact that I absolutely never go there when it's packed full (generally on weekends) of yuppies with hangovers or screeching kids. I did that once a few years back and have since been very careful to only head there during off hours. Now that that's out of the way, despite sometimes spotty service, I think it's definitely one of the best diners in the neighborhood. I'm not sure that's saying much considering the most nearby diner options are the Golden Nugget and the Golden Cup, both of which are lackluster. The best breakfast and lunch in the world? No. But it's hearty comfort food and I definitely have a few favorites, in particular the omelettes. Most diners serve those god-awful super Americanized "fluffy" omelettes whose textures are more akin to frittatas, but Frances' serves thinner omelettes that are still teeming with goodness. And, unlike a lot of places, you can get an omelette with four or five ingredients that doesn't cost you a dollar or more an ingredient. I also enjoy their grilled chicken salad and the chicken sandwich on challah. And the Nova Lox sandwich. Their portions are generous and they're usually especially on top of refilling drinks. Also, the menu is extensive. That said, I do find it a bit strange that I've been there several times on several different days over the years and the Soup of the Day has never been anything besides Mushroom Barely, which does not appeal to me in the least. Basically, I've never ordered anything here that displeased me and I've always left very full.
(4)
Steve W.

I've eaten at this place many Sundays, and all though it can be very packed, the food and service is always good.
(4)
Jeremy Z.

This is a terrific local brunch joint that has a very cozy feel. The made to order omelets are perfectly prepared and have very fresh ingredients. The deli also has some traditional Jewish favorites like challah french toast and matzo ball soup. If you want a quiet place at which to eat and pretend like you are on an episode of Friends, this is a good bet.
(4)
Carey A.

Yum! Hamburgers are big and messy!
(4)
David G.

Great lookin, great service. The food has no taste. I was excited to think I could get great corned beef. Wrong! Too bad this is so terrible!
(1)
j w.

Good food. Nice staff. Excellent matzo ball soup.
(4)
Robin W.

I've given Frances a few tries, and it's just okay. I was wavering between 2 and 3 stars and decided on 2 stars, because I just don't see myself going here ever again, even though it's 2 blocks from my house. I won't say the food was bad at all; it's decent food, but it's food that I could make at home in my opinion. Nothing special, and a little overpriced for a dingy diner. There are so many great brunch places in the area, even great diners, that I can't stand to spend $10 here on an omelet or $11 on an average quality reuben. Sorry Frances...
(2)
courtney g.

this may not affect your feelings about the place, but my philosophical objections stem mostly from the fact that they serve breakfast all day, and yet there are no waffles to be had. nary a one. challah french toast; a few kind of pancakes (which i thought were quite good); even blintzes. but ix-nay on the waffles, and that was what i wanted, so ... my dining companion had the bacon club and pronounced it good. so there's that. the two stars are mainly for the service. it was sub-standard. our waitress at least was pleasant, but disorganized, inattentive, and frequently absent for long periods. we were not wowed. also, i think their prices are a little out of line; just a shade. i think i'll stick to salt and pepper.
(2)
Katie S.

Ive been looking for breakfast places since I moved here a month ago. I decided to check this place out. I was able to get a table immediately as it was still fairly early (as far as brunch goes). My server was Erica. She was awesome! Friendliest service I think I've had in Chicago so far! She alone bumped it from 3 and a half stars to 4. I There was a nice variety in food. The challah toast yummy! The skillet was tasty and plentiful. You will be taking home leftovers!
(4)
Kris A.

Some of my friends love this place, and I don't get it. I've gone there a bunch of times, and it is kind of cute inside and I have no complaints with the staff...but the food just isn't good. Maybe I'm ordering the wrong things? But I don't like eggs so I always go for pancakes/ french toast/ crepes for breakfast, and they just are NOT good. Worst I've had is the french toast - the inside was dripping with egginess and the vanilla/cinnamon flavoring was just being overwhelmed by the egg taste. Also, I asked for crispy bacon and that evidently meant - microwave it. Yuk. Sorry , I hate microwaved bacon. I'm normally really not a picky person, but I have not enjoyed my meals here.
(2)
Corinne W.

After an evening of cocktails, Frances' is my favorite place to go - The chicken salad sandwich, ice tea, and grilled cheese on challah bread are fantastic, and they also have a chicken breast, avocado club that is so good. Whenever I have friends visiting from back east, I take them here, and so far, everyone has loved it.
(5)
Paul C.

I like this place for breakfast when my folks come to visit. They've got a pretty big menu and there's definitely something for everyone.
(4)
Liz K.

If you're a sandwich kind of person, it's definitely a good idea to come to frances'. Probably one of the best in the city.
(4)
Mike P.

Not bad, not great. Sometimes a long wait. Hit the Bagel if you want a good deli experience
(3)
Michael S.

The Bagel at Broadway and Barry has all the same food stuff, shorter waits, better food, and a free parking lot. You might as well go to the Bagel. A friend of mine and her daughter were sweet enough to host me at Frances's today. It was crowded, noisy, a long wait, and very average food. Oh, well, it was the thought that counts.
(2)
Andrea R.

I've tried this restaurant on two occasions and found the food to be very mediocre both times. There was also a very long wait (about 45 minutes) each time. Personally I'd rather spend the 45 minutes waiting at Tempo.
(2)
Laura B.

This place is average. It's kind of over priced and closes really early in the evening. I go to Frances for convenience and no other reason. I've had a few omelets and bacon and home fries. The bacon was soggy and fatty, and the home fries were also a little soggy. Also, I'm not a fan of the eggs in the omelet being super thing, it seems unnatural, like they used an egg mix instead of fresh eggs. I did try a milk shake which was very thick and pretty tasty but I certainly would not come here just for that.
(2)
Ellen M.

Hard one to rate, and not really a deli. The food is pretty good, but it's priced pretty high. The servers are hit-or-miss, but usually fine. My biggest complaint is the number of tables crammed in - too hard to walk around.
(3)
Wade M.

I can't say much that hasn't already been covered, but I just want to chime in and say what a GREAT breakfast/brunch spot Frances' is. Yeah, there's gonna be a little bit of a wait if you come on the weekend, but it's not too bad, and you can use the time for some primo peoplewatching. The environment just really feels like a fun city brunch place; it feels like the place to be. You won't mind waiting. I also want to emphasize how good the milkshakes are. Yeah, five dollars for a shake is a little steep, but for god's sake, you owe it to yourself to get one of these things. They even give you some extra shake in a little cup because they make more than the glass can hold.
(4)
Erin S.

Food is decent. The big pluses are outdoor seating with your pooch AND...the best milkshakes I have ever had. Get the chocolate peanut butter extra thick! And take a lactaid!
(4)
Ande L.

I've been here a few times and I just can't seem to stray away from their enormous reuben. It's large enough that I can take the other half home for later. Frances' has such a cute diner atmosphere, I just wish the menu reflected diner prices. But the food and service is great and I mean to try this place for breakfast soon.
(3)
mike h.

They'd get a 5 but I think they're a few dollars high on their menu. I always leave the restaurant very satisfied with whatever I've ordered. If you're in the mood for a deli sandwich they are the best around.
(4)
Stephanie D.

I have come here for numerous meals, during all times of day and have always left feeling full and satisfied. However, minus one star for this place being super expensive! Yikes! Went last week for dinner actually, and had the NICEST waiter ever. He was just a great server: resourceful, knowledgeable about the menu, and very friendly. I recommend the open faced turkey dinner, the french toast, and the Reuben. Delish.
(4)
Hannah B.

I went to Frances' often when I lived in Lincoln Park. The breakfast menu is great and my mom raves that this is one of the few restaurants that can prepare eggs sunny side up without slapping runny-gooey egg whites on your plate. I am a big fan of the omelets and I always know I can come here to start the day with a great meal.
(4)
A.S. V.

I wouldn't think of this as a deli. It's more like a diner/pancake house. But there are some deli items on the menu, so what the hey.
(3)
Jennifer C.

Love the chicken sandwich and their huge choclate chip cookies in the glass jar!
(4)
Brian S.

This place has the best deli sandwiches outside NYC. Try "The King" - a mix of hot pastrami and corned beef. Delicious! My fiancee favors their open-faced turkey sandwich.
(4)
Jen S.

Cute little restaurant. Saw Vince Vaughn in there, but way overpriced!
(3)
Adrienne M.

I love the breakfast skillet with habenaro cheese. It's usually crowded on weekend but the service is friendly and quick. Also the bloody marys are amazing
(3)
Laura F.

best triple deck sandwich for $9.95. i could only eat half of it. fries were perfect too. this was my 2nd time there and the first time i had a burger that was also pretty awesome. didn't see my waitress for awhile but i think she was busy in the back either cooking or taking a break. the host guy had to refill my diet coke for me. other than that, recommended highly. they have an outdoor eating area which is lovely however, the sidewalks of lincoln park are always crowded so it can get crammed.
(4)
Kerrye D.

I have eaten lunch here a few times and found the food to be fairly average. The grilled sandwiches are good, but there is so much butter and grease if you don't eat them quickly (and I generally don't), the bread turns into a soggy mess. The food is also fairly expensive. They do have good milkshakes though -- thick and full of chocolate flavor. All in all though, this isn't a place I would come regularly.
(2)
Chloe M.

Not my favorite deli, but a good spot for brunch every so often. Their omelettes are pretty good and while there is usually a wait it isn't too long. It's not your typical jewish deli so don't expect that when you go!
(3)
Jeff K.

I've been here a ton of times and have never had a bad experience (food or staff). The food always looks and tastes great. The only thing preventing me from giving it five stars is the food's lack of personality. There doesn't seem to be an effort to make anything stand out. You get fresh ingredients and nice preparation, but no "special something" to make you crave it. It's not bland by any means, but it's comparable to something John or Jane Doe might make at home. (Which is why I like the place. I don't have John's or Jane's skills.)
(4)
Kara M.

i always take people here for brunch when they are visiting. the food is good but the wait can get a little out of control if you go at peak times. i like the omelet with spicy cheese, bacon and jalapenos. it was def good! the pancakes are melt in your mouth good and their lunch sandwiches aren't half bad either. you have to order a shake, those are great too. it's a solid LP establishment that i highly recommend!
(4)
Lisa T.

Love this place! Omlettes are incredible, one of the best in the city! Not your traditional deli and the service is a bit so. Though the food is great. It's busy so get there early or you'll be waiting, but it's worth it!
(4)
Angela B.

I've only been here for breakfast but really liked the atmosphere (relaxed but lively, if that makes sense) and the service was great. The breakfast menu was a little limited - mostly eggs - but the eggs were really good, not too rubbery or runny. The chicken sausage here is excellent, but the bacon was disappointing - ask for it really crispy or it comes out undercooked. I am definitely going back to try them out for lunch!
(4)
Ang R.

I can't give this place four stars because the breakfast potatoes just aren't up to snuff. But the rest of our meal was very good. Great omelette, fantastic pancakes, and super-crispy bacon; I'd certainly eat here again, but I plan to try other breakfast places first.
(3)
John M.

I vote no on this place. Couldn't stand listening to the owner yell at the employees. Brutal. This happened two of the three times we went there. Food was not that great either. NO.
(1)
Jeremy T.

Had a chocolate oreo milkshake and a triple decker club sandwich with roast beef, turkey, 1000 island, cole slaw, and swiss cheese on it on whole wheat. All in all, it was excellent. I've been here once before and had a huge, greasy burger that was also really good. There was no wait to get in even though it was kinda crowded. It was right around lunch time, and I just wanna say again how perfect the milkshake was. It says on the menu "Best milkshakes in town" or something...they ain't kidding. I give it 4 stars since our waitress took a little while refilling our soda and water.
(4)
Patricia B.

I am being generous giving two stars, but the server was personable and efficient, and the coffee was okay. Yet I am forever surprised that breakfast can be so mediocre and overpriced at so many Lincoln Park places. Frances' is a prime example. On a recent weekday morning, I just wanted decent eggs and decent toast with my coffee. One egg was a pricey $5.95 and two are $7.95, with the obligatory side of hash browns which I really didn't want anyway, and toast. Coffee was $2.50, and it was fine but certainly nothing special about it. I was hoping for good flavorful eggs; at those prices, would free-range organic or at least ones that have some taste be too much to ask? Yup. Smallish egg, no flavor, way too many hash browns that were obviously prepared earlier and had been sitting. They were clumped together and altogether forgettable. The toast came in my least favorite way: with not very soft butter in little tubs that you had to spread yourself, or at least try to. The toast had a somewhat odd taste and I finished nothing on the plate. Perhaps their other food is better but I won't waste my money trying Frances' again. Good ingredients really do make a good meal. I will stay with the Original Pancake House at Armitage and Clark with somewhat lower prices and much higher quality.
(2)
Jim L.

This is one of Chicago's many awesome breakfast joints. Great food, great decor.
(5)
Mindy S.

I've only been here for brunch, but I've seemed to have a good meal every time. I love that they have muenster cheese for their omelettes! There are better breakfast places in the city, but for a convenient diner type meal, this place is worth a try.
(3)
Audra S.

The food here looks as good as it tastes! I came in for a light lunch and my chef salad was all I expected and more. A HUGE portion, yes, but well worth the price. Adjacent tables ordered burgers and omlettes; everything looked fantastic, and from the sound of things, they were! End your meal with a banana split -- the homemade ice cream and toppings are delicious!
(5)
ali a.

I love the food here! The sandwiches are grilled and they are so good. The portions are huge though and alot of times I definitely go into a little bit of a food coma. The salads are average, but the breakfast and the sandwiches are worth trying.
(4)
Tiff B.

I used to go to this joint all the time since I lived pretty much across the street from it. I think I just went out of habit or something. And then one day it occurred to me one day when I was there with my boyfriend that the place kinda sucked. It's always packed there with people and their ill behaved children. The food is pretty good, but it's really overpriced in my opinion. If you go there for brunch, a tab of over $30 is pretty standard for 2 people. Because heaven forbid someone want one scrambled egg along with their massive pancake as big as your head. Frances' charges over $3 for one egg. You can buy a DOZEN of organic, cage free eggs for $3.50. So yeah, that's clearly a ripoff. And the service is kinda crappy too. The servers do the bare minimum. I think they just take for granted that the place will always be crowded and they don't need to have reasonable prices or good service. And hell, they're probably right. But I'm still only giving them 3 stars. And that's because they do have good food.
(3)
Marissa D.

I don't know...I really like this place. The wait is never too long. Their egg sandwiches are incredible. Same with their milkshakes, pancakes, grilled cheese, etc. Never had bad service. Never had bad food. Can be a tiny bit overpriced for what it is, but it's my go-to place when I need some good greasy food.
(4)
Hannah L.

Excellent for casual breakfast and diner food. I ordered a skillet with red potatotes, mushrooms, and habanero cheese. Was probably the best skillet I've had in Chicago and better than skillets at Original Pancake House. The omelets also are large and tasty. Decent prices and just a great classic diner that's been around since the 1930s in the neighborhood.
(5)
Oscar the Death Cat B.

Prices at Frances' are a bit on the high side as diner food goes, but the servings are typically big enough to fill you up without the need to add an appetizer or dessert. I usually stop there for late lunch or early dinner, the restaurant is seldom busy at those times & service is pretty good. Frances' is one of my favored locations for a quick bite to eat before a movie at the Landmark Century, the tables by the windows are great for people-watching along Clark St.
(4)
Mary C.

This is a "deli" in the sense of the NY Jewish diner deli restaurants. It's not literally a deli serving cold cuts by the pound. The sandwiches may be pricey to some, but the portions are big and the side dishes are very good. Wholesome food, bad location because parking is tricky.
(4)
Becca K.

I used to really enjoy this place but my experiences there get worse and worse. One manager in particular is extremely rude and I've seen and heard him yelling at wait staff in front of a full restaurant. As a former server I was offended. I used to love the service there too but as of late there are a lot of new servers most of which don't seem to know what they are doing. For a place that used to be in my top five I'm seriously disappointed in where it's headed.
(2)
Sarah B.

A Chicago classic, this deli/diner is ideal for brunch. Of course, all the standards are on the menu, but you'll also find items like matzo ball soup and reuben omelettes. Good prices, good food.
(4)
Chris S.

The food is good, but not as good as the prices might indicate. I paid over $10 for a sandwich that was good, but is bigger, better, and costs less at Perry's. I do like the insode of the place and the peple there are always friendly, so I can't, and don't want to knock anything about it other than the high prices.
(3)
Sydney K.

This place offers huge portions of your usual diner fare at cheap prices. The matzo ball soup is delicious, and they have great breakfast items, especially their omelets. They also have a variety of desserts to choose from.
(3)
Simon J.

Here's the thing. Apparently the owners of this place think that just because their restaurant is on Clark St. they can charge twice as much as every other average diner in the city. Actually sorry.. this place is worse than average. I just got home from my second visit there and I think I had almost an entire onion in my pastrami sandwich. Seriously, you will not find many people who like onions more than me, but that was excessive. If I have to take apart my sandwich to take out ingredients, you have not done your job. The thing I don't get is that this place is still always crowded. Even if you don't care about their terrible prices, why wouldn't you just go over to Clarke's on Lincoln or Pine Grove on Diversey, both of which will give you better prices, service, and food. And if you are not attached to the diner atmosphere, there are a bunch of other awesome eateries literally within sight of this place. (Angela's, Sultan's Market, Lito's) Honestly, the only reason I decided to give this place a second chance in the first place is because my girlfriend was on her way to work and this place happened to be on the way (also, I wanted to have some shitty diner coffee). Please give your business to a place that's worthwhile. Don't go to Frances' Deli
(2)
K.C. B.

Yummmmmm....The best grilled cheese ever. The waitresses are always kind of snooty, but the awesome food makes up for the service. I highly recommend to people who are fans of diners!
(4)
frankie r.

they are a little pricey, but i do enjoy the shakes(really really good cappuccino shake), but a few times they didn't have the stuff to make it =( , they also have a good brownie sundae. the burgers and sandwiches are good as well. the waitressing staff is friendly. all in all not a bad place to go to when around the area.
(4)
Julia B.

Great deli right up the street from me. The menu is large and so are the portions. You will be filled up on anything you get. Don't get too much to go on the side of your meal because you probably won't end up eating all of it. The prices are good for what you get and the service is fast and friendly. On Sunday's there is usually a wait to get in here.
(4)

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Address : 2552 N Clark St
Chicago, IL, 60614
Phone (773) 248-4580
Website https://www.francesdeli.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :8:00 am - 3:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Frances’ Deli

2552 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60614

Frances’ Deli Menu

Deli Sandwiches

Sandwiches - Triple Deckers

Dinners

Desserts - Soda Fountain

Healthy Meal suggestions for Frances’ Deli

Deli Sandwiches

Sandwiches - Triple Deckers

Dinners

Desserts - Soda Fountain

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