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Name: Meli Café
Address: 540 N Wells St, Chicago, IL, 60654
Telephone: (312) 527-1850
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.77

Meli Café

540 N Wells St, Chicago, IL, 60654

(312) 527-1850
Store is closed

Meli Café Menu

Eggs

Eggs Toast & Potatoes

Skirt Steak & Eggs
Eggs - Add-ons

Veggie 3-grain Patties

Links

Patties

Bacon

Chicken Sausage

Ham

Corned Beef Hash
Omelets

Melis Omelet

Chicken

Vegetable

Spinach & Feta

Spicy Flamenco

Salmon

Lamb

Simply Savory

Fresh Tomato

Gouda
Scramblers

Feta

Veggie

Cajun

Western

Avocado

Chicken Sausage
Breakfast Sandwiches

Ham

Feta

Turkey

Healthy Start

Black Bean
Skillets

Farmland

Emerald Isle

Mana Mou

Down On The Farm

Jalapeno
Frittatas

Smoky

Apple & Cheddar

Vegetarian

Loaded Broccoli
Benedicts

Classic

Spinach & Artichoke

Honey Smoked Salmon

Vegetarian

Tuscan

Hash
Breakfast Mounds

N.y. Reuben

Ragin Cajun

Garden

Pikantiko
French Toast

Strawberry

Traditional

Mixed Berry

Strawberry Banana

Stuffed Strawberry

Stuffed Apple

Streusel

Blueberry Muffin

Melis Toast
Waffles

Plain

Apple Cinnamon

Strawberry

Blueberry

Banana Pecan

Cocoa
Pancakes

Buttermilk

Multi-grain

Caramel Banana

Chocolate Morsel

Melis Honey Cakes
Crepes

Meli

Cinnamon Apple

Fresh Berry

Cobbler

Nutella

Symphony

Cloud 9

Smoked Salmon

Breakfast

Salsa
Healthy Habits

Egg White Scrambler

Fresh Fruit

Yogurt & Honey

Fruit Parfait

Date N Nut Parfait

Granola (cereal)

Oatmeal

Baked Oatmeal

Breakfast Quinoa
Additions

Bacon

Ham

Links

Patties

Veggie 3-grain Patties

Corned Beef Hash

Canadian Bacon

Chicken Sausage

Baby Reds

English Muffin

Toast

Bagel & Cream Cheese

Healthy Meal suggestions for Meli Café

Eggs

Eggs Toast & Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Skirt Steak & Eggs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Eggs - Add-ons

Veggie 3-grain Patties [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

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

Chicken Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

Melis Omelet [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

Spinach & Feta [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spicy Flamenco [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

Simply Savory [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Tomato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gouda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Scramblers

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

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

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

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

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

Chicken Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Breakfast Sandwiches

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

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

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

Healthy Start [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Black Bean [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Skillets

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

Emerald Isle [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mana Mou [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Down On The Farm [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Jalapeno [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Frittatas

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

Apple & Cheddar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Loaded Broccoli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Benedicts

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

Spinach & Artichoke [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Honey Smoked Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

Hash [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Breakfast Mounds

N.y. Reuben [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ragin Cajun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Pikantiko [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
French Toast

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

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

Mixed Berry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Stuffed Strawberry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stuffed Apple [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Blueberry Muffin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Melis Toast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Waffles

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

Apple Cinnamon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

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

Cocoa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pancakes

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

Multi-grain [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Chocolate Morsel [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Melis Honey Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Crepes

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

Cinnamon Apple [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Berry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

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

Cloud 9 [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Salsa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Healthy Habits

Egg White Scrambler [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fresh Fruit [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Yogurt & Honey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fruit Parfait [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Date N Nut Parfait [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Granola (cereal) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

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

Breakfast Quinoa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Additions

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

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

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

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

Veggie 3-grain Patties [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Canadian Bacon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Sausage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baby Reds [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

English Muffin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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

Bagel & Cream Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

Write An Anonymous Review

Craig R.

My wife and I just went over to Meli this morning for some brunch. Although it was good, I can't say it was any different than Orange Peel or Yolk really. This could be because I really don't eat eggs much and so pancakes and waffles are pretty standard across the board. All in all, we were happy with our trip: -Wait staff was nice -Prices were comparable for the area -We sat right down at 10 on a Saturday (nice!) -The pancakes were good and the portion was large -My wife's omelette was gigantic and they use Pam instead of butter to cook it which she prefers -The Peach Mango smoothie was large and delicious, although a dumb choice on a freezing cold morning Will definitely be back!
(4)
Christina M.

I was drawn to Meli because of their vegan and vegetarian friendly menu. My dining partner and I chose yesterday as the day to try Meli since I ran a half marathon that day, because it was a nice way to celebrate the run and get down on some brunch food. What we didn't realize is that this is more of a health-focused brunch spot - which is fine with me - so keep that in mind if you want some greasy breakfast food. I ordered the vegan French toast, and my dining partner ordered some egg sandwich. We both liked our meals but I'll honestly say that the vegan French toast was a little too healthy. It was loaded with fruits (raspberries, blueberries, and bananas - yum!) but the bread was reminiscent of hippy grain bread, which does not make for good French toast. The syrup was also agave nectar rather than maple syrup, again something I'm not used to with French toast. There are many other vegan things on the menu that I'd like to try soon, so I'll update my rating accordingly then.
(3)
Christina M.

Found this place on Yelp on our trip to Chicago. It was amazinngggg! It was a bit pricier then what we expected for breakfast but it was delicious and worth it! I had the Gouda skillet with a orange, strawberry and kiwi juice. The skillet was huge but it was sooo good I ate every bit of it! My boyfriend had the Skirt Steak Skillet and loved it too. We wanted to try something sweet too so we shared the Symphony crepes filled with Nutella and yuuummmm. Everything was great! Our server was very attentive, the wait was short and the decor was bright and lively. Can't wait to visit again!
(5)
Jessica S.

Meli is my new love! I had a fantastic brunch here with a girlfriend a week back and cannot get it off of my mind. Unique, delicious breakfast options and an awesome juice bar. There is usually a long wait and they don't do call aheads, so give yourself a little time but trust me, it is worth the wait!
(4)
Tim B.

Slightly upscale breakfast place. Warm and cozy, but NOT a "bring your laptop and hang out all morning" kind of place. (oops!) GREAT menu, fast, friendly, cheerful, attentive service. I had the "special" fritatta (sp) - Swiss cheese, bacon, spinach, potatoes, etc. DEElish. Wonderful. Would give this the full five stars...BUT...the place lacked a key menu item for any breakfast place... A sweet / savory combo option! EX - French Toast -n- Eggs.
(4)
Elsa V.

This was my first time at any of their locations. I went with a friend for a late lunch, 2:30. While the food was excellent, our server seemed bored/ displeased to have us at her station, yes l know the lingo; my father was a maitre d. The coffee cup had a small chip yet she used it and seemed upset that l transferred my coffee to the unused one on the table, only asking "was this one dirty?" l pointed out that since l was left handed the chip would be on the side I'd have to sip from. No apology just took it away. She only stopped by once to ask if the food was fine; and it was. However she never came back to ask if we needed more water, my friend asked another server. l have no idea if they refill the coffee but at $2.85 l would have hoped so. I ended up drinking ice cold coffee. It wasn't a large bill, $30.77. I come from a family that has worked in the food service industry, father, sister etc. l still gave her $5 solely, PERHAPS, hoping she'll change her attitude and not prejudge her next guests at her station. My friend even made a comment, when she first came, about her seeming short; l said NO your not wrong. We BOTH felt the same negative emotion. The 3 stars is for the kitchen staff; presenation and excellent food. I would give more but it needs to be less to show my dissatisfaction with the wait staff. No one bussed our table or told us that they closed at 3pm. l hadn't thought to look at the door and who closes so early on a Saturday? only a rude awakening that they had closed, for us to go; we felt embarrassed. Even that could have been said in a more palatable manor; not our server, someone else. Although, initially, l had thought to return to try other menu items, l won't be returning to this local and perhaps none other, if all the staff treats their guests in such a flippant way.
(3)
Nadia S.

Wanted to grab brunch that was close to our hotel we were at one wkend and found this lil place. Menu was extensive but I decided on the salmon Benedict. It really sucked and I probably only had three bites sadly. I couldn't even cut thru the burnt English muffin. But what gets this place four stars??? The stuffed apple French toast... Good Lordy. Felt like a swollen cow after eating this but wow. It was amazing. I would love to try their juice bar.
(4)
Kelly M.

I was torn between 3-4 stars, its very good.... Tons of menu choices, I've tried the scrambler so delicious, tried the skillet equally as delicious.... I decided to go with the Carmel Pecan pancakes last time I visited, and truthfully I didn't like them. I felt like the pancakes were dry, like I needed to drink something while eating them. I will definitely go back, just not order the pancakes. I was with my mom and she had the pecan waffle and thought it was amazing. All of the smoothies and special drinks looks so good, I haven't tried anything yet, but many of the tables around me did. There was a four some next to me clearly hungover and they were all doing wheat grass shots. Oh yeah.. the other table next to me had the breakfast burrito and it was huge and looked delicious, I might have to try that!
(4)
Chrysa L.

I have visited this location and the Greektown location on several occasions, but will review this location since it was the site of my most recent visit. First off, if I did not know how good their food is, I probably would have walked out simply based upon the treatment from the seating hostess. I walked up, politely told her we had a party of three, and she slammed the queue buzzer on the counter and slid it across at me. She never even said a word. She did not tell me how long of a wait it would be. I get it. Sunday brunch is crazy. You are cranky. However, as the first person I encounter upon entering your establishment, you really need to cut the 'tude. That aside, the waitresses are always very nice and very fast. I love that the place (and the Greektown location) are painted yellow and are very bright and warm. The food. Oh, the food. I have never eaten ANYTHING here that I have not liked. I hate to be so vague, but everything is delicious. On this visit, I had one of the specials -- a bowl of baby red potatoes covered in a hash of bacon, Brussels sprouts, leeks, green onions and mozzarella cheese, with two poached eggs and a side of toast. This is the one breakfast place where I actually get and eat the toast thanks to their homemade marmalades and jams. We got two little dishes of orange marmalade and I wanted to slurp up every last drop. If you want to enjoy a delicious and hearty breakfast washed down with a glass of fresh, homemade juice, come to Meli!
(4)
S L.

every time I eat here, it's a great experience. I ordered delivery today and it was just as good. The food even arrived early.
(5)
Andrew W.

Pretty damn good breakfast spot. I got some kind of breakfast bowl with potatoes, gouda, bacon, onions, and some other really fresh good stuff I can't remember right now. Anyway, the ingredients were amazing, the flavors well-balanced. Overall, it was obvious a lot of thought went into this dish, especially for a breakfast dish. They have fresh juices and juice blends. Some basic juices, as well as some this-juice-is-so-healthy-that-if-you-drink-it-you-Âwill-live-forever fruit and vegetable juice blends, which personally I am a big fan of. Oh yeah they have pretty good coffee too.
(4)
patrick h.

A beautiful space, really good coffee and fresh ingredients. It's a little on the expensive side for breakfast, but it's downtown and it's quality. If it's as good the next time I visit my review will go up to 5 stars.
(4)
Matthew L.

This place used to be good then they changed the menu and now there's no more streusel french toast. That was actually the only reason I went here, sigh sad face : (
(2)
Mike G.

Great breakfast! The marmalade was fantastic! Very fresh! My omlette was great as well!
(5)
Patrick M.

Hostess (who also claims to be GM) is really unfriendly and unaccommodating. Food is very good. generally the staff seems to have an attitude - might all be Russian or Eastern European. I'd go back for the food but one more bad experience with the staff will keep me away for life.
(3)
Kate L.

I'm not much of a breakfast girl, but I do enjoy Meli's lunch options. I went there today with a friend after the lunch rush (~1:30 p.m.), and we were seated immediately. I hadn't been to this location before, but it's much bigger than the Greektown location where I've always had to wait for a table. To drink, I ordered the Skin Cleanser, a juice blend of apple, celery, and cucumber. It was pleasantly sweet and tasted very fresh. I was happy with my selection, and I look forward to trying another juice the next time I'm at Meli. Juice blends cost around $5, but I don't mind splurging once in a while as they make me feel like I'm doing something good for my body. To eat, I ordered the Whole Wheat Wrap, which comes with a side of Detox Salad. The wrap contained grilled tofu, roasted red peppers, grilled zucchini, arugula, and red vinaigrette on a thin wheat flatbread. The salad consisted of quinoa, almonds, red onion, kale, blueberry, orange, and vinaigrette. This is what healthy food should taste like! Both were vegan and gluten-free. I would highly recommend Meli for anyone who needs/wants to eat that way. The wrap was large and cost $10. My only complaint is that the flatbread got a bit soggy from the vinaigrette. On other occasions (albeit at the other location), I've ordered the Goat Cheese Wrap and various smoothies, all of which I have enjoyed.
(4)
Colleen C.

Meli Meli! Soliving River North's breakfast/brunch problem, finally! There are just so few places to grab a good brekkie in RN during the week. Sure tons of places doing weekend brunch in the 'hood, but Meli's doin' it e'eryday. Woo. I've only been for breakfast/brunch/lunch at both Meli locations on traditionally non-busy weekdays. Having said that, the River North outpost is much less busy than Greektown, even for a weekday. GT is slammed even midweek for lunch. The vibe is a bit more laid back as well, leading to a more enjoyable experience. More elbow room will do that for ya, I suppose. Their egg concoctions always get my order, most notably the chicken sausage scramble with toast and fruit. Their portions are spot on, the food has always been fresh and that juice bar sings my name whenever I am drinking juice out of a can/bottle or box. REAL JUICE. Lots of it. They have a pretty extensive menu for breakfast AND lunch, but I'm always partial to breakfast foods. They've got a full coffee bar (though on my most recent visit, my Americano mysteriously never appeared!), it was replaced with 7 refills of coffee though, so no harm no foul. Service is always pretty stellar. The same deal as Greektown in a different location, more space, cleaner look, less rushed and excellent food. Great spot to take a group or your parents, though I imagine on the weekends its crazy. Be prepared!
(4)
S G.

Delicious breakfast and brunch options- had the apple waffles, veggie patties, chicken sausage and potatoes. yum! good smoothies The breakfast bowls are fresh and the chicken chorizo was great. Get there before 11 to avoid lines Good for toddlers too!
(4)
Jana S.

I got my second chicken omelet here today. My first was a month and a half ago or so, and was really good. I would give it 4 stars. Today, it was less so. 2 stars. There was hardly any chicken in it. It is called a chicken omelet! Also, the avocado was way over ripe. For $15, fresh avocado and some chicken are expected.
(2)
Sruts A.

Meli Cafe has a lot of options, you should know that before you go in! There are loads of versions of eggs, some made only with the whites which makes it simple to order. The juices and smoothies are fresh! You know how refreshing it is to have a tall glass of freshly squeezed orange juice after your morning run? Ah! I had the Egg White Scrambler which was properly loaded with all the vegetables mentioned - a very healthy option; and a side of toast served with strawberry jam and marmalade. Go for the day's specials, especially the smoothies. Almost anything you pick will be served to you within ten minutes, which is pretty darn cool on a Saturday morning when most breakfast/brunch places are packed! The restaurant itself is very nicely set out, with the juice bar to the right and same tables, while the rest of the dining is on the left with loads of space and sunlight.
(4)
Amisha P.

LOVE this place because of the fresh juice! It's great and healthy! Enjoyed the food and atmosphere. The portions are big enough for 2 to share easily unless your hungry.
(5)
Paolo D.

This is one our favorite places for breakfast or for lunch. It's great place if your'e hung over to recuperate....it's fast it's clean and they have a fantastic juice bar. I am always impressed at how fast the food comes out to the table and how good it consistently is. The servers are awesome and remember you when you return a second or third time. Always recommend to out of town guests and to newbies moving to Chicago
(5)
Darius Y.

Stopped I'm here for late afternoon breakfast, and was pleasantly surprised. The design of the restaurant is nice and cozy. There is a juice bar in the front and dinning to the left. I ordered the pancakes and was disappointed. The pancakes were too thick and lacked flavor. I sent it back and ordered the waffle. The waffle was huge and very delightful. The one egg was huge and is all you need for one person. The sausage was meh it had more of a polish sausage taste. Overall it was delicious. Would recommend
(4)
Lindsey Z.

My family came to visit me in Chicago so of course I took them to Cafe Meli Bc I've been here numerous times and was certain they would love it. My dad was so impressed with the food, we are back again this morning!! What's MOST impressive, however, is the management and hostess staff. There is one lady, Jelena, who runs the show. She sits people, she monitors the cooking staff, she does it all!!! She will make sure you are well taken care of! But I have to give props to everyone really. The staff is very hard working and has great attitudes! Hope you enjoy!!!!! :)
(5)
Noneya B.

Delish! I had the Corned Beef Hash Benedict and it was pretty ah-mazing! I loved that they had a juice bar as well - we ordered the "green machine" to go, but unfortunately my boyfriend left the juice sitting at the train stations :( The service was great and the restaurant was pretty packed - I could see why after enjoying my breakfast. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Marie D.

Feel totally rejuvenated after eating here. Homemade ketchup is wonderful. Much better than most in-house ketchups I've had. Great breakfast and lunch place for those who want healthier options. Smoothies are not overly sweet. Great find in Chicago!
(5)
Amy G.

I have been here a hand full of times and have loved every one of them! I have celiac disease and I always feel taken care of by the staff as well as never leaving unsatisfied! They have a ton of options and great juices too! I sat at the bar for the first time today and Jose the bartender was great! I will be definitely be back soon!
(5)
Kim D.

This is a great spot for breakfast/brunch. Good quality food and the service was speedy and friendly. I'd recommend the berry crepes and the eggs benedict.
(5)
Shing Yiing O.

My friend and I are both YELPERS!!! Looking through yelp the night before to decide which restaurant is the best place for brunch... so we narrow it down to a few choices but we chose Meli because it reminds us of Siggy's in Brooklyn... One of the best organic brunch I have ever had.. Ordered Stuffed Strawberry... french toast with strawberry cream, and fresh strawberries on it... It looks really good.. I like it but not love it.. I am not a "cream" person... They put a little too much of the strawberry cream in it... I had to "scrap" them off a little.. I guess it's just me... I will enjoyed it more if the french toast is a little bit crispier.. My friend had a vegetable Benedict... It's not too bad.. nothing much to praise about... We also had strawberry, kiwi, and orange mix fruit juice... I don't find it a big deal because it's a really normal thing in Malaysia where I can simply get it for 3 dollars (it's probably less than a dollar if I convert it with the currency).. well... since it's different country.. I can't be bias... of course it's good because they blend it with fresh fruits.... We also ordered a vanilla latte... you can taste their coffee and even smell it... Wouldn't say it's the best coffee but it's good to enjoy!!!
(4)
Reva H.

Best Breakfast place in River North. Decor - Good Price - Reasonable Staff - Friendly My Must Try's Spicy Flamenco Jalapeno Stuffed Strawberry French Toast All their fresh juices and smoothies
(5)
Julie B.

Just as good as the Greektown location but larger and with a shorter wait! I used to wait an hour just for their amazing omlettes when they only had one location. I always get the same thing, the veggie fritatta with egg whites, and feta cheese. Yum! There are big chunks of avocado in it. It comes with a peice of fruit and toast, and homemade jam. Price is about $10. The freshly squeezed juices are really good also. I like the Pure Gold - pineapple, carrot, and a few other ingredients. Juices range from $4-5, not too bad considering it's squeezed moments before. I'm a frequent customer and will of course return soon...
(5)
Johnny T.

4 stars is nothing to scoff at. Perhaps this would have been a five star review, but my Meli heart is smitten by the Greektown location. Maybe because it was my first... Meli. I dunno. But, n0think compares 2 uuuu, Greektown Meli. River North Meli, I dub the the Cindy of Meli's. Everyone knows Marcia's the hot one but Cindy is the cute kid sister you don't mind helping to babysit if it means you get to kick it with Marcia. Add in the curls and lisp and you're 'awwing' all over the place. You're certainly not a bitter, middle Jan. That would be [forthcoming]. One thing Cindy has going for her over Marcia is the seating. The floor to ceiling glass windows of new construction easily trump the older (and wee bit more dated) views of the Marcia locale. So, props to youth (but not that many; it's not that kind of review) but you just can't beat experience and proper age. Being Cindy Meli, I knew to stay true to the formula that works: smoothie (anything with peach, raspberries and/or whipped cream is a winner) and omelet (chicken with bacon, avocado, onion, tomato, jalapeno, jack & cheddar cheese). The smoothie was every bit as good as I have come to expect from Meli but my omelet was a little overdone. The bacon and chicken were dry. I think this omelet would work better with only one of the proteins and sub in some cilantro for the missing one. Or, cumin. Cumin makes everything better. But, valiant effort Cindy. You'll get there one day. But, for now, it's Marcia Marcia Marcia.
(4)
William K.

Solid! Upon arrival, there was a host who guided me and my guest to a seat. Immediate service and prompt preparation of the food. The juice selection can be a tad overwhelming, but it's always best to have more choices than not enough. Many breakfast restaurants state that they have 'fresh-squeezed orange juice' these days, and it's merely some Dole mix than got from a store. Not this place! It's pure juice all the way around. If you don't go for the food, the juice is just as worthy. I had the berry mixed french toast, which was really good, but the highlight was the whipped cream topping, which was unique to anything I've ever had before on french toast, and very addictive. The atmosphere is a plus also, which makes the experience worth dining in; very spacious, with nice bathrooms I may add. I've struggled to find a new breakfast spot to feast from, and this restaurant has my attention. On a side note, they also have a pretty nice vegan menu to select from, for those who are interested about such food. I'll have to return to explore the rest of the menu, and it's worth bringing a few friends.
(5)
Jaclyn L.

I came here on a Saturday for brunch - around 11am - and there was about a 10-15 min wait, which was less than I expected. It took us longer to read through the juice menu and decide on something than it did to get a table. I ended up getting a mango moscato/sparkling wine and omelette (blue cheese, sausage, apple, pear, yumminess) and both were delicious! The house potatoes were sooooo scrumptious that I didn't even put ketchup on them - which says A LOT. I talked about the meal all day long and dreamt about it.... I actually returned the next day (Sunday at noon was a big longer of a wait, but we could have snagged a bar table). Yum! I will definitely be a regular here.
(5)
Meagan B.

As a note first and foremost portions are HUGE! True fat american sizes. They do have smoothies and fresh juice if you want something on the lighter side. Breakfast is served until they close. I had the flatbread with the chicken chorizo and beans, and eggs, it was good, but left me feeling yuckie afterward. My friend had the no name wrap it was pretty bland, to quote her the best part about it was the bacon. Other friend had the egg white veggie scrambler thing, that was still huge and full of veggies so perhaps a good option. I just was so turned off by the huge portions. I don't like wasting food, but I don't like being a glutton so therefore this place is not for me.
(2)
Jordan P.

Brunch is my favorite meal of the day, so I'm a tough critic of brunch places, but Meli definitely meets my high standards. They have a great menu with tons of choices from pancakes, to crepes, to omelets. I never know what to get because everything sounds and looks fantastic! My favorite is the spicy flamenco omelet that has chicken chorizo, jalapeÃ±os, jack cheese, onions, cilantro and sour cream. They also have amazing homemade jams and honey butter. I also enjoy their fresh squeeze juices. The service here is so so. Especially when the place is busy it can feel like they're trying to rush you out. There also tends to be a wait on the weekends.
(4)
Carly T.

I've had a few friends and coworkers rave about Meli, so my fiance and I tried it out this Sunday. FOOD: A very wide array of options means I'll be back again to try the rest. Telling myself that was the only way I could even bring myself to order just one thing. There were even like 8 or 9 options just for Eggs Benedicts. I tried "The Healthy Start" (or something like that), which consisted of scrambled eggwhites and veggies on toasted naan. It was very creative and delicious. Also, unlike a lot of diners and breakfast joints, where your food tastes greasy and overloadad with butter, Meli's food tastes light and fresh. JUICES: There aren't a lot of places that have the kind of variety of fresh juices that Meli has. My fiance and I were quite impressed by how taste their juices were, despite being a lot of fruits that are tough to come by in winter time. SERVICE: I wish I could remember the name of our server, because she was right on target. In my fiance's words... "I was never wondering where she was. She was always right there when I needed it. My coffee was never empty. She was right there when we sat down. They cleared our table quickly. Also, she didn't interrupt our conversation at awkward intervals." MUSIC: My only 'con' about this place was the obnoxious music. If you're going to play music that is that corny and bad, just turn the volume down. It felt like Whitney Houston was part of my conversation.
(4)
Jennifer C.

1st visit here, in town overnight. Our Concierge at the hotel recommended we try this place only a block from the hotel and we took his advice. Glad we did! The atmosphere was very warm and inviting. For a Sunday @ 10a, we were seated quickly, much to our surprise. All juices are made freshly squeezed. I tried the Orange Strawberry juice and I can't say enough about it. If it weren't for the $4.50 price tag, I would have had more than 1 glass, but alas, I contained myself. My friend and I ordered from the daily special menu; Omelette w/jalepeno bacon, tomatoes, jalepenos, black beans and mixed cheese...I had the Steak & Egg burrito with chihuahua cheese. Our meals were great. The portions are comparable to the price, no complaints. Outside of missing salt, the food was very tasty. The kids had Chocolate Chip pancakes which they raved over. They even make their syrup, jelly and ketchup from scratch in house. Definitely a must visit spot on my next trip to The CHI!
(4)
Stephanie W.

I came here for my birthday breakfast and was delighted! The juice was fresh and the food was delicious. I ordered a loaded broccoli frittata (broccoli, potato, bacon, cheddar cheese), which was incredible. The only reason I knocked it down to 4 stars is I wanted to substitute a nutella crepe for my toast. The waitress said there'd be an extra charge; of course, that's fine. She then comes back to tell me the kitchen can't make just one crepe, they'd have to make an entire order (3 enormous crepes). It's my birthday so I did the damn thing and ordered two breakfasts. But c'mon Meli, how can you not only make one crepe?!
(4)
JJ F.

Gluten free crepes! Wow! Almond milk, fresh squeezed veggie juices, coconut flour, paleo choices, just had an amazing brunch. Only slight complaint was that the air conditioning wasn't on for most of the time we were there, don't know if that is normal or not but id go back regardless!
(5)
Joel H.

With the Chicago brunch craze, it is hard to find a place worth waiting for. So far, this is one of the very few. With a good sized menu, many healthy/healthier options, and always a list of fun new specials, Meli does it for me every time. Great addition with the 2nd location in River North! Even my suburban parents who hate coming to the city like coming here. I always get something new and never have been disappointed. And, they have wi-fi for those looking for that.
(5)
Maria H.

Service with an attitude. Host was not a host, just a director. Waitress was beyond rude. Every employee looked miserable which made for a weird eating atmosphere. Food was ok. I asked for a bowl of berries and was given a bowl of tired fruit. If I never went back it would be too soon.
(1)
Josh V.

I arrived at Meli a few minutes after noon on a sweltering summer Sunday. The place was definitely bustling! I spoke to the hostess and inquired about a table for 5. I was quoted 30-35 minutes and given a vibrating pager with pretty blue (not ugly red!) flashing lights. Less than 15 minutes later the thing went off! Of course, my co-diners weren't supposed to meet there until 12:30 so I was the only one there. The hostess was very nice and understanding and said to just let her know when my party arrived. When 4 of the 5 of us were there (right on time, shockingly) they escorted us immediately to a table. Good start! The menu is huge like WHOA! Omelets, skillets, scrambles, crepes, pancakes, french toasts and more...and that's just the breakfasty-stuff. They also have a selection of lunchy salads & sandwiches that I really didn't bother looking at. I knew I wanted eggs, and I wanted them to GET IN MY BELLY (I was hungry). With much difficulty I chose the Spicy Flamenco omelet, containing chicken chorizo sausage, cheese, jalapenos, cilantro & a couple veggies. I have to say it...sounded better on paper. It was merely OK. The chorizo wasn't flavorful enough, the cheese was concentrated in a big glop in the middle and the jalapenos really dominated the flavor. That being said, my dining companions (the three who weren't suffering from odd male hot-flashes anyway) seemed to really enjoy their food. So maybe I just got a lemon of a dish. I know I tried the donut pancakes (a special that day I think) and they were delicious, but I'm a savory brunch guy. The service? Well, that was not stellar. It took a long, long time to get the juice drinks we ordered (mine was good, but they're all about $5 a pop...ouch) and we had to flag down a busboy to get coffee at least five minutes after ordering it. The food came out in a few waves. I understand one person can't bring out food for 5 people all at once, but it took a bit longer from first plate to last than I think it should have. Bottom line, there are still a lot of things I'd like to try on the menu. It's possible my dish was just not one of the best, and the waitress may have been having an off day (or she was new or something). So I'll most likely be back. Bonus: Local celebrity "Sexy" Alexi Giannoulias was there at the same time. (And yes I spelled his name right on the first attempt!)
(3)
Josh B.

First, as a Californian, let me say that I'm really impressed by the breakfast options in Chicago. Folks there like their breakfast, and clearly make time for it! This is the second location for Meli Cafe of Greektown. While it doesn't quite have the authentic funky atmosphere of the original Meli, it also doesn't have the lines. On a Thursday, we walked right in. Meli continually puts more work into breakfast than anyone else. I had the "egg heap" which was a mound of tasty sauteed vegetables hidden beneath an inverted bowl of ultra-fluffy scrambled eggs. If you only have one day for fancy breakfast in Chicago, spend it here or at original Meli.
(5)
Ava D.

I loved this place. We went here for Sunday brunch. There was at least a 30mins - 45 mins wait but it was worth it. I ordered the tiramisu crepes and my friend ordered the French toast. Both of these dishes were amazing! He also ordered freshly squeezed OJ and we both had coffee. The atmosphere is fun and lively. My only downside was that I couldn't eat much because I didn't know we were going to end up here so I had a small snack prior to brunch.
(5)
Autumn S.

Loved the honey cakes. Light, sweet, and deliciously flavored with a hint of cinnamon. I just wish they were fluffier and a little more substantial. I also had freshly squeezed kiwi juice with honey and mango and orange. Yum yum! I liked how they drizzled the honey along the side of the glass so you could stir it in. Everything was super fresh and I am still dreaming of the smoothie I shared with my husband there-possibly one of the best one's I have had in a while. The only thing that kinda of bummed me out about this place was the service and it was not that clean. Our waitress had zero personality and i had to send several of my water glasses back because they were dirty which got me around to inspecting silverware which also got sent back. Finally I just had to give up and remember a little dirt is good for the immune system. I would definitely go back as they were probably just having a bad day with the dishwasher. Smoothie and food was worth it.
(3)
Jasmine P.

Meli's cafe is a great brunch spot in River North. Prices are on par with other casual brunch places in the area. I love their wide variety of juices. They have many choices for food as well. I had the kale scrambler. It was sooo delicious! Portions are large so I was more than satisfied. You can also requesr egg whites as a substitute. My friend got the egg white scrambler and was more than satisfied with her plate as well. Sausage patties are another tasty side we ordered. My friend always gets the ginger splash juice and highly recommends it. Service was genuine and attentive. Our waittress was there when she needed to be but not overly so. Everyone was friendly as well. The decor was clean, bright, homely, and inviting. I'll gladly return for sure.
(4)
Jelena Z.

I'm calling it right now: In about a year, Wells Street will be Brunch Boulevard. Between Yolk and the newest incarnation of Meli, I wouldn't want to brave this street on a weekend between 10am-3pm. Fortunately, Andrea R and I made breakfast plans for a relatively slow Thursday morning. One of the brightest perks of working from home (and anywhere with wi-fi) is trying Chicago's hottest and busiest brunch spots at off-peak times. Hooray! Because Andrea had already dined here a few times, I looked to her for sage menu advise. Verdict? The house specialty, omelets! It didn't take long to zero in on a winner: The Fig, with Kalamata dried figs, pancetta, onion, tomato (none for me) and goat cheese. At $14.95, it doesn't come cheap, but let me assure you it's worth every love-filled mouthful. Texture-wise, it reminded me of my other favorite omelet in town (Nellie's) which is stuffed with plantains. But there's just something about the combination of warm, ripe figs and creamy goat cheese... I recommend asking for a side of honey with your wheat toast to take these round, luscious flavors to the next level! What else could you possibly ask for in a dream breakfast? Oh right, fresh-squeezed juices. Meli offers just about every fruit and veggie you can think of in a squeezed format... pear, pomegranate, melon, strawberry, beet, grapefruit, celery, apple, carrot, ginger and so on. Again, have them add some honey and you'll be living the dream. The Lavazza coffee is fresh and hot and much to my liking, my mug was topped off without interruption or request. I'm really not sure if there's a better breakfast experience out there at the moment. Five fabulous stars!
(5)
Leslie S.

I'm a big fan of the Meli Cafe - both locations offer quality brunch options with extremely high standards for a decent price. Lately I've been gravitating toward the vegetarian omelet because Meli Cafe is one of the few restaurants that cooks the vegetables BEFORE putting them into the egg mixture. What a difference that makes! But the pancakes are also superb, and you really can't go wrong with their freshly squeezed (and prepared just for you juices). Even the hot chocolate is wonderful! This location is smaller than the one in River North, so the wait tends to be longer (get there early on weekends). They'll usually provide you with an electronic beeper so you can wait outside rather than the cramped restaurant. That being said, I find the University Village location to be much cozier, and I actually prefer it. The walls are painted in rich, warm colors, and the decor is a bit French bistro meets country charm (with a bit of Greek mixed in here and there). It's quiet and intimate, and I find it to be very pleasant overall.
(4)
Mayank P.

There are many options of brunch places in Chicago, this one ranks high among them. The food is fresh and abundant. The place has a good friendly vibe as well. There may be a wait, depending on when you get there. Well worth the wait, though.
(4)
Andrea R.

I squealed with delight when I first saw Meli would be opening another location in River North. Months later I was still waiting for the grand opening and my husband told me he was pretty sure it was never going to happen. I crossed my fingers and Meli FINALLY opened their doors! I hear the wait can be pretty long on the weekends, which isn't too surprising considering their original location is always packed to the max. However, the lovely Colleen C and I were one of the few tables when we met here for a yummy bfast on a Thursday morning. It's never easy choosing from their extensive menu, but I opted for their horseradish omelet: chicken sausage, portobello mushroom, tomato with horseradish infused cheddar. It was quite heavenly...just like everything I"ve ever eaten at their other location. This was definitely worth the wait!
(4)
Mary P.

I liked this Brunch place! I had apple crepes w/ bacon (the meat was extra). My meal was good! I also got OJ. Well, unbeknowist to me the OJ was Freshly Squeezed. See, the problem with Fresh Sqeezed OJ is that the idea is better than the actual tatse! After a few sips, I thought, "Ok, I want regular OJ back!" The price was not bad at all. My sister and I were greeted when we arrived and were thanked and were bid farewell as we left. I say, go here for brunch! :)
(4)
Carol K.

My favorite meal? Breakfast out. So when I saw that Meli had opened in the old Mig and Tig space I knew I just had to go and check it out. It was Sunday, though and I always make deals with myself for Sunday morning brunch like, if I can't find parking nearby, or if the wait is over 30 minutes, I will give up my dream meal for another day. But not on this Sunday. I drive by and instantly find street parking right on Wells. Score one for me. I walk into Meli and the host says I can wait 10 minutes for a table or sit at the breakfast bar. Since I wanted nothing more on this morning than to read my paper and have my favorite breakfast- the bar was fine with me- so I sidled up to the granite topped juice bar and took a look around. The space is lovely and bright. Windows line Wells bringing in tons of natural light. The fresh juice bar smells like oranges as they are fresh squeezing oranges and apples, and carrots and grapefruit and just about any kind of juice you might want. There are prints on the walls that give a nod to the quality ingredients that you will find here like Eggland's Best eggs. The woman at the bar took my order and brought me my coffee. And as I savored that- I read the paper and took it all in. My food came up quickly- Eggs Benedict (classic style although they have about 4 versions of it on the menu). The hollandaise sauce was perfect and the yolk broke beautifully to blend in with the sauce. I was in breakfast heaven. Just like the other Meli- if you want a drink to go with your breakfast you will have to look elsewhere as they do not serve alcohol. Breakfast was reasonable (about $20) and I was in and out in about 45 minutes. Also if you don't want to wait- get there by 10:30 for at 11am- there was a line out the door. Great food, served by friendly people in a beautiful, new environment. Meli Greek town always gets my vote and now it's new sister in River North gets it too!
(5)
S. J.

Our family is visiting so we are not regulars. We were seated quickly and someone came and brought us waters right away. It took some time for our server to arrive. Her English was not good and she didn't know the menu at all. She did tell us she was new and when we asked questions she would leave the table for really long periods of time before returning with answers. I ordered the special of the day, a spicy frittata. I was really excited because I love frittatas. The frittata came with toast and gluten free toast. I ordered gluten free toast and the server did not tell me it was an additional charge. Then she came back 10 minutes after our food was served to tell they were out of gluten free toast. So I got regular toast when I was almost done with my meal. Our bill for 4 people eating 3 entrees and sharing was almost $60.00 so it is a pricy place. I also ordered the soup of the day, tomato artichoke and it tasted bland, liked canned soup. My frittata was very dry and doughy. My daughter loved the club sand which made with pork belly and my other daughter loved the Madame sandwich she ordered. I got a jump start fresh juice which was great. I'm surprised for $7.00 for 8 ounces that juice was not organic. In fact I'm surprised with food cost in Chicago there are not more organic choices. I will go back to Meli's when I come back to Chicago because I do think food is fresh and they have a great menu. I just think they should do a better job educating there servers and with customer service like explaining menu and what is additional charge.
(3)
Mary T.

I recall the first time I saw the "Meli coming soon" sign in the window of the old Mig & Tig space, I think I let out an audible cheer. I hadn't been to the original location, but the raves from friends made me want to rectify that. It seemed like the build-out took an eternity, but finally on one gloomy morning commute I spotted people inside eating and knew I had to make it there in short order before the secret was out. In a span of about 2 weeks, I've come here twice. The menu is quite large and drool-worthy; so drool-worthy that both times me and my dining partners struggled with what to order. What makes everything so great is the quality of the ingredients, no Bisquick or canned compote here! I have a brunch MO, anyone who has dined with me more than once knows it. I always go for a sweet main item and savory side, 99% of the time it's some form of potato. On my first visit I ordered the cobbler crepes - crepes with fresh berries, peaches, and brown sugar granola - and a side of baby red potatoes. Everything was fresh and fantastic and not overly sweet. It's definitely a dish I'd reorder or recommend to a friend. I also had the opportunity to try the caramel banana pancakes - delish and officially added to my mental "to order" list. On my most recent visit - the tail-end of my brunch trifecta - I ordered the baby reds and the strawberry-banana french toast with a little trepidation. Ordering french toast is always a gamble for me, because of my bizarre food-isms. I absolutely hate eggs; the only time I eat them is if I can't see them. So, cupcakes - yes, quiche - no. Overly eggy french toast - hell to the no. This french toast was amazing, dipped in a vanilla bean custard and served with fresh strawberries, bananas and drizzled with chocolate sauce, it needed almost no syrup at all. I wouldn't hesitate to order this, or any of their other french toast offerings, again. So far the waits here have been reasonable, but when the masses figure out this place is open, it will be justifiably swamped. With their extensive breakfast and lunch offerings, generous portions and mouthwatering dishes, it's totally worth the wait.
(5)
Melanie S.

My old boss, who is Greek, used to call me "Meli" all the time. I always thought he was just calling me "Melly" but I came to found out he was calling me "Honey" in his native language. I only discovered that when he took me to Meli in Greektown a few years ago and I read it on the menu. Looking back, it wasn't the most PC office and he probably shouldn't have called me that. Anyway, I was pretty excited when I heard they were opening a second location in River North. I always enjoyed going to their other location but due to the distance (not to mention the crowds), I didn't make it there too often. Now that their other location is open, it's a lot easier to get my Meli fix. I love that their menu is huge and offers both breakfast and lunch options. The breakfast selections are both sweet (French toast, pancakes, waffles, crepes) and savory (omelets, fritattas, crepes), and I have a hard time choosing which way to go. Today I opted for a Canadian bacon and gruyere cheese fritatta and my lunch companion had the mixed berry crepes. I had major food envy when her plate was put in front of her, but I knew my dish would not disappoint. It was a bit overcooked for me but otherwise I have no complaints. They didn't skimp on either the bacon or the cheese and there was a colorful garnish of confetti peppers on the plate. Oh - and the homemade jam they serve with their toast is absolutely delicious so make sure to try it. Service was brusque, but efficient. I think their prices are a bit on the high side for breakfast/brunch, but not enough to keep me from coming back.
(4)
Taylor D.

One word: Overrated Worst service I have ever experienced at a breakfast joint. To start, we were quoted 20-25 minutes on a Sunday around 11:45AM. We waited 35 minutes. When we were taken to our table, it still had plates from the last table. Why would you take a guest to a dirty table? Our waitress did not come to us for about 10 minutes after being seated. She did not say hello just stood there and looked at us, waiting for our order. She was foreign, and quite frankly, one of the dumbest people I have ever met in the industry. We asked for coffee refills, did not get them. We asked for syrup, did not get it. We asked for skim milk for coffee, did not get it. Awful, awful waitress. Food wasn't bad. I had the ham and cheese omelet. It was a tab bit salty, but it was good. Our waitress never came to ask how the food was. The one positive was that Jonathan Toews from the Blackhawks was having breakfast here at the same time. Overall, I will not be back to this place. There are hundreds of other breakfast establishments that I would rather spend my money at.
(2)
Luke S.

Who knew there was a good brunch place in River North? I've been looking for a place like this for a long time, but only today found this place. They have a nice menu that is a blend of breakfast and lunch. The prices are not cheap, but they're also not price gouging you. I went with one of their wraps and it was outstanding! It had a ton of flavor and was really filling! Their omelette's also looked great! They were huge and had a ton of ingredients packed into them. I'm glad I know about this place now! This might be a new lunch spot for me.
(4)
Tupac L.

Very Very good food! Love the place looks awsome. They have a lot of organic products, there juice bar is the bomb. The homemade marmalade is delicious! I will definelty be coming back.
(5)
Mahsa T.

Brunch doesn't get any better than this. This new River North location of Meli just opened up last month and I couldn't be happier. The breakfast menu is absolutely huge, with choices ranging from skillets, omelets, scrambles, pancakes, sandwiches, frittatas, French toast, waffles, and crepes. Meli is known for their fantastic and creative juices and smoothies and I would highly recommend you try one. You can't go wrong with juice combinations like celery, apple, and carrot juice, or mango, orange, kiwi, and honey. FOOD: Lots of choices. Great solid food. My strawberry-banana French toast was delicious! It's made with honey sweetened Challah bread dipped in vanilla bean custard and served with whipped butter, maple syrup, fresh whipped cream, and dusted with powdered sugar. Also had a taste of my friend's veggie omelet--also delicious. SERVICE: Friendly and attentive. SPACE: Large, airy, spacious, new. Much larger than their Greektown location. CROWD: Great mix. Families with kids, couples, groups of friends. HOURS: They serve only breakfast and lunch, so you will need to get there before 3:00 pm. A bit of a wait during peak brunch time. I would take anyone here and be guaranteed they will come out happy.
(5)
sheridan r.

Breakfast. My favorite meal of the day (even if it's for dinner). We stumbled upon this place during our trip to Chicago. Had a delicious breakfast! Great flavor, and a nice variety for omnivores and herbivores. The only reason I did not give this more stars: service. We walked in from a rainy morning and there were 2 waitresses and, I'm assuming, a manager just standing there looking at us. No friendly greeting, no "2 for breakfast?", zip, zero, zilch. We stood there looking at them and I had to say "2 for breakfast, please". The manager didn't say a word, grabbed 2 menus and brought us to our table. Really? Lame. I waited tables for 5 years. I know how it works. The place was not slammed and there was no reason for the lack of communication/greeting, etc. For a higher end breakfast and price tag I expected a lot more customer service.
(3)
Rhonda G.

Everything on the menu looks awesome so good luck picking just one dish. This is the kind of place that needs combos so you can have a little bit of everything, but that is just wishful thinking of course. I went with the caramel banana pancakes with a side of baby red potatoes. Excellent! Dessert meets breakfast. I really enjoyed my pancakes and finished almost all of them though I probably shouldn't have. Fresh bananas on top and cooked in. The baby reds were also pretty good and helped to balance out the sweet of the cakes. Since coffee can be a deal breaker for me it's worth mentioning that the coffee was just right, not weak but not bitter or too strong. I imagine once people realize that this place has finally opened it will be harder to get a seat during the breakfast rush so go soon or risk standing in line.
(4)
Lauren H.

Came here on MLK day, we were a group of 6 but got seated quickly at a nice large round table. For this finicky eater, it was actually tough because there were so many dishes I wanted to try! I decided on the stuffed strawberry french toast, an unusual choice for me because I seldom like the way anyone makes French toast other than my Dad. However, it was very good, less sweet than I had feared; the mascarpone and fresh strawberries temepered it nicely. Serving size was large, I had enough to take home. I would definitely go back, so many more things to try!
(4)
Patty S.

I like bringing people here whether it's for a business meeting or brunch with friends. The atmosphere is classy without being too stuffy. It's very relaxed and feels conducive to have any kind of conversation. There is also a nice variety of food selection so everyone in your party can find something they like. I tend to lean towards the more savory dishes for breakfast/brunch, so the omletes and scramblers are my choices. They are also very healthy portions so you won't leave hungry! The freshly squeezed juice blends are a nice option as well and not too expensive. Oh! They also make their own jam! Make sure to give it a try when you're there!
(4)
Andrea K.

Went here for brunch. 12:30 pm. Waited for 30 minutes. Then was seated. The owner was there and was directing the traffic & his servers well. Ordered the: Prime rib omelet- a special for Easter brunch. With a side of red potatoes. The omelet was well cooked, tasty, seasoned well, the prime pieces were soft & succulent. The red potatoes were soft, not overly cooked, not hard & raw. Was well seasoned. Stuffed apple French toast. large portion, 3 pieces. For my taste it was way too sweet, & became mushy quite fast. I only had one and a half pieces. Reeses pieces french toast Topped with bananas. Special for Easter. Was like having dessert for breakfast. It was well cooked. The boys really loved it. Fresh orange juice- was good. But was room temperature. would be good if chilled. My BF tried To wave a waitress down. The waitress passed by, the owner saw, and quickly rerouted her. I think she tried to ignore my BF because we weren't her table. I was very impressed by the promptness of the service. Large servings. They offer salads, paninis, soup, sandwiches, fresh juice bar. I like the variety of options- not just breakfast options. The place has a fresh modern look. Looks clean & well lit. Would go again. Paid Street parking. Safe area. Prices are similar to Yolk, but have a larger selection and tastes better.
(4)
Jake H.

On a recent trip to Chicago, my friend and I stopped in here because she's been dying to try it. We stared at the food brought out to our neighboring table (fruit/nutella waffles - yes please) and drooled over how good they looked. We both opted for healthier options, I got a vegetable eggs Benedict and she got a egg white scrambler. Neither of us was disappointed! The eggs were filling and delicious! I'm a picky eater, and they let me customize it without any issues (or mistakes) so that was nice. The service was quick and attentive. All in all, if I'm in Chicago again, I'd happily go back here.. except maybe next time I'd get that really fattening but delicious looking breakfast!!
(5)
Niti B.

Never realized there was another Meli Cafe until recently. Love the location and as always love the food. the food is fresh and delicious and plentiful! I had the vegetarian fritatta and it was bigger than my head! I also had a fresh glass of orange strawberry juice and was very satisfied with service and food. Definitely have to make a stop for lunch sandwiches and wraps next time. The menu is a bit overwhelming but definitely a great spot and just a thought to remember that they close by 3pm so no late night service like the cafe in Greek town.
(4)
Annabelle L.

You can customize everything from fresh squeezed juice to omeletes, skillets, to pancakes, waffles, to salad, wraps! For example, I ordered a Salmon Omelete with 1 yolk, 2 egg whites, side arugula salad, and side Mutli-grain Berry pancake! I'm so amazed at how much customization I can do here! Love it! Interesting note: They have a very special honey! I never tasted this kind of honey before. The color is dark. The taste is very unique and good, comes with an interesting aroma too. I believe it is raw buckwheat honey, not really sure though. The butter is rare too, honey butter. You have to try both. Price: The food is cheap given the big portion that comes with it. Average dish is around $11. Comes with toast, roasted red potato, and fresh fruit.
(4)
Jess S.

While I Iove the variety of the menu and the fresh ingredients used, this location is severely lacking in service. I came here with my parents while they were visiting me in the city on a Saturday afternoon around 1:30. Even though it was typically past the prime brunch/lunch rush, Meli was still crowded, which was not unusual. We quickly put our name in for a table for three, and were told we would be seated in 10-15 minutes. If only we knew how inaccurate that estimation would be. Not only did we wait over 45 minutes to be seated, we proceeded to watch as the man who I presumed to be the manager (dark hair, worn in a ponytail) seated table after table that walked in after we had arrived. We initially assumed that these groups had put their names in and come back closer to the time they could be seated - wrong. We watched as two groups of people approached the host stand and provided the number in their party, and were seated immediately. After witnessing this, my mom approached the manager to ask whether we would be seated soon, considering what we had just experienced. Without so much as glancing in her direction, he mumbled something to the effect that we were "next" and rushed off to the kitchen. We proceeded to watch yet ANOTHER group of people be seated in front of us - after which I was EXTREMELY irritated. At this point, my parents and I were beyond annoyed and flabbergasted at the atrocious service. Finally, I told the hostess we would be leaving if we weren't the next group seated - and SHOCKINGLY - we were. As I mentioned before, I have never had an issue with the food, and the waitress was efficient and sweet. It's unfortunate that the terrible service overshadows the quality of the food. Although we were seated after I threatened walking out, we never received an apology from the hostess, or as much as a glance in our direction from the manager. I left feeling embarrassed and disgusted that I had brought my parents to a restaurant I'd initially felt confident they would enjoy, but that turned into a disastrous experience. I certainly won't be returning to Meli after this experience.
(1)
Aaron P.

We sat at the bar for immediate service. The bartender was friendly, but not the most efficient. The drinks were good and the food was good. This place has a huge food menu and we would definitely go back to try more things. I would give 3.5 stars if I could because I just wasn't feeling that the place was great.
(4)
Claire W.

Organic cafe. Healthy options.
(5)
Wesley R.

Finally opened, bringing another breakfast, lunch, brunch or breakfast FOR lunch place to the River North area! After what seems like months of waiting for Meli to open, we've finally been graced with Meli's extensive selection of breakfast (scramblers, fritatats, pancakes, crepes, waffles and french toast) and lunch (salad, sandwiches, paninis and wraps). There is also a good amount of drinks to choose from, particularly in the smoothie arena. This will likely be an excellent thing for those that like variety, but a very very terrible thing for those of you that easily get overwhelmed by having too many choices. Being a breakfast person, I went with their Cajun Scrambler - a nice mix of pork sausage, chicken, red and green peppers and onions. Your choice of toast (in my case an English muffin), is accompanied by a small plate of 3 spreads (butter, orange marmalade, and fresh jelly). A very nice presentation, which works well with the overall appearance of Meli. Even the utensils and glassware that you'll use is a step up from the usually flimsy silverware that you sometimes see at breakfast/lunch places. My co-workers tried the paninis, wraps and sandwiches respectively. Everyone enjoyed their selections. This place should do pretty well for business lunches, and for brunches over the weekend and is definitely worth the visit if you are within the area.
(4)
Barbara K.

Fresh, healthy meals & a huge variety of options. I don't know what others experienced, but our party of 7 received nothing but attentive service from a few different employees, while jam-packed on a Sunday morning. The place is immaculate and health oriented, and every one of us loved our meals. I wish it were in my neighborhood at home!
(5)
Sandy L M.

Loved the place and the area, it's a little hard to find parking but once your inside its a very relaxing place to enjoy breakfast/lunch. I had the Salmon Omelet and it was delicious. The waitress even went out of her way to get me to try an ingredient that they put on the omelet. My friend had the Lamb Omelet which was awesome as well, I definitely recommend this place - when the coffee is fresh and delicious this restaurant is the place to go.
(4)
Lauren S.

Great breakfast-amazing scrambles! Only complaint- their gluten free crepes could use some help. They were not fully cooked and still runny :/
(4)
Abhijit W.

Best breakfast I have ever had.. Tastiest 'well done home fries' I ever had..DO NOT MISS the Cocoa Waffles.
(5)
Cecilia T.

3.5 stars. My hubbie and I finally got around to trying this restaurant! We came in a Saturday morning and surprisingly there was no wait. I ordered the Carrot apple and grapefruit juice - it was fresh and natural in flabor though i wish it was more chilled. Hoping to match my 5 star experience at Big Jones, I ordered the Crabcake benedict- unfortunetely, the english muffin was dry. The egg was tasty but the hollandaise sauce was just so so. Yummy side of potatoes though. Overall, I'd say Big Jones's Crabcake Benedict is 50 times more tasty. My husband ordered the Sweet potato skillet special- this was good! The cheese was amazing, the chicken sausage tasty, and overall this was a super filling dish. Oh and by the way, the Jam varieties they serve on the side with your toast are SO good and homemade!
(3)
Lauren S.

Overall: Lots of healthy breakfast options at an affordable price, service can be a little dicey though. Food/Drinks: My first visit, the food was great all around. We all ordered different egg dishes and in each one the veggies were perfectly cookied and eggs were fluffy. The second visit was a little less impressive. I ordered the asparagus & gruyere omelette and it was just "eh." The potatoes that come on the side were pretty salty and kind of soggy this go around as well. An order of the "meli cakes" at the table were tasty, but the portion size was fairly small. Best to order a side of eggs or bacon if you're going with the meli cakes. There are quite a few veggie/fruit juices on the menu, I haven't tried them but they look delicious! Service: Here's the area where Meli needs a little work. In both cases, our servers spoke very little english. Honestly, that really doesn't bother me, it was the fact that I had a hard time hearing either of them. Anyway, they obviously understand english because our orders were right so I can't complain. At any rate, service has always been a little slow even though it hasn't been packed. Cost: Entrees are about $9 - 11
(3)
Matthew M.

Flying solo? Sit at the bar for quick service. Fresh grapefruit juice is great here.
(3)
Lisa Z.

I went here for Brunch and I will go for brunch again and again and again. It does brunch right. They've got a huge menu, complete with your standard healthy options (oatmeal) and your omelettes, french toast, pancakes, and whatever else floats your boat. And everything I've had here is wonderful. Their juice is great too, but I'd just go for the brecky breck!
(4)
P R.

Wow! What else can you say? This is my favorite breakfast place. They have unique stuff but they also have the standards. Among us, we had blueberry pancakes, chocolate pancakes, french toast and an omelet. Fresh juice. All were delicious. Only nit is that they were a little slow on refilling the coffee.
(5)
Ryan J.

This might, MIGHT, be the best breakfast pace I've ever been to. That good.
(5)
Tahnee L.

Thank you. Thank you for giving me the Healthy Start breakfast at lunch. Thank you for giving me a side order of delicious fruit. Thank you for providing whatever bread you provided to the table with that flavored butter. Thank you for offering juice, but letting me choose Ghiardelli hot chocolate because it was cold out and not judging. Thank you for not being more popular and slammed with business types. No thank you for having so many things I want to eat on your menu. You will be seeing my face again. Get used to it.
(4)
Ji-In L.

Can't give it quite 5 stars yet because only been once and the Greektown location has my heart. Ever since I moved away from Chicago, every time I come back I try to fit in a solo Meli breakfast. During the week, I never have a problem being seated and never feel rushed while I'm grazing and reading the paper or doing work. I was excited to see a new location opened up even closer to downtown. I fought the rain and made my way to this new Meli. First impression: it's a lot bigger, which is probably great for all the weekend brunchers who normally have to wait an hour + at the old location. But, to me, it felt a lot less cozy. I love Meli's juices, so I started with the Pure Gold - pineapple, carrot, apple, ginger. Good, but not as great as their Ginger Splash - orange, carrot, pear, ginger. I ordered a plain jane breakfast of two eggs, subbed the potatoes for fruit ($2 charge), English muffin served with butter and jams, and sausage links. It was chilly in there with the rain, the big space, and very few customers. I ordered darjeeling tea to warm up. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. It was way too much food for me to eat, but I enjoyed the variety. The soundtrack consisted of Ace of Base, Toni Braxton, and Wilson Phillips. Fun times. My only complaint is a small one: I was asked multiple times by multiple people if I was waiting for someone or if I was alone. The first person even asked me twice to confirm. I don't think it's that odd to eat alone, right? Especially downtown where you have a lot of business travelers. I think the person who seats you should remove the silverware of the empty spaces or tell the others, because it was almost uncomfortable how many times I had to say, yes, I'm alone! :)
(4)
Michelle L.

This place is pretty fab. I ordered a breakfast burrito which was on the special menu. It was the perfect size and the potatoes that came with my order were cooked perfectly! Bad potatoes for brunch/breakfast is such a downer. I ordered a peanut butter shake too which was delicious. The service was kind of slow but it was busy. Will def come back here again!
(4)
Kristie C.

standard kinda breakfast place, seems like there's always a line here. omelets here always seem a little more on the oily side, but the whole wheat naan is pretty awesome. tastes more like whole wheat flat bread -- definitely not the buttery kinda naan, but it's awesome still. nothing out of the ordinary, but i like that it's bright on the inside. service is a little slow sometimes, waiter-service isn't terribly friendly.
(3)
Brett S.

Consistent food, great service, friendly staff, reasonable prices, absolutely FANTASTIC !
(5)
KuangYou C.

It is my second time to Meli, but last time I went to the original store. I am not sure but I felt the food portion was less and the quality was not as good as last experience. It was really amazing when I went to Meli first time. The new store's decoration is more like royal and brighter. However, I still like the one by halsted and adams. But overall, it is still a good restaurant. However, I would love to go the old store rather than this new one.
(3)
Chester W.

Im not a huge fan of breakfast meals (I usually prefer to sleep longer), but I had a sudden craving for bacon and toast and decided to give Meli's a try. The menu here is pretty big, with an obvious focus on breakfast with a few lunch items. I tend to stay away from the more extravagant breakfast items and stuck with toast, scrambled eggs, potatoes, and bacon. However if you are looking for some fancy pancakes, this place definitely has them. Back to my breakfast, everything was cooked perfectly and tasted great. The honey butter you get with your toast was awesome as well. Decor and service (lots of cute young waitresses) was just what you would want in a breakfast place. Definitely a place to check out if you are in the area.
(4)
Will D.

This place was fantastic! Their menu is huge with no filler, it was hard to choose. Elegantly decorated, service was good, fairly large place. Portions are also large. Will definitely go back next time I'm in Chicago.
(5)
Sahana U.

I forgot what I even ordered. I was totally eying my friend's greek yogurt with dates and honey the whole time. It is GIGANTIC and so delicious and healthy. Get it!
(4)
Casey A.

I've been to both locations.. Ambience-wise, the one in Greektown (Halsted) wins.. The juice bar and kitchen are just a little more home-y there. Overall, they're pretty much the same product.. Great omelettes, juices, jams, oatmeal, yogurt.. It's like the original script of a Greek diner with fresh and healthy choices of your all time favorites. Last time we were there, my yogurt had way too much honey but I might've only thought that because I added strawberries and there was just too much sugar going on. The potatoes are delicious and it's easy to f up (breakfast) potatoes so yayy potatoes! Last thing: parking both times we've been there has been super easy so I hope you have as much luck as we've had with finding spots on the street!!!
(4)
Eli A.

Went in for lunch today with my girlfriend. She has a very sensitive stomach and ordered a skillet and specifically asked to cook without oil or butter. When the food arrived the vegetables were soaked in liquid. When we asked the waitress if they cooked it in oil or butter she said they cooked it in Pam and the liquid was from the veggies. Two hours later: you can use your imagination on where my girlfriend has been. We called the restaurant and spoke to a manager and all they said was to ask for the manager next time we come in and that they would make sure our order is right. No offer of a refund, discount on the next meal or anything else. Even while we were at the restaurant the service was VERY slow and the wait staff was very pretentious. Sorry Meli...you won't be seeing us again anytime soon.
(1)
Tracy F.

One of my most favorite places to eat brunch in the city. While they do have some of the trendier/funkier dishes like those you'd find at Bongo Room, the atmosphere and service are like a typical brunch diner experience. Food and service are great, prices are reasonable. Been here twice and will definitely be back.
(4)
Shirley H.

Definitely have to have the chocolate morsel pancakes! Even if it's for dessert...which is exactly what I did. After a hearty dinner at Lou Malnati's, I knew I had to save room for the chocolate morsel pancakes a friend of mine recommended (thanks!). I took it to go and we chowed it down within 5 minutes just outside Lou Malnati's. The pancakes are ~$11-12 after tax to-go. This delicious dish is not your ordinary hotcake. The batter itself is made of chocolate and there is creamy, half-melted milk and white chocolate morsels sprinkled on top. Not too sweet! Which is exactly to my liking. The cake itself was fluffy and the aroma melted my heart. De-freaking-licious...and you don't even have to sit down!
(4)
Ying Y.

This place was so mediocre, I'm getting bored just trying to remember my experience there. The food was all priced slightly too high, the portions smaller than you would expect for the price, and the service was neither great or truly awful. I came here with my bf for breakfast before my GMAT and we got the french toast and a hash. The french toast was kind of pathetic since the custard hadn't has time to soak completely through the bread, though +points fro using cinnamon challah. The hash was equally "meh" tasting. I had to badger our waitress for more coffee and the check but otherwise she was fine. Admittedly, we did not try their juices, which they are supposedly famous for, but I don't feel like I should pay too much for bleh food as a price for entry for a great $5 fruit juice. I really have no clue why people wait to eat here (I came at 9:30am so there was no wait).
(2)
Patricia M.

Visit this quaint brunch spot with a wide variety of omelets, scrambles, pancakes, waffles, you name it!!!! I had a cajun scramble which I could only finish half of. It came with toast and the jam was excellent! I am usually used to jam in a jar but you could see the actual slices of peaches and apricot in Meli's jam!!! So yum-o!!!!
(4)
Jared L.

The meal started off with poor service. Everyone seemed to be in a bad mood, not the most welcoming environment. Then, the coffee was simply awful. They might as well have served me hot water. For brunch, that's simply inexcusable. Luckily, the food was good. I had an omelette, which was one of the better ones I've had in Chicago. It was light and moist, which is something few places manage to do. The berry smoothie was also quite good. One more note, it's overpriced compared to other brunch spots in the area. Not the worst experience I've ever had, but there are too many other good options in the area. I won't be headed back.
(3)
Kristen S.

Great breakfast place near the Mart. I met my husband here for lunch which turned into brunch, really. The menu just begs you to order one of their amazing dishes. A pretty big menu, too, by the way! The gluten free polenta pancakes were amazing. So, so good. The coffee rocks. The bacon is delightful (is bacon ever not delightful, really?!). Service is good and the ambiance is nice, too. It's light, not too crowded, even a little homey. I look forward to more (gluten free) brunches here at Meli Cafe!
(4)
Charlene S.

Went to the one in Greektown... gave it 2 stars for bad service... Tried this one a few days ago. It was very slow on an early Saturday morning, so it was easy to find parking and get seated. The grub: I ordered the chicken sausage omelette (with egg whites), the hubs got corned beef hash skillet, and we also ordered a small side of the apple cider pancakes, which were a special that day. My omelette was delicious, fresh with spinach, crunchy green peppers, enough cheese and generous chicken sausage. The pancakes were also delicious.... tasted like it was soaked in apple cider, slightly buttery but not overly tooth achingly sweet. The hubs skillet was delicious. He has been in the habit of getting over easy eggs even though he likes them over medium. But over medium in lots of places comes out with an overly done yolk. At Meli's he tested them and ordered an over medium and he said it was perfect. I hate freaking yolk so I can't tell the difference. But he was very impressed. And the corned beef wasn't too salty and the potatoes balanced it out. Very delicious. The service: The waitress was sooooooo nice. We did write a good review about her on the comment card. The hubs changed his order after she walked away and she very nicely accommodated it. We wanted a side of pancakes to taste and she also let us do that even though it wasn't on the menu. She was very attentive to the table. I'd love to go back again.... and try something else on their daily specials list.
(5)
barbara j.

This review is not based on the food, we never got to taste. This review is not based on the OVERALL service, we noticed most tables were taken care of very well. However, our server was extremely negligent. She forgot to put in our food order for twenty minutes, then when we asked what happened she completely ignored us. We asked for the manager who was no more helpful and assumed that the server was being honest when she said we were in the restroom all that time. I won't be going back because I have a hard time with people not taking ownership. If she would have apologized for the mistake, which I am sure was unintentional, I would have been willing to give it a try. But her blaming us for the lackluster service...unacceptable.
(1)
Matthew H.

I've been to Meli for brunch twice so far, and both times have been very impressed by the large variety of healthy and tasty menu options. The whole wheat wrap is much better than it sounds, made with spinach, tofu and grilled veggies. It came with an "anti-oxidant salad" which should be renamed "awesomely tasty, healthy, and satisfying salad." The other breakfast items I've tried have all been above-average to excellent. And the smoothies are out of this world. Service is somewhat rushed, but that's to be expected considering the throngs of hungry brunch-goers that file into the place. Be prepared to wait for a table, but the wait is well worth it.
(5)
Allison M.

Very big menu. Very big portions. Food isn't overpriced for what you're getting. I like the fresh juice. The food comes out fast. Only accept 2 credit cards to split per table.
(3)
Grant C.

First time to Chicago in years and found this place on yelp as it's close to my hotel. Not only was the creativity in each weekend special impressive, the daily breakfast and lunch options were tough to make a final decision. Let's just say I will be back tomorrow for the Brisket Omelet. I had the omelet with Chicken Chorizo. It hit the spot. Especially when you are not in the mood for a heavy breakfast, this had the right balance: not too light, but not too overwhelming in portion. I asked if we could create our own juice. I went with: Carrot, Kiwi and Grapefruit - all fresh squeezed - it was awesome. The staff commented no one had ever asked for it but agreed it was good. Service, staff, the greeting when you walk in - all around great experience. Thanks again.
(5)
Roman L.

I really debated on 2-3 stars here because the service kills this location, but the food and juice makes up for it. I live in River North and would not go back here but would actually drive to the other locations since the food is above average with the hope the service is better. I've been to this location on three occasions on the weekend and it's been consistent each time. The host is always a gentleman with long hair in a ponytail and he does the job of what a host should do. Warm, welcoming, and good attitude. The young lady whom you'll usually request a table with couldn't seem to care less that you are there and almost makes you feel like you she doesn't want you to be. She is one of the reasons I wouldn't go back to this location. The waitresses' are just okay, given the busyness of the weekends, but none of the three we've ever had were memorable. Two of them acted and had a look on their faces as if they didn't want to be there. The third was nice and we got a smile out of her but she literally came back three times to get our orders right. We always had to ask for a juice menu, I mean really come on you're a juice bar. I've always had to ask to refill my coffee and cream. To be honest, and I don't condone actually eating here unless you are hungover, I've actually received better class service at an IHOP. Enough with the negativity let's move onto the highlights. The food and juices have always been really good. Everything we've had tasted fresh, flavorful, and looked delicious. It's what you expect to have at a unique place that promotes itself as an above average experience. Just to give you an idea.... Eggs Benedict Salmon - Fresh salmon, perfectly poached eggs, savory hollandaise, and ideal English Muffin crispness. Eggs Benedict Vegetarian - Same as above with the addition of great marinated portabella. Down on the Farm Breakfast Bowl - Perfect mixture of the ingredients and cooked well. Vegetable Omelet adding Ham - Again great combo of ingredients and fresh tasting. Beet Blend and Mango, Orange, Kiwi w/honey juices are good stuff.
(3)
Alex V.

I'm from St. Louis and when I went to Chicago to visit some friends, they took me to Meli Cafe. It is officially my favorite brunch spot in the U.S. and that speaks volumes since I travel a lot (and LOVE brunch food)! The menu is almost overwhelmingly large, but you can never run out of options, especially if it becomes a regular joint for your brunch fix. I had an eggwhite omelet with an array of grilled vegetables and a green smoothie. It filled me up all day long and was probably one of the healthiest and most fulfilling breakfasts I've ever had! Highly recommended!
(5)
Anita M.

First time here and found VIP parking right in front! The advantages of doing brunch in the city -tons of parking especially with the crazy street parking prices nowadays. Luckily my visit ended up being well worth the $3 and hour parking spot! I've been hearing about Meli quite sometime now from friends and family and finally got the chance to make it out here. You go there enough (as my cousin Nikki L. seems to) they will know you by name! Like any other breakfast/brunch spot...the menu is flooded with endless concoctions of omlettes, sandwiches, french toast, skillets, you name it. What makes Meli special is their extensive Juice Bar Menu! They've got juices, juice blends, smoothies, whatever your heart desires. They also have almost any fruit combination you can think of- all freshly squeezed and blended and made to order! After a long debate with myself- I decided on a Mango, Orange & Kiwi with honey. Absolutely to-die-for! As for my dish I tried one of their specials that day- a frittata with mushroom, sausage and several different cheeses. This was very rich and fluffy...and the portions are pretty hefty! I can't wait to come back and try an omlette or perhaps their lunch fare and of course another drink from their juice bar!
(4)
Kathy H.

Good but not great food, terrible service. This is my second time at Meli on Wells and Grand, I have never been to the Greek Town location, but I would assume it is the same. Nice decor, bright and sunny. You assume by the number of people eating there it must be good. On our first visit I ordered a juice, which I read was a specialty not to be missed. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I did not have to ask for it three times. My husband and one of our guests had the skillet and they both enjoyed them. My waffle was good but nothing to write about. This time around I tried the Ginger Splash fresh juice, very good and it arrived quickly. Our meals we good and there was more than enough food. Two of us had a doggie bag. My chief complaint is with the service. They are not friendly and border on rude. This goes from the manager, to the hostess, to the wait staff. The bus boys are the friendliest people there. I expect this kind of service in a sling the hash diner, but when eggs, toast and coffee result in a $76.00 dollar bill, a smile and coming back to check if everything is ok, is not too much to ask. I may try the Greek Town location to see if it is any better, but I am not holding out hope. I guess when they are turning over tables that fast and the people just keep coming service is not a factor in their plan.
(2)
Anne C.

Amazing brunch. The selection here is crazy and a bit overwhelming, but in a good way. Their egg dishes all have great fresh ingredients and the variety is perfect-- there is something for everyone. I tried the Fig Omelet, which had figs, pancetta, and goat cheese in it. Yes, an odd combination in an egg dish but it was one of the best omelets I have ever had. The breakfast potatoes are also delicious and so were my husband's chocolate crepes, although I could only steal one bit before he finished them off. I will definitely be back and would recommend this River North brunch spot to anyone-- be prepared to wait if you're coming in on a weekend!
(5)
John J.

All I can say is OH MAN. This place is awesome. Great ingredients, service, and menu. Very good. Be prepared to wait at least thirty minutes on the weekend.
(5)
Mindy T.

Awesome menu, great service, warm inviting atmosphere, and INCREDIBLE food! 4 of us went on a Friday morning at 10AM and had been feeling stuffed from after the holiday bingeing. We had: fresh OJ, ginger juice drink- carrot, pear, orange, ginger, beet juice. They have a huge fresh juice menu along with the hundred other items they have on their regular menu. Ordered for breakfast- jalapeno skillet- tons of veggies (not filled with crappy/cheap potatoes only) chicken chorizo and 2 eggs on top. SPCIY AND NICE! Gluten free crepes with almonds and blackberries and home made maple syrup Smoked salmon, havartie, capers omelette- WOW. Corned beef hash skillet. The eggs are cage free, they have a huge gluten free and vegan section, and home made english muffins. Wow. This place rocks and WE WILL BE GOING BACK.
(5)
Casey N.

Oh Meli, how I love thee, let me count the ways. 1) Bomb ass juices and smoothies (try the peanut butter smoothie) 2) Eggs...Meli's Omlette, I have no words...pancetta, parsley, chives, Boursin, so rich and delicious it's tough to finish the whole thing 3) French Toast. The blueberry muffin french toast will rock your world. Also, if they ever bring back the Choco-Cashew french toast special- DO IT! Chocolate pan bread with chocolate chips soaked in a vanilla bean custard and topped with some delicious cashew butter concoction and raw cashews. 4) Watermelon served w/ every dish World's most expansive brunch menu, plus they always have a ton of delicious sounding specials (lobster omelet? Thai steak breakfast burrito?). Consider this: they have a section on the menu entitled 'Mounds: a mound of ingredients topped with scrambled eggs, cheese, and selected sauce.' Meli, you get me. Decor is crisp and clean. Service is pretty standard. Down side: expect a long wait, especially if you're popping in on the weekend. Regardless, I will be back again and explore the menu further.
(4)
Chad M.

menu is a mile long. everyone can find something(s) they like. Good sweet & Savory brunch dishes. Solid Food. Fast service. The wait staff that wants to take your order and get you fed and out the door.
(4)
Swati B.

I've gone to the Meli on Halsted multiple times and I loved their food and have recommended them multiple times I went to the one in river north thinking it would be the same It has a nice vibe to it on the inside, always has people in it so assumed I'd have the same experience. Ordered a caprese avocado wrap which actually tasted really good...and their potatoes were great too....and then...I had a "fresh fruit smoothie".... As I was drinking it, there was something odd about it...and then about 1 hour later...the worst abdominal pain and nausea you can imagine...then it hit me.... omg, food poisioning? how?! I didn't think it could have been from Meli...until i find out...the boyfriend who also had lunch with me that day, who also had a "fresh fruit smoothie" was having the EXACT SAME symptoms... after 2 days of recovery, I call the manager to let him know that something we obviously had didn't go so well. Chris was rude and huffy, and defensive. No apologies, no compensation, no questions, just immediately defensive....their service in general wasn't the best but now I definitely can say it is among the worst.. Sorry Meli...that was the last time you'll see me there..and you better believe I'm telling everyone I know
(1)
Niki C.

Today, a coworker & I came in for a quick lunch. Since we were in a time crunch, we opted to sit at the bar area instead of the cafe seated area. She ordered a sandwich, asked specifically, "Is this a cold sandwich?" "Yes." "And it comes with a side of dijon mustard?" "Yes." "I would like it with a slice of cheddar. Is that possible?" "Yes." I ordered a veggie burger. "No roasted red pepper, please." We were not asked if we would like a drink, but no worries as we decided water was fine. Our sandwiches came. Mine was served with a humongous roasted red pepper covered in melted Swiss cheese. Hers came heated without the side of dijon. We had not been given utensils (we both ordered the pasta salad as our side). After waiting several minutes for someone to notice us, we indicated that our orders were incorrect. I was just going to take the red pepper off, but since my coworker was getting a whole new sandwich (& I'm not the kind of person to eat when my dining companion doesn't have food), I figured if they were willing to remake it, fine. We received the second incarnation of our food. Mine was fine. But I still didn't have utensils, nor did I have any condiments. My coworker's, however, was still incorrect. The "slice of cheddar" was shredded cheese strewn upon her sandwich. She did not receive her side of dijon mustard. She, too, did not have utensils. We waited, yet again, for someone to acknowledge us. *if I had a double mistake on an order, you bet your butt I'd be all over those customers to be sure we got their order correct & they were happy* Finally, we told yet another server (not ours) that the order was incorrect, could we receive some utensils, & y'know what? while we're at it, may we speak to the manager? We received utensils. The manager came over. My coworker was given a slice of Swiss cheese to put on her sandwich. She was given a side of Thousand Island dressing. Since all of this took so much time, we were faced with having to get our orders boxed up so we could take them back to work to eat at our desks. I finally got my condiments. My coworker received a couple of packets of yellow mustard. When the bill came, we were charged full price. We paid exactly the cost of the food. No tip. As a former server, I do not feel guilty about that in the slightest. The food itself was tasty. We both enjoyed it. But the lack of service was unacceptable. We will not be dining here again.
(1)
Lynn R.

We had a delicious lunch! The waitress remembered our order without writing it down. Flavorful detox wrap delicious drinks. A lot of quality food for the money
(5)
Ali E.

Very good place, big and light, nicely decorated. A lot of good options for breakfast. We had garden mount omelet and fresh fruit crepes...they were really good... Very good place, big and light, nicely decorated. A lot of good options for breakfast. We had garden mount omelet and fresh fruit crepes...they were really good...
(5)
aldrich b.

By far my favorite brunch spot to hit up. The food is amazing, the service is good, and there's plenty of good looking people to look at...from the staff to the patrons. The place is decorated to feel like a mediterranean cafe, which makes you feel warm and relaxed. There's 2 locations, and this is the newest one which also has more space...thank god, because as much as i love the original spot, it was cramped in there and would have long waits during the popular hours. I must admit that there are only a few things on the menu that I have tried....but that's because they're so good that I can't bring myself to order anything else. First the corned beef hash is great, best I've had from any restaurant(and I always get corned beef hash if i see it on the menu). I think it may be their use of fresh and organic ingredients...which is cool also. Next, the strawberry stuffed french toast.....mmmmm!!! They take marscapone cheese and strawberry puree, mix it, and sandwich it in between slices of french toast. Their omelets are also really good and the portions are generous. They also have fresh juices and their coffee and espresso are better than Starbucks or DD. The wait staff seem to be all cute, European girls that's very easy on the eyes. Sorry ladies, the only eye candy you'll get is the manager with a ponytail in the front that reminds me of a poor man's steven segal. So if you call yourself a brunch connoisseur, you gotta try this place.
(4)
Grant G.

Dined alone at the juice bar on a Tuesday about noonish. The dining room was filled up but the bar was practically empty. Had a sugared pecan waffle, double espresso and side of scrambled eggs. The food was delicious and the ingredients high quality. The Espresso was a satisfying and quite proper pull. Pricing on the high side. Service was friendly and quite good from the gal at the bar. Two complaints. Get rid of the new age telephone hold music blaring in juice bar. For Christ's sake that was annoying (at one point, Sleepwalk by Larry Carlton was playing, seriously) and way too loud. The bathroom is cramped and if you have to take a crap, everyone who walks in is going to see you because of the way the stall is configured.
(4)
Bonnie O.

Great breakfast here - the outside looks a little sterile, but inside the space felt sunny and welcoming. Awesome selection of healthy breakfasts - I had the multigrain pancakes with berries, and my partner had a tofu scramble that was overflowing with veggies. But they also have classic greasy spoon breakfasts too - something for everyone.
(4)
Lisa S.

My favorite breakfast spot in the city. Always consistently great food and good service! Love the whole wheat egg white and veggie breakfast wrap!
(5)
Tracy W.

This is one of the best restaurants I have been to for breakfast. The menu has so many options - very different egg options, crepes, pancakes - you name it. Their English muffins are amazing! Not sure if they're made in house, but you have to try one. They have a full bar where you can get a Bloody Mary, Mimosa or if you want a great juice try the orange, carrot, honey.
(4)
Blair R.

I almost didn't return to Meli after one disappointing experience but boy am I glad I did!! Meli is a great spot for someone who wants a healthy brunch option, as well as for someone who wants to indulge. To top it off, if you and your dining mate are arguing about whether to have breakfast or lunch, you don't need to because Meli has it all and all of it is good. If you have read any of my Yelp reviews, you may have guessed by now that I love me some scrambled eggs in the a.m. (again I am a weirdo and don't like veggies in my eggs until the p.m.). The best part of Meli's eggs though is that you can order gluten-free toast. I recently found out I should refrain from gluten and dairy, so this is perfect for me. They also serve it with some pretty awesome jam. I was happy to see that Meli also has some pretty stellar vegan and gluten-free options, especially because one of my BFFs is vegan. I've also sampled Meli's wraps, salads and omlettes on other visits, all of which I've enjoyed. Next time I'm at Meli, I'm thinking I need to try the vegan smoothie because it sounds pretty yum, as do all of their smoothies. I'm not a fan of the pure squeezed apple juice....because it's not sugary and fake. Usually when I am drinking apple juice it is to cure a hangover. I also agree that I am not a fan of the diet coke in small bottles. For the life of me I will never understand any restaurant that serves bottles or cans vs fountain soda. EVERYONE wants free refills of pop. Still, one bad choice won't stop me from going back!
(4)
Henry S.

My most compelling reason to come here is when the wait at Yolk or Orange is just too crazy. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of things to like at Meli. The food is ok overall. The place is nice and always has a buzz, whether it is packed to the rafters or during quieter weekday mornings. I like how they serve individual butter and jams with your toast. I believe the jams are house made even. I LOVE the Wedgwood china and flatware they use. I mean, what brunch place uses Wedgwood? Well, they do at Pierrot Gourmet, but that's a different story, haha. So... I think the food is pretty traditional, and good. Their prices though are on the higher side among comparable brunch places. I don't feel the quality/value ratio is quite there. . Service is ok. A lot of times though, servers are hard to flag down. I like the juice/smoothie bar. But on every visit (which had been a lot), the juice was brought over halfway into the meal. I understand these are made to order and takes more time. But I prefer my beverage before my food. Why 2 stars? I come here for convenience more than anything else.
(2)
Karolina N.

This is hands down my favorite breakfast/brunch place in Chicago! The waits: It gets just as busy as any other breakfast place in the city would - which is why I come early (early bird gets the worm, right). The food: Everything I have ever ordered here, from omlettes to french toast to parfait, is delicious. Nothing has ever tasted bad, the food arrives quickly, and I always have left-overs (large portions - typical for breakfast). The service: is okay in terms of friendliness but always there when you need them. Oh, and smoothies are amazing. Recommended.
(5)
Emily B.

Though their breakfast menu items look to die for, I went with the mixed berry salad for lunch today. It was huge, fresh, and delicious. My colleagues also went with salads; the brie was the big hit. Not a fan that they serve their soft drinks in bottles instead of from a fountain, as refills are quite costly. I also noticed some sneaky up-charging. For example, my colleague couldn't have regular toast - she's celiac - so they offered her the gluten-free version. She was excited and accepted, but we saw it show up on the bill for almost $4. Kind of a bummer they didn't mention that. Lunch for three was $60 and took a little over an hour. A little pricey, but we enjoyed the food. Service was average, nothing to write home about. You pay at a counter and I didn't get the vibe that they cared either way about our business. Regardless, good to get out of the office; would like to come back for breakfast items if I know I can take a nap after!
(3)
Alexander D.

I work down the street from Meli and often go for breakfast and lunch. The food is fantastic. They have a wide variety to choose from. Service is always fantastic and fast! Love this place check it out!
(5)
Dmitri G.

The food and the atmosphere are top notch. I like coming here. Great service, awesome juices, the veggies are super fresh. The menu is diverse and creative. Last time I came here. They screwed up my order. And my friend's order. Also, even though our table was next to where the waitresses have their little station, I kept noticing that it takes them like 5 min to bring me more water. I was so thirsty! But seriously, good breakfast! Had to wait for 35 minutes on a Sunday afternoon for a super late brunch, but totally worth it. Even though they screwed up our orders. If I ever want to go out for breakfast, I always think "Meli?" Hmmm
(3)
Brandon T.

Found my new breakfast place in the neighborhood! Everything was really good, even the service... The prices are a bit high, but the food is definitely above average. This place is MUCH better than Orange in every way, and has 10x better lunch than Yolk. With a huge selection, Vegan and gluten-free options, this restaurant is a great brunch spot for nearly anyone.
(4)
Maggie S.

This place rocked. Went for brunch on a busy Saturday morning but we were sat not too long after we arrived. Beautiful large and bright dining room. Menu was insane - so many great options. Very pleased with the Mexican or Spanish crepes and their skillet selections. Totally affordable and the coffee is delicious. Great staff too- not too in your face but there when you need something. We were all so full after we left, because all the food was so delicious. Portion sizes here are very generous :)
(4)
Sarah H.

I seriously can't stop going back to this place. Everything I try is awesome. I am a big fan of the streusel french toast and the down on the farm skillet, but I have yet to try something I don't like here. My friend from out of town loved the orange marmalade that she bought a bunch to bring home with her. I would go here for brunch every weekend if I could! The location on Wells is a little bigger than the Greektown location and has huge windows so it's very bright and cheery and easier to accommodate the kiddies, but both locations are great.
(5)
Shradha A.

I've been eagerly awaiting the opening of the River North location of Meli after being a big fan of the Greektown location for a while now! We were a party of 10 and while they don't take reservations, they do accept call-aheads a few hours prior to try and accommodate large parties as quickly as possible upon arrival. This location is much more spacious and you don't feel obligated to eat and leave to honor the rest of the long lines waiting to try their amazing fresh juices and smoothies. I had the french toast, which to be honest, isn't my favorite in chi-city and hence the one less star. Everything else about this place was absolutely perfect - including my berry smoothie, one of my friend's spinach-feta omelet that I tried, and all else!
(4)
Aaron C.

The best restaurant we ate at in Chicago. The food feels so healthy and tastes delicious.
(5)
Amanda B.

This is the way breakfast should be done! My boyfriend and I had breakfast here on our last day in Chicago (visiting from out of town) per the suggestion of the concierge at our hotel. Boy, was the concierge SPOT ON! The juice is fresh squeezed (even had a few pieces of seeds in my OJ) and delicious. Our meals were equally amazing; him having an omelet (which we were sure they used ostrich eggs for, as it was HUGE!) and I had the apple-stuffed french toast. The portions were huge and definitely had plenty to share, though neither of us wanted to! It was almost a sin to not be able to take our leftovers with us. I could rave on and on about the food here, it was THAT good! The service was spot on, as well as the ambiance. We both agreed that you have to have a passion for food to be able to create and serve foods like that. We can't wait until our next trip back, as this place will be on our go-to list from now on!
(5)
Margarita H.

Had the Chocolate Morsel. It was good, but I guess I was hoping for something out of this world. I'm giving 3 stars because was the service was lacking. Every place I went to in Chicago, everyone was super friendly. The waitress we had was new, that's what she told us. Ok fine. But she didn't smile at all and was standoffish. Then she disappeared after we got our food. It was weird because we went early morning on a Monday, it was maybe a sixth of the place occupied, and there seemed to be a different waitress for every table. Maybe it was off day but with that many people working, you would figure we would get better attention and service.
(3)
Toni T.

I don't think the waitress got one thing right with our order. My friends wanted the wheat grass shots at the end of the meal, they got them before the meal served on warm plates. They wanted soup before the meal, they got them with the meal. I got the oatmeal with brown sugar and a banana (kinda hard to screw up), and my friends seemed happy with their meals. One got the Tuscan Benedict and the other got an Egg White Scrambler. We got there before the rush which was good and were seated instantly, the crowd started lining up at around 10:30/11 so keep that in mind if you do go.
(2)
Robert S.

I just had an amazing breakfast at the Meli Cafe on the corner of Grand and Wells. My oatmeal was perfect, and tge selection of juices is impressive. It's also very bright and clean. Very happy with this choice.
(4)
lovesmyanimals l.

I live near here. I have eaten here many times, so this is not a come here once and bam my review. Agree with Jenn G on Service and Management In a nutshell, RUDE RUDE RUDE. Scenerio: Waitress wrote the order down wrong. I told her it was wrong when my food was brought out. She took it back and brought me my order, but it was still wrong. Then proceeded to argue you with me on what I actually order verses what she brought me. Not to mentioned everytime she came to the table following her mistake she would make snide remarks about me, to me and to my lunch guests. Mmgt: Did not admit that his daughter or wife, was wrong? A family member nonetheless. Finally, brought me what I ordered on third try, but did not disagree that what happen with his staff was wrong. Instead, blew it off. Did not address it nothing. So as a result all four people at my table annoyed at the horrible service and will not be going back. So in a nutshell, food is decent, but management and staff not so great. So this know that going into this place. Honest review of what to expect.
(1)
Elaine W.

Can I say, AMAZING! Loved this place. Everything (food, service, ambiance, etc) was exceptional. Fully intend to come back again, hopefully soon! I got the vegetarian frittata and a pom cocktail. The juice was very good (pomegranate and orange), but I particularly enjoyed my friend's mango blast smoothie. It was more of a mango (sorbet) shake but it was soo tasty! The frittata was excellent, not excessively oily and very light. It was interesting that the cheese was just plopped on top, but it's not like that affected the overall flavor in any way. A note about the service: initially we were seated in a group of 4, but another friend came last minute and the manager very generously let us add another seat. The place is pretty big so the tables don't feel cramped like they sometimes do at other brunch places. Wait wasn't too bad at all -- only about 10 minutes after walking in the door at 11:30am. And there's a lot of space in the atrium area so plenty of waiting room, no need to wait outside in the snow! (Also as a heads up, they can't split checks on more than 2 cards, or one card plus cash.)
(5)
Mindy C.

I got a Green Machine smoothie and sweet potato pancakes. Wow, very delicious! Will come back..
(4)
Hannah C.

I may or may not come here every weekend....and I'm a huge fan. The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is because the servers are sometimes suuuuper awkward, and depending on the day the service can be kind of slow. Otherwise, the food is perfection (relatively creative for breakfast, not oily, good quality), the ambiance is wonderful, and it's fun people watching. The wait can be kind of long, as with any good brunch place, but it's worth it. GF notes: their potatoes are totally safe, especially in the skillets AND they offer gluten free toast which is such a nice treat, and you know they must be aware of gluten-free needs. Their home-made jams are yummy, too - the fig is my favorite.
(4)
Jenn G.

Here's the Cliffs notes version: Food: very good (3 stars worthy - service brings down the review) Service: average to unattentive Management: rude This was my second visit to Meli and I had a better first experience than second. The food was delicious both times (veggie scrambler the first, crab cake benedict the second). Both times we had the same waitress, who had about as much personality as soggy bread. When she wasn't busy ignoring our empty coffee cups or spilling water on people's food (and then saying "Oops" and offering no remedy) she was scowling in general and was completely unhelpful in making menu recommendations. We had a large party of 8 plus a toddler, so we got there at 9:30am on a Sunday morning to try and beat the rush. We still had to wait over 30 minutes to be seated, but I know that's part of having a large brunch party on a Sunday morning. What REALLY irked me on this second visit was management's insistence on rushing us through our meal to clear the table. I get it. It's a Sunday in Chicago. You want to turn the tables as quickly as possible. But there's a right way to do that. We had waiters coming to our table and picking up drinks and plates while we were still eating, without even asking if we were finished! Finally, one of my dining companions got annoyed and as the bus boy came to take her coffee, she grabbed it back from him and sternly said "I'm not done with that yet"... the bus boy got all flustered and muttered something about "sorry, my manager is telling me to hurry and get this table finished." Seriously?! We just dropped like $300 at brunch. Get your flippin panties out of a bunch and let us eat our dang food. If they wanted to move the table so bad, how about being polite and asking if we were done with our food. And did we want to box up our leftovers or would we like a to-go cup for our coffee? But instead, the rude manager insisted on having his waistaff rush us out of there. I will deifnitely not be back to Meli any time soon. Hmph!
(2)
Gloria L.

I have been an avid yelper for years now, and I can no longer go to a restaurant before checking the number of stars. I've remained on the sidelines, waiting for something sensational to move me. Well, it has. My girlfriends and I trekked to Meli's on a Saturday morning, bellies empty, hearts full of anticipation. When we got there, the line was already pretty long but we wanted our fresh squeezed beet juice, so we agreed to wait the 20 minutes. Twenty minutes went by, then thirty, and we started noticing that people who arrived later than we did were getting seated. No biggie, we are chill, we assumed they had forgotten about us because we were waiting outside. When we asked them about it, we were met with stony stares. "They must have been waiting outside before you got here." "Well actually, we saw them drive up, park, walk past us, and now they're sitting at that table right there." Smile. "Oh. Don't know. You're next." Two more parties arrived after this exchange, and both were ushered to tables right before our eyes. Now, I'm not someone who is picky about service, and usually good service is the last thing I care about. I grew up in Taiwan, where waiters do not talk to you and are not nice to you, which is absolutely fine with me. My Meli's experience, however, was over-the-top awful. I've never experienced service so poor and hosts who were so blatantly disrespectful, and it made absolutely no sense to me. My friends and I decided to leave. Who knew if we would ever get to taste the food, even if we stayed. I never got to taste that fresh beet juice, but I definitely left with a bad taste in my mouth.
(1)
Aurore L.

If you know me, you know that I am a HUGE fan of Meli Greektown. I even drew a little cloud in one my reviews in homage to their fabulous Cloud Nine Crepes. ::::::::::::yum!!:::::::::::::: But now that I realized that all my troubles (the yuckiest part anyway) were coming from my gluten allergy (yeah....I know...is life really worth living still!?? Especially when you have a trip to Italy coming on in the summer?!?!) these little pillow-y delights are pretty much a big NO-NO. No problem! Meli to the rescue!! The hero: polenta pancakes. Yes sir. Mixed with rice flour, served with blueberries, bananas and a drizzle of maple syrup - it's healthy AND good: really fluffy, a bit of a crunch and sure, not as good as the regular version but it's definitely a delicious way to indulge without feeling awful afterwards. Paired with a freshly squeezed juice of your choice (may I recommend Pure Gold - orange, carrot, apple and honey?!?) and you are fit to start the day!
(5)
Natalie M.

Anyone who knows me knows how I feel about the Meli in Greektown (I have been known to describe it as BREAKFAST HEAVEN), so I was eager to check out the new location. Straight off the bat I have to inform you that the menu is exactly the same. The quality, the variety, the prices etc. I do not recognize the waitresses yet, however they have been attentive, warm and friendly. Now onto what's different; the new location is BIG, BRIGHT and OPEN (which seems to be very popular these days). For all of those who loved Meli but complained about the lack of stroller space, wheelchair space, and just space in general you will love this location. There is also more space for waiting- an entire juice bar area, so no more standing way too close to other patrons waiting for your table. However I am still partial to the Greektown location- there is more parking and for a Hyde Parker it is easier to get to. If you live near downtown or are coming with a big group I say this is the Meli location for you. Meli rocks- regardless of where the building stands.
(4)
Gwin C.

My husband got food poisoning from the french toast with cream here. It ruined our entire day. They don't have kids menu- really its a breakfast place- whats so hard about that? We won't ever come back!
(1)
Chirag P.

Not my first time here, but first review... love the place and they were very accommodating for our group of 10 + 3 babies... we were able to call ahead due to the size of the party and had to wait only about 20 minutes. I had the breakfast empanada and have to say it was simply awesome. There wasn't a lot of dough and it was actually filled with eggs and chicken sausage, so I felt like I had a real meal and not just carbs. Only issue I had was due to my veggie friend who ordered a side of potatoes with cheese & jalapenos... there was a piece of bacon on the potatoes, so she asked for them again... unfortunately it came out WAY TOO QUICK so don't really think they made a new plate which is a little disappointing since I like their service overall. But I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Keith C.

Great place for breakfast after a ridiculous 18 bottle night for New Years. Nothing better than getting some eggs in your system. I got the spinach and feta omelette because I have been craving that ever since I moved to Brazil. Got a side order of corn beef hash and canadian bacon to go with it along with a Purple Haze smoothie. The corn beef hash that came out was ginormeous. They were 1" thick patties of corn beef hash about 2" in diameter. And there were 2 of them. They were fantastically delicious. The canadian bacon was decent. I prob won't get it again next time but it did satisfy my canadian bacon craving. The omelette was ridiculous. Just the perfect amount of feta in there that didn't overpower the taste of the omelette with the spinach. The Purple Haze smoothie was what took it over the edge. Granted that almost all of us were still drunk (we actually woke up and continued drinking) the taste and the size of the smoothie is what helped me get through the rest of the day. Completely re-hydrated my system and made me feeling like 100%. Will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Patrice M.

I will not eat here again. I waited nearly 30 mins to be seated with my 4 yr old granddaughter and my cousin, when I witnessed two groups of people be seated before us, although they arrived after us. The other people were NOT somewhere else waiting, and I just missed seeing them check in. I clearly saw them walk up to the counter and make initial contact with the staff behind the counter (one of them was the manager). I heard the manager tell one group, "...give me a couple of minutes", then shortly thereafter he found them seats. I couldn't believe he did that! I saw this sort of thing happen a couple of times before (I've been coming to Meli's almost two years), but I just thought I wasn't paying close enough attention to make sure I wasn't passed over purposely (although I felt that I had been). However, I'm absolutely sure of what I witnessed and what I heard yesterday. We left before being seated and I won't go back, even though the food is supposed to be of really good quality. Meli's isn't the only restaurant in the city that serves organic and gluten-free ingredients that I prefer. I will take my business elsewhere, and I'll be sure to alert as many people as possible that I know who patronize Meli's of my unpleasant, prejudicial experience. I sure hate to think that there are people who still see the color of a person's skin as a determining factor of the kind of service that they deliver.
(1)
John W.

This is my calm place. When I can't handle another beef and grease lunch from the street food icons down the street, I come here and settle into the lunch counter. The wraps are light on sauces and grease, but still really flavorful -- and huge. I'm a big eater and I always take half home. Finish it off with an iced tea, and I can smugly walk back to work past the crowds in their deep dish comas.
(4)
Jeff C.

I ate here twice during my 5 day trip in Chicago (great city by the way!). The first time was amazing! The juice was delicious-I got the pear-and the food was perfect. Everyone in my party of 5 left satisfied, and we talked about the experience for days. We liked it so much, in fact, that on our last day in the city, before flying back to NJ, we stopped by again for breakfast. I cannot explain why, but this second visit was not nearly as good. The quality was far inferior to our first visit, just a few days prior. I don't think any of us felt the food was good at all. I was disappointed, yet the first experience was so good that I am confident to give this restaurant 4 stars.
(4)
Peter H.

came here via bike share and lots of good yelp reviews...bike share station across the street. nice dÃ©cor, great service. unfortunately didn't like what I ordered for breakfast. my fault or the restaurants? I'll give this place 4 stars and take the blame. I ordered their house special eggs benedict special which was grilled pork belly with spinach. came out very soggy. it was unpleasant and salty. I should have just ordered regular eggs benedict.
(4)
Natalie P.

This is my favorite place for breakfast in the city: Numerous selections of omelets and fresh juices all day long (also serve lunch) healthy choices Amazing fresh cut chips Great service and ambiance Good for groups and couples or meeting up with a friend Gluten free toast!! Blows my mind.
(5)
Kate M.

I am absolutely obsessed with this restaurant. My favorite breakfast restaurant hands down! I have ordered the french toast which is phenomenal on this amazing buttery bread. I have also ordered their crepes which are also TDF! I am a health food nut and love all the healthy alternative options they offer. I always order my egg white omelet with tons of veggies and multi-grain toast which are both out of this world. I also think it is great that you can order smoothies. I have ordered the smoothies and they are very good. break down- Great food, Great atmosphere, you cannot go wrong! will be back!
(5)
J J.

Great place. The entire staff was great with my 90 year old father who uses a walker. So kind to us especially with a large group. Service fast, juices are yummy. Jams are amazing. Love this place
(5)
Guillermo M.

3.5 stars. Would go back to get the waffle and the juices. Was not a particular fan of the omelette we had (spinach, gouda cheese), it was too big and the presentation and flavor were not as good.
(4)
Tu'ens N.

Meli does the right things right. Good egg dishes, good sweet dishes, etc. Plus they do great juices (something with ginger and carrot makes me feel a little better about eating all the other stuff I eat on a Sunday morning.) I've been several times now and I haven't ever been disappointed - my favorite dishes seem to be in the skillet area (sauteed veggie is the best IMO). I would definitely change the cheesy music and I am a little offended by $5 for a side of bacon, otherwise, everything is great including service.
(4)
Duane M.

Let's paint the scene. It's Saturday morning and you wake up still drunk from the night before. You're hungry and the headache is starting in the back of your head. You hear it whisper, "This is going to hurt you more than it's going to hurt me." Crap. You know you need to appease the hangover gods with a generous offering of food, but all you have in your fridge are some frozen steak fries, an expired cup of yogurt, and an empty Brita filter. You need breakfast. So you go down the street and see Meli. It's been open for a while now, and every time you walk by, you say, "I need to try that some day" but that day never comes. Well, guess what, you ludicrously lubricated drunkard... that day is now. You walk in and an impossibly cheerful hostess greets you. She notices the pained look on your face, and she knows it all too well. She seats you promptly, but not right by the window where too much sun will cause you to cower in fear. The menu is nearly overwhelming to you in your current state of mind, but the specials stand out. Cinnamon roll french toast? Wait... *rub the crap out of your eyes* Yep, that's what it says. Holy crap that sounds good. I'll have that. And a glass of (insert random combination of fruit juices you've never thought of putting together but somehow sound amazing right now). And water. Lots of water. You try to stay awake while you wait for the food to arrive, it seems like it's been days since the courteous waitress took your order. Your food arrives and you glance at your phone. Holy crap, that didn't take that long at all. The two massive cinnamon rolls, both cleaved in tween, stare up at you. The hangover gods are salivating at the soon-to-be-sacrifice. You catch yourself drooling a little bit too. Hopefully no one saw you. You carefully cut your first bite and slowly lift it to your mouth. Yes. Oh yes. A thousand times yes. It tastes exactly how you would expect a french toasted cinnamon roll to, but somehow better. The fresh strawberries sprinkled with cinnamon are just as good as the fresh whipped cream that adorns the plate. You hear the hangover gods once again, "That'll do." You know they're just playing it down because they don't want to come off as too appreciative. You know they're just as impressed as you are. That makes you smile.
(5)
Irene H.

Yum! We got a table of 4 around 9:15am. The place was bustling but not packed. I like how they seat incomplete parties (or is that a NYC thing?). We started with some juice drinks - there are a ton and you can get wheat grass shots in them. I had a freshly squeezed OJ. I went with the jalapeno skillet. It was good and had a spicy but not too spicy kick. I wish it didn't have so many potatoes. The specials were all Hawaiian themed and I was definitely tempted. My friends were raving about the apricot(?) spread. We sat for a bit after the check came and they didn't kick us out. All in all a solid breakfast/brunch place with a very extensive menu!
(4)
D J.

Fresh ingredients, An impressive brunch menu, a superb River North location -- we've seen those before. All of those and an equally impressive juice bar? Now that's a differentiator and with this stroke of genius Meli has expanded the playing field. If I had to come up with my customer equation it would be something along the lines of Meli = Breakfast spread of Yolk + liquid - lite version of Jamba Juice + a generous heap of ambiance that is location appropriate. I was here recently for a late weekday brunch (a first!). I started out with a carrot,apple, ginger, pineapple concoction from the juice bar. It took forever to place, and get my order but it was so worth the wait. The second act in the main dining area ended up being a veggie frittata - with a few substitutions it was exactly what I wanted. Downsides -- a 2$ substitution charge for fruit instead of toast/fries..c'mon how does that align with the "healthy options" positioning? Service -- they need better operations at the juice bar..especially as they offer the option of eating at the "bar" too. Overall, I love the new addition to Wells and will definitely be going back to try more from the Meli menu.
(4)
Sharon B.

This is a great lunch option in River North. The wraps are especially good and always taste very fresh. The service can be slow sometimes so don't go there expecting to get in and out quickly. Haven't tried any breakfast items yet but have heard good reviews from friends.
(4)
Calvin T.

We loved the food but the service was appalling! We arrived a little ahead of the lunchtime rush on a Saturday, were promptly seated (which was great) But from there everything fell apart. Our waitress took forever to take our order and we got the wrong drinks. - Although part of the problem seemed to be the unshaven suited guy breathing down the necks of all the waitresses. The final reason for the low score, as we were preparing to leave, we asked for the check and before it was delivered, the host was standing at our table with the next guests. The bus boys hadn't even cleaned our dirty plates! It made us feel so uncomfortable, I will never return.
(1)
Daisy P.

This place is hopping so come early to get a spot. My husband had the french toast with strawberry stuffed goodness and it was to die for.. even came with an adorable little bottle for it. I had a plain fruit yogurt partfait and while it didn't compare to my go to for yogurt parfaits (Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach), the presentation was cute... but truth be told, there wasn't much and after a few bites, it was gone! What the heck? So yes.. definitely a little bit expensive. I'd go back for the french toast... not sure if I buy the healthy breakfast options though our friend ordered the Healthy Start which looked delicious and our other friend ordered the chicken caesar wrap and both had leftovers to take with them... so I suppose you could have two meals out of one entree. I think I prefer Yolk over this place but it was still fun to try and if we're in town next time.. maybe we'll go for some juice!
(3)
Lela M.

I recently visited Melia for the first time and I must say I was pleased. The hostess was nice and accommodated our request to sit by the window,- waitress was very nice and pleasant and attentive. The decor is wonderful and made me feel so comfortable. the menu has a variety of foods from a simple egg, toast and red potatoes to a western scrambler to stuffed strawberry french toast! The food was plentiful. The only complaint I have is regarding the buttermilk pancakes. The reason we went out to eat was because I wanted some good pancakes. I did not get them here. The plain buttermilk pancakes were awful. They had a weird taste to them and greatly disappointed me. That is the only reason I had to give them 4 stars. Other than that, my eggs were fluffy and delicious. The marmalade's were scrumptious on my wheat toast. I was so full from eating half my food that I could not get a smoothies but I will definitely go back...but I won't order plain buttermilk pancakes.
(4)
Marina G.

I went to Meli last Sunday for brunch with my family and I'm crazy about this place. The fire alarm omelette and the nutella crepes are excellent. hands down this is my favorite breakfast/brunch place!!!
(5)
Joseph M.

This place is great. I got the Chevre omelet and split the apple stuffed french toast with my girlfriend. We loved it all and I left so full from all the delicious food i could hardly walk. Our waitress was extremely friendly and made some good recommendations. We went around 11 on a Sunday morning and had less than a five minute wait. Overall a great experience I would suggest everyone has at least once.
(5)
K. A.

Amazing. We sat at the bar since two spots opened so we didn't even have to wait long. I got the Gouda Omelet and it was sooooooo good. I'm a huge fan of omelets and I think this may have been my favorite ever! I also got some fresh squeezed OJ and that so delicious. Next time I will have to try a mixed juice drink because I was watching them make them at the juice bar and it looks so cool. I think this may just be my new favorite breakfast/brunch spot! We will definitely be going back soon!
(5)
Sean I.

Great veggie skillet. The service was also fantastic.
(4)
Andrea C.

The only reason I chose to go to this place was because I wanted to try their gluten-free polenta pancakes. They were really, really great, so I highly recommend those, and I really liked the bacon too. But those were the only things that were great about this place. My husband got an over-easy egg that was a little too easy (slightly undercooked) and he didn't think much of his meal as a whole; he said it was nothing special. What bothered us most was the atmosphere: they were playing weird techno music the entire time we were there, which didn't seem to match the theme of the restaurant, nor the time of day (10am on a Friday). Also, the wait staff wasn't very personable and didn't really give us the warm welcome we were expecting. I'd probably go back there by myself for the gluten-free pancakes, but I don't think my husband would go back there with me.
(3)
Anthony W.

Unfortunately, we weren't able to get the full experience of this restaurant. I went with a party of four, but two of my friends went to church prior to coming . Knowing we'd have to wait for a table on a Sunday morning, two of us decided to show up early and get in line. We arrived at the restaurant at 11:05 AM for breakfast, and were told that the wait was going to be around 20 minutes. After about 30 minutes, they finally buzzed us, and the host came over. At that point, he snapped that because all four of us weren't yet there, we had to wait. We stood around for 25 more minutes, watching party after party be seated, some of whom had only been in line for 15 minutes. At noon, we became extremely frustrated, turned in our buzzer and left. Brunch on N. Orleans seated us promptly, had excellent service, and absolutely delicious food. Wish we could have eaten, but needless to say, we won't be trying either Meli location again.
(2)
Brad A.

The food was very good but the service was horrible. I must have had an 'ignore me' sign on because I seemed to have been the only one with bad service. I was seated and no one checked on me for 5-10 minutes. After the waitress took my order I never saw her again. She never checked to see how I was doing and forgot to bring the juice I ordered. It still managed to be on my bill though.
(2)
Blair S.

Found this place here on Yelp and it had good reviews? We walked in, nice place, and ordered. Up to then, no problems. I ordered an omlette and a side of bacon. Omlette was wrong, it had nothing in it, nothing?? The potatoes were cold, and my daughters corned beef has was clearly right out of some can. On top of this, the waitress never once gave me coffee, had to ask her three times. She spoke poor English so maybe she was challenged. In essence, our experience was very bad! Cold food, wrong food, and bad food! The trifecta to not go back.
(1)
Neil B.

So good! They have a good variety of breakfast options on the menu, and the flavors are unique. Everything was delicious! We waited 30 mins, but it was worth it.
(4)
John M.

I find this establishment very appealing and always a great place to go for brunch on weekends. The food selection is outstanding and the quality is superb. This morning I had the Pecan Waffle and it was just sinfully delicious. I also asked for a side of scrambled eggs and bacon and was given healthy portions, but oh, was I ever satisfied. My dining companion had a skillet of the day and the report was that it was excellent, too. This is a great restaurant and I like it a lot. I find it is often easier to get seated here than most other brunch places of this quality. Enjoy it and I highly recommend it.
(5)
David S.

Phenomenal, phenomenal, phenomenal brunch. Came here from out of town and drank incredibly delicious freshly made juices such as beet-apple-carrot. Then had no idea what to order from the super extensive and delicious-looking menu. Had one of the most divine omelets I have ever tasted--fig, pancetta, goat cheese, peppers, and onions. Hesitant to be posting this review because I know next time I'm in town it will be more packed, but this place knocked my socks off.
(5)
Happiness L.

Beware to the solo diner. They discriminate against you at this place...cast you aside and make you feel as though your business is unimportant. I was very much looking forward to going here for breakfast this morning....however I don't think I will ever return and never got to have a meal here earlier this morning. I arrived and mentioned to the lady at the front that I am dining alone for breakfast and she offered for me to sit at the bar...no thank you. I want a regular table so I too can look out the window and have a nice meal. The man who is responsible for seating people and the lady agreed it would be about a 10 minute wait. I was ok with that...no one was in front of me so I would be next. However, just a moment later two people came in and were seated right away. I was told that they got a 4 top table because there were two instead of one. This is ridiculous....they could also share a two top table. It was really ignorant and prejudice of this place to seat the other people before me. Lack of class, lack of respect, and a real lack of proper customer service!
(1)
FoodLover Z.

went there at noon on a sunday for brunch. got a table relatively quickly. but other than that, nothing about this place makes me want to come back. i had a crab cake benedict, which was probably the worst benedict i've ever had. my friends weren't terribly impressed with their entrees either. the server was terrible, seemed like she was in a bad mood or in a hurry or something. the juices and milkshakes were good though, but that's about it. i went there with high hopes after seeing the reviews on yelp, but was very disappointed.
(1)
Sarah S.

This is a rough one for me but they forgot my hollandaise sauce! We ordered carry out breakfast this past weekend and I initially had a good impression of Meli Cafe. One of the front hostesses seemed very standoffish however the other was very nice and helpful in us making our morning decisions. I ended up taking her recommendation for the Cafe Benedict - pork belly, spinach, poached eggs covered in hollandaise sauce with a side of potatoes. Sadly, they forgot my hollandaise sauce! I'm not entirely sure how they couldn't put the main ingredient of eggs benedict in the dish. Without this sauce, the dish was just a stack of dry ingredients that didn't blend well together. It's a pity I didn't get to truly experience Meli Cafe. I'd go back and try something again...but....I have no real desire after paying $15 for an incomplete dish on my trip this weekend. Errrrrrm, pass!
(2)
Jeff S.

I have always wanted to try Meli Cafe for breakfast/brunch and finally got my chance today. There was only a 15 minute wait when I arrived but my buzzer went off in 10. Not bad. Tons of good looking specials on the menu - cookie dough filled pancakes, french quarters, and a breakfast quesadilla all caught my eye right away. I settled on the french quarters as I think I would have needed a nap with the pancakes. The french quarters were like two pieces of french toast dipped in a vanilla battered, quartered, and then topped with almonds, bananas, and syrup. Was not very large which was fine with me because I would rather have light and airy than heavy with my french toast. My friend went with the steak and eggs and that portion was huge. Granted $21 is a lot for a breakfast but the steak size was definitely worth the price. While Meli might not have lived up to my own personal hype, it is definitely another solid River North brunch spot. I will definitely come back again.
(4)
Dennis S.

All good things must come to an end, they say. In Meli's case, they're right. In August they changed their menu. Would you like Eggs Benedict? Five choices under Eggs Benedict, but none are anywhere near a traditional Eggs Benedict. Would you like an omelet? Lots of choices, just none that are traditional ingredients. No ham in any of them. We gave up on finding anything we wanted and left after coffees. After multiple visits, we came to look forward to breakfast here. But no longer. Plenty of other alternatives that haven't gone overboard with the exotic.
(2)
Becca D.

I literally have never written a yelp review but I felt compelled to do so after dining at Meli's this morning. I went there on a rec from my personal trainer and he said you have to try the chicken omelette (without the cheddar- of course, because he is my trainer). It was without a doubt the best omelette I've ever had. Not only was it crazy speedy- it was jam packed with veggies and bacon- no skimping. I didn't even miss the cheese because it was just that good! A little pricy for an omelette, but welll worth it as it has kept me full all day- and content to boot.
(5)
Krystle T.

Mimosa Brunch? Yes please! Price: A little higher, but what do you expect for a brunch in Chicago? I paid $21 before tax and tip for 1 dish ($14) + 1 drink ($7). Parking: STREET... I think, but we walked here. Service: It was alright. All there servers are from Europe. That was pretty chill. Food & Drinks: I ordered a vegetarian scramble upon our server's recommendation. The serving size was quite large, but it wasn't really a scramble. There was a potatoes + veggies layer, then a cheese layer, then an egg layer. Ehh, idk how I felt about that. It wasn't amazing, but it wasn't terrible either. Notes: Busy place with a pretty wide menu. I believe they serve smoothies too. The wait was pretty long, but we did arrive at around 11:30 AM on a Saturday. Overall: This place is alright. If I want a brunch closeby with a bud, I'd come again. Otherwise, this wouldn't be my go to place. I wasn't able to finish my meal, but it wasn't good enough to take home with me.
(3)
Norm J.

My colleague and I decided to leave work at 10:00a.m to get breakfast and since neither of us had ever been to Meli we decided to give it a try. I was surprised to see a good number of people there onTuesday morning (I guess they all decided to play hooky from work as well). The menu had a good variety of drinks and breakfast dishes which is definitely a plus because this boy likes options when it comes to food. I decided to get the Chicken omelette and Pure Gold juice blend. My colleague got the strawberry banana french toast and the mango, orange, kiwi with honey juice blend. - The chicken omelette which consisted of chicken (duh), bacon, avocado, onion, tomato, jalapeÃ±o and cheddar cheese was sorta lacking in cheese. Seeing how I am a huge cheese lover I was instantly turned off by the fact that I could barely find any cheddar in my omelette. - The Pure Gold juice blend was made a combination of pineapple, carrot, apple and ginger. I really liked the mix of the different fruits with the carrot. I would definitely get this again. - While I didn't taste the strawberry banana french toast, I can tell it was good because my colleague wolfed it down before I could say, "Hey can I try that?!" I may have to try this next time. -The mango, orange, kiwi with honey juice blend was good so says my colleague, but he said it would have been better had it been cold or at least served with ice. Had the cheddar cheese made an appearance in my omelette I would have definitely given this place four stars. Also, the omelette was $15 which seemed way overprice, but whatever. Overall I liked Meli Cafe, but Bongo Room and Yolk are still my go to places for breakfast/brunch.
(3)
Alex P.

Very cool little spot where I spent several hours working on my laptop. Without a question, lots of European influences noticeable, from the beautiful Eastern European waitresses to Illy coffee. Everything was absolutely spectacular. I got one of the scramble bowls and it was delicious, very very generous portion too. Cappuccino was prepared perfectly too.
(5)
Christina C.

I came into Meli Cafe expecting a fulfilling brunch but it didn't quite do it for me. I had one of the omelette specials (can't remember exactly which one). It was extremely oily for me and left a bad feeling in my stomach for a while after my meal. The side of potatoes further added to my bloatedness feeling. Oh, and $15 for an omelette is expensive! They do serve generous portions, though. However, I actually did enjoy my juice. I'll give the juice bar part of the restaurant 4 stars. My juice tasted extremely fresh and you can tell they don't add any extra icky sugars/flavors/whatnot. I had the Green Envy which has wheatgrass in it. If you've ever had a wheatgrass shot, you know it tastes exactly like grass and is pretty bitter. This particular juice is mixed with apple, pear, pineapple, and lemon so the taste of wheatgrass is little to none. I'll definitely come back to try a new juice or smoothie, but not for brunch.
(3)
Kate K.

I had the berry crepes and a side of bacon. There's no doubt, it was delicious. Very delicious. Especially the bacon, among the best I've ever had. The only downside is the price. It's better than the average fare, and priced accordingly. Not great for regular lunch rotation for locals, but if you're looking for breakfast food that you'll remember in the River North area, this is the choice.
(4)
Andrea G.

I had a chicken omelette and it was filling and a generous portion. The service was below average. I've heard great things about this restaurant so I'm willing to give it a second shot... The food was good enough to do so.
(3)
Andrea H.

Confession: I LOVE brunch!! It is basically my favorite meal of the day...err week. Meli's uses the freshest ingredients and whips up an array of unique omelet and French toast combinations. The specials tend to be especially good, we usually go for at least one a visit! Meli's is also a juice bar, with tons of freshly juiced vege and fruit combinations, as well as a smoothie menu! Breakfast cocktails are available too, if that's your thing. Meli's has a pseudo-European feel. Overall good atmosphere; it can get pretty busy, but is generally absent the obnoxious tourists that frequent many of the other local brunch spots. I can't speak much to service, as we usually frequent the bar area, but everyone on staff is pretty friendly! Favorite dishes: --Any and all omelets- I gravitate towards the specials (their are always 1-2 omelet choices), but the Chicken and Fresh are both good --Strawberry-Banana French Toast --Multigrain Pancakes --If you are ever there in Oct/Nov-the Pumpkin Pancakes (on special) are out of this world! All in all, I keep coming back time and time again! Always a great experience!
(5)
Heather P.

Delicious!!! Hit this lovely place on our way out of town. The service was quick and the food delicious. No long wait and a great breakfast. A+
(5)
Ashley I.

This is hands down my favorite breakfast restaurant in Chicago! They have so many great gluten free options. I love the pancakes and southwest egg dish. The fresh juices are also a plus. They also have gluten free bread with yummy spreads.
(5)
Fernando B.

Oh my goodness. This place is definitely worth a try. Just once! Please. What I like? The atmosphere! The place is so classy. They've got chandeliers! Why? For the glory of satan, of course! Ok, kidding, but they do have chandeliers. Pretty much all seating in the place is nice. Fancy dining for a breakfast place. The food! I have the avocado scrambler and she had the strawberry banana French toast! Delectable. The drinks! She had a smoothie with mango and orange. Different taste, but good. I just had coffee, but, dang, was that coffee rich. The bathroom! ;) Very clean. They even put ice in the urinals.. Waitress? She was good and everything, but.. I had a weird vibe. She hid it, though. Good job. What I dislike? I was dumbfounded by the bathroom, so I couldn't think of anything.
(5)
Padma A.

Absolute delight! i have eaten at their printers row location before and wanted to hangout with my rebellious girlfriends for fathers day drinks sans the dads :) Our server Mikhala was sweet as honey and very accommodating even though there was a wait, She got us a table by the bar and we had some Mimosas which were very delicious with fresh squeezed OJ from their juice bar. Highly recommended!!
(4)
Mohammed H.

Really delicious brunch. If you want a filling meal make sure to get their breakfast quesdillla. Smoothies taste great and the crepes are amazing. Friendly staff and the place is very bright and colorful. Music selection is a little odd but overall I was impressed.
(4)
Chitown G.

With so many other great brunch and lunch options why wait 40 minutes for a table in the corner with a snobby waitress and mediocre food? We waited over 40 minutes when the hostess said it would be 20 minutes. Okay no problem we can chit chat. But when they did seat us we walked to the back side of the restaurant with many free tables..why?! Then she didn't greet us a welcome greeting when we sat down. She was dry..sad...and even down right rude. The food ...meh. I had a egg bowl paid 23 with tip .... I say go else where.
(1)
Hugo B.

It saddens me to write this but we ate the delicious Baclava French toast and farmers bowl which was delicious until the cockroach ran under my wife's plate.. One of the employees killed it, for the inconvenience and disgust they only took off one of the meals
(1)
Marisol R.

It's been a while but it's that great that I can still taste the juicy turkey burgers ! A def must
(4)
Shan D.

Great brunch spot. Nothing is fancy, but it will def hit the spot. Portions are huge. If you can afford the extra 800 or so calories, do not turn down the peanut butter smoothie!
(4)
Sehar G.

Its nice that meli's has a slightly less busy location. The food is consistently good. But what really makes meli's stand out is the homemade butter, jams, and ketchup. I will say that you should dine in. When i have had food to go, the portions seem smaller....
(4)
Sergey S.

This is a good local breakfast place but I have never had a great experience here. The food is average, coffee is below average and the service is usually decent. The price point is what you would expect for river north, however, there are several joints with better menu offerings - in my opinion. I still go here often but I never expect to be blown away. :)
(3)
T K.

Eggcellent brunch spot, and super popular which says a lot for it. Popped in on Sunday and it was wall to wall with eaters and people waiting for ranked. We had the french toast and hearty omelette, both of which were tasty & decent portions. Service was very good too. Only reason it loses one star is for the 40 min wait time for a table. .. but then again, that was our choice...
(4)
Nari H.

Food is good. I got their carrot-orange freshly squeezed drink, along with their breakfast sandwich and left a satisfied foodie. My only gripe is that their service really does semi-suck. The reviews are spot on. When we were here, the service wasn't bad. Our server was very nice and when around, she was attentive. But it just felt really slow. And for a semi-busy breakfast restaurant that wasn't packed, I thought service would be better. I guess like any popular breakfast restaurant with any sort of wait, give yourself and your group a little extra time to accommodate for either of these two potential situations - not saying it will happen every time, but there's always a good chance of - a) a wait or b) slow service. Nonetheless - I like the food. I'll probably be back.
(4)
Carlo F.

This place is busy, and it's probably because of their delicious breakfasts. Illy coffee is served here, along with some really good smoothies. A bit on the pricey side for breakfast, but worth it.
(4)
Louise B.

Excellent gluten-free options. I had the Down on the Farm breakfast bowl with GF toast which was delicious! And my colleague had the chicken and waffles and though the portion was big, she ate every bite. I would absolutely return, what a great find.
(5)
Jess K.

The food was amazing, but I have never experienced worse service. I was with 5 other girlfriends and they refused to split the bill between us, and were not helpful in coming up with any other solutions since we didn't have cash. (What year is it? Who doesn't split bills on credit cards? Especially when it's completely down the middle?) Our waitress didn't bother to tell us that they had an ATM right inside the front door (as we were looking at each other with blank stares asking each other what we should do.) We even asked her if they had an ATM and she just shrugged silently. Furthermore, after we figured out the payment debacle, we were then approached by the manager who KICKED US OUT and condescendingly said "girls, we've been closed for over thirty minutes." Are you serious? Too bad, because the restaurant has everything else going for it other than the horrible staff who run it. There are plenty of other amazing lunch options in this city, you have no reason to come to this place, unless you want to be treated as a nuisance.
(1)
A-Aron G.

Good, friendly service and a staple in Chicago. The juice bar here is incredible and this is my favorite breakfast place. The menu constantly changes and their selection is top notch. Parking can be a bit tricky. Kid friendly. Their smoothies are the best!
(5)
Kelly G.

My daughter & I love Meli Cafe! A tad on the pricey side for a cafe breakfast or brunch but portion sizes match the price. French toast is heavenly, house made challah bread. I always get the Skin Hydrator fresh juice which is a decent serving size. Interesting, global staff. Busy on the weekends. Highly recommend.
(5)
Susan C.

I went to meli's cafe many times with friends but this time it wasn't good. We had a new waitress who doesn't seem like she comprehend what we were saying. Her service wasn't good cuz she didn't serve the half and half with the coffee at the same time and she didn't ask my friend what kind of eggs she wanted with her meal. She didn't understand when we said we wanted separate checks and even worst when my friend ask to put $15.14 on her credit card she had to repeat it 3 times and that amount didn't even show on her check when she got it. So my friends and I didn't even give her much tip. I would still go back but wouldn't want that waitress again.
(1)
Michele W.

This place has a great breakfast menu with some indulgent, some healthy and smoothie choices available.
(3)
Lauren W.

Healthy and good breakfast spot that was walking distance from our condo. I was originally looking for a juice spot but my husband cannot survive off juice - he needs FOOD. So we ventured out with our doorman's recommendation to try as it is both a juice bar and a restaurant! Lovely set up very warm and inviting. There was no wait we were there on a Thursday morning. He had the flat bread which consist of an open faced sandwich on tandoori nan with chicken chorizo avocado and egg! It looked and tasted really good and that plate was licked clean. I opted for the egg white scramble with veggies. I know boring but I was doing heavy eating and drinking the nights before and wanted to slow it down a bit. That was really good too. I also had a fresh juice "Skin Hydrator" kale pineapple lemon and cucumber. Needed that after my drinking rampage the night before. Fantastic spot! Would visit again!
(4)
Joe M.

Best breakfast I've had in CHicago... also the only one I've had but amazing none the less! I got an omelet with pig cheek bacon, shallots, Boursin cheese and Portobello. Eggs were cooked perfect and the homefries on the side were crispy and delicious. Lots of juice smoothies on the menu. Definitely worth checking out, if I lived in the area I'd be a regular.
(4)
Adam C.

My fiance and I went to this restaurant on a whim, we had just gotten engaged in chicago the night before and wanted something new, so we set our sights on meli. Blew our minds, the wait staff is friendly and attentive, the food is delicious, and the drinks...best smoothie I have ever had and very cool looking. My fiance ordered banana pecan waffles and loved it, I ordered strawberry waffles, food was exceptional. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Shayna Y.

Meli has the freshest ingredients and unique omelet ingredients. Meli is a great place for brunch with amazing sweet and savory options. The only downside is they do not take reservations. They have an abundance of gluten free options, including sweet options! The gluten free pancakes are delicious. I also love the omelettes and scramblers. The chicken sausage is delicious. They also have great coffee and smoothies.
(4)
Freddy V.

An amazing selection of Sunday Brunch foods with amazing tastes. I had an great Pastrami Sandwich and wife ate the Farmland breakfast bowl. I wish we had more establishments as cute as this one in Brooklyn, NY. Will be back again for Brunch when doing business in Chicago.
(5)
Doug C.

The food was okay and the juice was fantastic. I wanted to like this place, but maybe I had a bit of bad luck. The service was really bad. The hostess showed us to our table, threw the menus down before we got seated, and walked away without saying a word. We were also seated next to a server's station, so I constantly had servers/bussers hovering over me. A staff member also spilled on my coat, likely because of the heavily trafficked location of our table. The server was friendly and bubbly with other guests, but seemed a bit cold toward my table. She also forgot to give us silverware, condiments, and part of our meal. Again, maybe this was a fluke, but the food wasn't good enough for me to give this spot a second chance, and I'd expect better service at this price point.
(2)
Danny W.

More juice than major league baseball! Meli is definitely an awesome place to get your freshly squeezed on, but in addition has one of the biggest breakfast menus in town. With omelet, skillet, scramble, benedict, fritatta, and sandwich sections it's safe to say they've got eggs for days (zing!) Also available are pancakes, waffles, French toast, crepes, breakfast mounds (basically a bunch of ingredients put in a pile) vegan options, and more side items than a professional athlete on a long road trip. It's safe to say that this place has something in the morning for everyone. I ended up getting a special that wasn't even on the main menu. The cabbage omelet. sounds strange, but paired with corned beef bits, and cheese it was quite tasty. With how large the menu you is I wouldn't doubt if it was made every day available very soon. It is a little bit more expensive than most breakfast joints around, but with quality ingredients and en encyclopedia of options Meli always makes for a safe morning bet.
(4)
Olga T.

What a great spot for brunch!!! Their menu is overwhelming with an exhaustive list of options that are sure to satisfy any palette. I had a the breakfast bowl and my hubby had the reuben sandwich. Everything was delicious! Service is super quick and friendly. Make a reservation or be prepared to wait. I can see why this is such a popular spot....a winner all around!
(5)
Beth P.

This place is great! I'm so happy that it is so close to my work since it is one of the only really fresh options near by. I LOVE the Mel's salad. It comes with avocado, honey-glazed chicken, tomato, arugala, red onion, and feta. It also comes with a honey vinaigrette, but the salad is so yummy on its own, I hardly use it. It's a bit pricey, but the ingredients are always fresh. I've also tried one of their house-made juices on a few visits and have always enjoyed those as well. Just might be becoming a regular :)
(4)
Shirley A.

2nd time to Chicago . First time ran Into Melia by coincidence second time again there it was. Fate! And oh so worth it! Fresh juice and ingredients what more can you want?! I ordered egg whites w Feta (kept it simple ) and still do impressed by how light and all fluffy they make it. You won't regret trying this place!
(5)
Aya N.

Terrible Service. Our waitress Stefani was not on point and attentive to our table. We waited a very long time for our food. The table next to us sat after us and there food came out 10 mins before ours. She forgot our condiments and never checked how our food was. We had to ask the bus boys for extra water. They messed up our check when we explained to them how we would like to split the bill. Overall not the greatest experience.
(1)
Margaret S.

Truly wonderful place to eat breakfast in river north! Went there to eat on Labor Day morning and while they were crowded, we were seated immediately. The atmosphere is cute, although at times it can be pretty crowded and the tables are pretty close together. The food was wonderful! There was so many different choices to eat - very tasty healthy options but also more traditional not so healthy options. Their juices are also very wonderful to have in the mornings. Definitely worth eating at!
(4)
Dara M.

Had a perfectly acceptable breakfast at Meli. I think it suffered from comparison to all the incredible meals we had in Chicago. I had the firecracker omelet (a special) and was disappointed that there was no detectable heat. Everyone seemed moderately content with their breakfast entrees. There are so many other amazing options in this city!
(3)
Baron R.

Servers don't speak English well. Worst hostess in Chicago - acts bossy to both servers and customers, has attitude as if having this job is her biggest punishment in life. Place is not hygenic (bugs and flies on tables). Toast is usually burned. Food is not well-made and overpriced. I would give them negative starts if I could. Farm House is a much better brunch option in that area.
(1)
Alyssa B.

I came here with my mom for brunch on a day off and was so delighted to find this spot. They have TONS of brunch options, fresh juices and amazing coffee. Attentive, friendly service too! I will most definitely be back to try some of their juices
(5)
Alex P.

This place is soooooo good. I went with the omelette and fresh green juice with avocado. Amazing. The lady had greek yogurt with honey which was out of this world good. Seated as soon as we walked in for brunch on a Sunday. We lucked out and got a really nice server. So can't deduct a star for poor service.
(5)
Tamara K.

Breakfast was delicious. I was ready to complain when my food came out in under five minutes but it was fantastic.. Maybe they have so much turnover that they can prepare omelets in advance but no complaint. Service was a bit slow. The waitress to have served my food so fast never came back to refill coffee until I flagged her down. I had the chicken omelet with jalapeÃ±os and cheddar and bacon. Delicious! Potatoes were just ok but I really appreciated being able to order fruit instead of toast. Decor and ambience was also great.
(4)
Joanne B.

Our dear friends who lived in the high-rise above it introduced us to Meli CafÃ©; it has been a match made in brunch heaven... The place is bright, airy and lively. The service for us has been very good, especially since we always frequented it with regulars. We have mainly stuck with the breakfast items -- the omelets, pancakes, french toasts, and crepes are all quite fresh, delicious, and abundant. Their array of juices are unique and worth the indulgence. It is a popular place for brunch so if you do not time it right, be prepared to wait a long time. It is certainly worth it.
(4)
Jenny H.

Meli is the epitome of a brunchy meal featuring expansive variations of eggs, scramblers, omelets, frittatas, skillets, benedicts, sandwiches, pancakes, [stops to take a breath], french toast, waffles, crepes... if that's not enough, get all of your brunchy ingredients in a "mound" topped with eggs. Yes, it exists and everything is made with a 'lil Meli love. What I like is that their menu also has a respectful shout out to vegans and sans-glutenivores. We took a good while deciding but ultimately I skipped the cheesy-bacon-egged based dishes and picked something from their "healthy eats" plus a juice bar concoction. My breakfast quinoa was soupy and bland-- as if someone forgot to drain it before adding everything else. I don't mind subtlety but where was the cinnamon and brown sugar? Had to flag down someone for a side of agave. I liked my brunch buddy's apple & cheddar frittata better but we couldn't really taste the horseradish component. All tiny bumps for an all-around good brunch. Gets an extra star for their fresh squeezed juice!
(4)
Ming C.

Ordered a salmon egg white omelette which came with potatoes, English Muffins and a side of corned beef hash. Overall, everything was really salty, I'm not sure if they used smoked salmon or not but it was an overload of salt, which was only emphasized by the salty potatoes. The corned beef hash was mushy and I've had better. I did enjoy the English muffins with jams made with currents. Overall, there's better breakfasts out there.
(2)
Aimee K.

Another place I wish we had in St. Louis! I love starting my mornings off with fresh juice, and Meli doesn't disappoint. I went on a weekday morning, and there were plenty of tables open. Service was just okay... not all that friendly... but I had coffee and juice within minutes, which I can't complain about. I ordered the Ginger Splash (pear, carrot, ginger, and orange) and besides being delicious, the way it was served was beautiful! The colorful juices were stacked in a big glass. You can get a genuinely healthy breakfast at Meli, and I had my eyes on the vegetable omelet. This thing is HUGE, and is loaded with portobello, broccoli, spinach, peppers, tomato, onions, and provolone. It was the biggest omelet I've ever had, hands down. They actually have a pretty big menu, and the "breakfast mounds" caught my attention. The name doesn't sound appetizing, but the idea is interesting... it's basically a mound of ingredients topped with scrambled eggs and cheese. They have a NY Reuben version that looks pretty spectacular! Service got pretty strange towards the middle of our experience... we were waiting for our food, and the server brought us our check and basically forgot that we hadn't eaten yet. It shook her up and made her pretty flustered, and created some awkwardness. This is one of those places that would SO be five star worthy if the service wasn't so sterile. Regardless, I loved my visit and would definitely go back again.
(4)
Stella W.

i wasn't expecting much coming to this place, just wanted something nearby since it was freezing cold outside and we were starving. I wanted something light and was gonna get a salad, but the detox wrap caught my eyes and thought i would try something different...what a RIGHTFULLY NAMED wrap! I was debating if i should just munch off of my bf's pancetta omelet or if i should just tough it up to eat the wrap after 1 bite...did Chunky just start selling Citrous kale soup inside a tortilla wrap instead of a tin can?? but the cooked pancetta was weird too...and the flavour sipped into the eggless-taste omelet which made the whole thing having this really weird after taste...tough choice to make since i was starving...thank god for the dry wheat toast.... my friend's "lamb omelet" was more like gyros omelet.. the texture is also kinda weird too...the slices of gyro has this smooth deli meat kinda texture, coupling with the smooth mouth-feel omelet...hmmm....not my thing...but she enjoyed it, so that's good... onto the service...well, i gave our server the benefit of the doubt that she may be a bit overwhelmed by the sunday brunch crowd and maybe she's new.... but the hosts weren't really helpful at all by just giving a random wait time...they seemed to tell EVERYONE that the wait is 30 min...i was doubtful it was 30min seeing the whole waiting area filled with people and the bar/restaurants were packed...and i understood they were super swarmed but the rude attitude they gave when i was just inquiring the wait didn't help the situation either... but then it was freezing cold outside and that was sorta a deserted area of the river north on a sunday...wish McD a couple blocks down would extend their breakfast menu to brunch hours on weekend! hmmm...
(1)
Jaime G.

Meli Cafe is one of the better breakfast joints in town. Eggs, pancakes, crepes, skillets, even freshly squeezed juice...you name it and they got it. And make it good with quality ingredients like organic eggs. Had the pumpkin pie crepes and a cucumber, carrot, and beet juice. This location is big so wait is minimal on the weekends and good for kids too. Would of liked the ingredients in my breakfast skillet to mesh better together but everything else was really good. Would def come again.
(4)
Mark L.

This place is great! Food quality is top notch and flavors are great. Love the fresh orange juice and real maple syrup. Everything I have ever ordered here is exceptionally good. Unfortunately almost every time I have been here it seems like the servers are hung over or in a bad mood. This is the only thing keeping me from giving this place a 5 star review. I'd still recommend this place to friends or family for a great breakfast or brunch spot.
(4)
Anshika A.

A great chirpy place to go for Sunday brunches. The portions are huge and the fresh juices are really to die for !! I loved the atmosphere and steady service. They have lot of choices in the food and smoothies section. A good one for people staying near lakeshore and Downtown.
(4)
Gloria C.

Would I wait for a table here for more than thirty minutes? Probably not. But when you're solo-dining, you get to enjoy certain perks. At most places, this means somewhat better service, but not necessarily here. The hostess, who I later learned was hungover via an overheard conversation with another customer (totally professional!), was kind of the antithesis of a welcoming host. Once I learned the bar was first come, first serve, I staked out a spot in the 98% full bar area. One was being taken by a woman waiting for her table, and another was being saved by a man with his jacket thrown over it. This isn't entirely Meli's fault, but with all the restaurants in Chicago that take such great care in hospitality and use messaging to warn customers about a no tolerance policy for prolonged squatting, I think this is something that someone at Meli should have been paying attention to. Eventually, the nice lady realized I was waiting by myself and offered her seat to me. 45 minutes later as I finished my meal, the man with the jacket's son finally came to claim his seat. Must be nice! The donut-infused pancake that was on the special menu was a really memorable. Sweet, fluffy, dense, and decadent, to say the least. I'm not a huge pancake fan, but where donuts are involved, I don't want to miss out. What I most looked forward to was trying something from the juice menu I had heard/read so much about, but was never handed that menu or asked if I wanted something of that nature. I had to double check that I came to the right place. I was finally able to flag him down for a menu and settled on a flavor that I now cannot remember.
(3)
Sarah H.

Our first time trying the place, top notch all around. Service was quick and polite without being overly friendly or distant. Atmosphere was nice too, you can tell someone put a lot of thought into all of the details from the weight of the silverware to the plate of butter, jams and jellies brought for toast. My husband had the chorizo and date omlette, which he said had a great balance of salty and sweet with the bacon and the dates. I had the special- chocolate cherry canoli french toast. We went at 9am on a Saturday and we were seated right away, but by the time we were leaving it was getting very busy. Lots of variety and thought is put into the menu as well- there is something for everyone.
(5)
Belle L.

Excellent value for $$ and opens early for lunch. Yay! Chicken and Artichoke 3-egg Omelette -- serves 2. Plentiful of artichoke. Chicken is hiding as the entire omelette is ONE color and a bit bland that is highly contrasted with salty red potatoes. 1 piece toast (cut in half) from 6-7 kinds. Comes with entree. :-( Pumpkin Latte -- SKIP IT! For $4.75, you only get one serving on same cup with unnecessary calories, whereas bottomless coffee is $2.85. Brown Bagging -- they will bag it for you if requested. The bag your own food is none sense with the preface of "I [the waitress] don't want to touch your food." Touching is prolly a health code violation, whereas skipping one's job is laziness. *wink* Mimosa, Bellini etc -- all priced below $10. Yay!
(4)
Pham D.

Really Really Good Food! This was the Best Crepe I've ever had! Service sucks though. They're super slow. Things kept getting dropped by the servers. They spilled water all over us. It took them forever to get us a check.
(3)
Grennan K.

Warming up to this place. Had the chorizo breakfast omelette that was savory. Paired it with the goat cheese grilled chicken wrap that was so rich in flavor. Roast peppers and red onions topped off the wrap! They could have held back on the cheese just a little. They changed up their menu.
(4)
Rachael C.

We stopped by this morning on a whim and had a wonderful dining experience. Our server was kind and really delightful, and the food was fantastic. I loved that the portions were not overly large, but the focus was on fresh, quality ingredients. We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Jessica P.

Great food! I'm a breakfast person . Everything I've tried on the menu has been delicious ! Staff are efficient. Coffee and juice bar are great . Still keep going back for more ! If you're ever in River North, stop by ! :D
(5)
Hen H.

Good food, good service and really tasty drinks. Need I say more! Perfect brunch location.
(4)
Cindy G.

We came to Meli Cafe on a lovely Sunday afternoon. There was a line out the door, but the wait was only 20 minutes. This restaurant is huge and they turn tables pretty quickly. To start off I had a Bloody Mary that really just tasted like tomato juice with hot sauce in it. I wouldn't recommend it. They did offer some unique bellini's which is what I wish I would have gotten. I ordered the farmhouse skillet which came out pipping hot in a little ceramic crock/casserole dish. The skillet had potatoes, onions, green peppers, ham, bacon, and sausage. Yes, that's alot of goodness in there! I loved how sizzl-y it was. Just when I thought it was getting cold, I would turn another bite and steam would come out. The ingredients were farm fresh and the two fried eggs on top were the perfect finish. My only complaint was the sausage had cinnamon in it which was WAY too sweet. I just picked around it, but the I do not enjoy sweet meats. Overall I can't stop thinking about how simple and delicious this place was. The service was a bit slow, but totally not unexpected for Sunday brunch. I would defenitly come back!
(4)
Stefanie A.

Favorite breakfast/brunch place in the area. Their smoothies are instant hangover cures! Food is amazing too. Def worth the long wait on the weekends!
(5)
Jennifer S.

We must have gone in a bad day because out food was incredibly bland. We had such high hopes seeing as this place had lots of good reviews, but no. The spinach and chicken omelet was just that - Boiled chicken and spinach in a egg batter. No flavor at all. The service was also pretty slow and she got my order wrong twice.
(1)
Mace W.

Hostess was rude and the food was not all that great/worth the wait. Several other brunch spots that are far better in chicago
(2)
Edward D.

My girlfriend and I had breakfast at Meli two Saturday's ago. The food and service were both below average. I'm not sure how this place is getting so many four and five star reviews. Pros: Very nice decor and the wait was only about 20 minutes which is good for 11 am on a Saturday. Cons: Our server was terrible. I ordered French toast, a side of bacon and two eggs. The French toast was dry and flavorless as was the fruit that accompanied it. The eggs never made it out. We both had coffee and waited about 20 minutes for a refill when finished. When our server finally decided to refill our coffee, she filled up only one of the cups and left the other one empty. WTF?! My girlfriend's omelette was also only average. Our server seemed like she was in a different world. I would choose another establishment for breakfast or brunch, this place is pricey and the food and service are substandard
(2)
Cassie G.

We ended up here by mistake but what a sweet and savory mistake it was. Not expecting most breakfast places to be closed on 4th of July, we found ourselves wandering hungry and grumpy near Meli Cafe. The crowd of people outside suggested it definitely wasn't closed so we joined the long list of people waiting and spent about 45 minutes just drooling over the plates in front of people around us. After begging the host to let our group of 6 squeeze into a table meant for 4, we were ready to order. Thankfully, we were hungry so I got to try plenty. Highly recommend the juices - I got the Pure Gold that was delicious. The jalapeno skillet was hot and fresh and the Meli's honeycakes on the side were its perfect complement. I think everyone loved what they ordered. Service here was a little off but they were doing their best and the food came out surprisingly quick. I'm assuming on a holiday where it's not one of the sole options open for brunch, it wouldn't be so hectic and I'd definitely come back.
(4)
Meredith B.

Stopped in for breakfast before a barcrawl! Meli has a great menu, with all kinds of delicious sounding specials, and always hits the spot. This location is sunny, with yellow walls and an airy cafe vibe. We started with mimosas (fresh squeezed juice FTW) and then I got the Farmland skillet with chicken sausage instead of portabellos. It was delicious and full of goodness, sunny side up eggs cooked to runny perfection and lots of melty cheese. I couldn't finish it, I never can, but I had fun trying! There is something for everyone at Meli, and I love that they have lots of fresh squeezed juices for those of us who like to pretend to be healthy when we eat our big fatty brunches. We had no wait at 9:15 am on a Saturday but I mean....who goes for brunch at that time? Is that even technically brunch? I think it's really breakfast.
(4)
Stephanie H.

I unfortunately have to rate this location one star not because of the food but because of the manager. We sat at the bar and unfortunately got to experience the unbelievable way she disrespects her staff. There are plenty of other restaurants around that have equivalent food quality that treat their employees like human beings and not slaves.
(1)
Rami S.

Meli is simply the best breakfast/brunch/lunch place around! They have a wide selection of juices and unique juice blends, you can tell they know their stuff! They also have a very extensive selection of food and everything is fresh and clean! If you're in a hurry, they have a quick juice bar to order a quick meal and plenty of tables if you want to take your time. The service is amazing, especially when you have someone like Maryann helping you! She has a great and genuine personality and knows everything on the menu, and even dealt with my special ordering requests. Definitely a go to spot!
(5)
Jane R.

Can't say enough good things. VEGANS- get to Meli's ASAP! They have a whole section of breakfast deliciousness for vegan/gluten free eaters. PLUS green juices, fresh fruit smoothies, and wheat grass! The staff is so friendly and warm. It was slammed both times we went, but they are efficient and once seated the food comes very quickly. A brunch that won't leave you feeling heavy. Thank you Meli's!
(5)
Erin M.

This place was packed on the Friday morning we ventured in. I'm pretty sure we took the last table available. But I'm not sure what all the hubbub was about. The vegan menu items are not all that interesting, but we had heard that brunch here was can't-miss, so we decided to give it a try. It was a total waste of money. The two juices we ordered were the one saving grace. Both my orange-carrot and my husband's beet juice mix were fresh and refreshing. But our entrees were quite terrible. The tofu scramble had more vegetables than tofu, but more grease than anything else. Gross. The French toast was dry, boring and bland and came with defrosted berries.
(2)
Kyle B.

This is a great neighborhood spot for breakfast. The menu has a wide variety of options. The fresh juice selection is a good as you'll find. My personal favorites are the bowls - a mix of eggs, potatoes and other breakfast toppings. The JalapeÃ±o bowl is the best. Coffee is always hot. Checks all the boxes. If there is any drawback - it is a bit expensive for breakfast.
(4)
Kim B.

Best breakfast place in Chicago! Even better, the wait for a table is actually reasonable. I came here two days in a row (Saturday and Sunday) and waited no more than a few minutes for a table. Almost everything on the menu is healthy and they have vegetarian/vegan options as well. Meli's also offers the tastiest fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies. Don't waste your time going to some of the other overly hyped breakfast spots in the city. Come here and have a delicious, HEALTHY breakfast and start your day off right.
(5)
Amr A.

Go there for the Bread pudding pancakes if nothing else. Service is decent, but its a brunch place in chicago, always super busy since this is such a brunch kinda town.
(5)
Fletcher M.

Juices are bomb, the food is good, but the waitstaff could care less. The worst part is that annoying freaking bell that they start ringing to tell their waitstaff to pickup food. I get it, the window is full with plates that need to go out, but get your people pagers, don't hit the sh$! out of the bell and pretend you're not annoying everyone here for brunch. Good spot, just need to clean up their act.
(2)
Doug A.

Great restaurant with stressed out service. Great food, but the manager needs to hire more people or organize them better. Service started out good, but then fell apart after we were served. Great menu. Great decor. Love it!
(4)
Sam N.

So my policy has always been not to document bad experiences and focus on good ones as a yelp elite member. After having been to this place for the 3rd time last Sunday I have decided to speak out. My friend Mihir has previously documented on 4/4/11 on the substandardness ( is that a word ?) of the food and that its kind of expensive. NEWSFLASH: If there is going to be 7 people at the table then a 3 oz sampling of creamer for everyone is not enough... This place seems to be very greasy. I am not sure what goes on in the kitchen. But after ordering eggs and cheese on Sunday, I was not able to digest food properly till Wednesday morning. On the borght side I lost some weight :) It already is documented that the weight staff slams down the plates so need for me to go into this. I hope the juice is better than the food. it is also good that this place is not open for dinner
(2)
Diana T.

Pros- food is delicious and there is so much variety. Love the skillets and the juice is delicious! Something for everyone. Cons- wait time and the service. I can count on service usually being terrible and am surprised when the service is good and the front staff and waitresses are nice. Pros outweigh the cons so I continue to go but think this place could be so much better if the staff were polite
(4)
Leslie B.

What a breakfast menu. It hasn't taken me that long to decide on what to order in...maybe ever. Came in here for brunch with Claire K. and Alex H. where we only waited about 5 minutes for a table. It's a large, bright space and you aren't crammed in next to other tables which I really enjoyed. Meli has such a massive breakfast menu, but the best-looking options were their specials. After much deliberation, each of us ended up ordering something from here. My dining companions had the Maple Bowl which consisted of different meats, vegetables, and eggs, and the Croque Madame. They were both very happy with their choices. I had a southwestern-themed breakfast sandwich served open-faced on naan. The chicken chorizo that accompanied it was delicious. The rest of the items included: avocado, corn, tomato, black beans, over-easy eggs and each of them added greatly to the dish. We kept seeing amazing sweet dishes go by and their menu of smoothies/juices was very intriguing! Overall, Meli was a little pricey, but the food was excellent and I will definitely be back!
(5)
Thomas K.

I really wanted to like Meli. It is a regular brunch meeting place for my coworkers so I have had about a dozen times to try it. Each time I have gotten something different, and most of the time I have been completely underwhelmed. There is nothing wrong at all with the food. The options run from traditional to creative, but every one I have had has been, frankly, pedestrian. For the location and the prices, I think they could make a better showing.
(2)
JD O.

Good, clean spot in the heart of the loop. Suggest for a brunch spot, farm to table fresh, courteous staff.
(4)
Basil D.

This is a great, great place for breakfast. They have amazing food (please remember I don't inflate ratings, 3 stars is accurate, and it's good, not like the rest of the people on here who give it 5 stars if they keep it down!). The cappuccino is the best I've had in Chicago, almost as good as Sant' Eustachio in Rome.. The fresh squeezed OJ is just simply that, which means it is delicious. I always get the Meli omelet which has pancetta (though i wonder if it's really bacon...that's not the same as real pancetta folks), boursin cheese, shallots, and parsley. It is a very good omelet. It's served with potatoes which I usually leave off. Why everyone serves toast AND potatoes is beyond my f-ing comprehension. The potatoes are good, don't get me wrong, I have had them there, but if you're giving us toast already, geez! Now, that said, the toast is good toast, it's a thicker cut and they serve it European style, with butter and jam in individual servings. The service consistently stinks, but it's worth going to anyway. It's breakfast..... Oh, and the coffee is Illy coffee, which I happen to like better than the OVERRATED local coffee Intelligentsia... I gotta ask, if you get free refills on coffee, why, oh WHY if you order a cappuccino and then ask for coffee afterward, are you charged for a coffee as well??? An unfair loophole if you ask me! Definitely worth a visit. After 11am, you'll be waiting a solid half-hour so get there early on the weekends, go to the afternoon or evening Mass!
(3)
Charlie G.

My wife and I have eaten at Melli's twice and have had two excellent experiences. The ambiance is very warm an inviting and the food is great. Omlettes are all fresh and very large made with organic eggs and filled with eclectic and delicious ingredients. Very good espresso and a friendly staff!
(5)
Kristin M.

I don't live in the area, but Meli was recommended by a friend who does. I was warned the wait is long, but then again, most brunch places have long waits. At 30 minutes, this wasn't bad. The food was good, but didn't blow me away. Pluses: -appealing juice bar list -most delicious latte I've had in Chicago (incredibly creamy) -plenty of options -very friendly service -cute space Minuses: -plenty of options (so hard to decide! I prefer a menu that gives variety but doesn't boggle the mind) -service was quite slow (it turned out ok since he was really nice and we weren't in a rush, but still) -no liquor license, and they won't let you bring in your own to mix with the delicious juice! -worst chicken & waffles ever (the "fried chicken" was basically two chicken tenders - no bueno) Overall, it was fine, but did not wow.
(3)
Sarah G.

I was a huge fan of Meli's smoothies (Oatmeal! Avocado! Wheatgrass!) but not too impressed with the food or the price tag for a sit-down breakfast. So my recommendation would be to belly up to the bar and ooh/aah at the orange juicing machine and the industrial blenders, then grab your $6 smoothie to go. Their custom juice creations were also amazing, but worth $5 for the portion? I don't know... my perspective is probably tainted because two of those also helped contribute to a nearly $50 breakfast price tag one morning... But still I liked Meli to go there three times on my most recent trip to Chicago. It's just unfortunate that our last time was the least favorite of my trips there,
(4)
Leland M.

I really enjoyed the fresh squeezed orange juice here, I also had the Cajun scramble and really liked it. The portion sizes were generous and the coffee exceeded my expectations. It's a little pricey but that's downtown Chicago. Overall I was pleased but I wasn't blown away. I imagine this would be a good place for large groups given the less intimate setting.
(3)
Louis A.

This 6AM to 3PM Chicago breakfast/brunch joint between N. Wells and N. Grand will absolutely get your day started -- the healthy way! They have a variety of healthy options from smoothies, juice, and menu. Always a place to go after running a marathon. Keep it up Melli!
(5)
Barbara B.

This is a delicious brunch spot and worth the wait. The juices, while pricey, are tasty and the sweet and savory options all are good. Scramblers are a highlight.
(5)
Debbie K.

awesome breakfast for 4 picky eaters, all with very different goals. 1 vegan, 3 vegetarians, and 4 highly happy and satisfied customers! we all got a hugely filling and delic meal, exactly what we wanted. loved the green juice options and that they were willing to adjust to my specs for creating it! keep up the good work and we will be back!
(5)
Disha M.

I've lost count on how many times I've been here. It is one of my favorite places to grab lunch/brunch. I have taken friends and family who have visited me from out of town and they have fallen in love with it as well. Fresh and delicious food that isn't greasy and it is inventive. They have a special weekly menu that changes based on season and the ingredients they have managed to get, I assume. They also have a fresh juice bar with a good sized menu on different fruit juice combos. I always just get their orange juice though. I swear they put crack in it! My favorite dish by far is the Gouda omelette which comes with toast, potatoes and fruit. The portion is huge. They also make their own jams and fruit preserves which are absolutely delicious!! Two gripes about this place though: 1. The butter is always fresh and delicious. However, they give u tiny tiny portion that a squirrel would eat. I mean come on just gimme more. I feel like a jackass asking for seconds on butter. I'm not a squirrel and I need more, goddamit!! 2. Their service is bad. The hostess and the guy who guides you to your table are super nice. But the servers are always clueless!! Always!!! It's so strange. But the food is so good I don't mind as much, I suppose. I find it kinda funny.
(4)
Laura P.

The chicken omlet was very good. I wouldn't order the steel cut oats again. The hostess and waitress had a bad case of bitch-face.
(3)
Macy H.

This place is amazing! Waited thirty minutes, not bad, worth the wait! Their juices are very very fresh. So good! I had an omelet, which i could have split since it was so big! I would recommend this place to anyone, and am definitely coming back. One thing i was bothered by is that they only accept two credit cards per table. I went with three people and we wanted to split it three ways. good thing one of us had cash.
(5)
Christopher E.

Even though I have only been to this restaurant once I loved it I usually go to another Meli over on the west side but the service here is the same and we I loved it. Best place to have breakfast in my book plus the wife loves it.
(5)
Carry B.

I have been to this place on two different occasions and neither time I was impressed. I ordered eggs toast bacon and a slice of toast. The bacon and breakfast potatoes were good and bacon as well. They did not serve our condiments at the same time so I had to wait to eat for a couple mins after my food came. They boast the coffee is their own special brand, sadly it's bad. I would consider going back, but the service was not good at all. In fact I would say its pretty bad.
(2)
Celia Z.

Brunch in the loop? Try somewhere else. My friend ordered the French toast which was good, but it was overstuffed with too much strawberry cream cheese that the toast became soggy if you did not eat it right away. Personally, I like the more crunch French toast. Plus, the strawberry cream had such an artificial light pink color that I had doubts about what was truly inside. My vegetable eggs benedict was average. While the eggs were perfectly poached and the vegetables were deliciously sauteed and the English muffins were quite fresh, it did not have the "IT" factor. The juice was good, but could be easily imitated by my juice machine and some fresh fruits. The latte couldn't beat Starbucks. Overall, nothing I couldn't make at home for a fraction of the price. Such a disappointment.
(3)
Van T.

so many things went wrong here: 1. of the many soups on the menu, there was one available for the day, and it was only 11 am. 2. my salad was literally drenched in dressing. It should have been called balsamic dressing with bits of organic greens and beets. 3. our server hated her job and me for asking any type of questions and thrust the menu towards me, as if the menu would magically answer all of my questions about gluten. 4. the house made lemonade? what a joke, it tasted like anything but homemade.
(1)
Becca B.

Sad to report that they re-did the whole menu and all the tasty favorites are gone. New choices are filled with cilantro/salsa and other tex mex fair. The omelette choices are super slim now, none include ham. They got rid of a traditional eggs Benedict and the super delish Meli chicken sandwich. Waitress was new and had no idea what was going on/seemed overwhelmed. Side of sausage was soft and velvet texture like it is super processed and undercooked. Side of toast came with one piece (which was was and perfectly toasted). This used to be a fav spot for us but sadly today will be our last. Bye bye Meli.
(1)
Lizzy M.

Hostess was rude. She didn't want to seat us because they wanted to close down. I understand we came at 2:45 but it says they serve brunch until 3. I work in the service industry and if our hours say 3:00 and someone comes in at 2:59 we serve them. We were fully prepared to order right away and close out our bill, but we took our money elsewhere.
(1)
Leila T.

Awesome food. Healthy options, everything tasted extremely fresh, the juice options were awesome too. Diner feel but friendly and busy atmosphere.
(5)
Ritu R.

The best you can get in the "brunch place" list in Chicago! Been here too many times and do not have a single complaint. The food, service and experience is always as good as it gets! They serve the best coffee (Illy), use Wedgewood by Waterford china, offer a WIDE variety of items in the breakfast and lunch categories and cater to every special need possible. They have a fab juice list and the quality is just as great. Every friend and family member I have brought to Meli has fallen in love. Our faves are the skillets - they never disappoint. They have honey butter w/ their breads and homemade jams/jelly's. Oh and they even make their English muffins from scratch...gigantic and delicious! You can really never go wrong w/ Meli....yes they don't take reservations but I've never had to wait either...its a big place. Much bigger than their Greektown location.
(5)
Rebecca N.

i would give it 4 stars because i LOVE the food and atmosphere, but the service is HORRENDOUS!!!!! The waitresses are complete idiots. It's honestly ridiculous. They don't understand substitutions or adding items and their reactions to these sorts of things are outstanding. On the otherhand, the food is great and I keep coming back. If you can deal with bad service I would 100% recommend it. The atmosphere is nice and there is usually not a long wait. My favorite is the jalepeno skillet! spicy , delish and very big
(3)
Avery S.

Best breakfast in Chicago! Excellent service and the food quality can't be beat. The guys behind the bar near the fresh juice/smoothie machine are the best. Super friendly and always extremely satisfying.
(5)
Lena D.

Best breakfast in Chicago!
(5)
Megan M.

The breakfast was great - the wait staff was not friendly at all and left me with a very sour taste in my mouth. I'd go back for the food, but it's unfortunate that the experience wasn't as good as the food.
(2)
Ritu D.

My friends have RAVED about Meli, so I really wanted to give it a try during this trip back to Chicago. We went at about 10:45 on a Sunday and were seated within 10 minutes of arriving- AMAZING!? yes! Our server wasn't that friendly, which was a bummer. Whenever she brought food or brought by something we requested, she would kind of slam it down and walk away quickly - like we were a burden or something... not nice. I ordered the Kiwi-Strawberry-Orange Juice and it was delicious- I had to transfer over ice from my water glass to it, though, because it was room temp when we got it- who likes room temp juice? not me... My friend got the Pure Gold juice- she thought it was delicious (I didn't, probably because of the carrots and ginger in it). Her juice was also room temp and she had to put her own ice in it as well. I ordered the Farmland skillet and a side of the Veggie 3-grain patties. The skillet was good, it just had a thick layer of oil that seemed to settle at the bottom, so I was only able to enjoy the eggs at the top and the top layer of vegetables and potatoes- it was pretty gross at the bottom. So, I wasn't as impressed. The patties were pretty good! I haven't seen many other breakfast places that have these, so it was unique and good. It was a bit too oily as well, though :-\ My meal came with a side of toast so I was glad I was able to try their homemade butter- DELICIOUS!! My friend got the Breakfast Crepes and she seemed to enjoy them. Overall, the food was OK- nothing really special and the service was mediocre. Maybe it was this specific day at Meli, but I'm not sure what all the hype is about. There are few other brunch places in the city that I think are better and will probably just stick to those in the future. But, this place wasn't horrible, so if I'm with people who want to come here, I wouldn't be opposed to it and just hope that that experience is better.
(3)
Kison P.

My top breakfast choice in RN. Very good quality ingredients, lots of fresh juice and smoothie options. Staff are all friendly, accommodating and kid friendly. I have visited several times for breakfast and lunch and never been disappointed.
(5)
LM P.

Meli Cafe, what a wonderful way to start your day! They have an amazing breakfast menu featuring skillet meals, omlets, scramblers, sandwiches, frittatas, eggs benedict, waffles, pancakes, and crepes. They also offer healthier choices such as fresh fruit and parfaits along with vegan and gluten free options as well. I indulged in the strawberry and banana french toast with a chocolate drizzle while my husband had the decadent caramel banana pancakes. Yum! The food, drinks and service were excellent. We felt very comfortable there. You could tell by the way the staff treated us, that they cared about customer service. What a great 'last meal' to have during our visit to Chicago!
(4)
Nazy H.

By far the best breakfast/brunch place in Chicago! You can't go wrong with anything you pick here! The skillets are incredibly delicious! Mana mou steak skillet is one of my favorites. Everything is soo fresh you taste it in every bite. The red roasted potatoes, fries, and fruit sides are even good. You can smell the decadent buttermilk pancakes from a mile away and just indulge in them! The juices and smoothies are a must as well! All incredibly amazing! Oh and service is unquestionable. Everyone is so helpful, homey, and happy! I love it! There will be a wait if you go anytime on the weekend but it is definitely worth it! Bon apetite! :)
(5)
Eileen K.

Came here for breakfast. Firstly, the interior is really beautiful. Spacious, lots of natural sunlight, a yellow daisy at every table, pretty lights, and yellow glowing interior. We got seated on a wooden platform area, and taking in the interior made me giddy! That being said, we were sad to find the food overpriced and mediocre, and service a little awkward. We got: the Stuffed Strawberry French Toast: the presentation was really pretty. Bright pink and fresh strawberries topped with sprinkles of powdered sugar. The french toast was filled with a great helping of Mascarpone, but for me, a little too much. :( I took a bite and realized it was waay to heavy for breakfast. Well, waay to heavy in general. I might just skip the "stuffed" and get the Strawberry french toast instead. We also got an omelette and another bread-y dish I dont remember. Presentation was very pretty, taste, just okay. My coffee didn't get refilled until I nearly flagged down our server, who finally came towards the end of my meal. Service was slow. That being said, of course I didn't try everything on the menu, and I didnt try any of their juices either. But the price and the food that I got....Lets just say if I happen to be in Chicago again, I wouldn't come back.... Theres just too many other yummy places to visit!!
(3)
Victor S.

Had high hopes for this seemingly good breakfast joint, but the raved about French toast was simply some bread drowning in cream and way too sweet. Who would think that putting cream in between and on top of some already sweetened bread would make for a delicious dish? The egg white scramble was fairly tasty but somewhat plain. Wait staff seemed uninterested. It had a good chance but we won't be going back!
(3)
Zuleika H.

I just went today to Meli's cafe to try the breakfast because I heard great reviews. As soon as I entered the owner named Yunni greeted me. I thought that was exceptional. At that time I had no clue that was the owner. I saw a special written on the sign outside and decided to order the bananna french toast, with pecans on top and caramel. It was to die for! I can't even explain, but I am a great cook, and have been to several 5 star breakfast places, and this is the best french toast ever!! After I ate and was leaving the owner thanked me again for coming, so I had to walk back and ask is that the owner? they said yes. I had to commend him on his service, yunni then told me they make the food from scratch. Nothing is processed here. I can stand processed food. My waitress Elena was truly on par. Stellar service, and ambiance!! I loved that the owner took time to acknowledge his customers for coming both times.
(5)
Stephanie L.

I came back here when Fabcakes was closed on a Sunday. Well I have to say, they actually were better. We sat at the bar because the wait on a Sunday early afternoon was still 30 minutes so we were able to snag a seat at the bar in like 2 mins. We beat the rush because when we were leaving, the place was JAMMED. Anyway, the service at the bar was so-so. Its a very busy place so I get it, however, I shouldnt have to ask for refills on coffee, etc. I got an omelette with chicken sausage and it was pretty good. Overpriced, but good. Overall, not a horrible breakfast place, but not anything that I loved.
(3)
Chris G.

This was _supposed_ to be a quick Binny's Beverage Depot run to get a few bottles of red. Meli's tender, juicy, well-seasoned, chunky turkey burger patty easily suffocated my toasted wheat bread slices and pared well with the grilled zucchini, roasted red pepper, honey dijon and baby swiss. I could hardly hold this whopper without it wonderfully falling to pieces over my plate. Truth be told, I didn't really expect much because Meli's is known for their brunch food. After taking a bite, I sat in my chair and nearly crumpled in submission. There's no damn way that this sandwich was that good! So yah... what the hell does this have to do about Binny's? It was one of those hazy, muggy, sprinkley summer mornings just before the lunch hour and I was torn between heading to The Kerryman for their awsum turkey burger or stocking up on a few bottles or red at Binny's. But they're far away in another direction, but just a few steps over from Meli's which is likely to get more of my lunchtime business as a result. Unabashed, I keep a Turkey Burger Rolodexâ„¢ in my iPhone so that no matter where I am, I have a good read on where to satisfy this perpetual craving. I was familiar with Meli Cafe's Greektown location, which is my favorite brunch spot in that part of town, but wasn't aware that they'd opened their Grand and Wells location. The service was a little slow (I think they have a few new servers) but man was it worth the wait!
(3)
Ashley G.

This most amazing brunch I've had. I am super picky about my eggs Benedict. The bread was freshly baked. My eggs were cooked perfectly. And the potatoes that come on the side - utterly phenomenal with a tinge of rosemary. I took my parents here the morning after my uncles comedy show. My stepmom had the spinach Benedict, my father the chicken chili omelette and I the original eggs benedict. My little sister got an egg, a side of toast and sausage links. Those links were amazing as well. Much love came from that food. And we all gave Meli 5 stars. Will definitely go again.
(5)
Eye R.

The food was decent but the customer service was horrible. My partner and I went in for brunch today and were told that our pager would go off when it was time to be seated (wait time was 20-30 minutes). About 30 minutes later we saw two couples who came in after us (and received their pagers after us) get seated before us! When my partner spoke to the hostess she simply said that we would be seated next and did not offer any kind of apology or explanation. I then spoke to the manager and she was extremely defensive and rude! She addressed my partner and I in a very demeaning voice and basically told us that were stupid because, as she explained, they give out the pagers in order of arrival and so we must have arrived after the two couples. We decided to just stay and try the food since we had by then waited almost 45 minutes. The server was sweet when I explained what had happened and actually apologized for the manager's behavior. She also said that the manager is known to be rude, especially when the place is busy. Again, food was fine but unless a new manager is hired, we're taking our money elsewhere.
(1)
Anuj S.

First experience at Meli Cafe was so-so. The service was good. The location was fine and so forth. The waffle was not as great as it could've been. It was pretty much soft - no crisp to it. The ingredients, pecans, syrup, etc all seemed to be high quality. Also had a veggie sandwich. They pretty much use your basic morningstar veggie pattie. However, there's also a portabella mushroom in there which made the whole thing unique. That's in addition to other grilled veggies and melted swiss. Overall it was OK. Nothing to call home about, though.
(2)
Jing C.

Meli Cafe... How I really, really, really wanted to like you. Broad menu with gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions? Score! 20 item+ Juice and smoothie menu for this juice lover? Yep. So why the poor experience? To start, the food was ho-hum. My crepe was a little soggy and oddly porous with little holes throughout. What?! Never seen that before. My dining companion's food was also just okay. Worst if all, after the lackluster crepe, I had the worst stomach ache of my life!! If its going to hurt, it better at least taste good!
(1)
Philippe R.

Nice place with many seats available. I was early so it was almost empty (and therefore, quite). Portions are large and I had to take a doggy bag. The food is good even if potatoes were too salty and the wrap not enough. So, I would put 3 because the great start (the wrap with spinash, eggs and cheese) could have been from good to very good.
(3)
Nishan P.

The wait is over! The wait for the new Meli Cafe to open, that is. The wait for a weekend brunch table may have only just begun. Being a big fan of the original Meli, I had been eagerly awaiting the opening of the River North branch. So eager was I to try it out that I spontaneously changed my mind about a Sunday brunch invitation I had previously declined. Upon learning that the new Meli was open, it took me only 15 minutes to join my friends there. That's 15 minutes to jump out of bed, shower, and get to the restaurant. The new Meli boasts an extensive menu of breakfast fare: crepes, pancakes, and eggs galore. I settled on one of my brunch favorites: crab cake eggs Benedict. I often use this dish to compare brunch cafes. The version I had at the new Meli was by far the best I've tasted yet. It contained a generous amount of crab meat filling every bite with delicious crab flavor. The accompanying baby red potatoes were a perfect complement. The service was prompt and my coffee cup was never less than half full. Even used sugar packets were removed from our table soon after we had consumed them. At 10:30 in the morning there was no wait, but by about noon people were milling around awaiting tables. I expect the wait will become a lot worse as word gets out so get to Meli while the going is good.
(5)
Tara S.

I was expecting good things based on the other reviews. Unfortunately, Meli disappointed. I got the Farmland skillet with vegetables in it. It came out watery and extremely bland. My boyfriend got the hash eggs Benedict and it was also bland. Neither of us finished our meals, they were so disappointing. Overall, I wouldn't come back and definitely wouldn't recommend it.
(2)
Chet K.

It's easy to make tasty food, and with the numerous locations (quantity buying), the large portions are expected. The claim of organic eggs is what brought me in. Overall, a good demonstration of green washing - using the word Organic to mislead. This business is unfairly taking away the customers from those places that are truly passionate about Farm-to-Fork , organic and quality food. + Take-out containers are PP, recycle symbol 5, not the PolyStyrene recycle symbol 6. + Easy use of fragrance in the men's bathroom with no use of 'Para' urinal blocks. + Tasty food + Reasonably priced - No other definite mention of what is/is not Organic. The eggs are claimed to be and the term is used loosely in a few places on the menu. Is anything else? - PolyStyrene utensils were included with the takeout when specifically asked not to be included. There are other easy options for take-out utensils, recyclable or compostable. PolyStyrene is not recyclable (with a few rare exceptions) regardless if it is stamped with recycle #6. This omission was the red flag. - Salt packets included with the take out were std-issue restaurant grade. Why are there no sea-salt packets? - Uses 'USDA Inspected' as a selling point on the menu. - Egg white options were offered under the healthy choices on the menu. This indicates the management's understanding of healthy. - The easiest organic offering for a restaurant is coffee. There was no claim of coffee being organic. With the numerous coffee roasters in Chgo specializing in organic coffee, offering ILLY coffee was a disappointment. Nowadays, any restaurant in a large, relatively-educated city, especially so close the downtown area, needs to claim some sort of 'Natural', 'Organic' Farm-to-Fork' something in order to stay competitive. Come to think of it, I have never had a non-tasty nor small-portioned meal in a Greek restaurant. (Meli is Greek for honey). Come to think of it x2, I have never had a truly organic-rich meal in a Greek restaurant, regardless of how many locations there may be.
(3)
Joshua G.

Juice is good. Staff sucks. ok if you want an interesting brunch. Not the best.. Lots of snobby people but hey it comes with the territory.
(2)
Sarah S.

Meli is our neighborhood breakfast spot. Hubby and I order Emerald Isle bowls and usually some pancakes of sorts to share and it is the freshest, most well prepared food you can get. Extremely high quality ingredients-expertly crafted-and inspired daily specials. If they make a mistake, they have fixed it for us and we love having our Meli treat. Delicious!
(5)
Taylor N.

My boyfriend and I love our breakfast, so we decided to try out this cafe. I ordered the Apple Stuffed French Toast with a side of Veggie Patties and my boyfriend ordered Meli's Honeycakes with a side of corned beef hash. The Apple Stuffed French Toast was as ridiculously good as I thought it would be and the Honeycakes had the perfect amount of sweetness with the uniquely delicious syrup. Also the veggie patties were really good, you could see the vegetables and beans inside the patty. I was a little put off by the service, they were overly attentive/pushy at the beginning and also slightly snobby. Comparing Chicago breakfast joints, Yolk and Wildberry's would be preferable over here even though the food is very good.
(4)
Sarah E.

I never thought I'd be an angry yelper, but here goes. First, I love love LOVE the Meli in Greektown. Undoubtedly in my top 3 breakfast places. One of the hostesses there suggested this one to my mom and me because it's a more convenient location for us. We went last Sunday around 11:00, and the hostess quoted us a 45 minute wait. Fine. It's Sunday morning. 45 minutes later, and two parties who came in, said hello, got some affection and promptly bypassed the wait later, I asked her how much longer it would be. She said 10-15 minutes. 15 minutes after that my hungry mother asked how long it would be: "10-15 more minutes," she rudely responded. It was the rude response that got me. So I flatly stated that she should have quoted me "45 minutes for a table for 2 pending that no one she knows or likes better than me comes in before that." I get family and favorites. Really, I do. But try not to make the favoritism so blatant, and especially try to avoid it on a Sunday morning where everyone is watching you at the door. Finally, try not to get so combative when people call you out on your sh!t. 1h15m later I had a table. I ordered and went to go reload my meter that had nearly expired while I was waiting. I do have to say that the food is still phenomenal. I'll go back to the Greektown Meli (but I'm looking to expand my brunch repetoire), but I'll never go back to this one, and under no circumstances would I suggest it to anyone else.
(1)
Mike W.

great selection and very good food
(4)
Emily M.

The waiters and hostesses were rude and not friendly. I waited an hour for 2 people on Sunday, when we were told 30 minutes. The food was mediocre and they were extremely cheap on the condiments like butter and syrup. I asked for a to-go box for my pancakes, and was charged an extra $1.50 for syrup. Ridiculous! I was expecting this place to be amazing, but it was only a disappointment. I will definitely not be going back. The best place for brunch is Walker Bros or Nookies, where the service and food is exceptional.
(2)
Peter C.

i like meli more and more every time i go. sometimes the wait staff can be a bit grumpy, but it's never really bothered me. the food here is wonderful, portions never too much but always enough. coffee is fresh and delicious. the juices and smoothies are pretty expensive, so i rarely get them. i work nearby so sometimes i'll swing by for a smoothie.
(5)
Jaire Q.

We went to Meli's Cafe for breakfast and I cant really say I was impressed. The place looks nice, and the wall to wall windows add to the places lighting. I however, did not necessarily like the food. It was just ok. They have natural juices, which should be very hard to mess up and next time I will stick to that.
(2)
Denise N.

I love Meli Cafe! Everytime I go the wait is not as long as it can be, thanks to the courteous Manager that ensures we get a seat. I love their brunch and always go back for more especially their delicious smoothies. I recommend you get there early to beat the crowd but other than than you won't be disappointed, i sure am not :)
(5)
Justin W.

I went this morning with a friend not knowing what to expect. It was a Sunday at 10am so I was worried we would wait in a long line, but only being 3 blocks from the place I thought it was worth the try. It was full, but no wait and I was really impressed overall! The menu is expansive but not overly so. There were a lot of classic options for breakfast as well as some different things for the more adventurous. They even have Gluten Free pancakes and Toast! All james and butters are homemade, and the juices fresh squeezed. Our food was delivered incredibly fast and was presented well. I ordered a veggie omelet with eggwhites (I actually got it with whole eggs and that would be my only complaint)... and my friend ordered another omelet as well. The fresh juices were great, coffee was good and our waitress was really friendly and prompt! We even stayed for more coffee after getting our check and our waitress was equally as friendly and continued to check on our table. The place is a little tight in terms of seating, but comfortable. They seemed to be really accommodating as they managed to reseat a large party at a bigger table and moved chairs for them etc which was really nice. While a bit noisy it was a Sunday morning, and its not as if I had to yell or anything. I thoroughly enjoyed my food and the atmosphere. I'm glad we went when we did because when we left at 1130 there was a line and it was getting really crowded. I will definitely be going back and recommending it to many other people!
(4)
Olivia L.

Really great food! The coffee was amazing! We went for brunch with our friends. Both of us have one year olds and the staff was extremely friendly and understanding about the boys' playful screeches. We were sat within 10 minutes and had an attentive waitress. Waffles, omelettes, skillets, pancakes =all tested and approved! No wait for coffee refills and they allowed us to sit and chat for 2 hours without feeling rushed. Easy parking, very close to the restaurant. Clean place and pretty menu! Kinda expensive: we spent $50 for two meals...
(4)
Radhika A.

This place has a slightly upscale brunch spot feel but the ambiance doesn't have much of a personality. As far as the food is concerned- we ordered two frittatas and both were pretty good. Their boursin frittata is especially good. On another visit I had the spinach and feta omelet which was good but nothing out of this world. That pretty much sums up the experience at Meli.
(3)
Mark H.

With the plethora of brunch places in river north, Meli's distinguishes itself through decent coffee, a proper juice bar, attentive service, a spacious setting and the usual food choices done just a little better than most. The Mrs. says the gluten-free pancakes were very good which were selected from the newly minted special gluten-free menu. I prefer the varied omelette choices. Not really a hipster place but good for families and folks who appreciate choice, ambience and the best brunch in river north.
(5)
Ashley S.

Ummmmm, omelets! All you need to know if they have the fluffiest omelets with the most amazing flavor combinations. The menu has almost too many delicious-sounding options so it's hell for an indecisive person like me. I tend to make a game time decision between the solid veggie combo like the Basil, Vegetable, Spinach and Feta or spicy flamenco. Never been disappointed and I am a brat when it comes to eggs. No amount of screaming children could keep me from this place. Disclaimer, I have only ordered the omelets here so I can't vouch for the rest of their menu beside the above average fruit plate and homemade jam. Smuckers is for suckers.
(5)
Matthew W.

Probably would have been 5 stars if the prices were 10-15% lower. Went on a Sunday around noon and only waited about 15 minutes. Not too shabby. Good cup of coffee. Good smoothies. Large portions. HUGE menu. Too much to choose from for my little brain. After a suggestion from our waitress I went with the Corned Beef skillet. Over baby red potatoes, topped with swiss cheese and 2 eggs (that I got poached). DELICIOUS. It was like a breakfast Reuben. I would have eaten another if I wasn't lactose intolerant and already suffering. I also substituted a bagel for my toast ($1.45 extra, shitty) but it was also pretty good. All of the other entrees that caught my eye while being walked by looked great. Service was also pretty good. Definitely had more of a "local" feel than most of the restaurants in the area. We may have found our River North brunch spot. We'll definitely be back.
(4)
Mott R.

I found out about this place on Yelp and 30 minutes later was eating here. Amazing avocado smoothie followed by a BBQ chicken omelette. Probably the best breakfast I've ever eaten. Love to be able to have a healthy smoothie and wash it down with a rich omelette!
(5)
Seb H.

45 min wait although they told us it would be approx. 25 min. Once seated, we felt rushed, friendliness of staff only mediocre. Food mediocre for all of us (group of six); only the sweet stuff was ok (pancakes etc.). Only accept a max of two credit cards -- overall, everything just seemed to be an inconvenience. Not coming back.
(2)
Mihir P.

After spending $40 on brunch, it blows that the best part of it was the toast and watermelon. Grainy textur-ific whole wheat toast and juicy watermelon they were. Skirt steak - overly chewy, greasy, and sour-tasting. Fried eggs: fried eggs Hash brown potatoes: boiled, mushy, and tasteless. Tomato, celery, and hot sauce drink: it was served warm and there was no hot sauce. I'd rather have a spicy V-8. Bacon: it is standard to pat the bacon with a paper towel and not serve it super greasy. But not at Meli. Oh, and it was overly gamey tasting. Service was friendly but sparse. I suggest going to Yolk, Eggsperience or Orange nearby.
(2)
Amanda B.

Went for lunch with a girl-friend. The atmosphere impressed me to some degree, as it appeared fresh, extremely clean, but still warm. I ordered a wrap with pesto, basil, mozzarella, and tomatoes with the pasta salad. The wrap was nothing to write home about, but it was fresh, light, and filling (all that a wrap like that should be). However, I thought the pasta salad was excellent. I often find pasta salads at restaurants to be bland and flavorless and this was definitely not that. The feta cheese and whatever dressing was on it, was flavorful and fantastic. My lunch companion ordered the veggie burger, which she says (as a vegetarian) is fantastic. It looked to be a standard veggie burger pattie, such as those found in the frozen food aisle, but it had a large portabello mushroom and almost a full red pepper layered on top of the burger. It looked MONSTROUS, just like my wrap looked. I do believe they may use 2 tortilla wraps to make the sandwich I had, which makes it fabulous in my book! My friend also ordered 2 to-go orders of the burger and she had a hankering for fries instead of the pasta salad she ordered. The waitress brought out an order of extra fries for her out of the niceness of her heart. Overall, I'd definitely go back. The menu is huge and though my wrap wasn't something to get super excited about, I imagine that there has to be many menu items that would be pretty lovely, especially for the prices. When we are talking about River North and the size of the plates here, you're making out well no matter what you order.
(3)
Kyle H.

The menu is so enormous I don't even know where to start. They may seem pricey, but I highly suggest indulging in a smoothie - they are awesome and a meal in themselves. I believe the one I got had frozen yogurt in it - so, not exactly good for you health-wise, but definitely good for you in other ways. Like, emotionally. I only take off a star because the service, while friendly, is always very rushed and not very personable. I totally understand this, as the place is probably slammed from open til close, and also giant, but if your servers are that stressed out then maybe that means you need to add one more server to the floor. Just sayin'. The crepes are amazing - the spinach and boursin is simple but absolutely decadent. The omelet fillings are all very creative, but the omelets themselves are baked in the oven, which is not really my style. That's cool, though, it's plenty of other people's style and I've got plenty of other things to choose from. I think they have something like NINE different kinds of benedict, which is INCREDIBLE. Eggs benedict is my favorite brunch staple, and I have so many choices! I would definitely suggest that all people do what my people do, which is order one sweet entree as an appetizer for the table to share. This is a practice that everyone should follow, as it allows everyone to be able to taste a delicious chocolate crepe or stuffed french toast and not have to worry about getting a tummyache from ordering it as your meal and going overboard. This is even more imperative here at Meli, as the sweet stuff is AMAZING but super duper rich and filling. Also, another plus - we were quoted a 45 minute wait for Sunday brunch (we were prepared to wait - and it was a beautiful day!) but our little buzzer went off after no more than 20 minutes. Awesome!
(4)
Nirmal G.

Oh Meli Cafe, how happy it makes me that you have opened a location close to me. Even if I'm coming here for brunch, I'll try to wait until 11am so that I can get the veggie panini. It is to die for!! And the fries--absolutely delicious! I have had the waffle here, which is pretty great, but definitely not as great as the veggie panini. The service is always fantastic and they are very knowledgeable about what is in their food and how it is cooked which is great. Did I already mention that you should get the veggie panini?
(5)
Jessica H.

Good food. Decent prices. Not the best staff, but definitely not bad enough to be a deterant. If you want to know more about my experience: atetherewrotethat.com/20â€¦
(4)
Jane K.

I had come to Meli Cafe and Juice Bar several years ago with my mom for breakfast. We ordered pancakes and a serving of eggs and toast which kept us pretty full. When I came back during my recent trip to Chicago I was a little surprised at how large the portions were, I didn't recall eating this much when ordering similar breakfast items. Since they were known for their house-blended juices my boyfriend opted to get the mango, orange, kiwi with honey. You could taste the different fruits but it wasn't cold so it felt like you were drinking warm liquidized fruit which wasn't that appealing. To eat I ordered the breakfast burrito because it was one of their breakfast specials. It was their healthy option because it used egg whites. It also had black beans, bell peppers, chicken all wrapped in a low-fat whole wheat tortilla. It came with a side of assorted fruit (cantaloupe, honeydew melon, blueberries and strawberries). I was wondering why a breakfast burrito cost $14 but needless to say the portion was huge. However, it lacked a lot of flavor so I ended up having to add some of the bottled hot sauce. There was also a lot of extra tortilla which I didn't really care for. We also ordered one serving of the stuffed apple french toast to share. I was really surprised as to how much french toast was given in one serving. We thought we would just get one piece to share but in fact got two. It was a little excessive. The stuffed apple french toast is made with challah bread held with spiced apple mascarpone, vanilla bean custard with a topping of warm apple compote with pecans and caramel. Given all that it wasn't that sweet and I actually enjoyed the french toast more than my breakfast burrito. The portions of food here were great but the price tag and the flavor of the food was the reason why I decided to rate this restaurant 3 stars.
(3)
Mike E.

Another excellent breakfast place marketed for women, but go anyway. It was delicious. I had the banana chocolate french toast and was not disappointed.
(4)
Audre L.

Great place for breakfast and brunch. Amazing food and menu. I love the fact that its a diner/breakfast spot with warmth and richness, and doesn't serve booze. After a night of going out on the weekend, it it refreshing to get brunch just for brunch, juice and coffee
(5)
Becky D.

We were looking for somewhere else, but happened upon this brunch spot. I feel bad for giving such high ratings lately, but this place deserves it! It was awesome! The wait was fair for a Saturday, 25 minutes or so. It flew by. Watching all the yummy food go by, and the juices, well it all looked amazing! The place reminded my friend and I of a fancy greek restraunt. Open spaces, curved railings, it was all very greek restaurant. Once seated we got menus. They went on and on. I didn't know what to order, all the stuff that passed us looked amazing. I finally settled on the andouille skillet. I couldn't have made a better choice. It was so good! I had the Pom cocktail and black coffee. The Pom juice was a little sweet, but you can't top fresh juice at brunch, and the coffee was a nice counterpoint to the sweet juice. This place was delicious. This is definitely one of my favorite brunch spots. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Meg S.

Went here on a Sunday morning for brunch with a few people from out of state. It was only about a 15-20 minute wait. Luckily it was super nice outside because the hostess asked us to wait outside, which I thought was kind of strange because they have a pretty big lobby. The place was beautiful- very light and bright. The food was pretty good... I had the hash benedict. Those red potatoes were TO DIE FOR. It was a good amount of food but seemed a little overpriced, but I'm a suburbanite so that might explain it. Great coffee. Had the pear juice from the juice bar which was great- not too sweet as I had feared it might be. All in all a nice place for a nice brunch with friends.
(3)
A H.

Apparently I never reviewed Meli's. I admit, I haven't been very diligent about writing reviews lately, however, Meli's deserves a review! This location is bright, airy, and less crowded than the Halstead St. location. Food is good, coffee is good, and there is never a long wait. As a plus, they have a decent amount of gluten-free options.
(4)
Courtney W.

Came here on a Sunday around 10:45 and waited a whole 8 minutes when we were told it would be about 25 minutes for a table for two. This place is quite charming and I imagine always busy. The menu is extensive and there is something for everyone. The drink list, mostly juices and smoothies) is amazing. The smoothies are huge and some taste more like milkshakes but are big enough to share and at $6 a piece you should. They also have about six different types of benedicts (and I'm kind of a benedict expert). The Hash Benedict, which combines two of my favorite things corned beef hash and eggs benedict, was absolutely amazing. The Hollandaise sauce was outstanding and the red potatoes were the perfect compliment. The Emerald Isle skillet was also a huge hit (also with corned beef hash). The prices were a little high but decent for the area and the portions were large. This place is so charming and European as well and I'm just in love with it. The staff was also great and our food came out fast even though the joint was packed. I'll be back to try their original Greektown location as well.
(5)
Neena P.

Beautiful space with lots of sunlight! There was a 20 minute wait to get seated at noon on a Saturday, but there were open tables in the juice bar area where you could seat yourself. The juice bar looked amazing, but I don't think they serve alcohol (didn't ask though), so no mimosas or Bloody Mary's here! As someone who gets physically ill if I eat an entire order of pancakes/french toast, I was happy to note that they had many options from the chicken coop: omeletes, skillets, scrambles, frittatas, oh my! I had a frittata that was on special and was pleasantly surprised to be offered the egg-white only option. Delicious! I knocked it down a star for service. Our waitress was fine until my friend told her that she was served the wrong omelet (had ordered a vegetarian scramble called Farmland and got served a scramble with sausage and ham and bacon called Down on the Farm). The waitress practically got red in the face trying to insist my friend had ordered "Down on the Farm" and stormed off to the kitchen when friend asked that it be replaced with she actually ordered. She did end up correcting the order - we just didn't understand why it was such a big issue! Even with the weird service, I will definitely be returning here again!
(4)
William V.

Chocolate pancakes were amazing. Meli's special pancakes were too dry. Service was poor.
(3)
Tony S.

My secret is out . . . Meli cafe's original location at Halsted and Jackson has been my hands-down, favorite breakfast place in Chicago for many years. What's not to like? The coffee is excellent, the omelets and anything else I've tried are out of this world, and the home-made honey butter, jams and marmalades just can't be matched. Indeed, anyone I've ever brought here has raved about the food. The only drawback to the original location was the size of the place, the closeness of the tables and the considerable wait should you come during a rush period. The new location has this solved with a bar area that has first-come, first-served seating, which is great for parties of one or two. It's also big enough that you can wait inside on a cold winter's day rather than outside as at the original location. So, if a trek to the 'southside' is all that has been standing between you and trying out Meli cafe, wait no longer. Once you try the delicious food, you'll be back again and again.
(5)
Laura G.

I've been to Meli Cafe around 5 times over the past year because it is right near my apartment. They have a lot of different breakfast and lunch options and the wait time is never too long.The food typically is good, yet service is always very mediocre. Today, the service was horrible. The waitress seemed so confused by the questions we asked and had a bad attitude the entire meal. I found a hair in my omelette, and while I understand these kind of mistakes happen,the waitress did not even apologize or send a manager over to correct the mistake. I got a salad to go instead, and they still charged me for the omelette. At this point, my friends and I just paid because we needed to get out of there. I always tried to see past the service because I typically do enjoy the food, but it is not worth it anymore.
(2)
Candice S.

Breakfast/Brunch is definitely my favorite meal and I love finding new places to go. This is my new favorite brunch place! My friend and I sat at the juice bar so there was no wait. The food came out amazingly fast. The menu was so extensive I wish I could have tried everything, but I will be going back until I conqure that menu! Meli's Omelet - amazing! The herbed boursin cheese in the omelet was creamy and went really well with the eggs. The pancetta added some crunch and the shallots were subtle, but great. Baby red potatoes were good, but they're just potatoes so I don't really have much to comment about. The homemade lemon jam was amazing. I could have eaten the whole thing after I finished my toasts. The strawberry marmalade was good, but the lemon stood out. The orange juice was great as well.
(5)
Michelle W.

We went here based on the Yelp reviews while on vacation in Chicago. Wow was I glad we use Yelp. The food was amazing. I had Chocolate Covered Bacon Pancakes with Bacon Whipped Cream. Now before you judge, it was very tasty and fresh. I would eat it again. My partner ate the Strawberry-Banana French Toast with Maple-Walnut (I believe it was maple- walnut) Whipped Cream. It was soooo good. The only reason I did not give this place five stars is our waitress, who was nice, seemed to busy to care enough to stop by our table - as we were out of coffee for a while and we needed some extra whipped cream for the French toast - the French toast was good enough with just the whipped cream, no syrup needed.
(4)
Brooke S.

I had chocolate crepes
(3)
Jennifer Y.

I looovveee Meli for brunch. They have the most amazing juices, skillets (think baked eggs with cheese, potatos and choice of veggies or meat scramble), poached egg options. Honestly everything about their brunch is delicious. I always get the juice here and would even recommend passing on coffee for it. Excellent place for brunch with tons of organic, gluten free options.
(5)
Annie T.

Well, hello Meli Cafe! We have been waiting for you to open your doors and welcome us in. Finally, the day has arrived. I scooped up my amazing lunch crew and we walked on over on this cold, opening day. Thank goodness our office is only a block or so away. :) I gotta admit, I was very impressed with the selection-- breakfast (sandwiches, pancakes, waffles, crepes, french toast) and lunch-- wraps, paninis, sandwiches, salads, soup. It took some time to decide what I wanted-- ham and cheese panini with a side of fries it is! The menu is a bit pricey for what it is. I think that was my only true gripe. Oh that and the fact that they brought the wrong wrap to my very patient co-worker, Jenn. Well, that's that. Being so close and with many frigid days of the Chicago winter upon us, I am sure we will be back. I'd love to grab a juice/smoothie for breakfast one of these days.
(3)
Edith R.

Though a bit pricey, this place has the best, freshest, and vegan-friendly food. The staff are really, really nice. But get there before 9:30a on weekends or be prepared to wait a very long time.
(5)
laura p.

I love this place! I go here after yoga class on Saturdays and it is always delicious! The juices rock my world although I wish they offered more greens in them. The menu can be overwhelming. Just watch what comes out from the kitchen and order from that. Everything is always delicious. The jams and jellys are amazing! The wait here is never as bad as the Meli's in Greektown.
(5)
Lim K.

We went to Meli Cafe on a Friday for the first time and were very impressed with their food. I think we found a new favorite place for breakfast.
(4)
Nathan K.

My first visit was to another Meli--I think somewhere in the Greektown area. On that occasion I ordered red velvet pancakes and was not overly impressed. This time, in the N Wells "branch", I had the peach crepes special and it hit the spot. Our table also had a cheddar apple frittata and some house-made corned beef hash. The food is good and it's a pretty nice place to sit and relax and enjoy a meal. And apparently (though I didn't order any, but saw many-a-table doing so) the fresh squeezed juice is a sure bet.
(3)
Sonny P.

This place is pretty damn good. First all the juices are made fresh and is made to order. Second, the portions of the dishes are large enough where you can take leftovers home. Definitely one of the better brunch places in the city. This one has a different vibe than compared to a place like Yolk but its more relaxed here and not too damn crowded.
(4)
Em C.

The first time I went to Meli's Cafe I had a gouda omelette that came with a side of potatoes and toast. It was nice, the omelette was a bit plain, but I enjoyed the meal. On my second visit I had buttermilk pancakes and they weren't good...they were thin and a little bit tough (I'm guessing the pancake mixture had been over-mixed). The pancakes only came with maple syrup and whipped cream. There wasn't a piece of fruit or anything else to garnish the plate. The pancakes looked and tasted like McDonalds pancakes (which wasn't a good thing). Their freshly squeezed juices are nice, but I would recommend asking for some ice in your drink. So if you're going to Meli's, try an omelette, but give the buttermilk pancakes a miss!
(2)
Samantha H.

Meli Cafe is a bit more expensive than its brunch/lunch-only counterparts in River North (e.g. Yolk, Eggsperience) , but I say the meal is worth the dough. You should expect the following from your eXperience at Meli: -Quick order-to-eat turnaround time -Efficient servers -Freshly squeezed juices (I had the orange, no sugar was added, so if you like ultra sweet OJ, go somewhere else) -Healthy breakfast options other than a granola parfait -Unhealthy, savory and sweet breakfast dishes -Family friendly, clean, comfortable ambiance
(4)
Jimmy P.

Great breakfast - - Cheeseburger omelet was fat kid great. - Salmon Benedict had thick chunks of super fresh salmon, nice mild hollandaise on a very good english muffin. - Great Coffee - they serve Illy. If you're a coffee snob like us, and look down on regular people, you can appreciate this. - The butter is amazing. Not that important, but worth noting. It has honey in it. Yep
(5)
nikki b.

The most diverse menu I have ever seen. breakfast, brunch, lunch...whatever your palette you will find something you love. the atmosphere is also clean, pretty, lots of natural light especially since it is located on a corner and has more windows to draw in the sun. feels like you are really 'dining out' while still feeling relaxed and comfortable. My favorites: roasted pepper eggs benedict, and chocolate chip pancakes - chips are baked with batter, so pancake comes out chocolately with additional milk-chocolatey chips inside and sprinkled on top with white chocolate chips, too. sounds too decadent, right? somehow it ends up not being overwhelming. actually somehow 'lighter' than chocolate-chip pancakes I've had elsewhere. if i could go to meli three times a day at least 3 days a week, I would in a heartbeat.
(5)
Jean P.

I had high expectations for Meli Cafe since fellow yelpers have graced it with 4.5 stars. Unfortunately, expectations were not met. My parents and I visited Meli's for a birthday brunch/lunch. We got there around 1:15 pm and were told the wait was 45 min-1 hr. Luckily, we only had to wait 30. But their customer calling method was sketchy. They use the buzzer pager system, but ours never went off. After seeing a larger group who arrived after us being seated, I asked the hostess how much longer the wait was. She assured us only a couple minutes and we were promptly led to a table shortly after. Our waitress was nice. And we were able to order drinks and food quickly. I got the Pom Cocktail which was delicious. But yet again, we had to wait a long while before our food arrived. It may have been my dad's steak sandwich that was the hold up, but they could have offered to bring the dishes separately. I got the Date Crepes which arrived cool to touch and the sauce already congealed. Also, for some reason the bacon was dumped all on one half of the crepes and the dates were dumped on the other half. While each component was pretty good, it felt like the dish was made out of hurry instead of love. I will not be returning anytime soon. I'd rather visit my Streeterville staples where the service is fast and the food's not quite as trendy.
(2)
Brian C.

My girlfriend and I have been walking from her place in the West Loop over to this Cafe for brunch. The food is very good and the atmosphere is really nice. I love the Honey Roasted Salmon Eggs Benedict and I would highly recommend them. The fresh fruit I often order with it is very fresh and tasted very good BUT the last time I was there I had an omelet that was tasty but very dry. My girlfriend gets the egg white scrambler and usually enjoys that tremendously BUT her last meal their was a let down. The smoothies are fantastic. Both the Peanut Butter smoothie I had and her Wheatgrass smoothie were both very tasty. I think Glenn's is still m favorite for brunch, but Meli's is a close second.
(4)
Juliana S.

I'm giving Meli's 2 stars solely because they serve my favorite coffee and accomodate the fact that I'm a very picky eater. I've only had their egg white omelet, which was pretty good, but nothing to write home about. I don't like that their wait staff is inconsistant and sometimes rude. While, it's not the worst breakfast I've ever had, it's certainly not the best in the area.
(2)
Samantha B.

Our favorite Breakfast/Brunch place hands down! They have the best juice bar with tons of juice blends options. Huge portions at a reasonable price compared to other breakfast places (Brunch,Yolk, etc). Love the condiment plate they bring out for the toast- fresh jams, butter, maple syrup.
(4)
shai h.

Well, since my initial review I have come to love the food at Meli. The corn beef hash is amazing. The part about Meli that is not amazing is the hostess. My boyfriend and I come here almost every week now and she is the rudest human being ever. This past week, we arrived and were told it would be a 15 minute wait. I decided to walk down to the bank. As soon as I left, the buzzer for our party went off. My boyfriend headed inside to get seated but they wouldn't seat him because I wasn't there, even though I had arrived with him. And even though if he was eating by himself, he'd still take up the same table. We both work in the industry. We get it. We weren't one person holding up a six-top for 3 hours. I hate the hostess, but it's too bad it's so close and the hash is so good.
(3)
Hannah H.

good food, good portions, shitty ass service. was told to stand to the side when I walked in and that someone would seat me...so I do. older man in versace glasses comes up and asks me if he can help me so i let him know i was told i had to wait here to be seated. he then told me no, i need a beeper. so i looked at the hostess, who looked back at him, and it was all weird and awkward. whatever, i was seated he slapped the menus down and we waited...and waited. service was slow as shit and the girl didn't seem like she gave two you know what's about getting a tip. asked for new fork and spoon because both handles were obviously crusted with food...but didn't ever get them and asked a busser. didn't ever get syrup for waffles and pancakes...had to ask for that too. from a busser. if the service was at least average, i would think about coming back. but no thanks, mr. versace glasses and waitress who doesn't want her job, i'll be going elsewhere.
(2)
Mikey F.

Fresh, great service , clean and also creative
(5)
Haixu Z.

Meli's smoothies is great but i'm not impressed by the food
(3)
Michelle L.

Deeeelicious! For the most savory and scrumptious brunch you must try the Crepe Cobbler. "Folded crepes topped with fresh berries, peaches, a granola brown sugar crust, and then caramelized." It will make you melt. This Meli is beautiful and the staff is so much nicer than the one on Halsted. It is large enough to accommodate larger parties and even has a bar to sit at. As an added bonus the butter and jams are homemade as well.
(5)
Michelle S.

By far the BEST brunch place around. Amazing FRESH food, accompanied by great service. Try the salads-I had the Strawberry and it was wonderful. And I'm NOT a salad person. We also had a chicken wrap. The portion was huge and it was not just filled with lettuce. There must have been 3 whole chicken breasts stuffed in that thing! I am counting down the days 'till I hit this spot up again!
(5)
Rob C.

nice fluffy egg black bean wrap to go with potatoes and fresh squeezed OJ. good way to start the day.
(4)
Farrah D.

Husby and I were walking in our neighborhood and stumbled upon this place early Saturday morning. The place was really busy, but we received pretty fast service. We got seated right away and ordered a couple of the specials. Fantastic breakfast food--we got a beef brisket omelet, banana bread french toast, and Illy coffee. Everything was all natural/organic and you could taste the flavor in all of the ingredients used. We left full and satisfied, but not feeling gross like we usually do after big brunches. I will definitely come back here for brunch again, and looking forward to trying out the juice bar next time!
(4)
Angie W.

We ate here for the first time today (for Brunch), and it was SO amazing! We were treated with such kindness, and kind of got VIP treatment because we came in with a friend who frequents this specific location. The food is amazing, the freshness and uniqueness of the menu is wonderful. We will be back for SURE!
(5)
Katie U.

My favorite item on the menu is the caprese avocado wrap. It is a nice size and the basil pesto is delic! For breakfast I like the egg white scrambler. Would've given it 5 stars but the service is not always good. Some of the waiters and waitresses are rude and they rush you.
(4)
Emily C.

AMAZING gluten free pancakes. I lucked out by finding this after googling "gluten free pancakes Chicago" What a find! Beats Walker Bros. I ordered the GF pancakes with Strawberries and Bananas--they are by far some of the best pancakes I've ever had in my life....and that includes those that contain gluten. Thanks, Meli Cafe, for including this on your menu!
(5)
Charlie M.

The wait is worth it! Amazing food, the fruit is fresh and tasted great in the middle of winter! The steak is one of the best I have ever had! And the pricing is very low for the amount of food!
(5)
Mike S.

Awesome breakfast. Incredible service. Definitely a top choice on my weekend list.
(5)
Angela M.

We went here on a Friday morning for breakfast and found a parking spot right out front. The menu selection was extensive. I went with the banana crepe and was pleasantly surprised. My husband ordered the egg white scrambler and the waitress brought out the wrong meal. She got the kitchen to make his order on the fly. The peanut butter smoothie was delightful. I love that the silverware and china was wedgewood. It just made by breakfast feel a little more estate like. The atmosphere is very nice.
(4)
Sam R.

Brunch is a nationwide phenomenon. Whether it is on the West Coast, East Coast, South Central, or Mid West, everyone has an appetite for that choice meal. It doesn't depend on geography to bear its fruit...nearly all its ingredients are can be procured fresh regardless of location and any restaurant should be held to the same standard. Quite frankly, Meli misses the mark. When I arrived around 11:30am the line was already in full-swing...no surprise. I approached the hostess, gave her my name for a two-top and she said it would be 45mins - 1hr but said probably closer to 45 mins and handed over the buzzer. I rolled my eyes, but thought, this place is supposed to great so I'm sure it'll be worth the wait. Who knew 45 mins would turn into 1hr and 15mins? Are you kidding me? I'm gonna wait an hour and change for a meal I could produce in my kitchen hungover in 15 mins? HA Mind you there is no waiting area, and the place is kept at an uncomfortably high temperature (I'm not some overweight animal who is sensitive to temp either)...so basically, I was forced to make room for passing waiters, waitresses, and busboys at a constant rate while starving and sweating --- ummm...obnoxious. To help temper the wait, I thought it would be a great idea to slurp down one their signature smoothies, which based on reviews below and in general, comes highly recomended. I opted for the "Peanut Butter" which looked like an awesome treat with chocolate ice cream, peanut butter, bananas etc...after waiting 15mins (the two juice bar servers service the whole restaurant as well as the patrons seated at the bar-- HA), I was handed a hot glass. Well...hot from the middle down and cool on top. When I took my first sip, I got a mouthful of hot chocolate syrup, as in the Hershey kind you use to make a chocolate milk when you're a kid ...heated and used in a smoothie, so ghetto. If you're going to charge me $6.38 for a smoothie, you better be using Godiva chocolate...and for it to be hot and off-set the obvious assumption of a refreshing smoothie...well that's just idiotic. I sucked it down, but this drink was ill-fated before it was even made. After the agonizing wait described above, it was finally time to be seated. We sat there for at least 10 minutes before a server finally stopped over...she was actually impressed we were ready to order...hilarious. We ordered the vegetarian frittata and the gruyere and bacon frittata. In a wave of brilliance, they arrived at our table not ten minutes later...impressive or bothersome? I'll give them the former although they were probably pre-conjured bodies they just had to throw the additives on. Anyway, my vegetarian fritatta was fine...yes, I said fine. It was incredibly generic in flavor, and there was nothing exciting about its taste. However, her gruyere and bacon omelette was a HOT MESS. Sure, the gruyere was rich in body and in flavor, which was the expectation, but the bacon was brutal. Now the menu does say Canadian bacon, but this was not your standard thicker Canadian style bacon. This frittata had giant slabs of what resembled a gross Honey Baked Ham...so nasty and such an overwhelming element to what could have been a great combination...very disappointing. Finally, we ordered coffee...once we needed refills, the waitress came over and clumsily poured hot coffee on my girlfriend's hand, burning it, and walked away and brought back napkins...nothing more. Not even a true apology...just an "oops, my bad, here are some napkins." Such poor etiquette. When the check was brought out to us, the plates weren't even cleared, it was like an obstacle course, and it stayed that way for the remainder of our visit. On a ten scale, I give the ambiance a 4, the food a 3 and the service a 1. This place needs a serious overhaul. As is, besides interior dÃ©cor, it's a 24 Hour Diner quality restaurant with a wait.
(1)
Christa R.

Love this place. The menu is ginormus! Service is a little slow especially on a Saturday. I had to ask a few time for a couple of simple things like silverware and syrup but the food made up for it. I had the corned beef has eggs benedict - delightful. My husband has the Meli French Toast which was also delish. The Island Breeze smoothie was really good and big enough for two to share. There was no wait for us at 11am on a Saturday which was a pleasant surprise. Give it a try, you probably won't be disappointed.
(4)
Mel E.

I eat here for breakfast at least once a month and the service and food is always great. Love!
(5)
Dustin M.

The best breakfast spot in Chicago. Great coffee, fresh juice, fresh ingredients and always specials on the menu. Great staff and service, a Breakfast spot where you get treated like you are at a 5 star restaurant!
(5)
Linda G.

Good breakfast/lunch choice, feels European in here. Lots of healthy choices. College girl waitstaff. ...and since they offer Latte & Cappuccino, they have one up on Nookies.
(4)
Elizabeth D.

Wow. This place was great. We walked here after another yelp place, Yolk, had a huge wait. They said 15 minute wait (Saturday 10 am) but it was maybe 5. Immediate water and coffee service. Regular coffee was amazing, decaf was very watery. Omelets are fantastic (we got 2 bacon stuffed ones and the chicken/avocado). I got the corned beef hash and eggs. Plus a meli pancake for the table, which had great texture. Order English muffins rather than toast, they are fantastic along with the pineapple jam. Great attentive service, always keeping coffe and water filled. The 4 of us were absolutely stuffed, even the teen boys. With a hefty tip, $85.
(4)
Fuudcritic C.

nice menu. food was good.....but HORRIBLE SERVICE!!!!! greeted by 2 older gentleman (owner? manager?)..well I wouldn't call it a greeting. no smile, no welcome, no happy mother's day, no nothing!! i knew this was going to be bad! our server was SO BAD. service was extremely slow, no coffee refill, no checking up on us, she just disappeared. same thing, no smile, no eye contact, no happy mother's day, nothing! we didn't want to take an chances of having anyone spit in our food so shut up, ate and left (oh, which by the way, it took us forever to get our check). NEVER AGAIN!!!
(1)
Michelle K.

So happy this restaurant opened in river north! It's my new go to brunch spot! It is so good there. I love their omlettes. My new favorite brunch place in the city! Would go there every weekend if I could!
(5)
Katrina M.

There is something for everyone at Meli's, from pancakes and waffles to salads and sandwiches. On a busy Saturday, the wait was decent for a table for three. Their paging system needs to be fixed a bit though. We were seated about 15 minutes from the moment our pager went off. -_- Service was average, but this was around noon on a Saturday so whatever. I ordered the farmland skillet and it was delicious! The vegetables in them were crisp, cooked well and added all the flavor that the entire thing had (I barely ate the scrambled eggs that the skillet was topped with). The toast had perfect texture and served with a plate of honey butter, fig jam (?), or blackberry jam. I love choices like that :]
(4)
Sandy K.

Breakfast lovers rejoice! Woohooo! Brekkie does not get any better than this! The menu is like a dream come true. The service is good, the coffee is great, and it's the kind of comfy atmosphere that makes you want to linger all morning long. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Jean Z.

Love this new location. Great design inside. More waiting room than Halsted. Kudos!
(5)
Brittany S.

What a great find - brunch in Chicago IS Meli. Priced similar to other brunch spots, a key difference between Meli and those other places is that Meli actually delivers on the tasty Chicago brunch. The food is solid - I mean, how can you go wrong with a place that serves massive skillets (customizable any way you like), cocoa pancakes, wholesome & creamy oatmeal w/ fresh fruit, and a delicious corned beef hash? Plus any type of smoothie, power-boost-y, super-food-y drink, fresh-squeezed juices, and a fast, friendly staff? The waitstaff, management, and busboys are all kind, attentive, and go the extra mile to guarantee your experience at Meli has been a great one. I've eaten here adults-only as well as with two young children, and the place often has a sprinkling of kids, older folks, professionals, and college kids, all chowing down in perfect gastronomic harmony. The place is sunny and bright, and Meli gives you a belly full of good food, and a glow to your day.
(5)
Lyn B.

The food is pretty good! The atmosphere is a little cold, and the service is hit or miss.
(3)
Taylor F.

No alcohol here whatsoever, but the Pure Gold juice blend is one of my favorites. I've had the Portobello & Gruyere crepes and the Salsa crepes (with avocado instead of chorizo). Neither were my favorite, and I won't be having those items again. The portobello was too rich, and not cohesive - the cheese and the mushrooms did not meld together and the avocado just made the dish fall short (my bad, I know).
(4)
Jason L.

Summary: Location gets three stars, food gets four stars, price gets three stars, service gets two stars. Details: To sum it up even more - the food is good/great, the service is fair/slightly poor. As these are the big things to influence the rating, I'll focus on those. First with the good stuff - the food. The menu is fairly lengthy for a bruch place, which I tend to like. Lots of options, both savory and sweet, with some specials to choose from. I ordered the doughnut pancakes (a special that day) - pancakes infused with doughnuts. I know what you're thinking...AWESOMENESS. And you know what...it was! They were perfect, the right amount of dougnut batter mixed in with the pancake batter, and they garnished the thing with an iced cake doughnut. It was perfect. It was VERY sweet, so fair warning to those that can't handle it. The rest of the group order more savory dishes...a fried oyster omelotte which I was told was good, the spicy flamenco omelette which I was told was sufficient, and a few other omelettes that did not cause my companions to throw up (at least to the best of my knowledge). A few party members tried some of their mixed juices (they were out of yogurt-base to make smoothies...boo), and I believe they were sufficient as well. Now with the bad stuff - the service. Based on the other reviews, we might have had an off day, but there were some things that happened that I can't imagine were unique. Our server came and took our drink orders....one coffee, one iced tea, one orange juice, and two mixed juices. After about a minute the iced tea came. About five minutes go by, nothing, not even the coffee. We had to ask a busboy to bring the coffee. A few minutes later the juices came. Fast forward about 10 minutes and the food comes. But wait a tick...only three of the egg dishes came out. No problem, the one runner probably couldn't carry everything (they don't use trays, probably a good thing, there isn't much space). So we wait. And wait. And wait. About five minutes go by, and the rest of the food comes out. But wait a tick again...where's the toast and side of bacon that was ordered? This comes out a few minutes after. I'm not sure who the runner was that day, but they need to be reminded that you do not send a tables' food unless it is ALL ready. Our waitress was mostly absent, so we had to ask the busboys and runners on more than one occasion for coffee and water refills. True, it was a busy brunch, but some things should be expected when you're paying those prices. As for the other stuff - the space itself is nice, and we didn't have to wait long for a table (thanks to the bf for getting their slightly early). Alexi Giannoulias was in the house, so it was cool to have a local celebrity-sighting. All in all, I'll likely try this place again, with the hope of having a better dining experience.
(3)
Agnes F.

Love the freshly squeezed juices here, i had the beet, carrot and apple juice and it was so refreshing. The daily special prime omelette (prime rib) was awesome as well.
(5)
Jenna G.

Great food. They were able to accommodate a large group (9). Service was attentive, but a little soft spoken. It was easy to miss what they were saying. One thing to note is that they can't split a check into more than 2, however they do have and ATM on site and a Chase around the corner.
(4)
Nathan M.

Great menu, the food was excellent, once I got what I ordered. I hate when waiters don't write down your order, it always makes me nervous. They made the correct dish in less than 5 minutes though. Definitely will be back again to try more of their creations. Try the peanut butter smoothie, it was fantastic.
(4)
Anthony V.

Was in town for an all day meeting and needed a decent breakfast to save me from the continental breakfast at the facility. Meli's was perfect. i had the dried fig omelet. Never thought to put dried fig pieces in an omelet but it was perfect. Will definitely return.
(4)
Norman H.

The Jack O' Lantern pumpkin pancakes were superb.
(4)
Becca S.

Uh. YUM. I'd been to the Meli in Greektown, but since I don't live or work in the area, very seldom. Now it's right around the corner from my office so I got to stop in for lunch. Breakfast for lunch (or dinner) is the best idea ever. Scientifically proven. But if you're not up for that, they do have soups and sandwiches and salads.
(4)
Elizabeth A.

Went for the first time a few Saturdays ago for brunch with my boyfriend. We had to wait about 20 mins, but that's pretty typical for Saturday brunch. We ordered the date & nut parfait to split (it was huge!), an orange/banana/strawberry w/ honey juice, and 2 specials: some sort of lamb omlete for him and blackberry and banana crepes for me. Everything was amazing. The menu had sooo many options. We definitely want to go back and try different things!
(5)
Jay B.

$5 for a small latte? Must be the Kopi Luwak beans, sure didn't taste like it though. $50 for Brunch (2 people) is IMHO beaucoup $ - might be I am just a cheapo- and the 35 minutes wait is not the greatest incentive neither. Staff is very polite, quick, food is decent. Not considering going back there any time soon.
(3)
Teri G.

Great food, pretty good service. Breakfast, lunch, whatever you're hungry for. Coffee is good, the venue is clean and bright.
(4)
Chris W.

LOVED IT! We went in for breakfast. The food was perfect, the service was great and the ambiance was enjoyable.
(5)
Jose V.

Well.. Hard to write this for a place that has many great reviews but honestly, I'm very surprised it does! Other than the freshly squeezed juice, nothing in the menu is above average, you are better off a places like Yolk and Tweet. What really threw me off was the service, the place is small and had plenty of servers, still our server failed at offering good service, I still don't know what all the running around was all about! It wasn't even that packed!
(2)
Lauren H.

I love this breakfast place whenever I'm in the city and have the time to stop by. Their omlettes are pretty good and good thing my bf always orders omlettes because I'm not one to ever order one but I like to try! They always have specials so i love trying those. There's always a wait but what breakfast in the city doesn't have long wait during weekends!
(4)
donna y.

I enjoy the food at Meli's but the special I had today was a bit disappointing. I tried the tailgater's breakfast, which included ribs and beer battered fries. While the ribs were very tasty, there were just 2 bone things of it, some fries and eggs... definitely not worth $14. There goes trying new things.. will have to stick to the skillets!
(3)
Marisa V.

I am so glad this place is just a couple blocks from where I work. Their salads are so good you forget it's a salad. My fave is the Meli Salad, which comes with their grilled chicken that they season with some kind of deliciousness. I took my parents there when they were in town and they both loved what they got - a turkey burger and a tuna salad sandwich type thing. I often order to-go and the owner, Chris, is very friendly. He even sent over some complimentary sorbet to the table when I was there with my parents since he recognized me from regular take-out. I definitely recommend!
(5)
Jeff W.

Great breakfast. Went for Sunday brunch and had a great breakfast. Prepare yourself to wait for up to an hour to get a seat. It's a popular place.
(4)
Cathy L.

5 stars for the juice bar (everything is good, fresh, and pure fruits / veggies) and for the warm Sunday brunch-ish atmosphere but 3 stars for the food. This place gets busy and you can tell from how the food is cooked. Egg scramble - pork was yech, mushrooms were almost raw, and the cheese hadn't even had time to get past half congealed. Crepes - of course anything drenched in nutella is good but it was actually a bit watery - crepes weren't fully cooked. Basically, I'm guessing if you went at a quiet time, the food would be quite yummy but if you go on a Sunday morning, you'll probably get something subpar.
(3)
tushima d.

Went here for brunch. So much variety. Im a vegetarian and loved it! I hit the special white choc and raspberry pancakes with whole grain batter. I just wish there was some chocolate drizzled on top and wish they had sugar free syrup. Coffee was great and the smoothees looked great. They give alot of food! But I really liked it!
(4)
Jeff N.

The only thing better than breakfast at Meli on Jackson, is their newest addition to the family, on North Wells. It is bigger and closer to my home. The experience starts with a smile from hostess Tamara, and it the food and vibe are great. Any egg dish with boursin cheese is awesome. Their juices are also delish!
(5)
Bethany M.

Ordered takeout from Meli Cafe this morning and it was absolutely awesome. The food was ready in 15 minutes and I was able to walk in and out in 5. More importantly there were 3 separate orders to be dealt with and they executed perfectly. Definitely a great breakfast/lunch spot.
(5)
Colleen O.

They said a 30 minute wait and it was an hour. Very poor experience. Will not be coming back or only ordering to-go. Thanks for nothing, Mei.
(1)
Nolan S.

For the price there are so many better options in Chicago. We had tried the one on halsted a few years back and remember loving it. Went here and it was less than mediocre. I ordered the corn cakes and they were dry and a small portion. My wife ordered an omelet with vegi's. The vegi's were not even sauteed they were essentially raw. The juice while tasting good was 4.50 for a small glass. look elsewhere
(2)
Caroline F.

Delicious breakfast! I had the banana crepes and they were the best I've ever had. The service was so-so. When we asked for a refill of coffee they only filled it half way up and we kept having to get their attention to fill it. Other then that, I will definitely be going back. Lots to choose from.
(4)
Jeanne Y.

Nuetella banana crepe was nice and warm...delis, service was excellent. A place to come for breakfast if you are not from Chicago.
(4)
Gina M.

I am dropping Meli down a star because the slow service once you are seated was not a fluke. We have experienced this everytime. Food is still good so just be prepared to take it real slow.
(3)
Jaime W.

I went here with two friends around 11 AM on a Saturday. I was running late and they were already there so I didn't have to wait although our table did wait. I got the tofu scramble which was really just a tofu stir fry. I wouldn't recommend it. However, the pecan pie crepes (part of the specials) were amazing. They definitely wanted us out right away so don't expect a leisurely brunch. Overall, decent experience but I'd order something different next time.
(3)
Sarah S.

Great breakfast food:-) Super friendly service and delicious food and drinks. Such a welcome addition in the neighborhood. I have had the corned beef and regular benedicts, delicious. Also tried the jalapeno skillet and veggie skillet, both terrific. The only thing I wold change is the music (don't really want to listen to Whitney Houston Bodyguard, and En Vogue Don't let go ever again!)
(5)
Brennan S.

delicious menu, explorative in different grains & proteins. the juices are delicious, as was everything else.
(4)
Jacqueline B.

Well I enjoyed just a darling little lunch here at Meli. Great spot for chatting with co-workers over a delicious meal. It's definitely a crowd pleasing menu too with options for breakfast, lunch, vegan, vegetarian and even gluten free folks! I was here on the coldest day of this year's winter (so far), so I assume that's why we were able to get a table for 5 so easily at a prime time lunch hour. Not many people were willing to venture out of the office for food that day I guess, but I'm glad we did! Our waitress was just delightful and on top of everything. I ordered the goat cheese wrap which was full of grilled chicken, roasted red pepper, spinach, grilled onions and goat cheese all wrapped in a thin garlic flatbread. I had a handful of sides to choose from, but I went with the pasta salad. To drink I chose a diet Pepsi and normally that wouldn't be worth mentioning, but I think it should be noted that their pop are not fountain drinks (and they don't have Coke) - instead I was given a mini glass bottle with a glass of ice. I like it. I swear, it's the little things in life... For $12.00 this was a large lunch! The wrap was huge (I only ate half) and the pasta "side" could have been a meal in itself. Totally not complaining though. Everything was super tasty. My only complaint is that whatever sauce/dressing was in the wrap really made for a messy lunch. It got a little soggy and started falling a part while eating it. In hopes of keeping my manners intact I ended up just eating the last half of my wrap with a fork. Again, really good, but I would have preferred a dryer, neater lunch. Our meal ended with complimentary dessert biscuits brought to the table. I was stuffed (and trying to cut down on sweets), so I didn't try one but the rest of my table seemed to enjoy them. I thought that was a lovely little touch! I'll definitely be back to try more of their menu. I'm intrigued about their infamous breakfast options for sure.
(4)
Anu C.

It's my 6th day in Chicago and by far this is the best breakfast spot that has a lot of vegetarian choices. This place has smoothies and juices, to me, they had me at green machine smoothie. I was seated quickly and the waiter was nice and attentive. I had the flat bread but without the chicken and my boyfriend had pancakes gluten free. Must try!
(5)
Kristina K.

I have mad love for breakfast. Melis owns my heart. I have been going to this location more often than the original one lately because it's bigger and the wait is shorter. They have great smoothies, coffee and I love their wheat grass. They have the most creative omeletes in the planet. They had a jambalaya omelete on their list of specials and the moment I saw that, the day just got better for me and my tummy. One of my friends ordered it as well. It had shrimp okra sausage veggies and cheese. I really liked it, but I will anything with okra anyway. My other friend had the lamb t-bone and eggs. She loved it as well even though it took forever for her food to arrive. The only reason I deducted a star was because we didnt have the most attentive server ever. I know that it was the 1st of the year and the place is really busy but that's nothing out of the ordinary for Meli's. They are busy ALL the time. I think they should open a location in the subburbs. It's awful having to go downtown.
(4)
Agnes K.

Very good food, and atmosphere. The service was great too. I would definitely come back here next time for branch!
(5)
Dannie C.

Came here for brunch with a coworker last Saturday. I ordered the strawberry banana French toast and she just ordered the fruit plate. The food was underwhelming. My French toast tasted bland. The challah bread had good texture, but there was no flavor infused in it. My coworker's fruit plate had several pieces of bruised strawberries. That's not restaurant quality... Won't be coming back...
(2)
John M.

Great place! We are from NYC so we have been to our share of breakfast places but this place was tops. Easily the best omelette I've ever had, bar none!! Coffee was great and so was the quick and courteous service.
(5)
Wendy L.

The food was mediocre. One person ordered the corned beef hash. Well it wasn't hashed at all. It looked, and tasted, like it was just plopped out of a can. Another ordered the american breakfast with eggs / toast / sausage and said it was fine. I ordered the Avocado Toast. It was overly spicy and just tasted like avocado on toast. The menu sounded much better than what came out on the plate. It was very sad looking. My boyfriend ordered vegan french toast. They came out burnt. Side note: they don't have dairy free margarine. Weird when you're serving vegan french toast or vegan pancakes, but what ever. The service was the worst! We asked the waitress if we could return the french toast and order pancakes instead. We fully expected to pay for both, not trying to get anything free here. We told her they were burnt. She didn't even apologize! Just asked what he wanted instead. So a few minutes later, more than 5, less than 10, she walks by and says, "I put that order in for you." Meanwhile the other three of us are half way through our meals already. Now, I've waited tables before. I know how EASY it is to give good customer service. All she has to do was go back to the kitchen and say hey, this guy didn't like the first thing, can ya rush the second thing? Then come back to us to let us know she put a rush on it. Easy. EASY. Well we were sitting right across from the kitchen window. I watched her. She put the order into the computer and never went back to the kitchen. A runner brought his pancakes out 15 minutes later. Seriously? So. Lazy. It took forever to get our check and pay even though the breakfast rush had cleared out at this point. Overall a very crappy experience. I'm sad I took out of town guests here. I don't recommend this place to anyone.
(2)
Kristen W.

Still the best brunch in River North. Everything is super fresh and the flavor combinations are worth stopping for. The hash eggs Benedict was a delicious and a the perfect portion but the Cafe eggs Benedict blew me out of the water. Other notables are the Brussels sprout omelette, sounds weird but it is AWESOME. Who thinks of these great combinations, they deserve a raise. Why not 5 stars? The service is a little rushed and not too friendly. Also, for the best brunch in river north expect to above higher prices.
(4)
Rafia J.

Amazing place for breakfast! The omelets and breakfast bowls are delicious! We're very happy with our selection of food. Service was fast and efficient and absolutely no wait to get in. Cloud 9 crepes weren't as good as we expected but weren't completely disappointed in them! Definitely worth a visit back!
(4)
Stephanie C.

Note: you will not be seated until your entire party arrives. Service: upon arriving at melis, I was not greated by the hostess. After being seated, as a first time guest the waiter did not explain the menu or hightlight any specials. The menu has many options and was a little confusing to read. Throughout my meal the waiter came to check on me a couple of times which was appreciated but also felt as if I was being rushed out of the restaurant. Food: I ordered buttermilk pancakes. They were fluffy, buttery, and enjoyable. Nothing exceptional. I tried the jump start metabolism juice. The juice was luke warm/room temperature, which I expected to be cold. Overall: Food was decent, service was not inviting, would not go to Melis again.
(2)
Lisa S.

I usually refuse to go to places for brunch that don't take reservations to avoid crazy lines, but I make an exception for Meli! I've had several great experiences at the location in Greektown so was anxious to see how this one would compare. My friends and I surprisingly only had a short ten minute wait during prime brunch time. The food was delicious and very affordable. I think the best part of Meli is definitely their extensive list of fresh juices. This is the type of place that started juicing before it was trendy. This time, I had the Green Envy with apple, wheatgrass, apple, pear, pineapple, and lemon. At $5.50, the price is a little steep, but definitely worth it. The juice wasn't too sweet and was perfectly refreshing. If you're in the neighborhood, you should absolutely check out Meli.
(4)
Patrick M.

Great breakfast! We got there early Sunday afternoon and it was really crowded but we were seated right away. I ordered the Chicken Chorizo and substituted the red potatoes with French fries. The jalapeÃ±os were spicy and added a nice kick. She had the Beach Body special with scrambled eggs, broccoli, & kale. It was also really good. The only negative was the room temperature mimosas and water but it wasn't a big deal. The orange juice was fresh squeezed and delicious.
(5)
Alex R.

Meli CafÃ© is by far one of the best brunch spots in Chicago. You are always guaranteed great service and quality food. They have a handful of locations in the city. They don't take reservations but the space is large enough to either snag a bar seat within minutes or wait no longer than 20 minutes with a freshly squeezed juice or shot of wheat grass in your hand. In terms of food - Meli has everything ranging from the sweetest crepes to the healthiest scramblers to the most savoy omelets. I highly recommend the Nutella Crepe, Healthy Start, and Spicy Flamenco Omelet. Meli CafÃ© is definitely a favorite!
(5)
Kendrick W.

So I'm a wee bit torn about this review. I'm a lover of brunch and perhaps a harsh critic. I'm giving it three stars but my change my review upon returning and making a better food selection. So let's start with the obvious. The juice. Everyone who comes here knows the juice is amazing. I got the pure gold, an apple, carrot, ginger concoction and it did not disappoint. I actually was surprised but appreciative of the fact that they didn't load it down with ice. It tasted perfectly fine at room temperature. I'm not sure how I feel about paying nearly $5 for a glass of juice, but if there were a reason to pay that much, I suppose this was it. so the food. I'll be the first to admit I was not feeling too adventurous and made a poor life decision in ordering an omelette. As omelettes go, it was fine, but not amazing. They did a good job with putting just the right amount of cheese (brie in this case) but I felt like the other ingredients didn't have a great pop of flavor. I typically don't order omelette's because they're not often done amazingly. This omelette was a solid three on the scale of 5. The $15 price tag seems a bit obnoxious and you'll note that they are quite pricey for a brunch place. Me and my gf both ordered omelettes and juice and it cost us over $40 bucks.... Then there's the customer service. Our waitress was a bit slow getting back to the table to take our order but was otherwise friendly enough. What stands out in my mind, is that when my gf and I arrived to meet up with our friends, the hostess at the front looks at our friend and in a very annoyed tone says "is this the rest of your party" as though we were personally making HER wait. Not exactly a warm and cheery hello...I'll likely return if friends want to go, but generally the price and lack of enthusiasm from the staff would probably not allow this location to shoot to the top of my brunch list.
(3)
Kelly D.

VERY rude hostess. Came in 20 min early before a big group was planning on meeting here to give them a heads up. She spoke to me as if I was a 10 year old that was misbehaving. I understand you don't take reservations but when there are 20+ open seats you think they would like to know if they need to rearrange tables....
(1)
Mary S.

Had a wonderful breakfast at the Wells location on Sunday around 930am and was shocked there was absolutely no wait and several open tables. (By the time we were leaving at 11am though there was a large crowd waiting to be sat though.) Randomly came across this place just by searching on Yelp in the specific neighborhood and was so happy I found it! Talk about large portions! Ordered the black bean omelet which came with black beans (duh), avocado, jalapeno, tomato, onion and pepper jack cheese, topped with salsa. It was as big as my head! And for $13 I thought the price reflected the size of the meal. It came with a side of baby red potatoes which were totally fine, could have used a bit more seasoning, but nice and light, not greasy. And in fact, I was thrilled that as I was working on the omelet there was no grease or buttery residue left on the plate. Such a fluffy omelet and very un-diner like. The best part of this place was our waitress was very sweet and soft-spoken, coming around just as much as needed to ask how we were doing, and once she saw we were finished but still working on our coffee, allowed us to sit as long as we wanted even though there were people waiting. Didn't feel rushed at all. Will definitely come back here when in the area again and would strongly recommend!
(5)
Christy A.

Thank you fellow Yelpers for leading me here! Loved it! The wait was a little long and didn't seem to have a rhyme or reason to how they were seating people, some larger parties coming in after were seated before us, however we snagged some seats at the bar to get us moving a little quicker... Food was outstanding and very large portions. Got the French toast which cannot say enough good things about it. Also sampled the Ghost Pepper Omelette which was not as spicy as I hoped but still a yummy brunch meal!
(5)
Sarah H.

This place had great food And the service was awesome Don't get the coffee
(4)
Desi M.

Food was amazing, space is fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed the Brioche French toast and chicken sausage. I felt my waitress wasn't attentive enough. She took my order efficiently and was pleasant and polite but did not check on me once during or after my meal to ensure everything was to my liking or just to see if I needed anything. I also had to find her to ask for my check. These are personal per peeves. I will say that the bussers were on point as far as refilling water and clearing my table. I would give them another try, I'm hoping this isn't the norm.
(3)
Zac W.

I was double-charged by our server (2 x $60 transactions were run on my card - CapitalOne alerted me to this). I politely called and spoke to the manager, who took down the information and said he would call me back later that day. He did not. I called the next day. He said he will sort it out that day. Again, he didn't. I emailed four times over the course of two weeks about this, forwarding the email from CapitalOne about the transaction. Again, I called a few times. Spoke to various people who said that a manager would call me back. Again, no one called. I called three days and spoke to a manager who said the other manager would call me back in "20 minutes". No call. How about you just give me my damn money back? After endless patient attempts at resolving this I have been forced to file a dispute with CapitalOne. Lastly, our experience at the restaurant was disappointing. Server forgot our entire drinks order, and was really grumpy and miserable. Food was average. Bill was above-average. I never write bad reviews - this is my second in 30+ - but these guys really earned it.
(1)
Michael M.

River North seems to have no shortage of great breakfast places and Meli CafÃ© is certainly no exception. We went here twice during our Chicago vacation (it was a short walk from our hotel) and I'd certainly make it a regular stop if I could! The first time I had the Ghost Pepper Omelet which is as good as it sounds: Grilled corn, tomato, jalapeÃ±o, onion, cilantro, avocado, black bean, spicy ghost pepper cheese, topped with salsa...seriously, how can you go wrong with that? Start yur day with that, a side of potatoes, a freshly squeezed juice and a black coffee and you're good to go for a full day of Windy City sightseeing! The next time I went with the breakfast feta sandwich and it was just as good. Maybe a little pricy compared to some of the other options in the area but the quality was high and as a tourist I really didn't care much. The place is quite spacious and has a nice laid back atmosphere, seeming to lack the loud hustle and bustle that the other places we went to seemed to have. Maybe it was just the time we went but it was a nice change of pace from the relative craziness of some of the other breakfast places in Chicago (and elsewhere). The most impressive thing about Meli though, is what happened on our second visit. It was our last day in town and we wanted a nice breakfast before we hit the road for the long drive home to Toronto. We get there sit down and the waitress naturally asks us if we want anything to drink. I ask for coffee, my wife get an herbal tea. As our server is bringing the little tray with the coffee on it she takes a quick look at me, removes the sugar and cream and says "oh that's right, you take your coffee black". That is the second time I'd been there and I don't think I'm particularly famous or weird looking so that, in my books, is pretty cool. Even though I don't expect that to happen when I'm back in Chi-town next, I will certainly be back to Meli CafÃ©.
(4)
Joanna N.

I had a wonderful super charged breakfast here before embarking on my last day in Chicago. We arrived around 10:30 on a Monday to no wait. The stone faced host seated us quickly. Luckily our waitress was more pleasant. Within two minutes, we were sipping on super smooth hot coffee. There was so much natural light coming through the huge windows. I loved the bright and relaxed atmosphere. The select patrons around us were on laptops or reading books or came in for a post workout meal. Seemingly a popular local spot. The menu is ridiculously extensive and caters to fatties, health freaks and those with dietary restrictions -- large selection of fresh juices, plenty of vegan options, etc. After many artery clogging meals over the last 4 days, I definitely needed a boost. I started with a Jump Start Metabolism juice, consisting of carrot, apple, celery, spinach, ginger and lemon. This was very refreshing and just what I needed. I didn't feel so bad ordering a heavy omelette after, ha. Spicy flamenco was the name. It was wonderful and a huge portion, packing chicken chorizo, jalapenos, onions, tomatos, avocado, jack and sour cream. With the accompanying side of delicious buttery potatoes and toast, I 'almost' didn't finish. Mm. Definitely check it out if you're in the area. We left super satisfied. They're only open for breakfast+lunch, btw.
(4)
Jamie B.

Everything was sticky like they've never been cleaned properly- all condiments could use a deep clean. Also the portions here are insanely large. There is no need for an omelette or scramble to be a pound of eggs. Just my two cents.
(3)
Sara B.

Been here before and had a much better experience. Our server was almost mute...Seriously I thought it was a joke that she was playing on us. The food had NO flavor at all and the coffee was pretty bad. Maybe this location isn't the best of this local chain, but I was sad to bring my Mr. here.
(2)
Alisha M.

I LOVE this brunch spot, very pretty and light inside. Fantastic gluten free AND vegan options. Delicious all around. I got the yuppie bowl and it was amazing. Flavorful and rich. A little on the pricey side but that's ok.
(5)
Michael C.

Food was great and the service was just ok but you could tell our waiter was really trying her best. I'll definitely be returning.
(4)
Adam H.

Best breakfast in Chicago! Huge portions, delicious food, fresh squeezed juice, clean pleasant atmosphere.
(5)
Daphne Y.

I always look for a juice bar when I travel . Meli Cafe was close by the conference hotel and great reviews. This delightful cafe didn't disappoint! Ordered the 3 veggie- grain patties with eggs and potatoes...supper delish as well as the fresh beet juice. Will return on my next visit to this wonderful fun city
(5)
Lisi Z.

I am a big "breakfast" person. Potatoes- check, eggs-fluffy and wonderful, bacon- thick cut, pancakes- to die for, iced tea- wish I could bathe in it. Homemade syrup and ketchup, atmosphere very bright and uplifting!
(4)
Victoria C.

I'm a huge brunch enthusiast. This was my second time in Chicago, and I wanted to make sure I got in some decent brunches every morning I was there. My group of friends and I ventured over to Meli Cafe on Saturday morning at around 10:30 AM. It was packed, but the wait was only about 15-20 minutes. We got seated within 20 minutes, which made us extremely happy. The decor is bright and cheery. There are big open windows all along the front of the restaurant. I ordered a Mango, Orange, Kiwi, and Honey juice, my other friends ordered the Green Machine smoothie and the Green Envy Juice. I loved it, you could tell it was freshly made, and they didn't overdo it with the honey. It had the perfect amount of sweetness to it. My only complaint was that the juice was very warm. I wish they would have refrigerated the fruit. I appreciate that they didn't try to fill up the glass with ice, but I ended up putting some of my ice cubes from my water glass to the juice. I ordered the Cafe Benedict, their take on a grilled pork belly eggs benedict. It was delicious. The pork belly was grilled perfectly, and the poached eggs weren't overcooked, which I appreciated a lot! My friend's foods looked good as well. Next time, I'm in town, I want to try a breakfast bowl. The specials sounded unique and really tasty as well. They also brought out some jams, I don't remember the specific flavor, but I believe it was mango and peach? They looked good and definitely not Smuckers or anything. Service wasn't too bad. Our waitress was super quiet, and I was the only one who could hear her because she stood the closest to me. After we finished eating, we waited a while for our check and eventually had to ask her to bring it to us after 10 minutes. And I think it was the manager, but he looked a little annoyed at us for sitting there for so long after our meal, even staring at us and bringing over another small party to stand there and wait for us as we got up to put on our jackets and gather our belongings. Not the best customer service, but we were full and happy so we didn't let it bother us and bring down our morning.
(4)
Tejas B.

We got the Spicy omelette with Chicken sausage and the french toast with greek yogurt and almonds. The food was delicious. The coffee was a little cold but apart from that I had no complaints.
(4)
Grace L.

Came here on a Saturday morning for brunch with some friends and I was pleasantly surprised to see a wait out the door - the usual telltale sign that this is a good place. We were seated within half an hour and ordered the Hash Benedict, the Yuppie Breakfast Bowl, and Traditional Challah French Toast. The servings size was generous but I was surprised at how expensive each plate was. The Hash Benedict was delicious and unique - I never would have thought someone who combine fancier brunch food (Benedict) with more home-style diner breakfast food (Corned Beef Hash) but it was awesome. The French Toast and Breakfast Bowl were delicious from what I heard from my friends. The waitstaff wasn't the friendliest - our waters weren't refilled and after we got our food, no one really came to check in on us. Other than that, great place to come eat but expect a line!
(3)
Christy A.

Thank you fellow Yelpers for leading me here! Loved it! The wait was a little long and didn't seem to have a rhyme or reason to how they were seating people, some larger parties coming in after were seated before us, however we snagged some seats at the bar to get us moving a little quicker... Food was outstanding and very large portions. Got the French toast which cannot say enough good things about it. Also sampled the Ghost Pepper Omelette which was not as spicy as I hoped but still a yummy brunch meal!
(5)
Sarah H.

This place had great food And the service was awesome Don't get the coffee
(4)
Zac W.

I was double-charged by our server (2 x $60 transactions were run on my card - CapitalOne alerted me to this). I politely called and spoke to the manager, who took down the information and said he would call me back later that day. He did not. I called the next day. He said he will sort it out that day. Again, he didn't. I emailed four times over the course of two weeks about this, forwarding the email from CapitalOne about the transaction. Again, I called a few times. Spoke to various people who said that a manager would call me back. Again, no one called. I called three days and spoke to a manager who said the other manager would call me back in "20 minutes". No call. How about you just give me my damn money back? After endless patient attempts at resolving this I have been forced to file a dispute with CapitalOne. Lastly, our experience at the restaurant was disappointing. Server forgot our entire drinks order, and was really grumpy and miserable. Food was average. Bill was above-average. I never write bad reviews - this is my second in 30+ - but these guys really earned it.
(1)
Sara B.

Been here before and had a much better experience. Our server was almost mute...Seriously I thought it was a joke that she was playing on us. The food had NO flavor at all and the coffee was pretty bad. Maybe this location isn't the best of this local chain, but I was sad to bring my Mr. here.
(2)
Alisha M.

I LOVE this brunch spot, very pretty and light inside. Fantastic gluten free AND vegan options. Delicious all around. I got the yuppie bowl and it was amazing. Flavorful and rich. A little on the pricey side but that's ok.
(5)
Michael M.

River North seems to have no shortage of great breakfast places and Meli CafÃ© is certainly no exception. We went here twice during our Chicago vacation (it was a short walk from our hotel) and I'd certainly make it a regular stop if I could! The first time I had the Ghost Pepper Omelet which is as good as it sounds: Grilled corn, tomato, jalapeÃ±o, onion, cilantro, avocado, black bean, spicy ghost pepper cheese, topped with salsa...seriously, how can you go wrong with that? Start yur day with that, a side of potatoes, a freshly squeezed juice and a black coffee and you're good to go for a full day of Windy City sightseeing! The next time I went with the breakfast feta sandwich and it was just as good. Maybe a little pricy compared to some of the other options in the area but the quality was high and as a tourist I really didn't care much. The place is quite spacious and has a nice laid back atmosphere, seeming to lack the loud hustle and bustle that the other places we went to seemed to have. Maybe it was just the time we went but it was a nice change of pace from the relative craziness of some of the other breakfast places in Chicago (and elsewhere). The most impressive thing about Meli though, is what happened on our second visit. It was our last day in town and we wanted a nice breakfast before we hit the road for the long drive home to Toronto. We get there sit down and the waitress naturally asks us if we want anything to drink. I ask for coffee, my wife get an herbal tea. As our server is bringing the little tray with the coffee on it she takes a quick look at me, removes the sugar and cream and says "oh that's right, you take your coffee black". That is the second time I'd been there and I don't think I'm particularly famous or weird looking so that, in my books, is pretty cool. Even though I don't expect that to happen when I'm back in Chi-town next, I will certainly be back to Meli CafÃ©.
(4)
Joanna N.

I had a wonderful super charged breakfast here before embarking on my last day in Chicago. We arrived around 10:30 on a Monday to no wait. The stone faced host seated us quickly. Luckily our waitress was more pleasant. Within two minutes, we were sipping on super smooth hot coffee. There was so much natural light coming through the huge windows. I loved the bright and relaxed atmosphere. The select patrons around us were on laptops or reading books or came in for a post workout meal. Seemingly a popular local spot. The menu is ridiculously extensive and caters to fatties, health freaks and those with dietary restrictions -- large selection of fresh juices, plenty of vegan options, etc. After many artery clogging meals over the last 4 days, I definitely needed a boost. I started with a Jump Start Metabolism juice, consisting of carrot, apple, celery, spinach, ginger and lemon. This was very refreshing and just what I needed. I didn't feel so bad ordering a heavy omelette after, ha. Spicy flamenco was the name. It was wonderful and a huge portion, packing chicken chorizo, jalapenos, onions, tomatos, avocado, jack and sour cream. With the accompanying side of delicious buttery potatoes and toast, I 'almost' didn't finish. Mm. Definitely check it out if you're in the area. We left super satisfied. They're only open for breakfast+lunch, btw.
(4)
Jamie B.

Everything was sticky like they've never been cleaned properly- all condiments could use a deep clean. Also the portions here are insanely large. There is no need for an omelette or scramble to be a pound of eggs. Just my two cents.
(3)
Victoria C.

I'm a huge brunch enthusiast. This was my second time in Chicago, and I wanted to make sure I got in some decent brunches every morning I was there. My group of friends and I ventured over to Meli Cafe on Saturday morning at around 10:30 AM. It was packed, but the wait was only about 15-20 minutes. We got seated within 20 minutes, which made us extremely happy. The decor is bright and cheery. There are big open windows all along the front of the restaurant. I ordered a Mango, Orange, Kiwi, and Honey juice, my other friends ordered the Green Machine smoothie and the Green Envy Juice. I loved it, you could tell it was freshly made, and they didn't overdo it with the honey. It had the perfect amount of sweetness to it. My only complaint was that the juice was very warm. I wish they would have refrigerated the fruit. I appreciate that they didn't try to fill up the glass with ice, but I ended up putting some of my ice cubes from my water glass to the juice. I ordered the Cafe Benedict, their take on a grilled pork belly eggs benedict. It was delicious. The pork belly was grilled perfectly, and the poached eggs weren't overcooked, which I appreciated a lot! My friend's foods looked good as well. Next time, I'm in town, I want to try a breakfast bowl. The specials sounded unique and really tasty as well. They also brought out some jams, I don't remember the specific flavor, but I believe it was mango and peach? They looked good and definitely not Smuckers or anything. Service wasn't too bad. Our waitress was super quiet, and I was the only one who could hear her because she stood the closest to me. After we finished eating, we waited a while for our check and eventually had to ask her to bring it to us after 10 minutes. And I think it was the manager, but he looked a little annoyed at us for sitting there for so long after our meal, even staring at us and bringing over another small party to stand there and wait for us as we got up to put on our jackets and gather our belongings. Not the best customer service, but we were full and happy so we didn't let it bother us and bring down our morning.
(4)
Tejas B.

We got the Spicy omelette with Chicken sausage and the french toast with greek yogurt and almonds. The food was delicious. The coffee was a little cold but apart from that I had no complaints.
(4)
Grace L.

Came here on a Saturday morning for brunch with some friends and I was pleasantly surprised to see a wait out the door - the usual telltale sign that this is a good place. We were seated within half an hour and ordered the Hash Benedict, the Yuppie Breakfast Bowl, and Traditional Challah French Toast. The servings size was generous but I was surprised at how expensive each plate was. The Hash Benedict was delicious and unique - I never would have thought someone who combine fancier brunch food (Benedict) with more home-style diner breakfast food (Corned Beef Hash) but it was awesome. The French Toast and Breakfast Bowl were delicious from what I heard from my friends. The waitstaff wasn't the friendliest - our waters weren't refilled and after we got our food, no one really came to check in on us. Other than that, great place to come eat but expect a line!
(3)
Jacqueline B.

Well I enjoyed just a darling little lunch here at Meli. Great spot for chatting with co-workers over a delicious meal. It's definitely a crowd pleasing menu too with options for breakfast, lunch, vegan, vegetarian and even gluten free folks! I was here on the coldest day of this year's winter (so far), so I assume that's why we were able to get a table for 5 so easily at a prime time lunch hour. Not many people were willing to venture out of the office for food that day I guess, but I'm glad we did! Our waitress was just delightful and on top of everything. I ordered the goat cheese wrap which was full of grilled chicken, roasted red pepper, spinach, grilled onions and goat cheese all wrapped in a thin garlic flatbread. I had a handful of sides to choose from, but I went with the pasta salad. To drink I chose a diet Pepsi and normally that wouldn't be worth mentioning, but I think it should be noted that their pop are not fountain drinks (and they don't have Coke) - instead I was given a mini glass bottle with a glass of ice. I like it. I swear, it's the little things in life... For $12.00 this was a large lunch! The wrap was huge (I only ate half) and the pasta "side" could have been a meal in itself. Totally not complaining though. Everything was super tasty. My only complaint is that whatever sauce/dressing was in the wrap really made for a messy lunch. It got a little soggy and started falling a part while eating it. In hopes of keeping my manners intact I ended up just eating the last half of my wrap with a fork. Again, really good, but I would have preferred a dryer, neater lunch. Our meal ended with complimentary dessert biscuits brought to the table. I was stuffed (and trying to cut down on sweets), so I didn't try one but the rest of my table seemed to enjoy them. I thought that was a lovely little touch! I'll definitely be back to try more of their menu. I'm intrigued about their infamous breakfast options for sure.
(4)
Anu C.

It's my 6th day in Chicago and by far this is the best breakfast spot that has a lot of vegetarian choices. This place has smoothies and juices, to me, they had me at green machine smoothie. I was seated quickly and the waiter was nice and attentive. I had the flat bread but without the chicken and my boyfriend had pancakes gluten free. Must try!
(5)
Kristina K.

I have mad love for breakfast. Melis owns my heart. I have been going to this location more often than the original one lately because it's bigger and the wait is shorter. They have great smoothies, coffee and I love their wheat grass. They have the most creative omeletes in the planet. They had a jambalaya omelete on their list of specials and the moment I saw that, the day just got better for me and my tummy. One of my friends ordered it as well. It had shrimp okra sausage veggies and cheese. I really liked it, but I will anything with okra anyway. My other friend had the lamb t-bone and eggs. She loved it as well even though it took forever for her food to arrive. The only reason I deducted a star was because we didnt have the most attentive server ever. I know that it was the 1st of the year and the place is really busy but that's nothing out of the ordinary for Meli's. They are busy ALL the time. I think they should open a location in the subburbs. It's awful having to go downtown.
(4)
Agnes K.

Very good food, and atmosphere. The service was great too. I would definitely come back here next time for branch!
(5)
Desi M.

Food was amazing, space is fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed the Brioche French toast and chicken sausage. I felt my waitress wasn't attentive enough. She took my order efficiently and was pleasant and polite but did not check on me once during or after my meal to ensure everything was to my liking or just to see if I needed anything. I also had to find her to ask for my check. These are personal per peeves. I will say that the bussers were on point as far as refilling water and clearing my table. I would give them another try, I'm hoping this isn't the norm.
(3)
Michael C.

Food was great and the service was just ok but you could tell our waiter was really trying her best. I'll definitely be returning.
(4)
Adam H.

Best breakfast in Chicago! Huge portions, delicious food, fresh squeezed juice, clean pleasant atmosphere.
(5)
Daphne Y.

I always look for a juice bar when I travel . Meli Cafe was close by the conference hotel and great reviews. This delightful cafe didn't disappoint! Ordered the 3 veggie- grain patties with eggs and potatoes...supper delish as well as the fresh beet juice. Will return on my next visit to this wonderful fun city
(5)
Lisi Z.

I am a big "breakfast" person. Potatoes- check, eggs-fluffy and wonderful, bacon- thick cut, pancakes- to die for, iced tea- wish I could bathe in it. Homemade syrup and ketchup, atmosphere very bright and uplifting!
(4)
Dannie C.

Came here for brunch with a coworker last Saturday. I ordered the strawberry banana French toast and she just ordered the fruit plate. The food was underwhelming. My French toast tasted bland. The challah bread had good texture, but there was no flavor infused in it. My coworker's fruit plate had several pieces of bruised strawberries. That's not restaurant quality... Won't be coming back...
(2)
John M.

Great place! We are from NYC so we have been to our share of breakfast places but this place was tops. Easily the best omelette I've ever had, bar none!! Coffee was great and so was the quick and courteous service.
(5)
Wendy L.

The food was mediocre. One person ordered the corned beef hash. Well it wasn't hashed at all. It looked, and tasted, like it was just plopped out of a can. Another ordered the american breakfast with eggs / toast / sausage and said it was fine. I ordered the Avocado Toast. It was overly spicy and just tasted like avocado on toast. The menu sounded much better than what came out on the plate. It was very sad looking. My boyfriend ordered vegan french toast. They came out burnt. Side note: they don't have dairy free margarine. Weird when you're serving vegan french toast or vegan pancakes, but what ever. The service was the worst! We asked the waitress if we could return the french toast and order pancakes instead. We fully expected to pay for both, not trying to get anything free here. We told her they were burnt. She didn't even apologize! Just asked what he wanted instead. So a few minutes later, more than 5, less than 10, she walks by and says, "I put that order in for you." Meanwhile the other three of us are half way through our meals already. Now, I've waited tables before. I know how EASY it is to give good customer service. All she has to do was go back to the kitchen and say hey, this guy didn't like the first thing, can ya rush the second thing? Then come back to us to let us know she put a rush on it. Easy. EASY. Well we were sitting right across from the kitchen window. I watched her. She put the order into the computer and never went back to the kitchen. A runner brought his pancakes out 15 minutes later. Seriously? So. Lazy. It took forever to get our check and pay even though the breakfast rush had cleared out at this point. Overall a very crappy experience. I'm sad I took out of town guests here. I don't recommend this place to anyone.
(2)
Kristen W.

Still the best brunch in River North. Everything is super fresh and the flavor combinations are worth stopping for. The hash eggs Benedict was a delicious and a the perfect portion but the Cafe eggs Benedict blew me out of the water. Other notables are the Brussels sprout omelette, sounds weird but it is AWESOME. Who thinks of these great combinations, they deserve a raise. Why not 5 stars? The service is a little rushed and not too friendly. Also, for the best brunch in river north expect to above higher prices.
(4)
Rafia J.

Amazing place for breakfast! The omelets and breakfast bowls are delicious! We're very happy with our selection of food. Service was fast and efficient and absolutely no wait to get in. Cloud 9 crepes weren't as good as we expected but weren't completely disappointed in them! Definitely worth a visit back!
(4)
Stephanie C.

Note: you will not be seated until your entire party arrives. Service: upon arriving at melis, I was not greated by the hostess. After being seated, as a first time guest the waiter did not explain the menu or hightlight any specials. The menu has many options and was a little confusing to read. Throughout my meal the waiter came to check on me a couple of times which was appreciated but also felt as if I was being rushed out of the restaurant. Food: I ordered buttermilk pancakes. They were fluffy, buttery, and enjoyable. Nothing exceptional. I tried the jump start metabolism juice. The juice was luke warm/room temperature, which I expected to be cold. Overall: Food was decent, service was not inviting, would not go to Melis again.
(2)
Lisa S.

I usually refuse to go to places for brunch that don't take reservations to avoid crazy lines, but I make an exception for Meli! I've had several great experiences at the location in Greektown so was anxious to see how this one would compare. My friends and I surprisingly only had a short ten minute wait during prime brunch time. The food was delicious and very affordable. I think the best part of Meli is definitely their extensive list of fresh juices. This is the type of place that started juicing before it was trendy. This time, I had the Green Envy with apple, wheatgrass, apple, pear, pineapple, and lemon. At $5.50, the price is a little steep, but definitely worth it. The juice wasn't too sweet and was perfectly refreshing. If you're in the neighborhood, you should absolutely check out Meli.
(4)
Patrick M.

Great breakfast! We got there early Sunday afternoon and it was really crowded but we were seated right away. I ordered the Chicken Chorizo and substituted the red potatoes with French fries. The jalapeÃ±os were spicy and added a nice kick. She had the Beach Body special with scrambled eggs, broccoli, & kale. It was also really good. The only negative was the room temperature mimosas and water but it wasn't a big deal. The orange juice was fresh squeezed and delicious.
(5)
Kendrick W.

So I'm a wee bit torn about this review. I'm a lover of brunch and perhaps a harsh critic. I'm giving it three stars but my change my review upon returning and making a better food selection. So let's start with the obvious. The juice. Everyone who comes here knows the juice is amazing. I got the pure gold, an apple, carrot, ginger concoction and it did not disappoint. I actually was surprised but appreciative of the fact that they didn't load it down with ice. It tasted perfectly fine at room temperature. I'm not sure how I feel about paying nearly $5 for a glass of juice, but if there were a reason to pay that much, I suppose this was it. so the food. I'll be the first to admit I was not feeling too adventurous and made a poor life decision in ordering an omelette. As omelettes go, it was fine, but not amazing. They did a good job with putting just the right amount of cheese (brie in this case) but I felt like the other ingredients didn't have a great pop of flavor. I typically don't order omelette's because they're not often done amazingly. This omelette was a solid three on the scale of 5. The $15 price tag seems a bit obnoxious and you'll note that they are quite pricey for a brunch place. Me and my gf both ordered omelettes and juice and it cost us over $40 bucks.... Then there's the customer service. Our waitress was a bit slow getting back to the table to take our order but was otherwise friendly enough. What stands out in my mind, is that when my gf and I arrived to meet up with our friends, the hostess at the front looks at our friend and in a very annoyed tone says "is this the rest of your party" as though we were personally making HER wait. Not exactly a warm and cheery hello...I'll likely return if friends want to go, but generally the price and lack of enthusiasm from the staff would probably not allow this location to shoot to the top of my brunch list.
(3)
Kelly D.

VERY rude hostess. Came in 20 min early before a big group was planning on meeting here to give them a heads up. She spoke to me as if I was a 10 year old that was misbehaving. I understand you don't take reservations but when there are 20+ open seats you think they would like to know if they need to rearrange tables....
(1)
Mary S.

Had a wonderful breakfast at the Wells location on Sunday around 930am and was shocked there was absolutely no wait and several open tables. (By the time we were leaving at 11am though there was a large crowd waiting to be sat though.) Randomly came across this place just by searching on Yelp in the specific neighborhood and was so happy I found it! Talk about large portions! Ordered the black bean omelet which came with black beans (duh), avocado, jalapeno, tomato, onion and pepper jack cheese, topped with salsa. It was as big as my head! And for $13 I thought the price reflected the size of the meal. It came with a side of baby red potatoes which were totally fine, could have used a bit more seasoning, but nice and light, not greasy. And in fact, I was thrilled that as I was working on the omelet there was no grease or buttery residue left on the plate. Such a fluffy omelet and very un-diner like. The best part of this place was our waitress was very sweet and soft-spoken, coming around just as much as needed to ask how we were doing, and once she saw we were finished but still working on our coffee, allowed us to sit as long as we wanted even though there were people waiting. Didn't feel rushed at all. Will definitely come back here when in the area again and would strongly recommend!
(5)
Sarah S.

This is a rough one for me but they forgot my hollandaise sauce! We ordered carry out breakfast this past weekend and I initially had a good impression of Meli Cafe. One of the front hostesses seemed very standoffish however the other was very nice and helpful in us making our morning decisions. I ended up taking her recommendation for the Cafe Benedict - pork belly, spinach, poached eggs covered in hollandaise sauce with a side of potatoes. Sadly, they forgot my hollandaise sauce! I'm not entirely sure how they couldn't put the main ingredient of eggs benedict in the dish. Without this sauce, the dish was just a stack of dry ingredients that didn't blend well together. It's a pity I didn't get to truly experience Meli Cafe. I'd go back and try something again...but....I have no real desire after paying $15 for an incomplete dish on my trip this weekend. Errrrrrm, pass!
(2)
Jeff S.

I have always wanted to try Meli Cafe for breakfast/brunch and finally got my chance today. There was only a 15 minute wait when I arrived but my buzzer went off in 10. Not bad. Tons of good looking specials on the menu - cookie dough filled pancakes, french quarters, and a breakfast quesadilla all caught my eye right away. I settled on the french quarters as I think I would have needed a nap with the pancakes. The french quarters were like two pieces of french toast dipped in a vanilla battered, quartered, and then topped with almonds, bananas, and syrup. Was not very large which was fine with me because I would rather have light and airy than heavy with my french toast. My friend went with the steak and eggs and that portion was huge. Granted $21 is a lot for a breakfast but the steak size was definitely worth the price. While Meli might not have lived up to my own personal hype, it is definitely another solid River North brunch spot. I will definitely come back again.
(4)
Kate K.

I had the berry crepes and a side of bacon. There's no doubt, it was delicious. Very delicious. Especially the bacon, among the best I've ever had. The only downside is the price. It's better than the average fare, and priced accordingly. Not great for regular lunch rotation for locals, but if you're looking for breakfast food that you'll remember in the River North area, this is the choice.
(4)
Andrea G.

I had a chicken omelette and it was filling and a generous portion. The service was below average. I've heard great things about this restaurant so I'm willing to give it a second shot... The food was good enough to do so.
(3)
Andrea H.

Confession: I LOVE brunch!! It is basically my favorite meal of the day...err week. Meli's uses the freshest ingredients and whips up an array of unique omelet and French toast combinations. The specials tend to be especially good, we usually go for at least one a visit! Meli's is also a juice bar, with tons of freshly juiced vege and fruit combinations, as well as a smoothie menu! Breakfast cocktails are available too, if that's your thing. Meli's has a pseudo-European feel. Overall good atmosphere; it can get pretty busy, but is generally absent the obnoxious tourists that frequent many of the other local brunch spots. I can't speak much to service, as we usually frequent the bar area, but everyone on staff is pretty friendly! Favorite dishes: --Any and all omelets- I gravitate towards the specials (their are always 1-2 omelet choices), but the Chicken and Fresh are both good --Strawberry-Banana French Toast --Multigrain Pancakes --If you are ever there in Oct/Nov-the Pumpkin Pancakes (on special) are out of this world! All in all, I keep coming back time and time again! Always a great experience!
(5)
Heather P.

Delicious!!! Hit this lovely place on our way out of town. The service was quick and the food delicious. No long wait and a great breakfast. A+
(5)
Ashley I.

This is hands down my favorite breakfast restaurant in Chicago! They have so many great gluten free options. I love the pancakes and southwest egg dish. The fresh juices are also a plus. They also have gluten free bread with yummy spreads.
(5)
Fernando B.

Oh my goodness. This place is definitely worth a try. Just once! Please. What I like? The atmosphere! The place is so classy. They've got chandeliers! Why? For the glory of satan, of course! Ok, kidding, but they do have chandeliers. Pretty much all seating in the place is nice. Fancy dining for a breakfast place. The food! I have the avocado scrambler and she had the strawberry banana French toast! Delectable. The drinks! She had a smoothie with mango and orange. Different taste, but good. I just had coffee, but, dang, was that coffee rich. The bathroom! ;) Very clean. They even put ice in the urinals.. Waitress? She was good and everything, but.. I had a weird vibe. She hid it, though. Good job. What I dislike? I was dumbfounded by the bathroom, so I couldn't think of anything.
(5)
Padma A.

Absolute delight! i have eaten at their printers row location before and wanted to hangout with my rebellious girlfriends for fathers day drinks sans the dads :) Our server Mikhala was sweet as honey and very accommodating even though there was a wait, She got us a table by the bar and we had some Mimosas which were very delicious with fresh squeezed OJ from their juice bar. Highly recommended!!
(4)
Mohammed H.

Really delicious brunch. If you want a filling meal make sure to get their breakfast quesdillla. Smoothies taste great and the crepes are amazing. Friendly staff and the place is very bright and colorful. Music selection is a little odd but overall I was impressed.
(4)
Chitown G.

With so many other great brunch and lunch options why wait 40 minutes for a table in the corner with a snobby waitress and mediocre food? We waited over 40 minutes when the hostess said it would be 20 minutes. Okay no problem we can chit chat. But when they did seat us we walked to the back side of the restaurant with many free tables..why?! Then she didn't greet us a welcome greeting when we sat down. She was dry..sad...and even down right rude. The food ...meh. I had a egg bowl paid 23 with tip .... I say go else where.
(1)
Hugo B.

It saddens me to write this but we ate the delicious Baclava French toast and farmers bowl which was delicious until the cockroach ran under my wife's plate.. One of the employees killed it, for the inconvenience and disgust they only took off one of the meals
(1)
Marisol R.

It's been a while but it's that great that I can still taste the juicy turkey burgers ! A def must
(4)
Shan D.

Great brunch spot. Nothing is fancy, but it will def hit the spot. Portions are huge. If you can afford the extra 800 or so calories, do not turn down the peanut butter smoothie!
(4)
Sehar G.

Its nice that meli's has a slightly less busy location. The food is consistently good. But what really makes meli's stand out is the homemade butter, jams, and ketchup. I will say that you should dine in. When i have had food to go, the portions seem smaller....
(4)
Sergey S.

This is a good local breakfast place but I have never had a great experience here. The food is average, coffee is below average and the service is usually decent. The price point is what you would expect for river north, however, there are several joints with better menu offerings - in my opinion. I still go here often but I never expect to be blown away. :)
(3)
T K.

Eggcellent brunch spot, and super popular which says a lot for it. Popped in on Sunday and it was wall to wall with eaters and people waiting for ranked. We had the french toast and hearty omelette, both of which were tasty & decent portions. Service was very good too. Only reason it loses one star is for the 40 min wait time for a table. .. but then again, that was our choice...
(4)
Nari H.

Food is good. I got their carrot-orange freshly squeezed drink, along with their breakfast sandwich and left a satisfied foodie. My only gripe is that their service really does semi-suck. The reviews are spot on. When we were here, the service wasn't bad. Our server was very nice and when around, she was attentive. But it just felt really slow. And for a semi-busy breakfast restaurant that wasn't packed, I thought service would be better. I guess like any popular breakfast restaurant with any sort of wait, give yourself and your group a little extra time to accommodate for either of these two potential situations - not saying it will happen every time, but there's always a good chance of - a) a wait or b) slow service. Nonetheless - I like the food. I'll probably be back.
(4)
Carlo F.

This place is busy, and it's probably because of their delicious breakfasts. Illy coffee is served here, along with some really good smoothies. A bit on the pricey side for breakfast, but worth it.
(4)
Louise B.

Excellent gluten-free options. I had the Down on the Farm breakfast bowl with GF toast which was delicious! And my colleague had the chicken and waffles and though the portion was big, she ate every bite. I would absolutely return, what a great find.
(5)
Jess K.

The food was amazing, but I have never experienced worse service. I was with 5 other girlfriends and they refused to split the bill between us, and were not helpful in coming up with any other solutions since we didn't have cash. (What year is it? Who doesn't split bills on credit cards? Especially when it's completely down the middle?) Our waitress didn't bother to tell us that they had an ATM right inside the front door (as we were looking at each other with blank stares asking each other what we should do.) We even asked her if they had an ATM and she just shrugged silently. Furthermore, after we figured out the payment debacle, we were then approached by the manager who KICKED US OUT and condescendingly said "girls, we've been closed for over thirty minutes." Are you serious? Too bad, because the restaurant has everything else going for it other than the horrible staff who run it. There are plenty of other amazing lunch options in this city, you have no reason to come to this place, unless you want to be treated as a nuisance.
(1)
A-Aron G.

Good, friendly service and a staple in Chicago. The juice bar here is incredible and this is my favorite breakfast place. The menu constantly changes and their selection is top notch. Parking can be a bit tricky. Kid friendly. Their smoothies are the best!
(5)
Kelly G.

My daughter & I love Meli Cafe! A tad on the pricey side for a cafe breakfast or brunch but portion sizes match the price. French toast is heavenly, house made challah bread. I always get the Skin Hydrator fresh juice which is a decent serving size. Interesting, global staff. Busy on the weekends. Highly recommend.
(5)
Susan C.

I went to meli's cafe many times with friends but this time it wasn't good. We had a new waitress who doesn't seem like she comprehend what we were saying. Her service wasn't good cuz she didn't serve the half and half with the coffee at the same time and she didn't ask my friend what kind of eggs she wanted with her meal. She didn't understand when we said we wanted separate checks and even worst when my friend ask to put $15.14 on her credit card she had to repeat it 3 times and that amount didn't even show on her check when she got it. So my friends and I didn't even give her much tip. I would still go back but wouldn't want that waitress again.
(1)
Michele W.

This place has a great breakfast menu with some indulgent, some healthy and smoothie choices available.
(3)
Lauren W.

Healthy and good breakfast spot that was walking distance from our condo. I was originally looking for a juice spot but my husband cannot survive off juice - he needs FOOD. So we ventured out with our doorman's recommendation to try as it is both a juice bar and a restaurant! Lovely set up very warm and inviting. There was no wait we were there on a Thursday morning. He had the flat bread which consist of an open faced sandwich on tandoori nan with chicken chorizo avocado and egg! It looked and tasted really good and that plate was licked clean. I opted for the egg white scramble with veggies. I know boring but I was doing heavy eating and drinking the nights before and wanted to slow it down a bit. That was really good too. I also had a fresh juice "Skin Hydrator" kale pineapple lemon and cucumber. Needed that after my drinking rampage the night before. Fantastic spot! Would visit again!
(4)
Joe M.

Best breakfast I've had in CHicago... also the only one I've had but amazing none the less! I got an omelet with pig cheek bacon, shallots, Boursin cheese and Portobello. Eggs were cooked perfect and the homefries on the side were crispy and delicious. Lots of juice smoothies on the menu. Definitely worth checking out, if I lived in the area I'd be a regular.
(4)
Adam C.

My fiance and I went to this restaurant on a whim, we had just gotten engaged in chicago the night before and wanted something new, so we set our sights on meli. Blew our minds, the wait staff is friendly and attentive, the food is delicious, and the drinks...best smoothie I have ever had and very cool looking. My fiance ordered banana pecan waffles and loved it, I ordered strawberry waffles, food was exceptional. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Shayna Y.

Meli has the freshest ingredients and unique omelet ingredients. Meli is a great place for brunch with amazing sweet and savory options. The only downside is they do not take reservations. They have an abundance of gluten free options, including sweet options! The gluten free pancakes are delicious. I also love the omelettes and scramblers. The chicken sausage is delicious. They also have great coffee and smoothies.
(4)
Freddy V.

An amazing selection of Sunday Brunch foods with amazing tastes. I had an great Pastrami Sandwich and wife ate the Farmland breakfast bowl. I wish we had more establishments as cute as this one in Brooklyn, NY. Will be back again for Brunch when doing business in Chicago.
(5)
Doug C.

The food was okay and the juice was fantastic. I wanted to like this place, but maybe I had a bit of bad luck. The service was really bad. The hostess showed us to our table, threw the menus down before we got seated, and walked away without saying a word. We were also seated next to a server's station, so I constantly had servers/bussers hovering over me. A staff member also spilled on my coat, likely because of the heavily trafficked location of our table. The server was friendly and bubbly with other guests, but seemed a bit cold toward my table. She also forgot to give us silverware, condiments, and part of our meal. Again, maybe this was a fluke, but the food wasn't good enough for me to give this spot a second chance, and I'd expect better service at this price point.
(2)
Danny W.

More juice than major league baseball! Meli is definitely an awesome place to get your freshly squeezed on, but in addition has one of the biggest breakfast menus in town. With omelet, skillet, scramble, benedict, fritatta, and sandwich sections it's safe to say they've got eggs for days (zing!) Also available are pancakes, waffles, French toast, crepes, breakfast mounds (basically a bunch of ingredients put in a pile) vegan options, and more side items than a professional athlete on a long road trip. It's safe to say that this place has something in the morning for everyone. I ended up getting a special that wasn't even on the main menu. The cabbage omelet. sounds strange, but paired with corned beef bits, and cheese it was quite tasty. With how large the menu you is I wouldn't doubt if it was made every day available very soon. It is a little bit more expensive than most breakfast joints around, but with quality ingredients and en encyclopedia of options Meli always makes for a safe morning bet.
(4)
Olga T.

What a great spot for brunch!!! Their menu is overwhelming with an exhaustive list of options that are sure to satisfy any palette. I had a the breakfast bowl and my hubby had the reuben sandwich. Everything was delicious! Service is super quick and friendly. Make a reservation or be prepared to wait. I can see why this is such a popular spot....a winner all around!
(5)
Beth P.

This place is great! I'm so happy that it is so close to my work since it is one of the only really fresh options near by. I LOVE the Mel's salad. It comes with avocado, honey-glazed chicken, tomato, arugala, red onion, and feta. It also comes with a honey vinaigrette, but the salad is so yummy on its own, I hardly use it. It's a bit pricey, but the ingredients are always fresh. I've also tried one of their house-made juices on a few visits and have always enjoyed those as well. Just might be becoming a regular :)
(4)
Shirley A.

2nd time to Chicago . First time ran Into Melia by coincidence second time again there it was. Fate! And oh so worth it! Fresh juice and ingredients what more can you want?! I ordered egg whites w Feta (kept it simple ) and still do impressed by how light and all fluffy they make it. You won't regret trying this place!
(5)
Aya N.

Terrible Service. Our waitress Stefani was not on point and attentive to our table. We waited a very long time for our food. The table next to us sat after us and there food came out 10 mins before ours. She forgot our condiments and never checked how our food was. We had to ask the bus boys for extra water. They messed up our check when we explained to them how we would like to split the bill. Overall not the greatest experience.
(1)
Margaret S.

Truly wonderful place to eat breakfast in river north! Went there to eat on Labor Day morning and while they were crowded, we were seated immediately. The atmosphere is cute, although at times it can be pretty crowded and the tables are pretty close together. The food was wonderful! There was so many different choices to eat - very tasty healthy options but also more traditional not so healthy options. Their juices are also very wonderful to have in the mornings. Definitely worth eating at!
(4)
Dara M.

Had a perfectly acceptable breakfast at Meli. I think it suffered from comparison to all the incredible meals we had in Chicago. I had the firecracker omelet (a special) and was disappointed that there was no detectable heat. Everyone seemed moderately content with their breakfast entrees. There are so many other amazing options in this city!
(3)
Baron R.

Servers don't speak English well. Worst hostess in Chicago - acts bossy to both servers and customers, has attitude as if having this job is her biggest punishment in life. Place is not hygenic (bugs and flies on tables). Toast is usually burned. Food is not well-made and overpriced. I would give them negative starts if I could. Farm House is a much better brunch option in that area.
(1)
Alyssa B.

I came here with my mom for brunch on a day off and was so delighted to find this spot. They have TONS of brunch options, fresh juices and amazing coffee. Attentive, friendly service too! I will most definitely be back to try some of their juices
(5)
Alex P.

This place is soooooo good. I went with the omelette and fresh green juice with avocado. Amazing. The lady had greek yogurt with honey which was out of this world good. Seated as soon as we walked in for brunch on a Sunday. We lucked out and got a really nice server. So can't deduct a star for poor service.
(5)
Tamara K.

Breakfast was delicious. I was ready to complain when my food came out in under five minutes but it was fantastic.. Maybe they have so much turnover that they can prepare omelets in advance but no complaint. Service was a bit slow. The waitress to have served my food so fast never came back to refill coffee until I flagged her down. I had the chicken omelet with jalapeÃ±os and cheddar and bacon. Delicious! Potatoes were just ok but I really appreciated being able to order fruit instead of toast. Decor and ambience was also great.
(4)
Joanne B.

Our dear friends who lived in the high-rise above it introduced us to Meli CafÃ©; it has been a match made in brunch heaven... The place is bright, airy and lively. The service for us has been very good, especially since we always frequented it with regulars. We have mainly stuck with the breakfast items -- the omelets, pancakes, french toasts, and crepes are all quite fresh, delicious, and abundant. Their array of juices are unique and worth the indulgence. It is a popular place for brunch so if you do not time it right, be prepared to wait a long time. It is certainly worth it.
(4)
Jenny H.

Meli is the epitome of a brunchy meal featuring expansive variations of eggs, scramblers, omelets, frittatas, skillets, benedicts, sandwiches, pancakes, [stops to take a breath], french toast, waffles, crepes... if that's not enough, get all of your brunchy ingredients in a "mound" topped with eggs. Yes, it exists and everything is made with a 'lil Meli love. What I like is that their menu also has a respectful shout out to vegans and sans-glutenivores. We took a good while deciding but ultimately I skipped the cheesy-bacon-egged based dishes and picked something from their "healthy eats" plus a juice bar concoction. My breakfast quinoa was soupy and bland-- as if someone forgot to drain it before adding everything else. I don't mind subtlety but where was the cinnamon and brown sugar? Had to flag down someone for a side of agave. I liked my brunch buddy's apple & cheddar frittata better but we couldn't really taste the horseradish component. All tiny bumps for an all-around good brunch. Gets an extra star for their fresh squeezed juice!
(4)
Ming C.

Ordered a salmon egg white omelette which came with potatoes, English Muffins and a side of corned beef hash. Overall, everything was really salty, I'm not sure if they used smoked salmon or not but it was an overload of salt, which was only emphasized by the salty potatoes. The corned beef hash was mushy and I've had better. I did enjoy the English muffins with jams made with currents. Overall, there's better breakfasts out there.
(2)
Aimee K.

Another place I wish we had in St. Louis! I love starting my mornings off with fresh juice, and Meli doesn't disappoint. I went on a weekday morning, and there were plenty of tables open. Service was just okay... not all that friendly... but I had coffee and juice within minutes, which I can't complain about. I ordered the Ginger Splash (pear, carrot, ginger, and orange) and besides being delicious, the way it was served was beautiful! The colorful juices were stacked in a big glass. You can get a genuinely healthy breakfast at Meli, and I had my eyes on the vegetable omelet. This thing is HUGE, and is loaded with portobello, broccoli, spinach, peppers, tomato, onions, and provolone. It was the biggest omelet I've ever had, hands down. They actually have a pretty big menu, and the "breakfast mounds" caught my attention. The name doesn't sound appetizing, but the idea is interesting... it's basically a mound of ingredients topped with scrambled eggs and cheese. They have a NY Reuben version that looks pretty spectacular! Service got pretty strange towards the middle of our experience... we were waiting for our food, and the server brought us our check and basically forgot that we hadn't eaten yet. It shook her up and made her pretty flustered, and created some awkwardness. This is one of those places that would SO be five star worthy if the service wasn't so sterile. Regardless, I loved my visit and would definitely go back again.
(4)
Stella W.

i wasn't expecting much coming to this place, just wanted something nearby since it was freezing cold outside and we were starving. I wanted something light and was gonna get a salad, but the detox wrap caught my eyes and thought i would try something different...what a RIGHTFULLY NAMED wrap! I was debating if i should just munch off of my bf's pancetta omelet or if i should just tough it up to eat the wrap after 1 bite...did Chunky just start selling Citrous kale soup inside a tortilla wrap instead of a tin can?? but the cooked pancetta was weird too...and the flavour sipped into the eggless-taste omelet which made the whole thing having this really weird after taste...tough choice to make since i was starving...thank god for the dry wheat toast.... my friend's "lamb omelet" was more like gyros omelet.. the texture is also kinda weird too...the slices of gyro has this smooth deli meat kinda texture, coupling with the smooth mouth-feel omelet...hmmm....not my thing...but she enjoyed it, so that's good... onto the service...well, i gave our server the benefit of the doubt that she may be a bit overwhelmed by the sunday brunch crowd and maybe she's new.... but the hosts weren't really helpful at all by just giving a random wait time...they seemed to tell EVERYONE that the wait is 30 min...i was doubtful it was 30min seeing the whole waiting area filled with people and the bar/restaurants were packed...and i understood they were super swarmed but the rude attitude they gave when i was just inquiring the wait didn't help the situation either... but then it was freezing cold outside and that was sorta a deserted area of the river north on a sunday...wish McD a couple blocks down would extend their breakfast menu to brunch hours on weekend! hmmm...
(1)
Jaime G.

Meli Cafe is one of the better breakfast joints in town. Eggs, pancakes, crepes, skillets, even freshly squeezed juice...you name it and they got it. And make it good with quality ingredients like organic eggs. Had the pumpkin pie crepes and a cucumber, carrot, and beet juice. This location is big so wait is minimal on the weekends and good for kids too. Would of liked the ingredients in my breakfast skillet to mesh better together but everything else was really good. Would def come again.
(4)
Mark L.

This place is great! Food quality is top notch and flavors are great. Love the fresh orange juice and real maple syrup. Everything I have ever ordered here is exceptionally good. Unfortunately almost every time I have been here it seems like the servers are hung over or in a bad mood. This is the only thing keeping me from giving this place a 5 star review. I'd still recommend this place to friends or family for a great breakfast or brunch spot.
(4)
Anshika A.

A great chirpy place to go for Sunday brunches. The portions are huge and the fresh juices are really to die for !! I loved the atmosphere and steady service. They have lot of choices in the food and smoothies section. A good one for people staying near lakeshore and Downtown.
(4)
Gloria C.

Would I wait for a table here for more than thirty minutes? Probably not. But when you're solo-dining, you get to enjoy certain perks. At most places, this means somewhat better service, but not necessarily here. The hostess, who I later learned was hungover via an overheard conversation with another customer (totally professional!), was kind of the antithesis of a welcoming host. Once I learned the bar was first come, first serve, I staked out a spot in the 98% full bar area. One was being taken by a woman waiting for her table, and another was being saved by a man with his jacket thrown over it. This isn't entirely Meli's fault, but with all the restaurants in Chicago that take such great care in hospitality and use messaging to warn customers about a no tolerance policy for prolonged squatting, I think this is something that someone at Meli should have been paying attention to. Eventually, the nice lady realized I was waiting by myself and offered her seat to me. 45 minutes later as I finished my meal, the man with the jacket's son finally came to claim his seat. Must be nice! The donut-infused pancake that was on the special menu was a really memorable. Sweet, fluffy, dense, and decadent, to say the least. I'm not a huge pancake fan, but where donuts are involved, I don't want to miss out. What I most looked forward to was trying something from the juice menu I had heard/read so much about, but was never handed that menu or asked if I wanted something of that nature. I had to double check that I came to the right place. I was finally able to flag him down for a menu and settled on a flavor that I now cannot remember.
(3)
Sarah H.

Our first time trying the place, top notch all around. Service was quick and polite without being overly friendly or distant. Atmosphere was nice too, you can tell someone put a lot of thought into all of the details from the weight of the silverware to the plate of butter, jams and jellies brought for toast. My husband had the chorizo and date omlette, which he said had a great balance of salty and sweet with the bacon and the dates. I had the special- chocolate cherry canoli french toast. We went at 9am on a Saturday and we were seated right away, but by the time we were leaving it was getting very busy. Lots of variety and thought is put into the menu as well- there is something for everyone.
(5)
Belle L.

Excellent value for $$ and opens early for lunch. Yay! Chicken and Artichoke 3-egg Omelette -- serves 2. Plentiful of artichoke. Chicken is hiding as the entire omelette is ONE color and a bit bland that is highly contrasted with salty red potatoes. 1 piece toast (cut in half) from 6-7 kinds. Comes with entree. :-( Pumpkin Latte -- SKIP IT! For $4.75, you only get one serving on same cup with unnecessary calories, whereas bottomless coffee is $2.85. Brown Bagging -- they will bag it for you if requested. The bag your own food is none sense with the preface of "I [the waitress] don't want to touch your food." Touching is prolly a health code violation, whereas skipping one's job is laziness. *wink* Mimosa, Bellini etc -- all priced below $10. Yay!
(4)
Pham D.

Really Really Good Food! This was the Best Crepe I've ever had! Service sucks though. They're super slow. Things kept getting dropped by the servers. They spilled water all over us. It took them forever to get us a check.
(3)
Dennis S.

All good things must come to an end, they say. In Meli's case, they're right. In August they changed their menu. Would you like Eggs Benedict? Five choices under Eggs Benedict, but none are anywhere near a traditional Eggs Benedict. Would you like an omelet? Lots of choices, just none that are traditional ingredients. No ham in any of them. We gave up on finding anything we wanted and left after coffees. After multiple visits, we came to look forward to breakfast here. But no longer. Plenty of other alternatives that haven't gone overboard with the exotic.
(2)
Becca D.

I literally have never written a yelp review but I felt compelled to do so after dining at Meli's this morning. I went there on a rec from my personal trainer and he said you have to try the chicken omelette (without the cheddar- of course, because he is my trainer). It was without a doubt the best omelette I've ever had. Not only was it crazy speedy- it was jam packed with veggies and bacon- no skimping. I didn't even miss the cheese because it was just that good! A little pricy for an omelette, but welll worth it as it has kept me full all day- and content to boot.
(5)
Alex R.

Meli CafÃ© is by far one of the best brunch spots in Chicago. You are always guaranteed great service and quality food. They have a handful of locations in the city. They don't take reservations but the space is large enough to either snag a bar seat within minutes or wait no longer than 20 minutes with a freshly squeezed juice or shot of wheat grass in your hand. In terms of food - Meli has everything ranging from the sweetest crepes to the healthiest scramblers to the most savoy omelets. I highly recommend the Nutella Crepe, Healthy Start, and Spicy Flamenco Omelet. Meli CafÃ© is definitely a favorite!
(5)
Krystle T.

Mimosa Brunch? Yes please! Price: A little higher, but what do you expect for a brunch in Chicago? I paid $21 before tax and tip for 1 dish ($14) + 1 drink ($7). Parking: STREET... I think, but we walked here. Service: It was alright. All there servers are from Europe. That was pretty chill. Food & Drinks: I ordered a vegetarian scramble upon our server's recommendation. The serving size was quite large, but it wasn't really a scramble. There was a potatoes + veggies layer, then a cheese layer, then an egg layer. Ehh, idk how I felt about that. It wasn't amazing, but it wasn't terrible either. Notes: Busy place with a pretty wide menu. I believe they serve smoothies too. The wait was pretty long, but we did arrive at around 11:30 AM on a Saturday. Overall: This place is alright. If I want a brunch closeby with a bud, I'd come again. Otherwise, this wouldn't be my go to place. I wasn't able to finish my meal, but it wasn't good enough to take home with me.
(3)
Norm J.

My colleague and I decided to leave work at 10:00a.m to get breakfast and since neither of us had ever been to Meli we decided to give it a try. I was surprised to see a good number of people there onTuesday morning (I guess they all decided to play hooky from work as well). The menu had a good variety of drinks and breakfast dishes which is definitely a plus because this boy likes options when it comes to food. I decided to get the Chicken omelette and Pure Gold juice blend. My colleague got the strawberry banana french toast and the mango, orange, kiwi with honey juice blend. - The chicken omelette which consisted of chicken (duh), bacon, avocado, onion, tomato, jalapeÃ±o and cheddar cheese was sorta lacking in cheese. Seeing how I am a huge cheese lover I was instantly turned off by the fact that I could barely find any cheddar in my omelette. - The Pure Gold juice blend was made a combination of pineapple, carrot, apple and ginger. I really liked the mix of the different fruits with the carrot. I would definitely get this again. - While I didn't taste the strawberry banana french toast, I can tell it was good because my colleague wolfed it down before I could say, "Hey can I try that?!" I may have to try this next time. -The mango, orange, kiwi with honey juice blend was good so says my colleague, but he said it would have been better had it been cold or at least served with ice. Had the cheddar cheese made an appearance in my omelette I would have definitely given this place four stars. Also, the omelette was $15 which seemed way overprice, but whatever. Overall I liked Meli Cafe, but Bongo Room and Yolk are still my go to places for breakfast/brunch.
(3)
Alex P.

Very cool little spot where I spent several hours working on my laptop. Without a question, lots of European influences noticeable, from the beautiful Eastern European waitresses to Illy coffee. Everything was absolutely spectacular. I got one of the scramble bowls and it was delicious, very very generous portion too. Cappuccino was prepared perfectly too.
(5)
Christina C.

I came into Meli Cafe expecting a fulfilling brunch but it didn't quite do it for me. I had one of the omelette specials (can't remember exactly which one). It was extremely oily for me and left a bad feeling in my stomach for a while after my meal. The side of potatoes further added to my bloatedness feeling. Oh, and $15 for an omelette is expensive! They do serve generous portions, though. However, I actually did enjoy my juice. I'll give the juice bar part of the restaurant 4 stars. My juice tasted extremely fresh and you can tell they don't add any extra icky sugars/flavors/whatnot. I had the Green Envy which has wheatgrass in it. If you've ever had a wheatgrass shot, you know it tastes exactly like grass and is pretty bitter. This particular juice is mixed with apple, pear, pineapple, and lemon so the taste of wheatgrass is little to none. I'll definitely come back to try a new juice or smoothie, but not for brunch.
(3)
Meredith B.

Stopped in for breakfast before a barcrawl! Meli has a great menu, with all kinds of delicious sounding specials, and always hits the spot. This location is sunny, with yellow walls and an airy cafe vibe. We started with mimosas (fresh squeezed juice FTW) and then I got the Farmland skillet with chicken sausage instead of portabellos. It was delicious and full of goodness, sunny side up eggs cooked to runny perfection and lots of melty cheese. I couldn't finish it, I never can, but I had fun trying! There is something for everyone at Meli, and I love that they have lots of fresh squeezed juices for those of us who like to pretend to be healthy when we eat our big fatty brunches. We had no wait at 9:15 am on a Saturday but I mean....who goes for brunch at that time? Is that even technically brunch? I think it's really breakfast.
(4)
Stephanie H.

I unfortunately have to rate this location one star not because of the food but because of the manager. We sat at the bar and unfortunately got to experience the unbelievable way she disrespects her staff. There are plenty of other restaurants around that have equivalent food quality that treat their employees like human beings and not slaves.
(1)
Rami S.

Meli is simply the best breakfast/brunch/lunch place around! They have a wide selection of juices and unique juice blends, you can tell they know their stuff! They also have a very extensive selection of food and everything is fresh and clean! If you're in a hurry, they have a quick juice bar to order a quick meal and plenty of tables if you want to take your time. The service is amazing, especially when you have someone like Maryann helping you! She has a great and genuine personality and knows everything on the menu, and even dealt with my special ordering requests. Definitely a go to spot!
(5)
Jane R.

Can't say enough good things. VEGANS- get to Meli's ASAP! They have a whole section of breakfast deliciousness for vegan/gluten free eaters. PLUS green juices, fresh fruit smoothies, and wheat grass! The staff is so friendly and warm. It was slammed both times we went, but they are efficient and once seated the food comes very quickly. A brunch that won't leave you feeling heavy. Thank you Meli's!
(5)
Erin M.

This place was packed on the Friday morning we ventured in. I'm pretty sure we took the last table available. But I'm not sure what all the hubbub was about. The vegan menu items are not all that interesting, but we had heard that brunch here was can't-miss, so we decided to give it a try. It was a total waste of money. The two juices we ordered were the one saving grace. Both my orange-carrot and my husband's beet juice mix were fresh and refreshing. But our entrees were quite terrible. The tofu scramble had more vegetables than tofu, but more grease than anything else. Gross. The French toast was dry, boring and bland and came with defrosted berries.
(2)
Kyle B.

This is a great neighborhood spot for breakfast. The menu has a wide variety of options. The fresh juice selection is a good as you'll find. My personal favorites are the bowls - a mix of eggs, potatoes and other breakfast toppings. The JalapeÃ±o bowl is the best. Coffee is always hot. Checks all the boxes. If there is any drawback - it is a bit expensive for breakfast.
(4)
Kim B.

Best breakfast place in Chicago! Even better, the wait for a table is actually reasonable. I came here two days in a row (Saturday and Sunday) and waited no more than a few minutes for a table. Almost everything on the menu is healthy and they have vegetarian/vegan options as well. Meli's also offers the tastiest fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies. Don't waste your time going to some of the other overly hyped breakfast spots in the city. Come here and have a delicious, HEALTHY breakfast and start your day off right.
(5)
Amr A.

Go there for the Bread pudding pancakes if nothing else. Service is decent, but its a brunch place in chicago, always super busy since this is such a brunch kinda town.
(5)
Fletcher M.

Juices are bomb, the food is good, but the waitstaff could care less. The worst part is that annoying freaking bell that they start ringing to tell their waitstaff to pickup food. I get it, the window is full with plates that need to go out, but get your people pagers, don't hit the sh$! out of the bell and pretend you're not annoying everyone here for brunch. Good spot, just need to clean up their act.
(2)
Doug A.

Great restaurant with stressed out service. Great food, but the manager needs to hire more people or organize them better. Service started out good, but then fell apart after we were served. Great menu. Great decor. Love it!
(4)
Sam N.

So my policy has always been not to document bad experiences and focus on good ones as a yelp elite member. After having been to this place for the 3rd time last Sunday I have decided to speak out. My friend Mihir has previously documented on 4/4/11 on the substandardness ( is that a word ?) of the food and that its kind of expensive. NEWSFLASH: If there is going to be 7 people at the table then a 3 oz sampling of creamer for everyone is not enough... This place seems to be very greasy. I am not sure what goes on in the kitchen. But after ordering eggs and cheese on Sunday, I was not able to digest food properly till Wednesday morning. On the borght side I lost some weight :) It already is documented that the weight staff slams down the plates so need for me to go into this. I hope the juice is better than the food. it is also good that this place is not open for dinner
(2)
Diana T.

Pros- food is delicious and there is so much variety. Love the skillets and the juice is delicious! Something for everyone. Cons- wait time and the service. I can count on service usually being terrible and am surprised when the service is good and the front staff and waitresses are nice. Pros outweigh the cons so I continue to go but think this place could be so much better if the staff were polite
(4)
Leslie B.

What a breakfast menu. It hasn't taken me that long to decide on what to order in...maybe ever. Came in here for brunch with Claire K. and Alex H. where we only waited about 5 minutes for a table. It's a large, bright space and you aren't crammed in next to other tables which I really enjoyed. Meli has such a massive breakfast menu, but the best-looking options were their specials. After much deliberation, each of us ended up ordering something from here. My dining companions had the Maple Bowl which consisted of different meats, vegetables, and eggs, and the Croque Madame. They were both very happy with their choices. I had a southwestern-themed breakfast sandwich served open-faced on naan. The chicken chorizo that accompanied it was delicious. The rest of the items included: avocado, corn, tomato, black beans, over-easy eggs and each of them added greatly to the dish. We kept seeing amazing sweet dishes go by and their menu of smoothies/juices was very intriguing! Overall, Meli was a little pricey, but the food was excellent and I will definitely be back!
(5)
Thomas K.

I really wanted to like Meli. It is a regular brunch meeting place for my coworkers so I have had about a dozen times to try it. Each time I have gotten something different, and most of the time I have been completely underwhelmed. There is nothing wrong at all with the food. The options run from traditional to creative, but every one I have had has been, frankly, pedestrian. For the location and the prices, I think they could make a better showing.
(2)
JD O.

Good, clean spot in the heart of the loop. Suggest for a brunch spot, farm to table fresh, courteous staff.
(4)
Basil D.

This is a great, great place for breakfast. They have amazing food (please remember I don't inflate ratings, 3 stars is accurate, and it's good, not like the rest of the people on here who give it 5 stars if they keep it down!). The cappuccino is the best I've had in Chicago, almost as good as Sant' Eustachio in Rome.. The fresh squeezed OJ is just simply that, which means it is delicious. I always get the Meli omelet which has pancetta (though i wonder if it's really bacon...that's not the same as real pancetta folks), boursin cheese, shallots, and parsley. It is a very good omelet. It's served with potatoes which I usually leave off. Why everyone serves toast AND potatoes is beyond my f-ing comprehension. The potatoes are good, don't get me wrong, I have had them there, but if you're giving us toast already, geez! Now, that said, the toast is good toast, it's a thicker cut and they serve it European style, with butter and jam in individual servings. The service consistently stinks, but it's worth going to anyway. It's breakfast..... Oh, and the coffee is Illy coffee, which I happen to like better than the OVERRATED local coffee Intelligentsia... I gotta ask, if you get free refills on coffee, why, oh WHY if you order a cappuccino and then ask for coffee afterward, are you charged for a coffee as well??? An unfair loophole if you ask me! Definitely worth a visit. After 11am, you'll be waiting a solid half-hour so get there early on the weekends, go to the afternoon or evening Mass!
(3)
Charlie G.

My wife and I have eaten at Melli's twice and have had two excellent experiences. The ambiance is very warm an inviting and the food is great. Omlettes are all fresh and very large made with organic eggs and filled with eclectic and delicious ingredients. Very good espresso and a friendly staff!
(5)
Kristin M.

I don't live in the area, but Meli was recommended by a friend who does. I was warned the wait is long, but then again, most brunch places have long waits. At 30 minutes, this wasn't bad. The food was good, but didn't blow me away. Pluses: -appealing juice bar list -most delicious latte I've had in Chicago (incredibly creamy) -plenty of options -very friendly service -cute space Minuses: -plenty of options (so hard to decide! I prefer a menu that gives variety but doesn't boggle the mind) -service was quite slow (it turned out ok since he was really nice and we weren't in a rush, but still) -no liquor license, and they won't let you bring in your own to mix with the delicious juice! -worst chicken & waffles ever (the "fried chicken" was basically two chicken tenders - no bueno) Overall, it was fine, but did not wow.
(3)
Sarah G.

I was a huge fan of Meli's smoothies (Oatmeal! Avocado! Wheatgrass!) but not too impressed with the food or the price tag for a sit-down breakfast. So my recommendation would be to belly up to the bar and ooh/aah at the orange juicing machine and the industrial blenders, then grab your $6 smoothie to go. Their custom juice creations were also amazing, but worth $5 for the portion? I don't know... my perspective is probably tainted because two of those also helped contribute to a nearly $50 breakfast price tag one morning... But still I liked Meli to go there three times on my most recent trip to Chicago. It's just unfortunate that our last time was the least favorite of my trips there,
(4)
Leland M.

I really enjoyed the fresh squeezed orange juice here, I also had the Cajun scramble and really liked it. The portion sizes were generous and the coffee exceeded my expectations. It's a little pricey but that's downtown Chicago. Overall I was pleased but I wasn't blown away. I imagine this would be a good place for large groups given the less intimate setting.
(3)
Louis A.

This 6AM to 3PM Chicago breakfast/brunch joint between N. Wells and N. Grand will absolutely get your day started -- the healthy way! They have a variety of healthy options from smoothies, juice, and menu. Always a place to go after running a marathon. Keep it up Melli!
(5)
Barbara B.

This is a delicious brunch spot and worth the wait. The juices, while pricey, are tasty and the sweet and savory options all are good. Scramblers are a highlight.
(5)
Debbie K.

awesome breakfast for 4 picky eaters, all with very different goals. 1 vegan, 3 vegetarians, and 4 highly happy and satisfied customers! we all got a hugely filling and delic meal, exactly what we wanted. loved the green juice options and that they were willing to adjust to my specs for creating it! keep up the good work and we will be back!
(5)
Disha M.

I've lost count on how many times I've been here. It is one of my favorite places to grab lunch/brunch. I have taken friends and family who have visited me from out of town and they have fallen in love with it as well. Fresh and delicious food that isn't greasy and it is inventive. They have a special weekly menu that changes based on season and the ingredients they have managed to get, I assume. They also have a fresh juice bar with a good sized menu on different fruit juice combos. I always just get their orange juice though. I swear they put crack in it! My favorite dish by far is the Gouda omelette which comes with toast, potatoes and fruit. The portion is huge. They also make their own jams and fruit preserves which are absolutely delicious!! Two gripes about this place though: 1. The butter is always fresh and delicious. However, they give u tiny tiny portion that a squirrel would eat. I mean come on just gimme more. I feel like a jackass asking for seconds on butter. I'm not a squirrel and I need more, goddamit!! 2. Their service is bad. The hostess and the guy who guides you to your table are super nice. But the servers are always clueless!! Always!!! It's so strange. But the food is so good I don't mind as much, I suppose. I find it kinda funny.
(4)
Laura P.

The chicken omlet was very good. I wouldn't order the steel cut oats again. The hostess and waitress had a bad case of bitch-face.
(3)
Macy H.

This place is amazing! Waited thirty minutes, not bad, worth the wait! Their juices are very very fresh. So good! I had an omelet, which i could have split since it was so big! I would recommend this place to anyone, and am definitely coming back. One thing i was bothered by is that they only accept two credit cards per table. I went with three people and we wanted to split it three ways. good thing one of us had cash.
(5)
Christopher E.

Even though I have only been to this restaurant once I loved it I usually go to another Meli over on the west side but the service here is the same and we I loved it. Best place to have breakfast in my book plus the wife loves it.
(5)
Carry B.

I have been to this place on two different occasions and neither time I was impressed. I ordered eggs toast bacon and a slice of toast. The bacon and breakfast potatoes were good and bacon as well. They did not serve our condiments at the same time so I had to wait to eat for a couple mins after my food came. They boast the coffee is their own special brand, sadly it's bad. I would consider going back, but the service was not good at all. In fact I would say its pretty bad.
(2)
Anuj S.

First experience at Meli Cafe was so-so. The service was good. The location was fine and so forth. The waffle was not as great as it could've been. It was pretty much soft - no crisp to it. The ingredients, pecans, syrup, etc all seemed to be high quality. Also had a veggie sandwich. They pretty much use your basic morningstar veggie pattie. However, there's also a portabella mushroom in there which made the whole thing unique. That's in addition to other grilled veggies and melted swiss. Overall it was OK. Nothing to call home about, though.
(2)
Celia Z.

Brunch in the loop? Try somewhere else. My friend ordered the French toast which was good, but it was overstuffed with too much strawberry cream cheese that the toast became soggy if you did not eat it right away. Personally, I like the more crunch French toast. Plus, the strawberry cream had such an artificial light pink color that I had doubts about what was truly inside. My vegetable eggs benedict was average. While the eggs were perfectly poached and the vegetables were deliciously sauteed and the English muffins were quite fresh, it did not have the "IT" factor. The juice was good, but could be easily imitated by my juice machine and some fresh fruits. The latte couldn't beat Starbucks. Overall, nothing I couldn't make at home for a fraction of the price. Such a disappointment.
(3)
Van T.

so many things went wrong here: 1. of the many soups on the menu, there was one available for the day, and it was only 11 am. 2. my salad was literally drenched in dressing. It should have been called balsamic dressing with bits of organic greens and beets. 3. our server hated her job and me for asking any type of questions and thrust the menu towards me, as if the menu would magically answer all of my questions about gluten. 4. the house made lemonade? what a joke, it tasted like anything but homemade.
(1)
Becca B.

Sad to report that they re-did the whole menu and all the tasty favorites are gone. New choices are filled with cilantro/salsa and other tex mex fair. The omelette choices are super slim now, none include ham. They got rid of a traditional eggs Benedict and the super delish Meli chicken sandwich. Waitress was new and had no idea what was going on/seemed overwhelmed. Side of sausage was soft and velvet texture like it is super processed and undercooked. Side of toast came with one piece (which was was and perfectly toasted). This used to be a fav spot for us but sadly today will be our last. Bye bye Meli.
(1)
Lizzy M.

Hostess was rude. She didn't want to seat us because they wanted to close down. I understand we came at 2:45 but it says they serve brunch until 3. I work in the service industry and if our hours say 3:00 and someone comes in at 2:59 we serve them. We were fully prepared to order right away and close out our bill, but we took our money elsewhere.
(1)
Leila T.

Awesome food. Healthy options, everything tasted extremely fresh, the juice options were awesome too. Diner feel but friendly and busy atmosphere.
(5)
Joel H.

With the Chicago brunch craze, it is hard to find a place worth waiting for. So far, this is one of the very few. With a good sized menu, many healthy/healthier options, and always a list of fun new specials, Meli does it for me every time. Great addition with the 2nd location in River North! Even my suburban parents who hate coming to the city like coming here. I always get something new and never have been disappointed. And, they have wi-fi for those looking for that.
(5)
Ritu R.

The best you can get in the "brunch place" list in Chicago! Been here too many times and do not have a single complaint. The food, service and experience is always as good as it gets! They serve the best coffee (Illy), use Wedgewood by Waterford china, offer a WIDE variety of items in the breakfast and lunch categories and cater to every special need possible. They have a fab juice list and the quality is just as great. Every friend and family member I have brought to Meli has fallen in love. Our faves are the skillets - they never disappoint. They have honey butter w/ their breads and homemade jams/jelly's. Oh and they even make their English muffins from scratch...gigantic and delicious! You can really never go wrong w/ Meli....yes they don't take reservations but I've never had to wait either...its a big place. Much bigger than their Greektown location.
(5)
Rebecca N.

i would give it 4 stars because i LOVE the food and atmosphere, but the service is HORRENDOUS!!!!! The waitresses are complete idiots. It's honestly ridiculous. They don't understand substitutions or adding items and their reactions to these sorts of things are outstanding. On the otherhand, the food is great and I keep coming back. If you can deal with bad service I would 100% recommend it. The atmosphere is nice and there is usually not a long wait. My favorite is the jalepeno skillet! spicy , delish and very big
(3)
Avery S.

Best breakfast in Chicago! Excellent service and the food quality can't be beat. The guys behind the bar near the fresh juice/smoothie machine are the best. Super friendly and always extremely satisfying.
(5)
Lena D.

Best breakfast in Chicago!
(5)
Megan M.

The breakfast was great - the wait staff was not friendly at all and left me with a very sour taste in my mouth. I'd go back for the food, but it's unfortunate that the experience wasn't as good as the food.
(2)
Marie D.

Feel totally rejuvenated after eating here. Homemade ketchup is wonderful. Much better than most in-house ketchups I've had. Great breakfast and lunch place for those who want healthier options. Smoothies are not overly sweet. Great find in Chicago!
(5)
Amy G.

I have been here a hand full of times and have loved every one of them! I have celiac disease and I always feel taken care of by the staff as well as never leaving unsatisfied! They have a ton of options and great juices too! I sat at the bar for the first time today and Jose the bartender was great! I will be definitely be back soon!
(5)
Kim D.

This is a great spot for breakfast/brunch. Good quality food and the service was speedy and friendly. I'd recommend the berry crepes and the eggs benedict.
(5)
Ritu D.

My friends have RAVED about Meli, so I really wanted to give it a try during this trip back to Chicago. We went at about 10:45 on a Sunday and were seated within 10 minutes of arriving- AMAZING!? yes! Our server wasn't that friendly, which was a bummer. Whenever she brought food or brought by something we requested, she would kind of slam it down and walk away quickly - like we were a burden or something... not nice. I ordered the Kiwi-Strawberry-Orange Juice and it was delicious- I had to transfer over ice from my water glass to it, though, because it was room temp when we got it- who likes room temp juice? not me... My friend got the Pure Gold juice- she thought it was delicious (I didn't, probably because of the carrots and ginger in it). Her juice was also room temp and she had to put her own ice in it as well. I ordered the Farmland skillet and a side of the Veggie 3-grain patties. The skillet was good, it just had a thick layer of oil that seemed to settle at the bottom, so I was only able to enjoy the eggs at the top and the top layer of vegetables and potatoes- it was pretty gross at the bottom. So, I wasn't as impressed. The patties were pretty good! I haven't seen many other breakfast places that have these, so it was unique and good. It was a bit too oily as well, though :-\ My meal came with a side of toast so I was glad I was able to try their homemade butter- DELICIOUS!! My friend got the Breakfast Crepes and she seemed to enjoy them. Overall, the food was OK- nothing really special and the service was mediocre. Maybe it was this specific day at Meli, but I'm not sure what all the hype is about. There are few other brunch places in the city that I think are better and will probably just stick to those in the future. But, this place wasn't horrible, so if I'm with people who want to come here, I wouldn't be opposed to it and just hope that that experience is better.
(3)
Kison P.

My top breakfast choice in RN. Very good quality ingredients, lots of fresh juice and smoothie options. Staff are all friendly, accommodating and kid friendly. I have visited several times for breakfast and lunch and never been disappointed.
(5)
LM P.

Meli Cafe, what a wonderful way to start your day! They have an amazing breakfast menu featuring skillet meals, omlets, scramblers, sandwiches, frittatas, eggs benedict, waffles, pancakes, and crepes. They also offer healthier choices such as fresh fruit and parfaits along with vegan and gluten free options as well. I indulged in the strawberry and banana french toast with a chocolate drizzle while my husband had the decadent caramel banana pancakes. Yum! The food, drinks and service were excellent. We felt very comfortable there. You could tell by the way the staff treated us, that they cared about customer service. What a great 'last meal' to have during our visit to Chicago!
(4)
Nazy H.

By far the best breakfast/brunch place in Chicago! You can't go wrong with anything you pick here! The skillets are incredibly delicious! Mana mou steak skillet is one of my favorites. Everything is soo fresh you taste it in every bite. The red roasted potatoes, fries, and fruit sides are even good. You can smell the decadent buttermilk pancakes from a mile away and just indulge in them! The juices and smoothies are a must as well! All incredibly amazing! Oh and service is unquestionable. Everyone is so helpful, homey, and happy! I love it! There will be a wait if you go anytime on the weekend but it is definitely worth it! Bon apetite! :)
(5)
Eileen K.

Came here for breakfast. Firstly, the interior is really beautiful. Spacious, lots of natural sunlight, a yellow daisy at every table, pretty lights, and yellow glowing interior. We got seated on a wooden platform area, and taking in the interior made me giddy! That being said, we were sad to find the food overpriced and mediocre, and service a little awkward. We got: the Stuffed Strawberry French Toast: the presentation was really pretty. Bright pink and fresh strawberries topped with sprinkles of powdered sugar. The french toast was filled with a great helping of Mascarpone, but for me, a little too much. :( I took a bite and realized it was waay to heavy for breakfast. Well, waay to heavy in general. I might just skip the "stuffed" and get the Strawberry french toast instead. We also got an omelette and another bread-y dish I dont remember. Presentation was very pretty, taste, just okay. My coffee didn't get refilled until I nearly flagged down our server, who finally came towards the end of my meal. Service was slow. That being said, of course I didn't try everything on the menu, and I didnt try any of their juices either. But the price and the food that I got....Lets just say if I happen to be in Chicago again, I wouldn't come back.... Theres just too many other yummy places to visit!!
(3)
Victor S.

Had high hopes for this seemingly good breakfast joint, but the raved about French toast was simply some bread drowning in cream and way too sweet. Who would think that putting cream in between and on top of some already sweetened bread would make for a delicious dish? The egg white scramble was fairly tasty but somewhat plain. Wait staff seemed uninterested. It had a good chance but we won't be going back!
(3)
Zuleika H.

I just went today to Meli's cafe to try the breakfast because I heard great reviews. As soon as I entered the owner named Yunni greeted me. I thought that was exceptional. At that time I had no clue that was the owner. I saw a special written on the sign outside and decided to order the bananna french toast, with pecans on top and caramel. It was to die for! I can't even explain, but I am a great cook, and have been to several 5 star breakfast places, and this is the best french toast ever!! After I ate and was leaving the owner thanked me again for coming, so I had to walk back and ask is that the owner? they said yes. I had to commend him on his service, yunni then told me they make the food from scratch. Nothing is processed here. I can stand processed food. My waitress Elena was truly on par. Stellar service, and ambiance!! I loved that the owner took time to acknowledge his customers for coming both times.
(5)
Stephanie L.

I came back here when Fabcakes was closed on a Sunday. Well I have to say, they actually were better. We sat at the bar because the wait on a Sunday early afternoon was still 30 minutes so we were able to snag a seat at the bar in like 2 mins. We beat the rush because when we were leaving, the place was JAMMED. Anyway, the service at the bar was so-so. Its a very busy place so I get it, however, I shouldnt have to ask for refills on coffee, etc. I got an omelette with chicken sausage and it was pretty good. Overpriced, but good. Overall, not a horrible breakfast place, but not anything that I loved.
(3)
Chris G.

This was _supposed_ to be a quick Binny's Beverage Depot run to get a few bottles of red. Meli's tender, juicy, well-seasoned, chunky turkey burger patty easily suffocated my toasted wheat bread slices and pared well with the grilled zucchini, roasted red pepper, honey dijon and baby swiss. I could hardly hold this whopper without it wonderfully falling to pieces over my plate. Truth be told, I didn't really expect much because Meli's is known for their brunch food. After taking a bite, I sat in my chair and nearly crumpled in submission. There's no damn way that this sandwich was that good! So yah... what the hell does this have to do about Binny's? It was one of those hazy, muggy, sprinkley summer mornings just before the lunch hour and I was torn between heading to The Kerryman for their awsum turkey burger or stocking up on a few bottles or red at Binny's. But they're far away in another direction, but just a few steps over from Meli's which is likely to get more of my lunchtime business as a result. Unabashed, I keep a Turkey Burger Rolodexâ„¢ in my iPhone so that no matter where I am, I have a good read on where to satisfy this perpetual craving. I was familiar with Meli Cafe's Greektown location, which is my favorite brunch spot in that part of town, but wasn't aware that they'd opened their Grand and Wells location. The service was a little slow (I think they have a few new servers) but man was it worth the wait!
(3)
Ashley G.

This most amazing brunch I've had. I am super picky about my eggs Benedict. The bread was freshly baked. My eggs were cooked perfectly. And the potatoes that come on the side - utterly phenomenal with a tinge of rosemary. I took my parents here the morning after my uncles comedy show. My stepmom had the spinach Benedict, my father the chicken chili omelette and I the original eggs benedict. My little sister got an egg, a side of toast and sausage links. Those links were amazing as well. Much love came from that food. And we all gave Meli 5 stars. Will definitely go again.
(5)
Eye R.

The food was decent but the customer service was horrible. My partner and I went in for brunch today and were told that our pager would go off when it was time to be seated (wait time was 20-30 minutes). About 30 minutes later we saw two couples who came in after us (and received their pagers after us) get seated before us! When my partner spoke to the hostess she simply said that we would be seated next and did not offer any kind of apology or explanation. I then spoke to the manager and she was extremely defensive and rude! She addressed my partner and I in a very demeaning voice and basically told us that were stupid because, as she explained, they give out the pagers in order of arrival and so we must have arrived after the two couples. We decided to just stay and try the food since we had by then waited almost 45 minutes. The server was sweet when I explained what had happened and actually apologized for the manager's behavior. She also said that the manager is known to be rude, especially when the place is busy. Again, food was fine but unless a new manager is hired, we're taking our money elsewhere.
(1)
Craig R.

My wife and I just went over to Meli this morning for some brunch. Although it was good, I can't say it was any different than Orange Peel or Yolk really. This could be because I really don't eat eggs much and so pancakes and waffles are pretty standard across the board. All in all, we were happy with our trip: -Wait staff was nice -Prices were comparable for the area -We sat right down at 10 on a Saturday (nice!) -The pancakes were good and the portion was large -My wife's omelette was gigantic and they use Pam instead of butter to cook it which she prefers -The Peach Mango smoothie was large and delicious, although a dumb choice on a freezing cold morning Will definitely be back!
(4)
Christina M.

I was drawn to Meli because of their vegan and vegetarian friendly menu. My dining partner and I chose yesterday as the day to try Meli since I ran a half marathon that day, because it was a nice way to celebrate the run and get down on some brunch food. What we didn't realize is that this is more of a health-focused brunch spot - which is fine with me - so keep that in mind if you want some greasy breakfast food. I ordered the vegan French toast, and my dining partner ordered some egg sandwich. We both liked our meals but I'll honestly say that the vegan French toast was a little too healthy. It was loaded with fruits (raspberries, blueberries, and bananas - yum!) but the bread was reminiscent of hippy grain bread, which does not make for good French toast. The syrup was also agave nectar rather than maple syrup, again something I'm not used to with French toast. There are many other vegan things on the menu that I'd like to try soon, so I'll update my rating accordingly then.
(3)
Christina M.

Found this place on Yelp on our trip to Chicago. It was amazinngggg! It was a bit pricier then what we expected for breakfast but it was delicious and worth it! I had the Gouda skillet with a orange, strawberry and kiwi juice. The skillet was huge but it was sooo good I ate every bit of it! My boyfriend had the Skirt Steak Skillet and loved it too. We wanted to try something sweet too so we shared the Symphony crepes filled with Nutella and yuuummmm. Everything was great! Our server was very attentive, the wait was short and the decor was bright and lively. Can't wait to visit again!
(5)
Jessica S.

Meli is my new love! I had a fantastic brunch here with a girlfriend a week back and cannot get it off of my mind. Unique, delicious breakfast options and an awesome juice bar. There is usually a long wait and they don't do call aheads, so give yourself a little time but trust me, it is worth the wait!
(4)
Tim B.

Slightly upscale breakfast place. Warm and cozy, but NOT a "bring your laptop and hang out all morning" kind of place. (oops!) GREAT menu, fast, friendly, cheerful, attentive service. I had the "special" fritatta (sp) - Swiss cheese, bacon, spinach, potatoes, etc. DEElish. Wonderful. Would give this the full five stars...BUT...the place lacked a key menu item for any breakfast place... A sweet / savory combo option! EX - French Toast -n- Eggs.
(4)
Elsa V.

This was my first time at any of their locations. I went with a friend for a late lunch, 2:30. While the food was excellent, our server seemed bored/ displeased to have us at her station, yes l know the lingo; my father was a maitre d. The coffee cup had a small chip yet she used it and seemed upset that l transferred my coffee to the unused one on the table, only asking "was this one dirty?" l pointed out that since l was left handed the chip would be on the side I'd have to sip from. No apology just took it away. She only stopped by once to ask if the food was fine; and it was. However she never came back to ask if we needed more water, my friend asked another server. l have no idea if they refill the coffee but at $2.85 l would have hoped so. I ended up drinking ice cold coffee. It wasn't a large bill, $30.77. I come from a family that has worked in the food service industry, father, sister etc. l still gave her $5 solely, PERHAPS, hoping she'll change her attitude and not prejudge her next guests at her station. My friend even made a comment, when she first came, about her seeming short; l said NO your not wrong. We BOTH felt the same negative emotion. The 3 stars is for the kitchen staff; presenation and excellent food. I would give more but it needs to be less to show my dissatisfaction with the wait staff. No one bussed our table or told us that they closed at 3pm. l hadn't thought to look at the door and who closes so early on a Saturday? only a rude awakening that they had closed, for us to go; we felt embarrassed. Even that could have been said in a more palatable manor; not our server, someone else. Although, initially, l had thought to return to try other menu items, l won't be returning to this local and perhaps none other, if all the staff treats their guests in such a flippant way.
(3)
Nadia S.

Wanted to grab brunch that was close to our hotel we were at one wkend and found this lil place. Menu was extensive but I decided on the salmon Benedict. It really sucked and I probably only had three bites sadly. I couldn't even cut thru the burnt English muffin. But what gets this place four stars??? The stuffed apple French toast... Good Lordy. Felt like a swollen cow after eating this but wow. It was amazing. I would love to try their juice bar.
(4)
Kelly M.

I was torn between 3-4 stars, its very good.... Tons of menu choices, I've tried the scrambler so delicious, tried the skillet equally as delicious.... I decided to go with the Carmel Pecan pancakes last time I visited, and truthfully I didn't like them. I felt like the pancakes were dry, like I needed to drink something while eating them. I will definitely go back, just not order the pancakes. I was with my mom and she had the pecan waffle and thought it was amazing. All of the smoothies and special drinks looks so good, I haven't tried anything yet, but many of the tables around me did. There was a four some next to me clearly hungover and they were all doing wheat grass shots. Oh yeah.. the other table next to me had the breakfast burrito and it was huge and looked delicious, I might have to try that!
(4)
Chrysa L.

I have visited this location and the Greektown location on several occasions, but will review this location since it was the site of my most recent visit. First off, if I did not know how good their food is, I probably would have walked out simply based upon the treatment from the seating hostess. I walked up, politely told her we had a party of three, and she slammed the queue buzzer on the counter and slid it across at me. She never even said a word. She did not tell me how long of a wait it would be. I get it. Sunday brunch is crazy. You are cranky. However, as the first person I encounter upon entering your establishment, you really need to cut the 'tude. That aside, the waitresses are always very nice and very fast. I love that the place (and the Greektown location) are painted yellow and are very bright and warm. The food. Oh, the food. I have never eaten ANYTHING here that I have not liked. I hate to be so vague, but everything is delicious. On this visit, I had one of the specials -- a bowl of baby red potatoes covered in a hash of bacon, Brussels sprouts, leeks, green onions and mozzarella cheese, with two poached eggs and a side of toast. This is the one breakfast place where I actually get and eat the toast thanks to their homemade marmalades and jams. We got two little dishes of orange marmalade and I wanted to slurp up every last drop. If you want to enjoy a delicious and hearty breakfast washed down with a glass of fresh, homemade juice, come to Meli!
(4)
S L.

every time I eat here, it's a great experience. I ordered delivery today and it was just as good. The food even arrived early.
(5)
Andrew W.

Pretty damn good breakfast spot. I got some kind of breakfast bowl with potatoes, gouda, bacon, onions, and some other really fresh good stuff I can't remember right now. Anyway, the ingredients were amazing, the flavors well-balanced. Overall, it was obvious a lot of thought went into this dish, especially for a breakfast dish. They have fresh juices and juice blends. Some basic juices, as well as some this-juice-is-so-healthy-that-if-you-drink-it-you-Âwill-live-forever fruit and vegetable juice blends, which personally I am a big fan of. Oh yeah they have pretty good coffee too.
(4)
patrick h.

A beautiful space, really good coffee and fresh ingredients. It's a little on the expensive side for breakfast, but it's downtown and it's quality. If it's as good the next time I visit my review will go up to 5 stars.
(4)
Matthew L.

This place used to be good then they changed the menu and now there's no more streusel french toast. That was actually the only reason I went here, sigh sad face : (
(2)
Mike G.

Great breakfast! The marmalade was fantastic! Very fresh! My omlette was great as well!
(5)
Patrick M.

Hostess (who also claims to be GM) is really unfriendly and unaccommodating. Food is very good. generally the staff seems to have an attitude - might all be Russian or Eastern European. I'd go back for the food but one more bad experience with the staff will keep me away for life.
(3)
Kate L.

I'm not much of a breakfast girl, but I do enjoy Meli's lunch options. I went there today with a friend after the lunch rush (~1:30 p.m.), and we were seated immediately. I hadn't been to this location before, but it's much bigger than the Greektown location where I've always had to wait for a table. To drink, I ordered the Skin Cleanser, a juice blend of apple, celery, and cucumber. It was pleasantly sweet and tasted very fresh. I was happy with my selection, and I look forward to trying another juice the next time I'm at Meli. Juice blends cost around $5, but I don't mind splurging once in a while as they make me feel like I'm doing something good for my body. To eat, I ordered the Whole Wheat Wrap, which comes with a side of Detox Salad. The wrap contained grilled tofu, roasted red peppers, grilled zucchini, arugula, and red vinaigrette on a thin wheat flatbread. The salad consisted of quinoa, almonds, red onion, kale, blueberry, orange, and vinaigrette. This is what healthy food should taste like! Both were vegan and gluten-free. I would highly recommend Meli for anyone who needs/wants to eat that way. The wrap was large and cost $10. My only complaint is that the flatbread got a bit soggy from the vinaigrette. On other occasions (albeit at the other location), I've ordered the Goat Cheese Wrap and various smoothies, all of which I have enjoyed.
(4)
Colleen C.

Meli Meli! Soliving River North's breakfast/brunch problem, finally! There are just so few places to grab a good brekkie in RN during the week. Sure tons of places doing weekend brunch in the 'hood, but Meli's doin' it e'eryday. Woo. I've only been for breakfast/brunch/lunch at both Meli locations on traditionally non-busy weekdays. Having said that, the River North outpost is much less busy than Greektown, even for a weekday. GT is slammed even midweek for lunch. The vibe is a bit more laid back as well, leading to a more enjoyable experience. More elbow room will do that for ya, I suppose. Their egg concoctions always get my order, most notably the chicken sausage scramble with toast and fruit. Their portions are spot on, the food has always been fresh and that juice bar sings my name whenever I am drinking juice out of a can/bottle or box. REAL JUICE. Lots of it. They have a pretty extensive menu for breakfast AND lunch, but I'm always partial to breakfast foods. They've got a full coffee bar (though on my most recent visit, my Americano mysteriously never appeared!), it was replaced with 7 refills of coffee though, so no harm no foul. Service is always pretty stellar. The same deal as Greektown in a different location, more space, cleaner look, less rushed and excellent food. Great spot to take a group or your parents, though I imagine on the weekends its crazy. Be prepared!
(4)
S G.

Delicious breakfast and brunch options- had the apple waffles, veggie patties, chicken sausage and potatoes. yum! good smoothies The breakfast bowls are fresh and the chicken chorizo was great. Get there before 11 to avoid lines Good for toddlers too!
(4)
Jana S.

I got my second chicken omelet here today. My first was a month and a half ago or so, and was really good. I would give it 4 stars. Today, it was less so. 2 stars. There was hardly any chicken in it. It is called a chicken omelet! Also, the avocado was way over ripe. For $15, fresh avocado and some chicken are expected.
(2)
Sruts A.

Meli Cafe has a lot of options, you should know that before you go in! There are loads of versions of eggs, some made only with the whites which makes it simple to order. The juices and smoothies are fresh! You know how refreshing it is to have a tall glass of freshly squeezed orange juice after your morning run? Ah! I had the Egg White Scrambler which was properly loaded with all the vegetables mentioned - a very healthy option; and a side of toast served with strawberry jam and marmalade. Go for the day's specials, especially the smoothies. Almost anything you pick will be served to you within ten minutes, which is pretty darn cool on a Saturday morning when most breakfast/brunch places are packed! The restaurant itself is very nicely set out, with the juice bar to the right and same tables, while the rest of the dining is on the left with loads of space and sunlight.
(4)
Amisha P.

LOVE this place because of the fresh juice! It's great and healthy! Enjoyed the food and atmosphere. The portions are big enough for 2 to share easily unless your hungry.
(5)
Paolo D.

This is one our favorite places for breakfast or for lunch. It's great place if your'e hung over to recuperate....it's fast it's clean and they have a fantastic juice bar. I am always impressed at how fast the food comes out to the table and how good it consistently is. The servers are awesome and remember you when you return a second or third time. Always recommend to out of town guests and to newbies moving to Chicago
(5)
Darius Y.

Stopped I'm here for late afternoon breakfast, and was pleasantly surprised. The design of the restaurant is nice and cozy. There is a juice bar in the front and dinning to the left. I ordered the pancakes and was disappointed. The pancakes were too thick and lacked flavor. I sent it back and ordered the waffle. The waffle was huge and very delightful. The one egg was huge and is all you need for one person. The sausage was meh it had more of a polish sausage taste. Overall it was delicious. Would recommend
(4)
Lindsey Z.

My family came to visit me in Chicago so of course I took them to Cafe Meli Bc I've been here numerous times and was certain they would love it. My dad was so impressed with the food, we are back again this morning!! What's MOST impressive, however, is the management and hostess staff. There is one lady, Jelena, who runs the show. She sits people, she monitors the cooking staff, she does it all!!! She will make sure you are well taken care of! But I have to give props to everyone really. The staff is very hard working and has great attitudes! Hope you enjoy!!!!! :)
(5)
Noneya B.

Delish! I had the Corned Beef Hash Benedict and it was pretty ah-mazing! I loved that they had a juice bar as well - we ordered the "green machine" to go, but unfortunately my boyfriend left the juice sitting at the train stations :( The service was great and the restaurant was pretty packed - I could see why after enjoying my breakfast. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Shing Yiing O.

My friend and I are both YELPERS!!! Looking through yelp the night before to decide which restaurant is the best place for brunch... so we narrow it down to a few choices but we chose Meli because it reminds us of Siggy's in Brooklyn... One of the best organic brunch I have ever had.. Ordered Stuffed Strawberry... french toast with strawberry cream, and fresh strawberries on it... It looks really good.. I like it but not love it.. I am not a "cream" person... They put a little too much of the strawberry cream in it... I had to "scrap" them off a little.. I guess it's just me... I will enjoyed it more if the french toast is a little bit crispier.. My friend had a vegetable Benedict... It's not too bad.. nothing much to praise about... We also had strawberry, kiwi, and orange mix fruit juice... I don't find it a big deal because it's a really normal thing in Malaysia where I can simply get it for 3 dollars (it's probably less than a dollar if I convert it with the currency).. well... since it's different country.. I can't be bias... of course it's good because they blend it with fresh fruits.... We also ordered a vanilla latte... you can taste their coffee and even smell it... Wouldn't say it's the best coffee but it's good to enjoy!!!
(4)
Johnny T.

4 stars is nothing to scoff at. Perhaps this would have been a five star review, but my Meli heart is smitten by the Greektown location. Maybe because it was my first... Meli. I dunno. But, n0think compares 2 uuuu, Greektown Meli. River North Meli, I dub the the Cindy of Meli's. Everyone knows Marcia's the hot one but Cindy is the cute kid sister you don't mind helping to babysit if it means you get to kick it with Marcia. Add in the curls and lisp and you're 'awwing' all over the place. You're certainly not a bitter, middle Jan. That would be [forthcoming]. One thing Cindy has going for her over Marcia is the seating. The floor to ceiling glass windows of new construction easily trump the older (and wee bit more dated) views of the Marcia locale. So, props to youth (but not that many; it's not that kind of review) but you just can't beat experience and proper age. Being Cindy Meli, I knew to stay true to the formula that works: smoothie (anything with peach, raspberries and/or whipped cream is a winner) and omelet (chicken with bacon, avocado, onion, tomato, jalapeno, jack & cheddar cheese). The smoothie was every bit as good as I have come to expect from Meli but my omelet was a little overdone. The bacon and chicken were dry. I think this omelet would work better with only one of the proteins and sub in some cilantro for the missing one. Or, cumin. Cumin makes everything better. But, valiant effort Cindy. You'll get there one day. But, for now, it's Marcia Marcia Marcia.
(4)
Josh B.

First, as a Californian, let me say that I'm really impressed by the breakfast options in Chicago. Folks there like their breakfast, and clearly make time for it! This is the second location for Meli Cafe of Greektown. While it doesn't quite have the authentic funky atmosphere of the original Meli, it also doesn't have the lines. On a Thursday, we walked right in. Meli continually puts more work into breakfast than anyone else. I had the "egg heap" which was a mound of tasty sauteed vegetables hidden beneath an inverted bowl of ultra-fluffy scrambled eggs. If you only have one day for fancy breakfast in Chicago, spend it here or at original Meli.
(5)
William K.

Solid! Upon arrival, there was a host who guided me and my guest to a seat. Immediate service and prompt preparation of the food. The juice selection can be a tad overwhelming, but it's always best to have more choices than not enough. Many breakfast restaurants state that they have 'fresh-squeezed orange juice' these days, and it's merely some Dole mix than got from a store. Not this place! It's pure juice all the way around. If you don't go for the food, the juice is just as worthy. I had the berry mixed french toast, which was really good, but the highlight was the whipped cream topping, which was unique to anything I've ever had before on french toast, and very addictive. The atmosphere is a plus also, which makes the experience worth dining in; very spacious, with nice bathrooms I may add. I've struggled to find a new breakfast spot to feast from, and this restaurant has my attention. On a side note, they also have a pretty nice vegan menu to select from, for those who are interested about such food. I'll have to return to explore the rest of the menu, and it's worth bringing a few friends.
(5)
Jaclyn L.

I came here on a Saturday for brunch - around 11am - and there was about a 10-15 min wait, which was less than I expected. It took us longer to read through the juice menu and decide on something than it did to get a table. I ended up getting a mango moscato/sparkling wine and omelette (blue cheese, sausage, apple, pear, yumminess) and both were delicious! The house potatoes were sooooo scrumptious that I didn't even put ketchup on them - which says A LOT. I talked about the meal all day long and dreamt about it.... I actually returned the next day (Sunday at noon was a big longer of a wait, but we could have snagged a bar table). Yum! I will definitely be a regular here.
(5)
Meagan B.

As a note first and foremost portions are HUGE! True fat american sizes. They do have smoothies and fresh juice if you want something on the lighter side. Breakfast is served until they close. I had the flatbread with the chicken chorizo and beans, and eggs, it was good, but left me feeling yuckie afterward. My friend had the no name wrap it was pretty bland, to quote her the best part about it was the bacon. Other friend had the egg white veggie scrambler thing, that was still huge and full of veggies so perhaps a good option. I just was so turned off by the huge portions. I don't like wasting food, but I don't like being a glutton so therefore this place is not for me.
(2)
Jordan P.

Brunch is my favorite meal of the day, so I'm a tough critic of brunch places, but Meli definitely meets my high standards. They have a great menu with tons of choices from pancakes, to crepes, to omelets. I never know what to get because everything sounds and looks fantastic! My favorite is the spicy flamenco omelet that has chicken chorizo, jalapeÃ±os, jack cheese, onions, cilantro and sour cream. They also have amazing homemade jams and honey butter. I also enjoy their fresh squeeze juices. The service here is so so. Especially when the place is busy it can feel like they're trying to rush you out. There also tends to be a wait on the weekends.
(4)
Carly T.

I've had a few friends and coworkers rave about Meli, so my fiance and I tried it out this Sunday. FOOD: A very wide array of options means I'll be back again to try the rest. Telling myself that was the only way I could even bring myself to order just one thing. There were even like 8 or 9 options just for Eggs Benedicts. I tried "The Healthy Start" (or something like that), which consisted of scrambled eggwhites and veggies on toasted naan. It was very creative and delicious. Also, unlike a lot of diners and breakfast joints, where your food tastes greasy and overloadad with butter, Meli's food tastes light and fresh. JUICES: There aren't a lot of places that have the kind of variety of fresh juices that Meli has. My fiance and I were quite impressed by how taste their juices were, despite being a lot of fruits that are tough to come by in winter time. SERVICE: I wish I could remember the name of our server, because she was right on target. In my fiance's words... "I was never wondering where she was. She was always right there when I needed it. My coffee was never empty. She was right there when we sat down. They cleared our table quickly. Also, she didn't interrupt our conversation at awkward intervals." MUSIC: My only 'con' about this place was the obnoxious music. If you're going to play music that is that corny and bad, just turn the volume down. It felt like Whitney Houston was part of my conversation.
(4)
Jennifer C.

1st visit here, in town overnight. Our Concierge at the hotel recommended we try this place only a block from the hotel and we took his advice. Glad we did! The atmosphere was very warm and inviting. For a Sunday @ 10a, we were seated quickly, much to our surprise. All juices are made freshly squeezed. I tried the Orange Strawberry juice and I can't say enough about it. If it weren't for the $4.50 price tag, I would have had more than 1 glass, but alas, I contained myself. My friend and I ordered from the daily special menu; Omelette w/jalepeno bacon, tomatoes, jalepenos, black beans and mixed cheese...I had the Steak & Egg burrito with chihuahua cheese. Our meals were great. The portions are comparable to the price, no complaints. Outside of missing salt, the food was very tasty. The kids had Chocolate Chip pancakes which they raved over. They even make their syrup, jelly and ketchup from scratch in house. Definitely a must visit spot on my next trip to The CHI!
(4)
Stephanie W.

I came here for my birthday breakfast and was delighted! The juice was fresh and the food was delicious. I ordered a loaded broccoli frittata (broccoli, potato, bacon, cheddar cheese), which was incredible. The only reason I knocked it down to 4 stars is I wanted to substitute a nutella crepe for my toast. The waitress said there'd be an extra charge; of course, that's fine. She then comes back to tell me the kitchen can't make just one crepe, they'd have to make an entire order (3 enormous crepes). It's my birthday so I did the damn thing and ordered two breakfasts. But c'mon Meli, how can you not only make one crepe?!
(4)
JJ F.

Gluten free crepes! Wow! Almond milk, fresh squeezed veggie juices, coconut flour, paleo choices, just had an amazing brunch. Only slight complaint was that the air conditioning wasn't on for most of the time we were there, don't know if that is normal or not but id go back regardless!
(5)
Josh V.

I arrived at Meli a few minutes after noon on a sweltering summer Sunday. The place was definitely bustling! I spoke to the hostess and inquired about a table for 5. I was quoted 30-35 minutes and given a vibrating pager with pretty blue (not ugly red!) flashing lights. Less than 15 minutes later the thing went off! Of course, my co-diners weren't supposed to meet there until 12:30 so I was the only one there. The hostess was very nice and understanding and said to just let her know when my party arrived. When 4 of the 5 of us were there (right on time, shockingly) they escorted us immediately to a table. Good start! The menu is huge like WHOA! Omelets, skillets, scrambles, crepes, pancakes, french toasts and more...and that's just the breakfasty-stuff. They also have a selection of lunchy salads & sandwiches that I really didn't bother looking at. I knew I wanted eggs, and I wanted them to GET IN MY BELLY (I was hungry). With much difficulty I chose the Spicy Flamenco omelet, containing chicken chorizo sausage, cheese, jalapenos, cilantro & a couple veggies. I have to say it...sounded better on paper. It was merely OK. The chorizo wasn't flavorful enough, the cheese was concentrated in a big glop in the middle and the jalapenos really dominated the flavor. That being said, my dining companions (the three who weren't suffering from odd male hot-flashes anyway) seemed to really enjoy their food. So maybe I just got a lemon of a dish. I know I tried the donut pancakes (a special that day I think) and they were delicious, but I'm a savory brunch guy. The service? Well, that was not stellar. It took a long, long time to get the juice drinks we ordered (mine was good, but they're all about $5 a pop...ouch) and we had to flag down a busboy to get coffee at least five minutes after ordering it. The food came out in a few waves. I understand one person can't bring out food for 5 people all at once, but it took a bit longer from first plate to last than I think it should have. Bottom line, there are still a lot of things I'd like to try on the menu. It's possible my dish was just not one of the best, and the waitress may have been having an off day (or she was new or something). So I'll most likely be back. Bonus: Local celebrity "Sexy" Alexi Giannoulias was there at the same time. (And yes I spelled his name right on the first attempt!)
(3)
Jing C.

Meli Cafe... How I really, really, really wanted to like you. Broad menu with gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions? Score! 20 item+ Juice and smoothie menu for this juice lover? Yep. So why the poor experience? To start, the food was ho-hum. My crepe was a little soggy and oddly porous with little holes throughout. What?! Never seen that before. My dining companion's food was also just okay. Worst if all, after the lackluster crepe, I had the worst stomach ache of my life!! If its going to hurt, it better at least taste good!
(1)
Philippe R.

Nice place with many seats available. I was early so it was almost empty (and therefore, quite). Portions are large and I had to take a doggy bag. The food is good even if potatoes were too salty and the wrap not enough. So, I would put 3 because the great start (the wrap with spinash, eggs and cheese) could have been from good to very good.
(3)
Nishan P.

The wait is over! The wait for the new Meli Cafe to open, that is. The wait for a weekend brunch table may have only just begun. Being a big fan of the original Meli, I had been eagerly awaiting the opening of the River North branch. So eager was I to try it out that I spontaneously changed my mind about a Sunday brunch invitation I had previously declined. Upon learning that the new Meli was open, it took me only 15 minutes to join my friends there. That's 15 minutes to jump out of bed, shower, and get to the restaurant. The new Meli boasts an extensive menu of breakfast fare: crepes, pancakes, and eggs galore. I settled on one of my brunch favorites: crab cake eggs Benedict. I often use this dish to compare brunch cafes. The version I had at the new Meli was by far the best I've tasted yet. It contained a generous amount of crab meat filling every bite with delicious crab flavor. The accompanying baby red potatoes were a perfect complement. The service was prompt and my coffee cup was never less than half full. Even used sugar packets were removed from our table soon after we had consumed them. At 10:30 in the morning there was no wait, but by about noon people were milling around awaiting tables. I expect the wait will become a lot worse as word gets out so get to Meli while the going is good.
(5)
Tara S.

I was expecting good things based on the other reviews. Unfortunately, Meli disappointed. I got the Farmland skillet with vegetables in it. It came out watery and extremely bland. My boyfriend got the hash eggs Benedict and it was also bland. Neither of us finished our meals, they were so disappointing. Overall, I wouldn't come back and definitely wouldn't recommend it.
(2)
Ava D.

I loved this place. We went here for Sunday brunch. There was at least a 30mins - 45 mins wait but it was worth it. I ordered the tiramisu crepes and my friend ordered the French toast. Both of these dishes were amazing! He also ordered freshly squeezed OJ and we both had coffee. The atmosphere is fun and lively. My only downside was that I couldn't eat much because I didn't know we were going to end up here so I had a small snack prior to brunch.
(5)
Autumn S.

Loved the honey cakes. Light, sweet, and deliciously flavored with a hint of cinnamon. I just wish they were fluffier and a little more substantial. I also had freshly squeezed kiwi juice with honey and mango and orange. Yum yum! I liked how they drizzled the honey along the side of the glass so you could stir it in. Everything was super fresh and I am still dreaming of the smoothie I shared with my husband there-possibly one of the best one's I have had in a while. The only thing that kinda of bummed me out about this place was the service and it was not that clean. Our waitress had zero personality and i had to send several of my water glasses back because they were dirty which got me around to inspecting silverware which also got sent back. Finally I just had to give up and remember a little dirt is good for the immune system. I would definitely go back as they were probably just having a bad day with the dishwasher. Smoothie and food was worth it.
(3)
Chet K.

It's easy to make tasty food, and with the numerous locations (quantity buying), the large portions are expected. The claim of organic eggs is what brought me in. Overall, a good demonstration of green washing - using the word Organic to mislead. This business is unfairly taking away the customers from those places that are truly passionate about Farm-to-Fork , organic and quality food. + Take-out containers are PP, recycle symbol 5, not the PolyStyrene recycle symbol 6. + Easy use of fragrance in the men's bathroom with no use of 'Para' urinal blocks. + Tasty food + Reasonably priced - No other definite mention of what is/is not Organic. The eggs are claimed to be and the term is used loosely in a few places on the menu. Is anything else? - PolyStyrene utensils were included with the takeout when specifically asked not to be included. There are other easy options for take-out utensils, recyclable or compostable. PolyStyrene is not recyclable (with a few rare exceptions) regardless if it is stamped with recycle #6. This omission was the red flag. - Salt packets included with the take out were std-issue restaurant grade. Why are there no sea-salt packets? - Uses 'USDA Inspected' as a selling point on the menu. - Egg white options were offered under the healthy choices on the menu. This indicates the management's understanding of healthy. - The easiest organic offering for a restaurant is coffee. There was no claim of coffee being organic. With the numerous coffee roasters in Chgo specializing in organic coffee, offering ILLY coffee was a disappointment. Nowadays, any restaurant in a large, relatively-educated city, especially so close the downtown area, needs to claim some sort of 'Natural', 'Organic' Farm-to-Fork' something in order to stay competitive. Come to think of it, I have never had a non-tasty nor small-portioned meal in a Greek restaurant. (Meli is Greek for honey). Come to think of it x2, I have never had a truly organic-rich meal in a Greek restaurant, regardless of how many locations there may be.
(3)
Joshua G.

Juice is good. Staff sucks. ok if you want an interesting brunch. Not the best.. Lots of snobby people but hey it comes with the territory.
(2)
Sarah S.

Meli is our neighborhood breakfast spot. Hubby and I order Emerald Isle bowls and usually some pancakes of sorts to share and it is the freshest, most well prepared food you can get. Extremely high quality ingredients-expertly crafted-and inspired daily specials. If they make a mistake, they have fixed it for us and we love having our Meli treat. Delicious!
(5)
Taylor N.

My boyfriend and I love our breakfast, so we decided to try out this cafe. I ordered the Apple Stuffed French Toast with a side of Veggie Patties and my boyfriend ordered Meli's Honeycakes with a side of corned beef hash. The Apple Stuffed French Toast was as ridiculously good as I thought it would be and the Honeycakes had the perfect amount of sweetness with the uniquely delicious syrup. Also the veggie patties were really good, you could see the vegetables and beans inside the patty. I was a little put off by the service, they were overly attentive/pushy at the beginning and also slightly snobby. Comparing Chicago breakfast joints, Yolk and Wildberry's would be preferable over here even though the food is very good.
(4)
Jasmine P.

Meli's cafe is a great brunch spot in River North. Prices are on par with other casual brunch places in the area. I love their wide variety of juices. They have many choices for food as well. I had the kale scrambler. It was sooo delicious! Portions are large so I was more than satisfied. You can also requesr egg whites as a substitute. My friend got the egg white scrambler and was more than satisfied with her plate as well. Sausage patties are another tasty side we ordered. My friend always gets the ginger splash juice and highly recommends it. Service was genuine and attentive. Our waittress was there when she needed to be but not overly so. Everyone was friendly as well. The decor was clean, bright, homely, and inviting. I'll gladly return for sure.
(4)
Jelena Z.

I'm calling it right now: In about a year, Wells Street will be Brunch Boulevard. Between Yolk and the newest incarnation of Meli, I wouldn't want to brave this street on a weekend between 10am-3pm. Fortunately, Andrea R and I made breakfast plans for a relatively slow Thursday morning. One of the brightest perks of working from home (and anywhere with wi-fi) is trying Chicago's hottest and busiest brunch spots at off-peak times. Hooray! Because Andrea had already dined here a few times, I looked to her for sage menu advise. Verdict? The house specialty, omelets! It didn't take long to zero in on a winner: The Fig, with Kalamata dried figs, pancetta, onion, tomato (none for me) and goat cheese. At $14.95, it doesn't come cheap, but let me assure you it's worth every love-filled mouthful. Texture-wise, it reminded me of my other favorite omelet in town (Nellie's) which is stuffed with plantains. But there's just something about the combination of warm, ripe figs and creamy goat cheese... I recommend asking for a side of honey with your wheat toast to take these round, luscious flavors to the next level! What else could you possibly ask for in a dream breakfast? Oh right, fresh-squeezed juices. Meli offers just about every fruit and veggie you can think of in a squeezed format... pear, pomegranate, melon, strawberry, beet, grapefruit, celery, apple, carrot, ginger and so on. Again, have them add some honey and you'll be living the dream. The Lavazza coffee is fresh and hot and much to my liking, my mug was topped off without interruption or request. I'm really not sure if there's a better breakfast experience out there at the moment. Five fabulous stars!
(5)
Leslie S.

I'm a big fan of the Meli Cafe - both locations offer quality brunch options with extremely high standards for a decent price. Lately I've been gravitating toward the vegetarian omelet because Meli Cafe is one of the few restaurants that cooks the vegetables BEFORE putting them into the egg mixture. What a difference that makes! But the pancakes are also superb, and you really can't go wrong with their freshly squeezed (and prepared just for you juices). Even the hot chocolate is wonderful! This location is smaller than the one in River North, so the wait tends to be longer (get there early on weekends). They'll usually provide you with an electronic beeper so you can wait outside rather than the cramped restaurant. That being said, I find the University Village location to be much cozier, and I actually prefer it. The walls are painted in rich, warm colors, and the decor is a bit French bistro meets country charm (with a bit of Greek mixed in here and there). It's quiet and intimate, and I find it to be very pleasant overall.
(4)
Mayank P.

There are many options of brunch places in Chicago, this one ranks high among them. The food is fresh and abundant. The place has a good friendly vibe as well. There may be a wait, depending on when you get there. Well worth the wait, though.
(4)
Andrea R.

I squealed with delight when I first saw Meli would be opening another location in River North. Months later I was still waiting for the grand opening and my husband told me he was pretty sure it was never going to happen. I crossed my fingers and Meli FINALLY opened their doors! I hear the wait can be pretty long on the weekends, which isn't too surprising considering their original location is always packed to the max. However, the lovely Colleen C and I were one of the few tables when we met here for a yummy bfast on a Thursday morning. It's never easy choosing from their extensive menu, but I opted for their horseradish omelet: chicken sausage, portobello mushroom, tomato with horseradish infused cheddar. It was quite heavenly...just like everything I"ve ever eaten at their other location. This was definitely worth the wait!
(4)
Carol K.

My favorite meal? Breakfast out. So when I saw that Meli had opened in the old Mig and Tig space I knew I just had to go and check it out. It was Sunday, though and I always make deals with myself for Sunday morning brunch like, if I can't find parking nearby, or if the wait is over 30 minutes, I will give up my dream meal for another day. But not on this Sunday. I drive by and instantly find street parking right on Wells. Score one for me. I walk into Meli and the host says I can wait 10 minutes for a table or sit at the breakfast bar. Since I wanted nothing more on this morning than to read my paper and have my favorite breakfast- the bar was fine with me- so I sidled up to the granite topped juice bar and took a look around. The space is lovely and bright. Windows line Wells bringing in tons of natural light. The fresh juice bar smells like oranges as they are fresh squeezing oranges and apples, and carrots and grapefruit and just about any kind of juice you might want. There are prints on the walls that give a nod to the quality ingredients that you will find here like Eggland's Best eggs. The woman at the bar took my order and brought me my coffee. And as I savored that- I read the paper and took it all in. My food came up quickly- Eggs Benedict (classic style although they have about 4 versions of it on the menu). The hollandaise sauce was perfect and the yolk broke beautifully to blend in with the sauce. I was in breakfast heaven. Just like the other Meli- if you want a drink to go with your breakfast you will have to look elsewhere as they do not serve alcohol. Breakfast was reasonable (about $20) and I was in and out in about 45 minutes. Also if you don't want to wait- get there by 10:30 for at 11am- there was a line out the door. Great food, served by friendly people in a beautiful, new environment. Meli Greek town always gets my vote and now it's new sister in River North gets it too!
(5)
S. J.

Our family is visiting so we are not regulars. We were seated quickly and someone came and brought us waters right away. It took some time for our server to arrive. Her English was not good and she didn't know the menu at all. She did tell us she was new and when we asked questions she would leave the table for really long periods of time before returning with answers. I ordered the special of the day, a spicy frittata. I was really excited because I love frittatas. The frittata came with toast and gluten free toast. I ordered gluten free toast and the server did not tell me it was an additional charge. Then she came back 10 minutes after our food was served to tell they were out of gluten free toast. So I got regular toast when I was almost done with my meal. Our bill for 4 people eating 3 entrees and sharing was almost $60.00 so it is a pricy place. I also ordered the soup of the day, tomato artichoke and it tasted bland, liked canned soup. My frittata was very dry and doughy. My daughter loved the club sand which made with pork belly and my other daughter loved the Madame sandwich she ordered. I got a jump start fresh juice which was great. I'm surprised for $7.00 for 8 ounces that juice was not organic. In fact I'm surprised with food cost in Chicago there are not more organic choices. I will go back to Meli's when I come back to Chicago because I do think food is fresh and they have a great menu. I just think they should do a better job educating there servers and with customer service like explaining menu and what is additional charge.
(3)
Mary T.

I recall the first time I saw the "Meli coming soon" sign in the window of the old Mig & Tig space, I think I let out an audible cheer. I hadn't been to the original location, but the raves from friends made me want to rectify that. It seemed like the build-out took an eternity, but finally on one gloomy morning commute I spotted people inside eating and knew I had to make it there in short order before the secret was out. In a span of about 2 weeks, I've come here twice. The menu is quite large and drool-worthy; so drool-worthy that both times me and my dining partners struggled with what to order. What makes everything so great is the quality of the ingredients, no Bisquick or canned compote here! I have a brunch MO, anyone who has dined with me more than once knows it. I always go for a sweet main item and savory side, 99% of the time it's some form of potato. On my first visit I ordered the cobbler crepes - crepes with fresh berries, peaches, and brown sugar granola - and a side of baby red potatoes. Everything was fresh and fantastic and not overly sweet. It's definitely a dish I'd reorder or recommend to a friend. I also had the opportunity to try the caramel banana pancakes - delish and officially added to my mental "to order" list. On my most recent visit - the tail-end of my brunch trifecta - I ordered the baby reds and the strawberry-banana french toast with a little trepidation. Ordering french toast is always a gamble for me, because of my bizarre food-isms. I absolutely hate eggs; the only time I eat them is if I can't see them. So, cupcakes - yes, quiche - no. Overly eggy french toast - hell to the no. This french toast was amazing, dipped in a vanilla bean custard and served with fresh strawberries, bananas and drizzled with chocolate sauce, it needed almost no syrup at all. I wouldn't hesitate to order this, or any of their other french toast offerings, again. So far the waits here have been reasonable, but when the masses figure out this place is open, it will be justifiably swamped. With their extensive breakfast and lunch offerings, generous portions and mouthwatering dishes, it's totally worth the wait.
(5)
Melanie S.

My old boss, who is Greek, used to call me "Meli" all the time. I always thought he was just calling me "Melly" but I came to found out he was calling me "Honey" in his native language. I only discovered that when he took me to Meli in Greektown a few years ago and I read it on the menu. Looking back, it wasn't the most PC office and he probably shouldn't have called me that. Anyway, I was pretty excited when I heard they were opening a second location in River North. I always enjoyed going to their other location but due to the distance (not to mention the crowds), I didn't make it there too often. Now that their other location is open, it's a lot easier to get my Meli fix. I love that their menu is huge and offers both breakfast and lunch options. The breakfast selections are both sweet (French toast, pancakes, waffles, crepes) and savory (omelets, fritattas, crepes), and I have a hard time choosing which way to go. Today I opted for a Canadian bacon and gruyere cheese fritatta and my lunch companion had the mixed berry crepes. I had major food envy when her plate was put in front of her, but I knew my dish would not disappoint. It was a bit overcooked for me but otherwise I have no complaints. They didn't skimp on either the bacon or the cheese and there was a colorful garnish of confetti peppers on the plate. Oh - and the homemade jam they serve with their toast is absolutely delicious so make sure to try it. Service was brusque, but efficient. I think their prices are a bit on the high side for breakfast/brunch, but not enough to keep me from coming back.
(4)
Maria H.

Service with an attitude. Host was not a host, just a director. Waitress was beyond rude. Every employee looked miserable which made for a weird eating atmosphere. Food was ok. I asked for a bowl of berries and was given a bowl of tired fruit. If I never went back it would be too soon.
(1)
Taylor D.

One word: Overrated Worst service I have ever experienced at a breakfast joint. To start, we were quoted 20-25 minutes on a Sunday around 11:45AM. We waited 35 minutes. When we were taken to our table, it still had plates from the last table. Why would you take a guest to a dirty table? Our waitress did not come to us for about 10 minutes after being seated. She did not say hello just stood there and looked at us, waiting for our order. She was foreign, and quite frankly, one of the dumbest people I have ever met in the industry. We asked for coffee refills, did not get them. We asked for syrup, did not get it. We asked for skim milk for coffee, did not get it. Awful, awful waitress. Food wasn't bad. I had the ham and cheese omelet. It was a tab bit salty, but it was good. Our waitress never came to ask how the food was. The one positive was that Jonathan Toews from the Blackhawks was having breakfast here at the same time. Overall, I will not be back to this place. There are hundreds of other breakfast establishments that I would rather spend my money at.
(2)
Luke S.

Who knew there was a good brunch place in River North? I've been looking for a place like this for a long time, but only today found this place. They have a nice menu that is a blend of breakfast and lunch. The prices are not cheap, but they're also not price gouging you. I went with one of their wraps and it was outstanding! It had a ton of flavor and was really filling! Their omelette's also looked great! They were huge and had a ton of ingredients packed into them. I'm glad I know about this place now! This might be a new lunch spot for me.
(4)
Tupac L.

Very Very good food! Love the place looks awsome. They have a lot of organic products, there juice bar is the bomb. The homemade marmalade is delicious! I will definelty be coming back.
(5)
Mahsa T.

Brunch doesn't get any better than this. This new River North location of Meli just opened up last month and I couldn't be happier. The breakfast menu is absolutely huge, with choices ranging from skillets, omelets, scrambles, pancakes, sandwiches, frittatas, French toast, waffles, and crepes. Meli is known for their fantastic and creative juices and smoothies and I would highly recommend you try one. You can't go wrong with juice combinations like celery, apple, and carrot juice, or mango, orange, kiwi, and honey. FOOD: Lots of choices. Great solid food. My strawberry-banana French toast was delicious! It's made with honey sweetened Challah bread dipped in vanilla bean custard and served with whipped butter, maple syrup, fresh whipped cream, and dusted with powdered sugar. Also had a taste of my friend's veggie omelet--also delicious. SERVICE: Friendly and attentive. SPACE: Large, airy, spacious, new. Much larger than their Greektown location. CROWD: Great mix. Families with kids, couples, groups of friends. HOURS: They serve only breakfast and lunch, so you will need to get there before 3:00 pm. A bit of a wait during peak brunch time. I would take anyone here and be guaranteed they will come out happy.
(5)
sheridan r.

Breakfast. My favorite meal of the day (even if it's for dinner). We stumbled upon this place during our trip to Chicago. Had a delicious breakfast! Great flavor, and a nice variety for omnivores and herbivores. The only reason I did not give this more stars: service. We walked in from a rainy morning and there were 2 waitresses and, I'm assuming, a manager just standing there looking at us. No friendly greeting, no "2 for breakfast?", zip, zero, zilch. We stood there looking at them and I had to say "2 for breakfast, please". The manager didn't say a word, grabbed 2 menus and brought us to our table. Really? Lame. I waited tables for 5 years. I know how it works. The place was not slammed and there was no reason for the lack of communication/greeting, etc. For a higher end breakfast and price tag I expected a lot more customer service.
(3)
Rhonda G.

Everything on the menu looks awesome so good luck picking just one dish. This is the kind of place that needs combos so you can have a little bit of everything, but that is just wishful thinking of course. I went with the caramel banana pancakes with a side of baby red potatoes. Excellent! Dessert meets breakfast. I really enjoyed my pancakes and finished almost all of them though I probably shouldn't have. Fresh bananas on top and cooked in. The baby reds were also pretty good and helped to balance out the sweet of the cakes. Since coffee can be a deal breaker for me it's worth mentioning that the coffee was just right, not weak but not bitter or too strong. I imagine once people realize that this place has finally opened it will be harder to get a seat during the breakfast rush so go soon or risk standing in line.
(4)
Lauren H.

Came here on MLK day, we were a group of 6 but got seated quickly at a nice large round table. For this finicky eater, it was actually tough because there were so many dishes I wanted to try! I decided on the stuffed strawberry french toast, an unusual choice for me because I seldom like the way anyone makes French toast other than my Dad. However, it was very good, less sweet than I had feared; the mascarpone and fresh strawberries temepered it nicely. Serving size was large, I had enough to take home. I would definitely go back, so many more things to try!
(4)
Andrea K.

Went here for brunch. 12:30 pm. Waited for 30 minutes. Then was seated. The owner was there and was directing the traffic & his servers well. Ordered the: Prime rib omelet- a special for Easter brunch. With a side of red potatoes. The omelet was well cooked, tasty, seasoned well, the prime pieces were soft & succulent. The red potatoes were soft, not overly cooked, not hard & raw. Was well seasoned. Stuffed apple French toast. large portion, 3 pieces. For my taste it was way too sweet, & became mushy quite fast. I only had one and a half pieces. Reeses pieces french toast Topped with bananas. Special for Easter. Was like having dessert for breakfast. It was well cooked. The boys really loved it. Fresh orange juice- was good. But was room temperature. would be good if chilled. My BF tried To wave a waitress down. The waitress passed by, the owner saw, and quickly rerouted her. I think she tried to ignore my BF because we weren't her table. I was very impressed by the promptness of the service. Large servings. They offer salads, paninis, soup, sandwiches, fresh juice bar. I like the variety of options- not just breakfast options. The place has a fresh modern look. Looks clean & well lit. Would go again. Paid Street parking. Safe area. Prices are similar to Yolk, but have a larger selection and tastes better.
(4)
Jake H.

On a recent trip to Chicago, my friend and I stopped in here because she's been dying to try it. We stared at the food brought out to our neighboring table (fruit/nutella waffles - yes please) and drooled over how good they looked. We both opted for healthier options, I got a vegetable eggs Benedict and she got a egg white scrambler. Neither of us was disappointed! The eggs were filling and delicious! I'm a picky eater, and they let me customize it without any issues (or mistakes) so that was nice. The service was quick and attentive. All in all, if I'm in Chicago again, I'd happily go back here.. except maybe next time I'd get that really fattening but delicious looking breakfast!!
(5)
Niti B.

Never realized there was another Meli Cafe until recently. Love the location and as always love the food. the food is fresh and delicious and plentiful! I had the vegetarian fritatta and it was bigger than my head! I also had a fresh glass of orange strawberry juice and was very satisfied with service and food. Definitely have to make a stop for lunch sandwiches and wraps next time. The menu is a bit overwhelming but definitely a great spot and just a thought to remember that they close by 3pm so no late night service like the cafe in Greek town.
(4)
Annabelle L.

You can customize everything from fresh squeezed juice to omeletes, skillets, to pancakes, waffles, to salad, wraps! For example, I ordered a Salmon Omelete with 1 yolk, 2 egg whites, side arugula salad, and side Mutli-grain Berry pancake! I'm so amazed at how much customization I can do here! Love it! Interesting note: They have a very special honey! I never tasted this kind of honey before. The color is dark. The taste is very unique and good, comes with an interesting aroma too. I believe it is raw buckwheat honey, not really sure though. The butter is rare too, honey butter. You have to try both. Price: The food is cheap given the big portion that comes with it. Average dish is around $11. Comes with toast, roasted red potato, and fresh fruit.
(4)
Patty S.

I like bringing people here whether it's for a business meeting or brunch with friends. The atmosphere is classy without being too stuffy. It's very relaxed and feels conducive to have any kind of conversation. There is also a nice variety of food selection so everyone in your party can find something they like. I tend to lean towards the more savory dishes for breakfast/brunch, so the omletes and scramblers are my choices. They are also very healthy portions so you won't leave hungry! The freshly squeezed juice blends are a nice option as well and not too expensive. Oh! They also make their own jam! Make sure to give it a try when you're there!
(4)
Jess S.

While I Iove the variety of the menu and the fresh ingredients used, this location is severely lacking in service. I came here with my parents while they were visiting me in the city on a Saturday afternoon around 1:30. Even though it was typically past the prime brunch/lunch rush, Meli was still crowded, which was not unusual. We quickly put our name in for a table for three, and were told we would be seated in 10-15 minutes. If only we knew how inaccurate that estimation would be. Not only did we wait over 45 minutes to be seated, we proceeded to watch as the man who I presumed to be the manager (dark hair, worn in a ponytail) seated table after table that walked in after we had arrived. We initially assumed that these groups had put their names in and come back closer to the time they could be seated - wrong. We watched as two groups of people approached the host stand and provided the number in their party, and were seated immediately. After witnessing this, my mom approached the manager to ask whether we would be seated soon, considering what we had just experienced. Without so much as glancing in her direction, he mumbled something to the effect that we were "next" and rushed off to the kitchen. We proceeded to watch yet ANOTHER group of people be seated in front of us - after which I was EXTREMELY irritated. At this point, my parents and I were beyond annoyed and flabbergasted at the atrocious service. Finally, I told the hostess we would be leaving if we weren't the next group seated - and SHOCKINGLY - we were. As I mentioned before, I have never had an issue with the food, and the waitress was efficient and sweet. It's unfortunate that the terrible service overshadows the quality of the food. Although we were seated after I threatened walking out, we never received an apology from the hostess, or as much as a glance in our direction from the manager. I left feeling embarrassed and disgusted that I had brought my parents to a restaurant I'd initially felt confident they would enjoy, but that turned into a disastrous experience. I certainly won't be returning to Meli after this experience.
(1)
Aaron P.

We sat at the bar for immediate service. The bartender was friendly, but not the most efficient. The drinks were good and the food was good. This place has a huge food menu and we would definitely go back to try more things. I would give 3.5 stars if I could because I just wasn't feeling that the place was great.
(4)
Claire W.

Organic cafe. Healthy options.
(5)
Sarah H.

I seriously can't stop going back to this place. Everything I try is awesome. I am a big fan of the streusel french toast and the down on the farm skillet, but I have yet to try something I don't like here. My friend from out of town loved the orange marmalade that she bought a bunch to bring home with her. I would go here for brunch every weekend if I could! The location on Wells is a little bigger than the Greektown location and has huge windows so it's very bright and cheery and easier to accommodate the kiddies, but both locations are great.
(5)
Shradha A.

I've been eagerly awaiting the opening of the River North location of Meli after being a big fan of the Greektown location for a while now! We were a party of 10 and while they don't take reservations, they do accept call-aheads a few hours prior to try and accommodate large parties as quickly as possible upon arrival. This location is much more spacious and you don't feel obligated to eat and leave to honor the rest of the long lines waiting to try their amazing fresh juices and smoothies. I had the french toast, which to be honest, isn't my favorite in chi-city and hence the one less star. Everything else about this place was absolutely perfect - including my berry smoothie, one of my friend's spinach-feta omelet that I tried, and all else!
(4)
Aaron C.

The best restaurant we ate at in Chicago. The food feels so healthy and tastes delicious.
(5)
Amanda B.

This is the way breakfast should be done! My boyfriend and I had breakfast here on our last day in Chicago (visiting from out of town) per the suggestion of the concierge at our hotel. Boy, was the concierge SPOT ON! The juice is fresh squeezed (even had a few pieces of seeds in my OJ) and delicious. Our meals were equally amazing; him having an omelet (which we were sure they used ostrich eggs for, as it was HUGE!) and I had the apple-stuffed french toast. The portions were huge and definitely had plenty to share, though neither of us wanted to! It was almost a sin to not be able to take our leftovers with us. I could rave on and on about the food here, it was THAT good! The service was spot on, as well as the ambiance. We both agreed that you have to have a passion for food to be able to create and serve foods like that. We can't wait until our next trip back, as this place will be on our go-to list from now on!
(5)
Margarita H.

Had the Chocolate Morsel. It was good, but I guess I was hoping for something out of this world. I'm giving 3 stars because was the service was lacking. Every place I went to in Chicago, everyone was super friendly. The waitress we had was new, that's what she told us. Ok fine. But she didn't smile at all and was standoffish. Then she disappeared after we got our food. It was weird because we went early morning on a Monday, it was maybe a sixth of the place occupied, and there seemed to be a different waitress for every table. Maybe it was off day but with that many people working, you would figure we would get better attention and service.
(3)
Toni T.

I don't think the waitress got one thing right with our order. My friends wanted the wheat grass shots at the end of the meal, they got them before the meal served on warm plates. They wanted soup before the meal, they got them with the meal. I got the oatmeal with brown sugar and a banana (kinda hard to screw up), and my friends seemed happy with their meals. One got the Tuscan Benedict and the other got an Egg White Scrambler. We got there before the rush which was good and were seated instantly, the crowd started lining up at around 10:30/11 so keep that in mind if you do go.
(2)
Robert S.

I just had an amazing breakfast at the Meli Cafe on the corner of Grand and Wells. My oatmeal was perfect, and tge selection of juices is impressive. It's also very bright and clean. Very happy with this choice.
(4)
lovesmyanimals l.

I live near here. I have eaten here many times, so this is not a come here once and bam my review. Agree with Jenn G on Service and Management In a nutshell, RUDE RUDE RUDE. Scenerio: Waitress wrote the order down wrong. I told her it was wrong when my food was brought out. She took it back and brought me my order, but it was still wrong. Then proceeded to argue you with me on what I actually order verses what she brought me. Not to mentioned everytime she came to the table following her mistake she would make snide remarks about me, to me and to my lunch guests. Mmgt: Did not admit that his daughter or wife, was wrong? A family member nonetheless. Finally, brought me what I ordered on third try, but did not disagree that what happen with his staff was wrong. Instead, blew it off. Did not address it nothing. So as a result all four people at my table annoyed at the horrible service and will not be going back. So in a nutshell, food is decent, but management and staff not so great. So this know that going into this place. Honest review of what to expect.
(1)
Lynn R.

We had a delicious lunch! The waitress remembered our order without writing it down. Flavorful detox wrap delicious drinks. A lot of quality food for the money
(5)
Elaine W.

Can I say, AMAZING! Loved this place. Everything (food, service, ambiance, etc) was exceptional. Fully intend to come back again, hopefully soon! I got the vegetarian frittata and a pom cocktail. The juice was very good (pomegranate and orange), but I particularly enjoyed my friend's mango blast smoothie. It was more of a mango (sorbet) shake but it was soo tasty! The frittata was excellent, not excessively oily and very light. It was interesting that the cheese was just plopped on top, but it's not like that affected the overall flavor in any way. A note about the service: initially we were seated in a group of 4, but another friend came last minute and the manager very generously let us add another seat. The place is pretty big so the tables don't feel cramped like they sometimes do at other brunch places. Wait wasn't too bad at all -- only about 10 minutes after walking in the door at 11:30am. And there's a lot of space in the atrium area so plenty of waiting room, no need to wait outside in the snow! (Also as a heads up, they can't split checks on more than 2 cards, or one card plus cash.)
(5)
Jenn G.

Here's the Cliffs notes version: Food: very good (3 stars worthy - service brings down the review) Service: average to unattentive Management: rude This was my second visit to Meli and I had a better first experience than second. The food was delicious both times (veggie scrambler the first, crab cake benedict the second). Both times we had the same waitress, who had about as much personality as soggy bread. When she wasn't busy ignoring our empty coffee cups or spilling water on people's food (and then saying "Oops" and offering no remedy) she was scowling in general and was completely unhelpful in making menu recommendations. We had a large party of 8 plus a toddler, so we got there at 9:30am on a Sunday morning to try and beat the rush. We still had to wait over 30 minutes to be seated, but I know that's part of having a large brunch party on a Sunday morning. What REALLY irked me on this second visit was management's insistence on rushing us through our meal to clear the table. I get it. It's a Sunday in Chicago. You want to turn the tables as quickly as possible. But there's a right way to do that. We had waiters coming to our table and picking up drinks and plates while we were still eating, without even asking if we were finished! Finally, one of my dining companions got annoyed and as the bus boy came to take her coffee, she grabbed it back from him and sternly said "I'm not done with that yet"... the bus boy got all flustered and muttered something about "sorry, my manager is telling me to hurry and get this table finished." Seriously?! We just dropped like $300 at brunch. Get your flippin panties out of a bunch and let us eat our dang food. If they wanted to move the table so bad, how about being polite and asking if we were done with our food. And did we want to box up our leftovers or would we like a to-go cup for our coffee? But instead, the rude manager insisted on having his waistaff rush us out of there. I will deifnitely not be back to Meli any time soon. Hmph!
(2)
Gloria L.

I have been an avid yelper for years now, and I can no longer go to a restaurant before checking the number of stars. I've remained on the sidelines, waiting for something sensational to move me. Well, it has. My girlfriends and I trekked to Meli's on a Saturday morning, bellies empty, hearts full of anticipation. When we got there, the line was already pretty long but we wanted our fresh squeezed beet juice, so we agreed to wait the 20 minutes. Twenty minutes went by, then thirty, and we started noticing that people who arrived later than we did were getting seated. No biggie, we are chill, we assumed they had forgotten about us because we were waiting outside. When we asked them about it, we were met with stony stares. "They must have been waiting outside before you got here." "Well actually, we saw them drive up, park, walk past us, and now they're sitting at that table right there." Smile. "Oh. Don't know. You're next." Two more parties arrived after this exchange, and both were ushered to tables right before our eyes. Now, I'm not someone who is picky about service, and usually good service is the last thing I care about. I grew up in Taiwan, where waiters do not talk to you and are not nice to you, which is absolutely fine with me. My Meli's experience, however, was over-the-top awful. I've never experienced service so poor and hosts who were so blatantly disrespectful, and it made absolutely no sense to me. My friends and I decided to leave. Who knew if we would ever get to taste the food, even if we stayed. I never got to taste that fresh beet juice, but I definitely left with a bad taste in my mouth.
(1)
Mindy T.

Awesome menu, great service, warm inviting atmosphere, and INCREDIBLE food! 4 of us went on a Friday morning at 10AM and had been feeling stuffed from after the holiday bingeing. We had: fresh OJ, ginger juice drink- carrot, pear, orange, ginger, beet juice. They have a huge fresh juice menu along with the hundred other items they have on their regular menu. Ordered for breakfast- jalapeno skillet- tons of veggies (not filled with crappy/cheap potatoes only) chicken chorizo and 2 eggs on top. SPCIY AND NICE! Gluten free crepes with almonds and blackberries and home made maple syrup Smoked salmon, havartie, capers omelette- WOW. Corned beef hash skillet. The eggs are cage free, they have a huge gluten free and vegan section, and home made english muffins. Wow. This place rocks and WE WILL BE GOING BACK.
(5)
Ali E.

Very good place, big and light, nicely decorated. A lot of good options for breakfast. We had garden mount omelet and fresh fruit crepes...they were really good... Very good place, big and light, nicely decorated. A lot of good options for breakfast. We had garden mount omelet and fresh fruit crepes...they were really good...
(5)
Mindy C.

I got a Green Machine smoothie and sweet potato pancakes. Wow, very delicious! Will come back..
(4)
Swati B.

I've gone to the Meli on Halsted multiple times and I loved their food and have recommended them multiple times I went to the one in river north thinking it would be the same It has a nice vibe to it on the inside, always has people in it so assumed I'd have the same experience. Ordered a caprese avocado wrap which actually tasted really good...and their potatoes were great too....and then...I had a "fresh fruit smoothie".... As I was drinking it, there was something odd about it...and then about 1 hour later...the worst abdominal pain and nausea you can imagine...then it hit me.... omg, food poisioning? how?! I didn't think it could have been from Meli...until i find out...the boyfriend who also had lunch with me that day, who also had a "fresh fruit smoothie" was having the EXACT SAME symptoms... after 2 days of recovery, I call the manager to let him know that something we obviously had didn't go so well. Chris was rude and huffy, and defensive. No apologies, no compensation, no questions, just immediately defensive....their service in general wasn't the best but now I definitely can say it is among the worst.. Sorry Meli...that was the last time you'll see me there..and you better believe I'm telling everyone I know
(1)
Niki C.

Today, a coworker & I came in for a quick lunch. Since we were in a time crunch, we opted to sit at the bar area instead of the cafe seated area. She ordered a sandwich, asked specifically, "Is this a cold sandwich?" "Yes." "And it comes with a side of dijon mustard?" "Yes." "I would like it with a slice of cheddar. Is that possible?" "Yes." I ordered a veggie burger. "No roasted red pepper, please." We were not asked if we would like a drink, but no worries as we decided water was fine. Our sandwiches came. Mine was served with a humongous roasted red pepper covered in melted Swiss cheese. Hers came heated without the side of dijon. We had not been given utensils (we both ordered the pasta salad as our side). After waiting several minutes for someone to notice us, we indicated that our orders were incorrect. I was just going to take the red pepper off, but since my coworker was getting a whole new sandwich (& I'm not the kind of person to eat when my dining companion doesn't have food), I figured if they were willing to remake it, fine. We received the second incarnation of our food. Mine was fine. But I still didn't have utensils, nor did I have any condiments. My coworker's, however, was still incorrect. The "slice of cheddar" was shredded cheese strewn upon her sandwich. She did not receive her side of dijon mustard. She, too, did not have utensils. We waited, yet again, for someone to acknowledge us. *if I had a double mistake on an order, you bet your butt I'd be all over those customers to be sure we got their order correct & they were happy* Finally, we told yet another server (not ours) that the order was incorrect, could we receive some utensils, & y'know what? while we're at it, may we speak to the manager? We received utensils. The manager came over. My coworker was given a slice of Swiss cheese to put on her sandwich. She was given a side of Thousand Island dressing. Since all of this took so much time, we were faced with having to get our orders boxed up so we could take them back to work to eat at our desks. I finally got my condiments. My coworker received a couple of packets of yellow mustard. When the bill came, we were charged full price. We paid exactly the cost of the food. No tip. As a former server, I do not feel guilty about that in the slightest. The food itself was tasty. We both enjoyed it. But the lack of service was unacceptable. We will not be dining here again.
(1)
aldrich b.

By far my favorite brunch spot to hit up. The food is amazing, the service is good, and there's plenty of good looking people to look at...from the staff to the patrons. The place is decorated to feel like a mediterranean cafe, which makes you feel warm and relaxed. There's 2 locations, and this is the newest one which also has more space...thank god, because as much as i love the original spot, it was cramped in there and would have long waits during the popular hours. I must admit that there are only a few things on the menu that I have tried....but that's because they're so good that I can't bring myself to order anything else. First the corned beef hash is great, best I've had from any restaurant(and I always get corned beef hash if i see it on the menu). I think it may be their use of fresh and organic ingredients...which is cool also. Next, the strawberry stuffed french toast.....mmmmm!!! They take marscapone cheese and strawberry puree, mix it, and sandwich it in between slices of french toast. Their omelets are also really good and the portions are generous. They also have fresh juices and their coffee and espresso are better than Starbucks or DD. The wait staff seem to be all cute, European girls that's very easy on the eyes. Sorry ladies, the only eye candy you'll get is the manager with a ponytail in the front that reminds me of a poor man's steven segal. So if you call yourself a brunch connoisseur, you gotta try this place.
(4)
Grant G.

Dined alone at the juice bar on a Tuesday about noonish. The dining room was filled up but the bar was practically empty. Had a sugared pecan waffle, double espresso and side of scrambled eggs. The food was delicious and the ingredients high quality. The Espresso was a satisfying and quite proper pull. Pricing on the high side. Service was friendly and quite good from the gal at the bar. Two complaints. Get rid of the new age telephone hold music blaring in juice bar. For Christ's sake that was annoying (at one point, Sleepwalk by Larry Carlton was playing, seriously) and way too loud. The bathroom is cramped and if you have to take a crap, everyone who walks in is going to see you because of the way the stall is configured.
(4)
Bonnie O.

Great breakfast here - the outside looks a little sterile, but inside the space felt sunny and welcoming. Awesome selection of healthy breakfasts - I had the multigrain pancakes with berries, and my partner had a tofu scramble that was overflowing with veggies. But they also have classic greasy spoon breakfasts too - something for everyone.
(4)
Lisa S.

My favorite breakfast spot in the city. Always consistently great food and good service! Love the whole wheat egg white and veggie breakfast wrap!
(5)
Tracy W.

This is one of the best restaurants I have been to for breakfast. The menu has so many options - very different egg options, crepes, pancakes - you name it. Their English muffins are amazing! Not sure if they're made in house, but you have to try one. They have a full bar where you can get a Bloody Mary, Mimosa or if you want a great juice try the orange, carrot, honey.
(4)
Blair R.

I almost didn't return to Meli after one disappointing experience but boy am I glad I did!! Meli is a great spot for someone who wants a healthy brunch option, as well as for someone who wants to indulge. To top it off, if you and your dining mate are arguing about whether to have breakfast or lunch, you don't need to because Meli has it all and all of it is good. If you have read any of my Yelp reviews, you may have guessed by now that I love me some scrambled eggs in the a.m. (again I am a weirdo and don't like veggies in my eggs until the p.m.). The best part of Meli's eggs though is that you can order gluten-free toast. I recently found out I should refrain from gluten and dairy, so this is perfect for me. They also serve it with some pretty awesome jam. I was happy to see that Meli also has some pretty stellar vegan and gluten-free options, especially because one of my BFFs is vegan. I've also sampled Meli's wraps, salads and omlettes on other visits, all of which I've enjoyed. Next time I'm at Meli, I'm thinking I need to try the vegan smoothie because it sounds pretty yum, as do all of their smoothies. I'm not a fan of the pure squeezed apple juice....because it's not sugary and fake. Usually when I am drinking apple juice it is to cure a hangover. I also agree that I am not a fan of the diet coke in small bottles. For the life of me I will never understand any restaurant that serves bottles or cans vs fountain soda. EVERYONE wants free refills of pop. Still, one bad choice won't stop me from going back!
(4)
Henry S.

My most compelling reason to come here is when the wait at Yolk or Orange is just too crazy. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of things to like at Meli. The food is ok overall. The place is nice and always has a buzz, whether it is packed to the rafters or during quieter weekday mornings. I like how they serve individual butter and jams with your toast. I believe the jams are house made even. I LOVE the Wedgwood china and flatware they use. I mean, what brunch place uses Wedgwood? Well, they do at Pierrot Gourmet, but that's a different story, haha. So... I think the food is pretty traditional, and good. Their prices though are on the higher side among comparable brunch places. I don't feel the quality/value ratio is quite there. . Service is ok. A lot of times though, servers are hard to flag down. I like the juice/smoothie bar. But on every visit (which had been a lot), the juice was brought over halfway into the meal. I understand these are made to order and takes more time. But I prefer my beverage before my food. Why 2 stars? I come here for convenience more than anything else.
(2)
Karolina N.

This is hands down my favorite breakfast/brunch place in Chicago! The waits: It gets just as busy as any other breakfast place in the city would - which is why I come early (early bird gets the worm, right). The food: Everything I have ever ordered here, from omlettes to french toast to parfait, is delicious. Nothing has ever tasted bad, the food arrives quickly, and I always have left-overs (large portions - typical for breakfast). The service: is okay in terms of friendliness but always there when you need them. Oh, and smoothies are amazing. Recommended.
(5)
Emily B.

Though their breakfast menu items look to die for, I went with the mixed berry salad for lunch today. It was huge, fresh, and delicious. My colleagues also went with salads; the brie was the big hit. Not a fan that they serve their soft drinks in bottles instead of from a fountain, as refills are quite costly. I also noticed some sneaky up-charging. For example, my colleague couldn't have regular toast - she's celiac - so they offered her the gluten-free version. She was excited and accepted, but we saw it show up on the bill for almost $4. Kind of a bummer they didn't mention that. Lunch for three was $60 and took a little over an hour. A little pricey, but we enjoyed the food. Service was average, nothing to write home about. You pay at a counter and I didn't get the vibe that they cared either way about our business. Regardless, good to get out of the office; would like to come back for breakfast items if I know I can take a nap after!
(3)
Alexander D.

I work down the street from Meli and often go for breakfast and lunch. The food is fantastic. They have a wide variety to choose from. Service is always fantastic and fast! Love this place check it out!
(5)
Dmitri G.

The food and the atmosphere are top notch. I like coming here. Great service, awesome juices, the veggies are super fresh. The menu is diverse and creative. Last time I came here. They screwed up my order. And my friend's order. Also, even though our table was next to where the waitresses have their little station, I kept noticing that it takes them like 5 min to bring me more water. I was so thirsty! But seriously, good breakfast! Had to wait for 35 minutes on a Sunday afternoon for a super late brunch, but totally worth it. Even though they screwed up our orders. If I ever want to go out for breakfast, I always think "Meli?" Hmmm
(3)
Brandon T.

Found my new breakfast place in the neighborhood! Everything was really good, even the service... The prices are a bit high, but the food is definitely above average. This place is MUCH better than Orange in every way, and has 10x better lunch than Yolk. With a huge selection, Vegan and gluten-free options, this restaurant is a great brunch spot for nearly anyone.
(4)
Maggie S.

This place rocked. Went for brunch on a busy Saturday morning but we were sat not too long after we arrived. Beautiful large and bright dining room. Menu was insane - so many great options. Very pleased with the Mexican or Spanish crepes and their skillet selections. Totally affordable and the coffee is delicious. Great staff too- not too in your face but there when you need something. We were all so full after we left, because all the food was so delicious. Portion sizes here are very generous :)
(4)
Wesley R.

Finally opened, bringing another breakfast, lunch, brunch or breakfast FOR lunch place to the River North area! After what seems like months of waiting for Meli to open, we've finally been graced with Meli's extensive selection of breakfast (scramblers, fritatats, pancakes, crepes, waffles and french toast) and lunch (salad, sandwiches, paninis and wraps). There is also a good amount of drinks to choose from, particularly in the smoothie arena. This will likely be an excellent thing for those that like variety, but a very very terrible thing for those of you that easily get overwhelmed by having too many choices. Being a breakfast person, I went with their Cajun Scrambler - a nice mix of pork sausage, chicken, red and green peppers and onions. Your choice of toast (in my case an English muffin), is accompanied by a small plate of 3 spreads (butter, orange marmalade, and fresh jelly). A very nice presentation, which works well with the overall appearance of Meli. Even the utensils and glassware that you'll use is a step up from the usually flimsy silverware that you sometimes see at breakfast/lunch places. My co-workers tried the paninis, wraps and sandwiches respectively. Everyone enjoyed their selections. This place should do pretty well for business lunches, and for brunches over the weekend and is definitely worth the visit if you are within the area.
(4)
Barbara K.

Fresh, healthy meals & a huge variety of options. I don't know what others experienced, but our party of 7 received nothing but attentive service from a few different employees, while jam-packed on a Sunday morning. The place is immaculate and health oriented, and every one of us loved our meals. I wish it were in my neighborhood at home!
(5)
Sandy L M.

Loved the place and the area, it's a little hard to find parking but once your inside its a very relaxing place to enjoy breakfast/lunch. I had the Salmon Omelet and it was delicious. The waitress even went out of her way to get me to try an ingredient that they put on the omelet. My friend had the Lamb Omelet which was awesome as well, I definitely recommend this place - when the coffee is fresh and delicious this restaurant is the place to go.
(4)
Lauren S.

Great breakfast-amazing scrambles! Only complaint- their gluten free crepes could use some help. They were not fully cooked and still runny :/
(4)
Abhijit W.

Best breakfast I have ever had.. Tastiest 'well done home fries' I ever had..DO NOT MISS the Cocoa Waffles.
(5)
Cecilia T.

3.5 stars. My hubbie and I finally got around to trying this restaurant! We came in a Saturday morning and surprisingly there was no wait. I ordered the Carrot apple and grapefruit juice - it was fresh and natural in flabor though i wish it was more chilled. Hoping to match my 5 star experience at Big Jones, I ordered the Crabcake benedict- unfortunetely, the english muffin was dry. The egg was tasty but the hollandaise sauce was just so so. Yummy side of potatoes though. Overall, I'd say Big Jones's Crabcake Benedict is 50 times more tasty. My husband ordered the Sweet potato skillet special- this was good! The cheese was amazing, the chicken sausage tasty, and overall this was a super filling dish. Oh and by the way, the Jam varieties they serve on the side with your toast are SO good and homemade!
(3)
Lauren S.

Overall: Lots of healthy breakfast options at an affordable price, service can be a little dicey though. Food/Drinks: My first visit, the food was great all around. We all ordered different egg dishes and in each one the veggies were perfectly cookied and eggs were fluffy. The second visit was a little less impressive. I ordered the asparagus & gruyere omelette and it was just "eh." The potatoes that come on the side were pretty salty and kind of soggy this go around as well. An order of the "meli cakes" at the table were tasty, but the portion size was fairly small. Best to order a side of eggs or bacon if you're going with the meli cakes. There are quite a few veggie/fruit juices on the menu, I haven't tried them but they look delicious! Service: Here's the area where Meli needs a little work. In both cases, our servers spoke very little english. Honestly, that really doesn't bother me, it was the fact that I had a hard time hearing either of them. Anyway, they obviously understand english because our orders were right so I can't complain. At any rate, service has always been a little slow even though it hasn't been packed. Cost: Entrees are about $9 - 11
(3)
Matthew M.

Flying solo? Sit at the bar for quick service. Fresh grapefruit juice is great here.
(3)
Lisa Z.

I went here for Brunch and I will go for brunch again and again and again. It does brunch right. They've got a huge menu, complete with your standard healthy options (oatmeal) and your omelettes, french toast, pancakes, and whatever else floats your boat. And everything I've had here is wonderful. Their juice is great too, but I'd just go for the brecky breck!
(4)
P R.

Wow! What else can you say? This is my favorite breakfast place. They have unique stuff but they also have the standards. Among us, we had blueberry pancakes, chocolate pancakes, french toast and an omelet. Fresh juice. All were delicious. Only nit is that they were a little slow on refilling the coffee.
(5)
Ryan J.

This might, MIGHT, be the best breakfast pace I've ever been to. That good.
(5)
Tahnee L.

Thank you. Thank you for giving me the Healthy Start breakfast at lunch. Thank you for giving me a side order of delicious fruit. Thank you for providing whatever bread you provided to the table with that flavored butter. Thank you for offering juice, but letting me choose Ghiardelli hot chocolate because it was cold out and not judging. Thank you for not being more popular and slammed with business types. No thank you for having so many things I want to eat on your menu. You will be seeing my face again. Get used to it.
(4)
Ji-In L.

Can't give it quite 5 stars yet because only been once and the Greektown location has my heart. Ever since I moved away from Chicago, every time I come back I try to fit in a solo Meli breakfast. During the week, I never have a problem being seated and never feel rushed while I'm grazing and reading the paper or doing work. I was excited to see a new location opened up even closer to downtown. I fought the rain and made my way to this new Meli. First impression: it's a lot bigger, which is probably great for all the weekend brunchers who normally have to wait an hour + at the old location. But, to me, it felt a lot less cozy. I love Meli's juices, so I started with the Pure Gold - pineapple, carrot, apple, ginger. Good, but not as great as their Ginger Splash - orange, carrot, pear, ginger. I ordered a plain jane breakfast of two eggs, subbed the potatoes for fruit ($2 charge), English muffin served with butter and jams, and sausage links. It was chilly in there with the rain, the big space, and very few customers. I ordered darjeeling tea to warm up. Everything tasted fresh and delicious. It was way too much food for me to eat, but I enjoyed the variety. The soundtrack consisted of Ace of Base, Toni Braxton, and Wilson Phillips. Fun times. My only complaint is a small one: I was asked multiple times by multiple people if I was waiting for someone or if I was alone. The first person even asked me twice to confirm. I don't think it's that odd to eat alone, right? Especially downtown where you have a lot of business travelers. I think the person who seats you should remove the silverware of the empty spaces or tell the others, because it was almost uncomfortable how many times I had to say, yes, I'm alone! :)
(4)
Michelle L.

This place is pretty fab. I ordered a breakfast burrito which was on the special menu. It was the perfect size and the potatoes that came with my order were cooked perfectly! Bad potatoes for brunch/breakfast is such a downer. I ordered a peanut butter shake too which was delicious. The service was kind of slow but it was busy. Will def come back here again!
(4)
Kristie C.

standard kinda breakfast place, seems like there's always a line here. omelets here always seem a little more on the oily side, but the whole wheat naan is pretty awesome. tastes more like whole wheat flat bread -- definitely not the buttery kinda naan, but it's awesome still. nothing out of the ordinary, but i like that it's bright on the inside. service is a little slow sometimes, waiter-service isn't terribly friendly.
(3)
Brett S.

Consistent food, great service, friendly staff, reasonable prices, absolutely FANTASTIC !
(5)
KuangYou C.

It is my second time to Meli, but last time I went to the original store. I am not sure but I felt the food portion was less and the quality was not as good as last experience. It was really amazing when I went to Meli first time. The new store's decoration is more like royal and brighter. However, I still like the one by halsted and adams. But overall, it is still a good restaurant. However, I would love to go the old store rather than this new one.
(3)
Chester W.

Im not a huge fan of breakfast meals (I usually prefer to sleep longer), but I had a sudden craving for bacon and toast and decided to give Meli's a try. The menu here is pretty big, with an obvious focus on breakfast with a few lunch items. I tend to stay away from the more extravagant breakfast items and stuck with toast, scrambled eggs, potatoes, and bacon. However if you are looking for some fancy pancakes, this place definitely has them. Back to my breakfast, everything was cooked perfectly and tasted great. The honey butter you get with your toast was awesome as well. Decor and service (lots of cute young waitresses) was just what you would want in a breakfast place. Definitely a place to check out if you are in the area.
(4)
Will D.

This place was fantastic! Their menu is huge with no filler, it was hard to choose. Elegantly decorated, service was good, fairly large place. Portions are also large. Will definitely go back next time I'm in Chicago.
(5)
Sahana U.

I forgot what I even ordered. I was totally eying my friend's greek yogurt with dates and honey the whole time. It is GIGANTIC and so delicious and healthy. Get it!
(4)
Casey A.

I've been to both locations.. Ambience-wise, the one in Greektown (Halsted) wins.. The juice bar and kitchen are just a little more home-y there. Overall, they're pretty much the same product.. Great omelettes, juices, jams, oatmeal, yogurt.. It's like the original script of a Greek diner with fresh and healthy choices of your all time favorites. Last time we were there, my yogurt had way too much honey but I might've only thought that because I added strawberries and there was just too much sugar going on. The potatoes are delicious and it's easy to f up (breakfast) potatoes so yayy potatoes! Last thing: parking both times we've been there has been super easy so I hope you have as much luck as we've had with finding spots on the street!!!
(4)
Eli A.

Went in for lunch today with my girlfriend. She has a very sensitive stomach and ordered a skillet and specifically asked to cook without oil or butter. When the food arrived the vegetables were soaked in liquid. When we asked the waitress if they cooked it in oil or butter she said they cooked it in Pam and the liquid was from the veggies. Two hours later: you can use your imagination on where my girlfriend has been. We called the restaurant and spoke to a manager and all they said was to ask for the manager next time we come in and that they would make sure our order is right. No offer of a refund, discount on the next meal or anything else. Even while we were at the restaurant the service was VERY slow and the wait staff was very pretentious. Sorry Meli...you won't be seeing us again anytime soon.
(1)
Tracy F.

One of my most favorite places to eat brunch in the city. While they do have some of the trendier/funkier dishes like those you'd find at Bongo Room, the atmosphere and service are like a typical brunch diner experience. Food and service are great, prices are reasonable. Been here twice and will definitely be back.
(4)
Hannah C.

I may or may not come here every weekend....and I'm a huge fan. The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is because the servers are sometimes suuuuper awkward, and depending on the day the service can be kind of slow. Otherwise, the food is perfection (relatively creative for breakfast, not oily, good quality), the ambiance is wonderful, and it's fun people watching. The wait can be kind of long, as with any good brunch place, but it's worth it. GF notes: their potatoes are totally safe, especially in the skillets AND they offer gluten free toast which is such a nice treat, and you know they must be aware of gluten-free needs. Their home-made jams are yummy, too - the fig is my favorite.
(4)
Shirley H.

Definitely have to have the chocolate morsel pancakes! Even if it's for dessert...which is exactly what I did. After a hearty dinner at Lou Malnati's, I knew I had to save room for the chocolate morsel pancakes a friend of mine recommended (thanks!). I took it to go and we chowed it down within 5 minutes just outside Lou Malnati's. The pancakes are ~$11-12 after tax to-go. This delicious dish is not your ordinary hotcake. The batter itself is made of chocolate and there is creamy, half-melted milk and white chocolate morsels sprinkled on top. Not too sweet! Which is exactly to my liking. The cake itself was fluffy and the aroma melted my heart. De-freaking-licious...and you don't even have to sit down!
(4)
Ying Y.

This place was so mediocre, I'm getting bored just trying to remember my experience there. The food was all priced slightly too high, the portions smaller than you would expect for the price, and the service was neither great or truly awful. I came here with my bf for breakfast before my GMAT and we got the french toast and a hash. The french toast was kind of pathetic since the custard hadn't has time to soak completely through the bread, though +points fro using cinnamon challah. The hash was equally "meh" tasting. I had to badger our waitress for more coffee and the check but otherwise she was fine. Admittedly, we did not try their juices, which they are supposedly famous for, but I don't feel like I should pay too much for bleh food as a price for entry for a great $5 fruit juice. I really have no clue why people wait to eat here (I came at 9:30am so there was no wait).
(2)
Patricia M.

Visit this quaint brunch spot with a wide variety of omelets, scrambles, pancakes, waffles, you name it!!!! I had a cajun scramble which I could only finish half of. It came with toast and the jam was excellent! I am usually used to jam in a jar but you could see the actual slices of peaches and apricot in Meli's jam!!! So yum-o!!!!
(4)
Jared L.

The meal started off with poor service. Everyone seemed to be in a bad mood, not the most welcoming environment. Then, the coffee was simply awful. They might as well have served me hot water. For brunch, that's simply inexcusable. Luckily, the food was good. I had an omelette, which was one of the better ones I've had in Chicago. It was light and moist, which is something few places manage to do. The berry smoothie was also quite good. One more note, it's overpriced compared to other brunch spots in the area. Not the worst experience I've ever had, but there are too many other good options in the area. I won't be headed back.
(3)
Charlene S.

Went to the one in Greektown... gave it 2 stars for bad service... Tried this one a few days ago. It was very slow on an early Saturday morning, so it was easy to find parking and get seated. The grub: I ordered the chicken sausage omelette (with egg whites), the hubs got corned beef hash skillet, and we also ordered a small side of the apple cider pancakes, which were a special that day. My omelette was delicious, fresh with spinach, crunchy green peppers, enough cheese and generous chicken sausage. The pancakes were also delicious.... tasted like it was soaked in apple cider, slightly buttery but not overly tooth achingly sweet. The hubs skillet was delicious. He has been in the habit of getting over easy eggs even though he likes them over medium. But over medium in lots of places comes out with an overly done yolk. At Meli's he tested them and ordered an over medium and he said it was perfect. I hate freaking yolk so I can't tell the difference. But he was very impressed. And the corned beef wasn't too salty and the potatoes balanced it out. Very delicious. The service: The waitress was sooooooo nice. We did write a good review about her on the comment card. The hubs changed his order after she walked away and she very nicely accommodated it. We wanted a side of pancakes to taste and she also let us do that even though it wasn't on the menu. She was very attentive to the table. I'd love to go back again.... and try something else on their daily specials list.
(5)
barbara j.

This review is not based on the food, we never got to taste. This review is not based on the OVERALL service, we noticed most tables were taken care of very well. However, our server was extremely negligent. She forgot to put in our food order for twenty minutes, then when we asked what happened she completely ignored us. We asked for the manager who was no more helpful and assumed that the server was being honest when she said we were in the restroom all that time. I won't be going back because I have a hard time with people not taking ownership. If she would have apologized for the mistake, which I am sure was unintentional, I would have been willing to give it a try. But her blaming us for the lackluster service...unacceptable.
(1)
Matthew H.

I've been to Meli for brunch twice so far, and both times have been very impressed by the large variety of healthy and tasty menu options. The whole wheat wrap is much better than it sounds, made with spinach, tofu and grilled veggies. It came with an "anti-oxidant salad" which should be renamed "awesomely tasty, healthy, and satisfying salad." The other breakfast items I've tried have all been above-average to excellent. And the smoothies are out of this world. Service is somewhat rushed, but that's to be expected considering the throngs of hungry brunch-goers that file into the place. Be prepared to wait for a table, but the wait is well worth it.
(5)
Allison M.

Very big menu. Very big portions. Food isn't overpriced for what you're getting. I like the fresh juice. The food comes out fast. Only accept 2 credit cards to split per table.
(3)
Casey N.

Oh Meli, how I love thee, let me count the ways. 1) Bomb ass juices and smoothies (try the peanut butter smoothie) 2) Eggs...Meli's Omlette, I have no words...pancetta, parsley, chives, Boursin, so rich and delicious it's tough to finish the whole thing 3) French Toast. The blueberry muffin french toast will rock your world. Also, if they ever bring back the Choco-Cashew french toast special- DO IT! Chocolate pan bread with chocolate chips soaked in a vanilla bean custard and topped with some delicious cashew butter concoction and raw cashews. 4) Watermelon served w/ every dish World's most expansive brunch menu, plus they always have a ton of delicious sounding specials (lobster omelet? Thai steak breakfast burrito?). Consider this: they have a section on the menu entitled 'Mounds: a mound of ingredients topped with scrambled eggs, cheese, and selected sauce.' Meli, you get me. Decor is crisp and clean. Service is pretty standard. Down side: expect a long wait, especially if you're popping in on the weekend. Regardless, I will be back again and explore the menu further.
(4)
Chad M.

menu is a mile long. everyone can find something(s) they like. Good sweet & Savory brunch dishes. Solid Food. Fast service. The wait staff that wants to take your order and get you fed and out the door.
(4)
Mary P.

I liked this Brunch place! I had apple crepes w/ bacon (the meat was extra). My meal was good! I also got OJ. Well, unbeknowist to me the OJ was Freshly Squeezed. See, the problem with Fresh Sqeezed OJ is that the idea is better than the actual tatse! After a few sips, I thought, "Ok, I want regular OJ back!" The price was not bad at all. My sister and I were greeted when we arrived and were thanked and were bid farewell as we left. I say, go here for brunch! :)
(4)
Aurore L.

If you know me, you know that I am a HUGE fan of Meli Greektown. I even drew a little cloud in one my reviews in homage to their fabulous Cloud Nine Crepes. ::::::::::::yum!!:::::::::::::: But now that I realized that all my troubles (the yuckiest part anyway) were coming from my gluten allergy (yeah....I know...is life really worth living still!?? Especially when you have a trip to Italy coming on in the summer?!?!) these little pillow-y delights are pretty much a big NO-NO. No problem! Meli to the rescue!! The hero: polenta pancakes. Yes sir. Mixed with rice flour, served with blueberries, bananas and a drizzle of maple syrup - it's healthy AND good: really fluffy, a bit of a crunch and sure, not as good as the regular version but it's definitely a delicious way to indulge without feeling awful afterwards. Paired with a freshly squeezed juice of your choice (may I recommend Pure Gold - orange, carrot, apple and honey?!?) and you are fit to start the day!
(5)
Natalie M.

Anyone who knows me knows how I feel about the Meli in Greektown (I have been known to describe it as BREAKFAST HEAVEN), so I was eager to check out the new location. Straight off the bat I have to inform you that the menu is exactly the same. The quality, the variety, the prices etc. I do not recognize the waitresses yet, however they have been attentive, warm and friendly. Now onto what's different; the new location is BIG, BRIGHT and OPEN (which seems to be very popular these days). For all of those who loved Meli but complained about the lack of stroller space, wheelchair space, and just space in general you will love this location. There is also more space for waiting- an entire juice bar area, so no more standing way too close to other patrons waiting for your table. However I am still partial to the Greektown location- there is more parking and for a Hyde Parker it is easier to get to. If you live near downtown or are coming with a big group I say this is the Meli location for you. Meli rocks- regardless of where the building stands.
(4)
Gwin C.

My husband got food poisoning from the french toast with cream here. It ruined our entire day. They don't have kids menu- really its a breakfast place- whats so hard about that? We won't ever come back!
(1)
Chirag P.

Not my first time here, but first review... love the place and they were very accommodating for our group of 10 + 3 babies... we were able to call ahead due to the size of the party and had to wait only about 20 minutes. I had the breakfast empanada and have to say it was simply awesome. There wasn't a lot of dough and it was actually filled with eggs and chicken sausage, so I felt like I had a real meal and not just carbs. Only issue I had was due to my veggie friend who ordered a side of potatoes with cheese & jalapenos... there was a piece of bacon on the potatoes, so she asked for them again... unfortunately it came out WAY TOO QUICK so don't really think they made a new plate which is a little disappointing since I like their service overall. But I'll definitely be back.
(4)
Keith C.

Great place for breakfast after a ridiculous 18 bottle night for New Years. Nothing better than getting some eggs in your system. I got the spinach and feta omelette because I have been craving that ever since I moved to Brazil. Got a side order of corn beef hash and canadian bacon to go with it along with a Purple Haze smoothie. The corn beef hash that came out was ginormeous. They were 1" thick patties of corn beef hash about 2" in diameter. And there were 2 of them. They were fantastically delicious. The canadian bacon was decent. I prob won't get it again next time but it did satisfy my canadian bacon craving. The omelette was ridiculous. Just the perfect amount of feta in there that didn't overpower the taste of the omelette with the spinach. The Purple Haze smoothie was what took it over the edge. Granted that almost all of us were still drunk (we actually woke up and continued drinking) the taste and the size of the smoothie is what helped me get through the rest of the day. Completely re-hydrated my system and made me feeling like 100%. Will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Patrice M.

I will not eat here again. I waited nearly 30 mins to be seated with my 4 yr old granddaughter and my cousin, when I witnessed two groups of people be seated before us, although they arrived after us. The other people were NOT somewhere else waiting, and I just missed seeing them check in. I clearly saw them walk up to the counter and make initial contact with the staff behind the counter (one of them was the manager). I heard the manager tell one group, "...give me a couple of minutes", then shortly thereafter he found them seats. I couldn't believe he did that! I saw this sort of thing happen a couple of times before (I've been coming to Meli's almost two years), but I just thought I wasn't paying close enough attention to make sure I wasn't passed over purposely (although I felt that I had been). However, I'm absolutely sure of what I witnessed and what I heard yesterday. We left before being seated and I won't go back, even though the food is supposed to be of really good quality. Meli's isn't the only restaurant in the city that serves organic and gluten-free ingredients that I prefer. I will take my business elsewhere, and I'll be sure to alert as many people as possible that I know who patronize Meli's of my unpleasant, prejudicial experience. I sure hate to think that there are people who still see the color of a person's skin as a determining factor of the kind of service that they deliver.
(1)
John W.

This is my calm place. When I can't handle another beef and grease lunch from the street food icons down the street, I come here and settle into the lunch counter. The wraps are light on sauces and grease, but still really flavorful -- and huge. I'm a big eater and I always take half home. Finish it off with an iced tea, and I can smugly walk back to work past the crowds in their deep dish comas.
(4)
Jeff C.

I ate here twice during my 5 day trip in Chicago (great city by the way!). The first time was amazing! The juice was delicious-I got the pear-and the food was perfect. Everyone in my party of 5 left satisfied, and we talked about the experience for days. We liked it so much, in fact, that on our last day in the city, before flying back to NJ, we stopped by again for breakfast. I cannot explain why, but this second visit was not nearly as good. The quality was far inferior to our first visit, just a few days prior. I don't think any of us felt the food was good at all. I was disappointed, yet the first experience was so good that I am confident to give this restaurant 4 stars.
(4)
Peter H.

came here via bike share and lots of good yelp reviews...bike share station across the street. nice dÃ©cor, great service. unfortunately didn't like what I ordered for breakfast. my fault or the restaurants? I'll give this place 4 stars and take the blame. I ordered their house special eggs benedict special which was grilled pork belly with spinach. came out very soggy. it was unpleasant and salty. I should have just ordered regular eggs benedict.
(4)
Natalie P.

This is my favorite place for breakfast in the city: Numerous selections of omelets and fresh juices all day long (also serve lunch) healthy choices Amazing fresh cut chips Great service and ambiance Good for groups and couples or meeting up with a friend Gluten free toast!! Blows my mind.
(5)
Kate M.

I am absolutely obsessed with this restaurant. My favorite breakfast restaurant hands down! I have ordered the french toast which is phenomenal on this amazing buttery bread. I have also ordered their crepes which are also TDF! I am a health food nut and love all the healthy alternative options they offer. I always order my egg white omelet with tons of veggies and multi-grain toast which are both out of this world. I also think it is great that you can order smoothies. I have ordered the smoothies and they are very good. break down- Great food, Great atmosphere, you cannot go wrong! will be back!
(5)
J J.

Great place. The entire staff was great with my 90 year old father who uses a walker. So kind to us especially with a large group. Service fast, juices are yummy. Jams are amazing. Love this place
(5)
Guillermo M.

3.5 stars. Would go back to get the waffle and the juices. Was not a particular fan of the omelette we had (spinach, gouda cheese), it was too big and the presentation and flavor were not as good.
(4)
Tu'ens N.

Meli does the right things right. Good egg dishes, good sweet dishes, etc. Plus they do great juices (something with ginger and carrot makes me feel a little better about eating all the other stuff I eat on a Sunday morning.) I've been several times now and I haven't ever been disappointed - my favorite dishes seem to be in the skillet area (sauteed veggie is the best IMO). I would definitely change the cheesy music and I am a little offended by $5 for a side of bacon, otherwise, everything is great including service.
(4)
Peter C.

i like meli more and more every time i go. sometimes the wait staff can be a bit grumpy, but it's never really bothered me. the food here is wonderful, portions never too much but always enough. coffee is fresh and delicious. the juices and smoothies are pretty expensive, so i rarely get them. i work nearby so sometimes i'll swing by for a smoothie.
(5)
Jaire Q.

We went to Meli's Cafe for breakfast and I cant really say I was impressed. The place looks nice, and the wall to wall windows add to the places lighting. I however, did not necessarily like the food. It was just ok. They have natural juices, which should be very hard to mess up and next time I will stick to that.
(2)
Denise N.

I love Meli Cafe! Everytime I go the wait is not as long as it can be, thanks to the courteous Manager that ensures we get a seat. I love their brunch and always go back for more especially their delicious smoothies. I recommend you get there early to beat the crowd but other than than you won't be disappointed, i sure am not :)
(5)
Duane M.

Let's paint the scene. It's Saturday morning and you wake up still drunk from the night before. You're hungry and the headache is starting in the back of your head. You hear it whisper, "This is going to hurt you more than it's going to hurt me." Crap. You know you need to appease the hangover gods with a generous offering of food, but all you have in your fridge are some frozen steak fries, an expired cup of yogurt, and an empty Brita filter. You need breakfast. So you go down the street and see Meli. It's been open for a while now, and every time you walk by, you say, "I need to try that some day" but that day never comes. Well, guess what, you ludicrously lubricated drunkard... that day is now. You walk in and an impossibly cheerful hostess greets you. She notices the pained look on your face, and she knows it all too well. She seats you promptly, but not right by the window where too much sun will cause you to cower in fear. The menu is nearly overwhelming to you in your current state of mind, but the specials stand out. Cinnamon roll french toast? Wait... *rub the crap out of your eyes* Yep, that's what it says. Holy crap that sounds good. I'll have that. And a glass of (insert random combination of fruit juices you've never thought of putting together but somehow sound amazing right now). And water. Lots of water. You try to stay awake while you wait for the food to arrive, it seems like it's been days since the courteous waitress took your order. Your food arrives and you glance at your phone. Holy crap, that didn't take that long at all. The two massive cinnamon rolls, both cleaved in tween, stare up at you. The hangover gods are salivating at the soon-to-be-sacrifice. You catch yourself drooling a little bit too. Hopefully no one saw you. You carefully cut your first bite and slowly lift it to your mouth. Yes. Oh yes. A thousand times yes. It tastes exactly how you would expect a french toasted cinnamon roll to, but somehow better. The fresh strawberries sprinkled with cinnamon are just as good as the fresh whipped cream that adorns the plate. You hear the hangover gods once again, "That'll do." You know they're just playing it down because they don't want to come off as too appreciative. You know they're just as impressed as you are. That makes you smile.
(5)
Irene H.

Yum! We got a table of 4 around 9:15am. The place was bustling but not packed. I like how they seat incomplete parties (or is that a NYC thing?). We started with some juice drinks - there are a ton and you can get wheat grass shots in them. I had a freshly squeezed OJ. I went with the jalapeno skillet. It was good and had a spicy but not too spicy kick. I wish it didn't have so many potatoes. The specials were all Hawaiian themed and I was definitely tempted. My friends were raving about the apricot(?) spread. We sat for a bit after the check came and they didn't kick us out. All in all a solid breakfast/brunch place with a very extensive menu!
(4)
Ashley S.

Ummmmm, omelets! All you need to know if they have the fluffiest omelets with the most amazing flavor combinations. The menu has almost too many delicious-sounding options so it's hell for an indecisive person like me. I tend to make a game time decision between the solid veggie combo like the Basil, Vegetable, Spinach and Feta or spicy flamenco. Never been disappointed and I am a brat when it comes to eggs. No amount of screaming children could keep me from this place. Disclaimer, I have only ordered the omelets here so I can't vouch for the rest of their menu beside the above average fruit plate and homemade jam. Smuckers is for suckers.
(5)
D J.

Fresh ingredients, An impressive brunch menu, a superb River North location -- we've seen those before. All of those and an equally impressive juice bar? Now that's a differentiator and with this stroke of genius Meli has expanded the playing field. If I had to come up with my customer equation it would be something along the lines of Meli = Breakfast spread of Yolk + liquid - lite version of Jamba Juice + a generous heap of ambiance that is location appropriate. I was here recently for a late weekday brunch (a first!). I started out with a carrot,apple, ginger, pineapple concoction from the juice bar. It took forever to place, and get my order but it was so worth the wait. The second act in the main dining area ended up being a veggie frittata - with a few substitutions it was exactly what I wanted. Downsides -- a 2$ substitution charge for fruit instead of toast/fries..c'mon how does that align with the "healthy options" positioning? Service -- they need better operations at the juice bar..especially as they offer the option of eating at the "bar" too. Overall, I love the new addition to Wells and will definitely be going back to try more from the Meli menu.
(4)
Sarah E.

I never thought I'd be an angry yelper, but here goes. First, I love love LOVE the Meli in Greektown. Undoubtedly in my top 3 breakfast places. One of the hostesses there suggested this one to my mom and me because it's a more convenient location for us. We went last Sunday around 11:00, and the hostess quoted us a 45 minute wait. Fine. It's Sunday morning. 45 minutes later, and two parties who came in, said hello, got some affection and promptly bypassed the wait later, I asked her how much longer it would be. She said 10-15 minutes. 15 minutes after that my hungry mother asked how long it would be: "10-15 more minutes," she rudely responded. It was the rude response that got me. So I flatly stated that she should have quoted me "45 minutes for a table for 2 pending that no one she knows or likes better than me comes in before that." I get family and favorites. Really, I do. But try not to make the favoritism so blatant, and especially try to avoid it on a Sunday morning where everyone is watching you at the door. Finally, try not to get so combative when people call you out on your sh!t. 1h15m later I had a table. I ordered and went to go reload my meter that had nearly expired while I was waiting. I do have to say that the food is still phenomenal. I'll go back to the Greektown Meli (but I'm looking to expand my brunch repetoire), but I'll never go back to this one, and under no circumstances would I suggest it to anyone else.
(1)
Mike W.

great selection and very good food
(4)
Emily M.

The waiters and hostesses were rude and not friendly. I waited an hour for 2 people on Sunday, when we were told 30 minutes. The food was mediocre and they were extremely cheap on the condiments like butter and syrup. I asked for a to-go box for my pancakes, and was charged an extra $1.50 for syrup. Ridiculous! I was expecting this place to be amazing, but it was only a disappointment. I will definitely not be going back. The best place for brunch is Walker Bros or Nookies, where the service and food is exceptional.
(2)
Justin W.

I went this morning with a friend not knowing what to expect. It was a Sunday at 10am so I was worried we would wait in a long line, but only being 3 blocks from the place I thought it was worth the try. It was full, but no wait and I was really impressed overall! The menu is expansive but not overly so. There were a lot of classic options for breakfast as well as some different things for the more adventurous. They even have Gluten Free pancakes and Toast! All james and butters are homemade, and the juices fresh squeezed. Our food was delivered incredibly fast and was presented well. I ordered a veggie omelet with eggwhites (I actually got it with whole eggs and that would be my only complaint)... and my friend ordered another omelet as well. The fresh juices were great, coffee was good and our waitress was really friendly and prompt! We even stayed for more coffee after getting our check and our waitress was equally as friendly and continued to check on our table. The place is a little tight in terms of seating, but comfortable. They seemed to be really accommodating as they managed to reseat a large party at a bigger table and moved chairs for them etc which was really nice. While a bit noisy it was a Sunday morning, and its not as if I had to yell or anything. I thoroughly enjoyed my food and the atmosphere. I'm glad we went when we did because when we left at 1130 there was a line and it was getting really crowded. I will definitely be going back and recommending it to many other people!
(4)
Olivia L.

Really great food! The coffee was amazing! We went for brunch with our friends. Both of us have one year olds and the staff was extremely friendly and understanding about the boys' playful screeches. We were sat within 10 minutes and had an attentive waitress. Waffles, omelettes, skillets, pancakes =all tested and approved! No wait for coffee refills and they allowed us to sit and chat for 2 hours without feeling rushed. Easy parking, very close to the restaurant. Clean place and pretty menu! Kinda expensive: we spent $50 for two meals...
(4)
Radhika A.

This place has a slightly upscale brunch spot feel but the ambiance doesn't have much of a personality. As far as the food is concerned- we ordered two frittatas and both were pretty good. Their boursin frittata is especially good. On another visit I had the spinach and feta omelet which was good but nothing out of this world. That pretty much sums up the experience at Meli.
(3)
Mark H.

With the plethora of brunch places in river north, Meli's distinguishes itself through decent coffee, a proper juice bar, attentive service, a spacious setting and the usual food choices done just a little better than most. The Mrs. says the gluten-free pancakes were very good which were selected from the newly minted special gluten-free menu. I prefer the varied omelette choices. Not really a hipster place but good for families and folks who appreciate choice, ambience and the best brunch in river north.
(5)
Matthew W.

Probably would have been 5 stars if the prices were 10-15% lower. Went on a Sunday around noon and only waited about 15 minutes. Not too shabby. Good cup of coffee. Good smoothies. Large portions. HUGE menu. Too much to choose from for my little brain. After a suggestion from our waitress I went with the Corned Beef skillet. Over baby red potatoes, topped with swiss cheese and 2 eggs (that I got poached). DELICIOUS. It was like a breakfast Reuben. I would have eaten another if I wasn't lactose intolerant and already suffering. I also substituted a bagel for my toast ($1.45 extra, shitty) but it was also pretty good. All of the other entrees that caught my eye while being walked by looked great. Service was also pretty good. Definitely had more of a "local" feel than most of the restaurants in the area. We may have found our River North brunch spot. We'll definitely be back.
(4)
Mott R.

I found out about this place on Yelp and 30 minutes later was eating here. Amazing avocado smoothie followed by a BBQ chicken omelette. Probably the best breakfast I've ever eaten. Love to be able to have a healthy smoothie and wash it down with a rich omelette!
(5)
Seb H.

45 min wait although they told us it would be approx. 25 min. Once seated, we felt rushed, friendliness of staff only mediocre. Food mediocre for all of us (group of six); only the sweet stuff was ok (pancakes etc.). Only accept a max of two credit cards -- overall, everything just seemed to be an inconvenience. Not coming back.
(2)
Amanda B.

Went for lunch with a girl-friend. The atmosphere impressed me to some degree, as it appeared fresh, extremely clean, but still warm. I ordered a wrap with pesto, basil, mozzarella, and tomatoes with the pasta salad. The wrap was nothing to write home about, but it was fresh, light, and filling (all that a wrap like that should be). However, I thought the pasta salad was excellent. I often find pasta salads at restaurants to be bland and flavorless and this was definitely not that. The feta cheese and whatever dressing was on it, was flavorful and fantastic. My lunch companion ordered the veggie burger, which she says (as a vegetarian) is fantastic. It looked to be a standard veggie burger pattie, such as those found in the frozen food aisle, but it had a large portabello mushroom and almost a full red pepper layered on top of the burger. It looked MONSTROUS, just like my wrap looked. I do believe they may use 2 tortilla wraps to make the sandwich I had, which makes it fabulous in my book! My friend also ordered 2 to-go orders of the burger and she had a hankering for fries instead of the pasta salad she ordered. The waitress brought out an order of extra fries for her out of the niceness of her heart. Overall, I'd definitely go back. The menu is huge and though my wrap wasn't something to get super excited about, I imagine that there has to be many menu items that would be pretty lovely, especially for the prices. When we are talking about River North and the size of the plates here, you're making out well no matter what you order.
(3)
Kyle H.

The menu is so enormous I don't even know where to start. They may seem pricey, but I highly suggest indulging in a smoothie - they are awesome and a meal in themselves. I believe the one I got had frozen yogurt in it - so, not exactly good for you health-wise, but definitely good for you in other ways. Like, emotionally. I only take off a star because the service, while friendly, is always very rushed and not very personable. I totally understand this, as the place is probably slammed from open til close, and also giant, but if your servers are that stressed out then maybe that means you need to add one more server to the floor. Just sayin'. The crepes are amazing - the spinach and boursin is simple but absolutely decadent. The omelet fillings are all very creative, but the omelets themselves are baked in the oven, which is not really my style. That's cool, though, it's plenty of other people's style and I've got plenty of other things to choose from. I think they have something like NINE different kinds of benedict, which is INCREDIBLE. Eggs benedict is my favorite brunch staple, and I have so many choices! I would definitely suggest that all people do what my people do, which is order one sweet entree as an appetizer for the table to share. This is a practice that everyone should follow, as it allows everyone to be able to taste a delicious chocolate crepe or stuffed french toast and not have to worry about getting a tummyache from ordering it as your meal and going overboard. This is even more imperative here at Meli, as the sweet stuff is AMAZING but super duper rich and filling. Also, another plus - we were quoted a 45 minute wait for Sunday brunch (we were prepared to wait - and it was a beautiful day!) but our little buzzer went off after no more than 20 minutes. Awesome!
(4)
Mihir P.

After spending $40 on brunch, it blows that the best part of it was the toast and watermelon. Grainy textur-ific whole wheat toast and juicy watermelon they were. Skirt steak - overly chewy, greasy, and sour-tasting. Fried eggs: fried eggs Hash brown potatoes: boiled, mushy, and tasteless. Tomato, celery, and hot sauce drink: it was served warm and there was no hot sauce. I'd rather have a spicy V-8. Bacon: it is standard to pat the bacon with a paper towel and not serve it super greasy. But not at Meli. Oh, and it was overly gamey tasting. Service was friendly but sparse. I suggest going to Yolk, Eggsperience or Orange nearby.
(2)
Nirmal G.

Oh Meli Cafe, how happy it makes me that you have opened a location close to me. Even if I'm coming here for brunch, I'll try to wait until 11am so that I can get the veggie panini. It is to die for!! And the fries--absolutely delicious! I have had the waffle here, which is pretty great, but definitely not as great as the veggie panini. The service is always fantastic and they are very knowledgeable about what is in their food and how it is cooked which is great. Did I already mention that you should get the veggie panini?
(5)
Jessica H.

Good food. Decent prices. Not the best staff, but definitely not bad enough to be a deterant. If you want to know more about my experience: atetherewrotethat.com/20â€¦
(4)
Jane K.

I had come to Meli Cafe and Juice Bar several years ago with my mom for breakfast. We ordered pancakes and a serving of eggs and toast which kept us pretty full. When I came back during my recent trip to Chicago I was a little surprised at how large the portions were, I didn't recall eating this much when ordering similar breakfast items. Since they were known for their house-blended juices my boyfriend opted to get the mango, orange, kiwi with honey. You could taste the different fruits but it wasn't cold so it felt like you were drinking warm liquidized fruit which wasn't that appealing. To eat I ordered the breakfast burrito because it was one of their breakfast specials. It was their healthy option because it used egg whites. It also had black beans, bell peppers, chicken all wrapped in a low-fat whole wheat tortilla. It came with a side of assorted fruit (cantaloupe, honeydew melon, blueberries and strawberries). I was wondering why a breakfast burrito cost $14 but needless to say the portion was huge. However, it lacked a lot of flavor so I ended up having to add some of the bottled hot sauce. There was also a lot of extra tortilla which I didn't really care for. We also ordered one serving of the stuffed apple french toast to share. I was really surprised as to how much french toast was given in one serving. We thought we would just get one piece to share but in fact got two. It was a little excessive. The stuffed apple french toast is made with challah bread held with spiced apple mascarpone, vanilla bean custard with a topping of warm apple compote with pecans and caramel. Given all that it wasn't that sweet and I actually enjoyed the french toast more than my breakfast burrito. The portions of food here were great but the price tag and the flavor of the food was the reason why I decided to rate this restaurant 3 stars.
(3)
Mike E.

Another excellent breakfast place marketed for women, but go anyway. It was delicious. I had the banana chocolate french toast and was not disappointed.
(4)
Becky D.

We were looking for somewhere else, but happened upon this brunch spot. I feel bad for giving such high ratings lately, but this place deserves it! It was awesome! The wait was fair for a Saturday, 25 minutes or so. It flew by. Watching all the yummy food go by, and the juices, well it all looked amazing! The place reminded my friend and I of a fancy greek restraunt. Open spaces, curved railings, it was all very greek restaurant. Once seated we got menus. They went on and on. I didn't know what to order, all the stuff that passed us looked amazing. I finally settled on the andouille skillet. I couldn't have made a better choice. It was so good! I had the Pom cocktail and black coffee. The Pom juice was a little sweet, but you can't top fresh juice at brunch, and the coffee was a nice counterpoint to the sweet juice. This place was delicious. This is definitely one of my favorite brunch spots. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
Meg S.

Went here on a Sunday morning for brunch with a few people from out of state. It was only about a 15-20 minute wait. Luckily it was super nice outside because the hostess asked us to wait outside, which I thought was kind of strange because they have a pretty big lobby. The place was beautiful- very light and bright. The food was pretty good... I had the hash benedict. Those red potatoes were TO DIE FOR. It was a good amount of food but seemed a little overpriced, but I'm a suburbanite so that might explain it. Great coffee. Had the pear juice from the juice bar which was great- not too sweet as I had feared it might be. All in all a nice place for a nice brunch with friends.
(3)
A H.

Apparently I never reviewed Meli's. I admit, I haven't been very diligent about writing reviews lately, however, Meli's deserves a review! This location is bright, airy, and less crowded than the Halstead St. location. Food is good, coffee is good, and there is never a long wait. As a plus, they have a decent amount of gluten-free options.
(4)
Courtney W.

Came here on a Sunday around 10:45 and waited a whole 8 minutes when we were told it would be about 25 minutes for a table for two. This place is quite charming and I imagine always busy. The menu is extensive and there is something for everyone. The drink list, mostly juices and smoothies) is amazing. The smoothies are huge and some taste more like milkshakes but are big enough to share and at $6 a piece you should. They also have about six different types of benedicts (and I'm kind of a benedict expert). The Hash Benedict, which combines two of my favorite things corned beef hash and eggs benedict, was absolutely amazing. The Hollandaise sauce was outstanding and the red potatoes were the perfect compliment. The Emerald Isle skillet was also a huge hit (also with corned beef hash). The prices were a little high but decent for the area and the portions were large. This place is so charming and European as well and I'm just in love with it. The staff was also great and our food came out fast even though the joint was packed. I'll be back to try their original Greektown location as well.
(5)
Neena P.

Beautiful space with lots of sunlight! There was a 20 minute wait to get seated at noon on a Saturday, but there were open tables in the juice bar area where you could seat yourself. The juice bar looked amazing, but I don't think they serve alcohol (didn't ask though), so no mimosas or Bloody Mary's here! As someone who gets physically ill if I eat an entire order of pancakes/french toast, I was happy to note that they had many options from the chicken coop: omeletes, skillets, scrambles, frittatas, oh my! I had a frittata that was on special and was pleasantly surprised to be offered the egg-white only option. Delicious! I knocked it down a star for service. Our waitress was fine until my friend told her that she was served the wrong omelet (had ordered a vegetarian scramble called Farmland and got served a scramble with sausage and ham and bacon called Down on the Farm). The waitress practically got red in the face trying to insist my friend had ordered "Down on the Farm" and stormed off to the kitchen when friend asked that it be replaced with she actually ordered. She did end up correcting the order - we just didn't understand why it was such a big issue! Even with the weird service, I will definitely be returning here again!
(4)
William V.

Chocolate pancakes were amazing. Meli's special pancakes were too dry. Service was poor.
(3)
Tony S.

My secret is out . . . Meli cafe's original location at Halsted and Jackson has been my hands-down, favorite breakfast place in Chicago for many years. What's not to like? The coffee is excellent, the omelets and anything else I've tried are out of this world, and the home-made honey butter, jams and marmalades just can't be matched. Indeed, anyone I've ever brought here has raved about the food. The only drawback to the original location was the size of the place, the closeness of the tables and the considerable wait should you come during a rush period. The new location has this solved with a bar area that has first-come, first-served seating, which is great for parties of one or two. It's also big enough that you can wait inside on a cold winter's day rather than outside as at the original location. So, if a trek to the 'southside' is all that has been standing between you and trying out Meli cafe, wait no longer. Once you try the delicious food, you'll be back again and again.
(5)
Laura G.

I've been to Meli Cafe around 5 times over the past year because it is right near my apartment. They have a lot of different breakfast and lunch options and the wait time is never too long.The food typically is good, yet service is always very mediocre. Today, the service was horrible. The waitress seemed so confused by the questions we asked and had a bad attitude the entire meal. I found a hair in my omelette, and while I understand these kind of mistakes happen,the waitress did not even apologize or send a manager over to correct the mistake. I got a salad to go instead, and they still charged me for the omelette. At this point, my friends and I just paid because we needed to get out of there. I always tried to see past the service because I typically do enjoy the food, but it is not worth it anymore.
(2)
Candice S.

Breakfast/Brunch is definitely my favorite meal and I love finding new places to go. This is my new favorite brunch place! My friend and I sat at the juice bar so there was no wait. The food came out amazingly fast. The menu was so extensive I wish I could have tried everything, but I will be going back until I conqure that menu! Meli's Omelet - amazing! The herbed boursin cheese in the omelet was creamy and went really well with the eggs. The pancetta added some crunch and the shallots were subtle, but great. Baby red potatoes were good, but they're just potatoes so I don't really have much to comment about. The homemade lemon jam was amazing. I could have eaten the whole thing after I finished my toasts. The strawberry marmalade was good, but the lemon stood out. The orange juice was great as well.
(5)
Emily C.

AMAZING gluten free pancakes. I lucked out by finding this after googling "gluten free pancakes Chicago" What a find! Beats Walker Bros. I ordered the GF pancakes with Strawberries and Bananas--they are by far some of the best pancakes I've ever had in my life....and that includes those that contain gluten. Thanks, Meli Cafe, for including this on your menu!
(5)
Michelle W.

We went here based on the Yelp reviews while on vacation in Chicago. Wow was I glad we use Yelp. The food was amazing. I had Chocolate Covered Bacon Pancakes with Bacon Whipped Cream. Now before you judge, it was very tasty and fresh. I would eat it again. My partner ate the Strawberry-Banana French Toast with Maple-Walnut (I believe it was maple- walnut) Whipped Cream. It was soooo good. The only reason I did not give this place five stars is our waitress, who was nice, seemed to busy to care enough to stop by our table - as we were out of coffee for a while and we needed some extra whipped cream for the French toast - the French toast was good enough with just the whipped cream, no syrup needed.
(4)
Brooke S.

I had chocolate crepes
(3)
Kristen S.

Great breakfast place near the Mart. I met my husband here for lunch which turned into brunch, really. The menu just begs you to order one of their amazing dishes. A pretty big menu, too, by the way! The gluten free polenta pancakes were amazing. So, so good. The coffee rocks. The bacon is delightful (is bacon ever not delightful, really?!). Service is good and the ambiance is nice, too. It's light, not too crowded, even a little homey. I look forward to more (gluten free) brunches here at Meli Cafe!
(4)
Grant C.

First time to Chicago in years and found this place on yelp as it's close to my hotel. Not only was the creativity in each weekend special impressive, the daily breakfast and lunch options were tough to make a final decision. Let's just say I will be back tomorrow for the Brisket Omelet. I had the omelet with Chicken Chorizo. It hit the spot. Especially when you are not in the mood for a heavy breakfast, this had the right balance: not too light, but not too overwhelming in portion. I asked if we could create our own juice. I went with: Carrot, Kiwi and Grapefruit - all fresh squeezed - it was awesome. The staff commented no one had ever asked for it but agreed it was good. Service, staff, the greeting when you walk in - all around great experience. Thanks again.
(5)
Farrah D.

Husby and I were walking in our neighborhood and stumbled upon this place early Saturday morning. The place was really busy, but we received pretty fast service. We got seated right away and ordered a couple of the specials. Fantastic breakfast food--we got a beef brisket omelet, banana bread french toast, and Illy coffee. Everything was all natural/organic and you could taste the flavor in all of the ingredients used. We left full and satisfied, but not feeling gross like we usually do after big brunches. I will definitely come back here for brunch again, and looking forward to trying out the juice bar next time!
(4)
Roman L.

I really debated on 2-3 stars here because the service kills this location, but the food and juice makes up for it. I live in River North and would not go back here but would actually drive to the other locations since the food is above average with the hope the service is better. I've been to this location on three occasions on the weekend and it's been consistent each time. The host is always a gentleman with long hair in a ponytail and he does the job of what a host should do. Warm, welcoming, and good attitude. The young lady whom you'll usually request a table with couldn't seem to care less that you are there and almost makes you feel like you she doesn't want you to be. She is one of the reasons I wouldn't go back to this location. The waitresses' are just okay, given the busyness of the weekends, but none of the three we've ever had were memorable. Two of them acted and had a look on their faces as if they didn't want to be there. The third was nice and we got a smile out of her but she literally came back three times to get our orders right. We always had to ask for a juice menu, I mean really come on you're a juice bar. I've always had to ask to refill my coffee and cream. To be honest, and I don't condone actually eating here unless you are hungover, I've actually received better class service at an IHOP. Enough with the negativity let's move onto the highlights. The food and juices have always been really good. Everything we've had tasted fresh, flavorful, and looked delicious. It's what you expect to have at a unique place that promotes itself as an above average experience. Just to give you an idea.... Eggs Benedict Salmon - Fresh salmon, perfectly poached eggs, savory hollandaise, and ideal English Muffin crispness. Eggs Benedict Vegetarian - Same as above with the addition of great marinated portabella. Down on the Farm Breakfast Bowl - Perfect mixture of the ingredients and cooked well. Vegetable Omelet adding Ham - Again great combo of ingredients and fresh tasting. Beet Blend and Mango, Orange, Kiwi w/honey juices are good stuff.
(3)
Alex V.

I'm from St. Louis and when I went to Chicago to visit some friends, they took me to Meli Cafe. It is officially my favorite brunch spot in the U.S. and that speaks volumes since I travel a lot (and LOVE brunch food)! The menu is almost overwhelmingly large, but you can never run out of options, especially if it becomes a regular joint for your brunch fix. I had an eggwhite omelet with an array of grilled vegetables and a green smoothie. It filled me up all day long and was probably one of the healthiest and most fulfilling breakfasts I've ever had! Highly recommended!
(5)
Reva H.

Best Breakfast place in River North. Decor - Good Price - Reasonable Staff - Friendly My Must Try's Spicy Flamenco Jalapeno Stuffed Strawberry French Toast All their fresh juices and smoothies
(5)
Julie B.

Just as good as the Greektown location but larger and with a shorter wait! I used to wait an hour just for their amazing omlettes when they only had one location. I always get the same thing, the veggie fritatta with egg whites, and feta cheese. Yum! There are big chunks of avocado in it. It comes with a peice of fruit and toast, and homemade jam. Price is about $10. The freshly squeezed juices are really good also. I like the Pure Gold - pineapple, carrot, and a few other ingredients. Juices range from $4-5, not too bad considering it's squeezed moments before. I'm a frequent customer and will of course return soon...
(5)
Anita M.

First time here and found VIP parking right in front! The advantages of doing brunch in the city -tons of parking especially with the crazy street parking prices nowadays. Luckily my visit ended up being well worth the $3 and hour parking spot! I've been hearing about Meli quite sometime now from friends and family and finally got the chance to make it out here. You go there enough (as my cousin Nikki L. seems to) they will know you by name! Like any other breakfast/brunch spot...the menu is flooded with endless concoctions of omlettes, sandwiches, french toast, skillets, you name it. What makes Meli special is their extensive Juice Bar Menu! They've got juices, juice blends, smoothies, whatever your heart desires. They also have almost any fruit combination you can think of- all freshly squeezed and blended and made to order! After a long debate with myself- I decided on a Mango, Orange & Kiwi with honey. Absolutely to-die-for! As for my dish I tried one of their specials that day- a frittata with mushroom, sausage and several different cheeses. This was very rich and fluffy...and the portions are pretty hefty! I can't wait to come back and try an omlette or perhaps their lunch fare and of course another drink from their juice bar!
(4)
Kathy H.

Good but not great food, terrible service. This is my second time at Meli on Wells and Grand, I have never been to the Greek Town location, but I would assume it is the same. Nice decor, bright and sunny. You assume by the number of people eating there it must be good. On our first visit I ordered a juice, which I read was a specialty not to be missed. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I did not have to ask for it three times. My husband and one of our guests had the skillet and they both enjoyed them. My waffle was good but nothing to write about. This time around I tried the Ginger Splash fresh juice, very good and it arrived quickly. Our meals we good and there was more than enough food. Two of us had a doggie bag. My chief complaint is with the service. They are not friendly and border on rude. This goes from the manager, to the hostess, to the wait staff. The bus boys are the friendliest people there. I expect this kind of service in a sling the hash diner, but when eggs, toast and coffee result in a $76.00 dollar bill, a smile and coming back to check if everything is ok, is not too much to ask. I may try the Greek Town location to see if it is any better, but I am not holding out hope. I guess when they are turning over tables that fast and the people just keep coming service is not a factor in their plan.
(2)
Anne C.

Amazing brunch. The selection here is crazy and a bit overwhelming, but in a good way. Their egg dishes all have great fresh ingredients and the variety is perfect-- there is something for everyone. I tried the Fig Omelet, which had figs, pancetta, and goat cheese in it. Yes, an odd combination in an egg dish but it was one of the best omelets I have ever had. The breakfast potatoes are also delicious and so were my husband's chocolate crepes, although I could only steal one bit before he finished them off. I will definitely be back and would recommend this River North brunch spot to anyone-- be prepared to wait if you're coming in on a weekend!
(5)
John J.

All I can say is OH MAN. This place is awesome. Great ingredients, service, and menu. Very good. Be prepared to wait at least thirty minutes on the weekend.
(5)
Em C.

The first time I went to Meli's Cafe I had a gouda omelette that came with a side of potatoes and toast. It was nice, the omelette was a bit plain, but I enjoyed the meal. On my second visit I had buttermilk pancakes and they weren't good...they were thin and a little bit tough (I'm guessing the pancake mixture had been over-mixed). The pancakes only came with maple syrup and whipped cream. There wasn't a piece of fruit or anything else to garnish the plate. The pancakes looked and tasted like McDonalds pancakes (which wasn't a good thing). Their freshly squeezed juices are nice, but I would recommend asking for some ice in your drink. So if you're going to Meli's, try an omelette, but give the buttermilk pancakes a miss!
(2)
Samantha H.

Meli Cafe is a bit more expensive than its brunch/lunch-only counterparts in River North (e.g. Yolk, Eggsperience) , but I say the meal is worth the dough. You should expect the following from your eXperience at Meli: -Quick order-to-eat turnaround time -Efficient servers -Freshly squeezed juices (I had the orange, no sugar was added, so if you like ultra sweet OJ, go somewhere else) -Healthy breakfast options other than a granola parfait -Unhealthy, savory and sweet breakfast dishes -Family friendly, clean, comfortable ambiance
(4)
Jimmy P.

Great breakfast - - Cheeseburger omelet was fat kid great. - Salmon Benedict had thick chunks of super fresh salmon, nice mild hollandaise on a very good english muffin. - Great Coffee - they serve Illy. If you're a coffee snob like us, and look down on regular people, you can appreciate this. - The butter is amazing. Not that important, but worth noting. It has honey in it. Yep
(5)
nikki b.

The most diverse menu I have ever seen. breakfast, brunch, lunch...whatever your palette you will find something you love. the atmosphere is also clean, pretty, lots of natural light especially since it is located on a corner and has more windows to draw in the sun. feels like you are really 'dining out' while still feeling relaxed and comfortable. My favorites: roasted pepper eggs benedict, and chocolate chip pancakes - chips are baked with batter, so pancake comes out chocolately with additional milk-chocolatey chips inside and sprinkled on top with white chocolate chips, too. sounds too decadent, right? somehow it ends up not being overwhelming. actually somehow 'lighter' than chocolate-chip pancakes I've had elsewhere. if i could go to meli three times a day at least 3 days a week, I would in a heartbeat.
(5)
Angie W.

We ate here for the first time today (for Brunch), and it was SO amazing! We were treated with such kindness, and kind of got VIP treatment because we came in with a friend who frequents this specific location. The food is amazing, the freshness and uniqueness of the menu is wonderful. We will be back for SURE!
(5)
Katie U.

My favorite item on the menu is the caprese avocado wrap. It is a nice size and the basil pesto is delic! For breakfast I like the egg white scrambler. Would've given it 5 stars but the service is not always good. Some of the waiters and waitresses are rude and they rush you.
(4)
Jean P.

I had high expectations for Meli Cafe since fellow yelpers have graced it with 4.5 stars. Unfortunately, expectations were not met. My parents and I visited Meli's for a birthday brunch/lunch. We got there around 1:15 pm and were told the wait was 45 min-1 hr. Luckily, we only had to wait 30. But their customer calling method was sketchy. They use the buzzer pager system, but ours never went off. After seeing a larger group who arrived after us being seated, I asked the hostess how much longer the wait was. She assured us only a couple minutes and we were promptly led to a table shortly after. Our waitress was nice. And we were able to order drinks and food quickly. I got the Pom Cocktail which was delicious. But yet again, we had to wait a long while before our food arrived. It may have been my dad's steak sandwich that was the hold up, but they could have offered to bring the dishes separately. I got the Date Crepes which arrived cool to touch and the sauce already congealed. Also, for some reason the bacon was dumped all on one half of the crepes and the dates were dumped on the other half. While each component was pretty good, it felt like the dish was made out of hurry instead of love. I will not be returning anytime soon. I'd rather visit my Streeterville staples where the service is fast and the food's not quite as trendy.
(2)
Brian C.

My girlfriend and I have been walking from her place in the West Loop over to this Cafe for brunch. The food is very good and the atmosphere is really nice. I love the Honey Roasted Salmon Eggs Benedict and I would highly recommend them. The fresh fruit I often order with it is very fresh and tasted very good BUT the last time I was there I had an omelet that was tasty but very dry. My girlfriend gets the egg white scrambler and usually enjoys that tremendously BUT her last meal their was a let down. The smoothies are fantastic. Both the Peanut Butter smoothie I had and her Wheatgrass smoothie were both very tasty. I think Glenn's is still m favorite for brunch, but Meli's is a close second.
(4)
Juliana S.

I'm giving Meli's 2 stars solely because they serve my favorite coffee and accomodate the fact that I'm a very picky eater. I've only had their egg white omelet, which was pretty good, but nothing to write home about. I don't like that their wait staff is inconsistant and sometimes rude. While, it's not the worst breakfast I've ever had, it's certainly not the best in the area.
(2)
Samantha B.

Our favorite Breakfast/Brunch place hands down! They have the best juice bar with tons of juice blends options. Huge portions at a reasonable price compared to other breakfast places (Brunch,Yolk, etc). Love the condiment plate they bring out for the toast- fresh jams, butter, maple syrup.
(4)
shai h.

Well, since my initial review I have come to love the food at Meli. The corn beef hash is amazing. The part about Meli that is not amazing is the hostess. My boyfriend and I come here almost every week now and she is the rudest human being ever. This past week, we arrived and were told it would be a 15 minute wait. I decided to walk down to the bank. As soon as I left, the buzzer for our party went off. My boyfriend headed inside to get seated but they wouldn't seat him because I wasn't there, even though I had arrived with him. And even though if he was eating by himself, he'd still take up the same table. We both work in the industry. We get it. We weren't one person holding up a six-top for 3 hours. I hate the hostess, but it's too bad it's so close and the hash is so good.
(3)
Hannah H.

good food, good portions, shitty ass service. was told to stand to the side when I walked in and that someone would seat me...so I do. older man in versace glasses comes up and asks me if he can help me so i let him know i was told i had to wait here to be seated. he then told me no, i need a beeper. so i looked at the hostess, who looked back at him, and it was all weird and awkward. whatever, i was seated he slapped the menus down and we waited...and waited. service was slow as shit and the girl didn't seem like she gave two you know what's about getting a tip. asked for new fork and spoon because both handles were obviously crusted with food...but didn't ever get them and asked a busser. didn't ever get syrup for waffles and pancakes...had to ask for that too. from a busser. if the service was at least average, i would think about coming back. but no thanks, mr. versace glasses and waitress who doesn't want her job, i'll be going elsewhere.
(2)
Mikey F.

Fresh, great service , clean and also creative
(5)
Haixu Z.

Meli's smoothies is great but i'm not impressed by the food
(3)
Michelle L.

Deeeelicious! For the most savory and scrumptious brunch you must try the Crepe Cobbler. "Folded crepes topped with fresh berries, peaches, a granola brown sugar crust, and then caramelized." It will make you melt. This Meli is beautiful and the staff is so much nicer than the one on Halsted. It is large enough to accommodate larger parties and even has a bar to sit at. As an added bonus the butter and jams are homemade as well.
(5)
Michelle S.

By far the BEST brunch place around. Amazing FRESH food, accompanied by great service. Try the salads-I had the Strawberry and it was wonderful. And I'm NOT a salad person. We also had a chicken wrap. The portion was huge and it was not just filled with lettuce. There must have been 3 whole chicken breasts stuffed in that thing! I am counting down the days 'till I hit this spot up again!
(5)
Rob C.

nice fluffy egg black bean wrap to go with potatoes and fresh squeezed OJ. good way to start the day.
(4)
Sam R.

Brunch is a nationwide phenomenon. Whether it is on the West Coast, East Coast, South Central, or Mid West, everyone has an appetite for that choice meal. It doesn't depend on geography to bear its fruit...nearly all its ingredients are can be procured fresh regardless of location and any restaurant should be held to the same standard. Quite frankly, Meli misses the mark. When I arrived around 11:30am the line was already in full-swing...no surprise. I approached the hostess, gave her my name for a two-top and she said it would be 45mins - 1hr but said probably closer to 45 mins and handed over the buzzer. I rolled my eyes, but thought, this place is supposed to great so I'm sure it'll be worth the wait. Who knew 45 mins would turn into 1hr and 15mins? Are you kidding me? I'm gonna wait an hour and change for a meal I could produce in my kitchen hungover in 15 mins? HA Mind you there is no waiting area, and the place is kept at an uncomfortably high temperature (I'm not some overweight animal who is sensitive to temp either)...so basically, I was forced to make room for passing waiters, waitresses, and busboys at a constant rate while starving and sweating --- ummm...obnoxious. To help temper the wait, I thought it would be a great idea to slurp down one their signature smoothies, which based on reviews below and in general, comes highly recomended. I opted for the "Peanut Butter" which looked like an awesome treat with chocolate ice cream, peanut butter, bananas etc...after waiting 15mins (the two juice bar servers service the whole restaurant as well as the patrons seated at the bar-- HA), I was handed a hot glass. Well...hot from the middle down and cool on top. When I took my first sip, I got a mouthful of hot chocolate syrup, as in the Hershey kind you use to make a chocolate milk when you're a kid ...heated and used in a smoothie, so ghetto. If you're going to charge me $6.38 for a smoothie, you better be using Godiva chocolate...and for it to be hot and off-set the obvious assumption of a refreshing smoothie...well that's just idiotic. I sucked it down, but this drink was ill-fated before it was even made. After the agonizing wait described above, it was finally time to be seated. We sat there for at least 10 minutes before a server finally stopped over...she was actually impressed we were ready to order...hilarious. We ordered the vegetarian frittata and the gruyere and bacon frittata. In a wave of brilliance, they arrived at our table not ten minutes later...impressive or bothersome? I'll give them the former although they were probably pre-conjured bodies they just had to throw the additives on. Anyway, my vegetarian fritatta was fine...yes, I said fine. It was incredibly generic in flavor, and there was nothing exciting about its taste. However, her gruyere and bacon omelette was a HOT MESS. Sure, the gruyere was rich in body and in flavor, which was the expectation, but the bacon was brutal. Now the menu does say Canadian bacon, but this was not your standard thicker Canadian style bacon. This frittata had giant slabs of what resembled a gross Honey Baked Ham...so nasty and such an overwhelming element to what could have been a great combination...very disappointing. Finally, we ordered coffee...once we needed refills, the waitress came over and clumsily poured hot coffee on my girlfriend's hand, burning it, and walked away and brought back napkins...nothing more. Not even a true apology...just an "oops, my bad, here are some napkins." Such poor etiquette. When the check was brought out to us, the plates weren't even cleared, it was like an obstacle course, and it stayed that way for the remainder of our visit. On a ten scale, I give the ambiance a 4, the food a 3 and the service a 1. This place needs a serious overhaul. As is, besides interior dÃ©cor, it's a 24 Hour Diner quality restaurant with a wait.
(1)
Charlie M.

The wait is worth it! Amazing food, the fruit is fresh and tasted great in the middle of winter! The steak is one of the best I have ever had! And the pricing is very low for the amount of food!
(5)
Mike S.

Awesome breakfast. Incredible service. Definitely a top choice on my weekend list.
(5)
Angela M.

We went here on a Friday morning for breakfast and found a parking spot right out front. The menu selection was extensive. I went with the banana crepe and was pleasantly surprised. My husband ordered the egg white scrambler and the waitress brought out the wrong meal. She got the kitchen to make his order on the fly. The peanut butter smoothie was delightful. I love that the silverware and china was wedgewood. It just made by breakfast feel a little more estate like. The atmosphere is very nice.
(4)
Christa R.

Love this place. The menu is ginormus! Service is a little slow especially on a Saturday. I had to ask a few time for a couple of simple things like silverware and syrup but the food made up for it. I had the corned beef has eggs benedict - delightful. My husband has the Meli French Toast which was also delish. The Island Breeze smoothie was really good and big enough for two to share. There was no wait for us at 11am on a Saturday which was a pleasant surprise. Give it a try, you probably won't be disappointed.
(4)
Mel E.

I eat here for breakfast at least once a month and the service and food is always great. Love!
(5)
Dustin M.

The best breakfast spot in Chicago. Great coffee, fresh juice, fresh ingredients and always specials on the menu. Great staff and service, a Breakfast spot where you get treated like you are at a 5 star restaurant!
(5)
Linda G.

Good breakfast/lunch choice, feels European in here. Lots of healthy choices. College girl waitstaff. ...and since they offer Latte & Cappuccino, they have one up on Nookies.
(4)
Elizabeth D.

Wow. This place was great. We walked here after another yelp place, Yolk, had a huge wait. They said 15 minute wait (Saturday 10 am) but it was maybe 5. Immediate water and coffee service. Regular coffee was amazing, decaf was very watery. Omelets are fantastic (we got 2 bacon stuffed ones and the chicken/avocado). I got the corned beef hash and eggs. Plus a meli pancake for the table, which had great texture. Order English muffins rather than toast, they are fantastic along with the pineapple jam. Great attentive service, always keeping coffe and water filled. The 4 of us were absolutely stuffed, even the teen boys. With a hefty tip, $85.
(4)
Fuudcritic C.

nice menu. food was good.....but HORRIBLE SERVICE!!!!! greeted by 2 older gentleman (owner? manager?)..well I wouldn't call it a greeting. no smile, no welcome, no happy mother's day, no nothing!! i knew this was going to be bad! our server was SO BAD. service was extremely slow, no coffee refill, no checking up on us, she just disappeared. same thing, no smile, no eye contact, no happy mother's day, nothing! we didn't want to take an chances of having anyone spit in our food so shut up, ate and left (oh, which by the way, it took us forever to get our check). NEVER AGAIN!!!
(1)
Michelle K.

So happy this restaurant opened in river north! It's my new go to brunch spot! It is so good there. I love their omlettes. My new favorite brunch place in the city! Would go there every weekend if I could!
(5)
Katrina M.

There is something for everyone at Meli's, from pancakes and waffles to salads and sandwiches. On a busy Saturday, the wait was decent for a table for three. Their paging system needs to be fixed a bit though. We were seated about 15 minutes from the moment our pager went off. -_- Service was average, but this was around noon on a Saturday so whatever. I ordered the farmland skillet and it was delicious! The vegetables in them were crisp, cooked well and added all the flavor that the entire thing had (I barely ate the scrambled eggs that the skillet was topped with). The toast had perfect texture and served with a plate of honey butter, fig jam (?), or blackberry jam. I love choices like that :]
(4)
Sandy K.

Breakfast lovers rejoice! Woohooo! Brekkie does not get any better than this! The menu is like a dream come true. The service is good, the coffee is great, and it's the kind of comfy atmosphere that makes you want to linger all morning long. I can't wait to go back!
(5)
Jean Z.

Love this new location. Great design inside. More waiting room than Halsted. Kudos!
(5)
Brittany S.

What a great find - brunch in Chicago IS Meli. Priced similar to other brunch spots, a key difference between Meli and those other places is that Meli actually delivers on the tasty Chicago brunch. The food is solid - I mean, how can you go wrong with a place that serves massive skillets (customizable any way you like), cocoa pancakes, wholesome & creamy oatmeal w/ fresh fruit, and a delicious corned beef hash? Plus any type of smoothie, power-boost-y, super-food-y drink, fresh-squeezed juices, and a fast, friendly staff? The waitstaff, management, and busboys are all kind, attentive, and go the extra mile to guarantee your experience at Meli has been a great one. I've eaten here adults-only as well as with two young children, and the place often has a sprinkling of kids, older folks, professionals, and college kids, all chowing down in perfect gastronomic harmony. The place is sunny and bright, and Meli gives you a belly full of good food, and a glow to your day.
(5)
Lyn B.

The food is pretty good! The atmosphere is a little cold, and the service is hit or miss.
(3)
Taylor F.

No alcohol here whatsoever, but the Pure Gold juice blend is one of my favorites. I've had the Portobello & Gruyere crepes and the Salsa crepes (with avocado instead of chorizo). Neither were my favorite, and I won't be having those items again. The portobello was too rich, and not cohesive - the cheese and the mushrooms did not meld together and the avocado just made the dish fall short (my bad, I know).
(4)
Jason L.

Summary: Location gets three stars, food gets four stars, price gets three stars, service gets two stars. Details: To sum it up even more - the food is good/great, the service is fair/slightly poor. As these are the big things to influence the rating, I'll focus on those. First with the good stuff - the food. The menu is fairly lengthy for a bruch place, which I tend to like. Lots of options, both savory and sweet, with some specials to choose from. I ordered the doughnut pancakes (a special that day) - pancakes infused with doughnuts. I know what you're thinking...AWESOMENESS. And you know what...it was! They were perfect, the right amount of dougnut batter mixed in with the pancake batter, and they garnished the thing with an iced cake doughnut. It was perfect. It was VERY sweet, so fair warning to those that can't handle it. The rest of the group order more savory dishes...a fried oyster omelotte which I was told was good, the spicy flamenco omelette which I was told was sufficient, and a few other omelettes that did not cause my companions to throw up (at least to the best of my knowledge). A few party members tried some of their mixed juices (they were out of yogurt-base to make smoothies...boo), and I believe they were sufficient as well. Now with the bad stuff - the service. Based on the other reviews, we might have had an off day, but there were some things that happened that I can't imagine were unique. Our server came and took our drink orders....one coffee, one iced tea, one orange juice, and two mixed juices. After about a minute the iced tea came. About five minutes go by, nothing, not even the coffee. We had to ask a busboy to bring the coffee. A few minutes later the juices came. Fast forward about 10 minutes and the food comes. But wait a tick...only three of the egg dishes came out. No problem, the one runner probably couldn't carry everything (they don't use trays, probably a good thing, there isn't much space). So we wait. And wait. And wait. About five minutes go by, and the rest of the food comes out. But wait a tick again...where's the toast and side of bacon that was ordered? This comes out a few minutes after. I'm not sure who the runner was that day, but they need to be reminded that you do not send a tables' food unless it is ALL ready. Our waitress was mostly absent, so we had to ask the busboys and runners on more than one occasion for coffee and water refills. True, it was a busy brunch, but some things should be expected when you're paying those prices. As for the other stuff - the space itself is nice, and we didn't have to wait long for a table (thanks to the bf for getting their slightly early). Alexi Giannoulias was in the house, so it was cool to have a local celebrity-sighting. All in all, I'll likely try this place again, with the hope of having a better dining experience.
(3)
Agnes F.

Love the freshly squeezed juices here, i had the beet, carrot and apple juice and it was so refreshing. The daily special prime omelette (prime rib) was awesome as well.
(5)
Jenna G.

Great food. They were able to accommodate a large group (9). Service was attentive, but a little soft spoken. It was easy to miss what they were saying. One thing to note is that they can't split a check into more than 2, however they do have and ATM on site and a Chase around the corner.
(4)
Nathan M.

Great menu, the food was excellent, once I got what I ordered. I hate when waiters don't write down your order, it always makes me nervous. They made the correct dish in less than 5 minutes though. Definitely will be back again to try more of their creations. Try the peanut butter smoothie, it was fantastic.
(4)
Jennifer Y.

I looovveee Meli for brunch. They have the most amazing juices, skillets (think baked eggs with cheese, potatos and choice of veggies or meat scramble), poached egg options. Honestly everything about their brunch is delicious. I always get the juice here and would even recommend passing on coffee for it. Excellent place for brunch with tons of organic, gluten free options.
(5)
Annie T.

Well, hello Meli Cafe! We have been waiting for you to open your doors and welcome us in. Finally, the day has arrived. I scooped up my amazing lunch crew and we walked on over on this cold, opening day. Thank goodness our office is only a block or so away. :) I gotta admit, I was very impressed with the selection-- breakfast (sandwiches, pancakes, waffles, crepes, french toast) and lunch-- wraps, paninis, sandwiches, salads, soup. It took some time to decide what I wanted-- ham and cheese panini with a side of fries it is! The menu is a bit pricey for what it is. I think that was my only true gripe. Oh that and the fact that they brought the wrong wrap to my very patient co-worker, Jenn. Well, that's that. Being so close and with many frigid days of the Chicago winter upon us, I am sure we will be back. I'd love to grab a juice/smoothie for breakfast one of these days.
(3)
Edith R.

Though a bit pricey, this place has the best, freshest, and vegan-friendly food. The staff are really, really nice. But get there before 9:30a on weekends or be prepared to wait a very long time.
(5)
Audre L.

Great place for breakfast and brunch. Amazing food and menu. I love the fact that its a diner/breakfast spot with warmth and richness, and doesn't serve booze. After a night of going out on the weekend, it it refreshing to get brunch just for brunch, juice and coffee
(5)
laura p.

I love this place! I go here after yoga class on Saturdays and it is always delicious! The juices rock my world although I wish they offered more greens in them. The menu can be overwhelming. Just watch what comes out from the kitchen and order from that. Everything is always delicious. The jams and jellys are amazing! The wait here is never as bad as the Meli's in Greektown.
(5)
Lim K.

We went to Meli Cafe on a Friday for the first time and were very impressed with their food. I think we found a new favorite place for breakfast.
(4)
Nathan K.

My first visit was to another Meli--I think somewhere in the Greektown area. On that occasion I ordered red velvet pancakes and was not overly impressed. This time, in the N Wells "branch", I had the peach crepes special and it hit the spot. Our table also had a cheddar apple frittata and some house-made corned beef hash. The food is good and it's a pretty nice place to sit and relax and enjoy a meal. And apparently (though I didn't order any, but saw many-a-table doing so) the fresh squeezed juice is a sure bet.
(3)
Sonny P.

This place is pretty damn good. First all the juices are made fresh and is made to order. Second, the portions of the dishes are large enough where you can take leftovers home. Definitely one of the better brunch places in the city. This one has a different vibe than compared to a place like Yolk but its more relaxed here and not too damn crowded.
(4)
Anthony V.

Was in town for an all day meeting and needed a decent breakfast to save me from the continental breakfast at the facility. Meli's was perfect. i had the dried fig omelet. Never thought to put dried fig pieces in an omelet but it was perfect. Will definitely return.
(4)
Norman H.

The Jack O' Lantern pumpkin pancakes were superb.
(4)
Becca S.

Uh. YUM. I'd been to the Meli in Greektown, but since I don't live or work in the area, very seldom. Now it's right around the corner from my office so I got to stop in for lunch. Breakfast for lunch (or dinner) is the best idea ever. Scientifically proven. But if you're not up for that, they do have soups and sandwiches and salads.
(4)
Elizabeth A.

Went for the first time a few Saturdays ago for brunch with my boyfriend. We had to wait about 20 mins, but that's pretty typical for Saturday brunch. We ordered the date & nut parfait to split (it was huge!), an orange/banana/strawberry w/ honey juice, and 2 specials: some sort of lamb omlete for him and blackberry and banana crepes for me. Everything was amazing. The menu had sooo many options. We definitely want to go back and try different things!
(5)
Jay B.

$5 for a small latte? Must be the Kopi Luwak beans, sure didn't taste like it though. $50 for Brunch (2 people) is IMHO beaucoup $ - might be I am just a cheapo- and the 35 minutes wait is not the greatest incentive neither. Staff is very polite, quick, food is decent. Not considering going back there any time soon.
(3)
Teri G.

Great food, pretty good service. Breakfast, lunch, whatever you're hungry for. Coffee is good, the venue is clean and bright.
(4)
Chris W.

LOVED IT! We went in for breakfast. The food was perfect, the service was great and the ambiance was enjoyable.
(5)
Jose V.

Well.. Hard to write this for a place that has many great reviews but honestly, I'm very surprised it does! Other than the freshly squeezed juice, nothing in the menu is above average, you are better off a places like Yolk and Tweet. What really threw me off was the service, the place is small and had plenty of servers, still our server failed at offering good service, I still don't know what all the running around was all about! It wasn't even that packed!
(2)
Lauren H.

I love this breakfast place whenever I'm in the city and have the time to stop by. Their omlettes are pretty good and good thing my bf always orders omlettes because I'm not one to ever order one but I like to try! They always have specials so i love trying those. There's always a wait but what breakfast in the city doesn't have long wait during weekends!
(4)
donna y.

I enjoy the food at Meli's but the special I had today was a bit disappointing. I tried the tailgater's breakfast, which included ribs and beer battered fries. While the ribs were very tasty, there were just 2 bone things of it, some fries and eggs... definitely not worth $14. There goes trying new things.. will have to stick to the skillets!
(3)
Marisa V.

I am so glad this place is just a couple blocks from where I work. Their salads are so good you forget it's a salad. My fave is the Meli Salad, which comes with their grilled chicken that they season with some kind of deliciousness. I took my parents there when they were in town and they both loved what they got - a turkey burger and a tuna salad sandwich type thing. I often order to-go and the owner, Chris, is very friendly. He even sent over some complimentary sorbet to the table when I was there with my parents since he recognized me from regular take-out. I definitely recommend!
(5)
Jeff W.

Great breakfast. Went for Sunday brunch and had a great breakfast. Prepare yourself to wait for up to an hour to get a seat. It's a popular place.
(4)
Cathy L.

5 stars for the juice bar (everything is good, fresh, and pure fruits / veggies) and for the warm Sunday brunch-ish atmosphere but 3 stars for the food. This place gets busy and you can tell from how the food is cooked. Egg scramble - pork was yech, mushrooms were almost raw, and the cheese hadn't even had time to get past half congealed. Crepes - of course anything drenched in nutella is good but it was actually a bit watery - crepes weren't fully cooked. Basically, I'm guessing if you went at a quiet time, the food would be quite yummy but if you go on a Sunday morning, you'll probably get something subpar.
(3)
tushima d.

Went here for brunch. So much variety. Im a vegetarian and loved it! I hit the special white choc and raspberry pancakes with whole grain batter. I just wish there was some chocolate drizzled on top and wish they had sugar free syrup. Coffee was great and the smoothees looked great. They give alot of food! But I really liked it!
(4)
Jeff N.

The only thing better than breakfast at Meli on Jackson, is their newest addition to the family, on North Wells. It is bigger and closer to my home. The experience starts with a smile from hostess Tamara, and it the food and vibe are great. Any egg dish with boursin cheese is awesome. Their juices are also delish!
(5)
Bethany M.

Ordered takeout from Meli Cafe this morning and it was absolutely awesome. The food was ready in 15 minutes and I was able to walk in and out in 5. More importantly there were 3 separate orders to be dealt with and they executed perfectly. Definitely a great breakfast/lunch spot.
(5)
Colleen O.

They said a 30 minute wait and it was an hour. Very poor experience. Will not be coming back or only ordering to-go. Thanks for nothing, Mei.
(1)
Nolan S.

For the price there are so many better options in Chicago. We had tried the one on halsted a few years back and remember loving it. Went here and it was less than mediocre. I ordered the corn cakes and they were dry and a small portion. My wife ordered an omelet with vegi's. The vegi's were not even sauteed they were essentially raw. The juice while tasting good was 4.50 for a small glass. look elsewhere
(2)
Caroline F.

Delicious breakfast! I had the banana crepes and they were the best I've ever had. The service was so-so. When we asked for a refill of coffee they only filled it half way up and we kept having to get their attention to fill it. Other then that, I will definitely be going back. Lots to choose from.
(4)
Jeanne Y.

Nuetella banana crepe was nice and warm...delis, service was excellent. A place to come for breakfast if you are not from Chicago.
(4)
Gina M.

I am dropping Meli down a star because the slow service once you are seated was not a fluke. We have experienced this everytime. Food is still good so just be prepared to take it real slow.
(3)
Jaime W.

I went here with two friends around 11 AM on a Saturday. I was running late and they were already there so I didn't have to wait although our table did wait. I got the tofu scramble which was really just a tofu stir fry. I wouldn't recommend it. However, the pecan pie crepes (part of the specials) were amazing. They definitely wanted us out right away so don't expect a leisurely brunch. Overall, decent experience but I'd order something different next time.
(3)
Sarah S.

Great breakfast food:-) Super friendly service and delicious food and drinks. Such a welcome addition in the neighborhood. I have had the corned beef and regular benedicts, delicious. Also tried the jalapeno skillet and veggie skillet, both terrific. The only thing I wold change is the music (don't really want to listen to Whitney Houston Bodyguard, and En Vogue Don't let go ever again!)
(5)
Brennan S.

delicious menu, explorative in different grains & proteins. the juices are delicious, as was everything else.
(4)
Sharon B.

This is a great lunch option in River North. The wraps are especially good and always taste very fresh. The service can be slow sometimes so don't go there expecting to get in and out quickly. Haven't tried any breakfast items yet but have heard good reviews from friends.
(4)
Calvin T.

We loved the food but the service was appalling! We arrived a little ahead of the lunchtime rush on a Saturday, were promptly seated (which was great) But from there everything fell apart. Our waitress took forever to take our order and we got the wrong drinks. - Although part of the problem seemed to be the unshaven suited guy breathing down the necks of all the waitresses. The final reason for the low score, as we were preparing to leave, we asked for the check and before it was delivered, the host was standing at our table with the next guests. The bus boys hadn't even cleaned our dirty plates! It made us feel so uncomfortable, I will never return.
(1)
Daisy P.

This place is hopping so come early to get a spot. My husband had the french toast with strawberry stuffed goodness and it was to die for.. even came with an adorable little bottle for it. I had a plain fruit yogurt partfait and while it didn't compare to my go to for yogurt parfaits (Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach), the presentation was cute... but truth be told, there wasn't much and after a few bites, it was gone! What the heck? So yes.. definitely a little bit expensive. I'd go back for the french toast... not sure if I buy the healthy breakfast options though our friend ordered the Healthy Start which looked delicious and our other friend ordered the chicken caesar wrap and both had leftovers to take with them... so I suppose you could have two meals out of one entree. I think I prefer Yolk over this place but it was still fun to try and if we're in town next time.. maybe we'll go for some juice!
(3)
Lela M.

I recently visited Melia for the first time and I must say I was pleased. The hostess was nice and accommodated our request to sit by the window,- waitress was very nice and pleasant and attentive. The decor is wonderful and made me feel so comfortable. the menu has a variety of foods from a simple egg, toast and red potatoes to a western scrambler to stuffed strawberry french toast! The food was plentiful. The only complaint I have is regarding the buttermilk pancakes. The reason we went out to eat was because I wanted some good pancakes. I did not get them here. The plain buttermilk pancakes were awful. They had a weird taste to them and greatly disappointed me. That is the only reason I had to give them 4 stars. Other than that, my eggs were fluffy and delicious. The marmalade's were scrumptious on my wheat toast. I was so full from eating half my food that I could not get a smoothies but I will definitely go back...but I won't order plain buttermilk pancakes.
(4)
Marina G.

I went to Meli last Sunday for brunch with my family and I'm crazy about this place. The fire alarm omelette and the nutella crepes are excellent. hands down this is my favorite breakfast/brunch place!!!
(5)
Joseph M.

This place is great. I got the Chevre omelet and split the apple stuffed french toast with my girlfriend. We loved it all and I left so full from all the delicious food i could hardly walk. Our waitress was extremely friendly and made some good recommendations. We went around 11 on a Sunday morning and had less than a five minute wait. Overall a great experience I would suggest everyone has at least once.
(5)
K. A.

Amazing. We sat at the bar since two spots opened so we didn't even have to wait long. I got the Gouda Omelet and it was sooooooo good. I'm a huge fan of omelets and I think this may have been my favorite ever! I also got some fresh squeezed OJ and that so delicious. Next time I will have to try a mixed juice drink because I was watching them make them at the juice bar and it looks so cool. I think this may just be my new favorite breakfast/brunch spot! We will definitely be going back soon!
(5)
Sean I.

Great veggie skillet. The service was also fantastic.
(4)
Andrea C.

The only reason I chose to go to this place was because I wanted to try their gluten-free polenta pancakes. They were really, really great, so I highly recommend those, and I really liked the bacon too. But those were the only things that were great about this place. My husband got an over-easy egg that was a little too easy (slightly undercooked) and he didn't think much of his meal as a whole; he said it was nothing special. What bothered us most was the atmosphere: they were playing weird techno music the entire time we were there, which didn't seem to match the theme of the restaurant, nor the time of day (10am on a Friday). Also, the wait staff wasn't very personable and didn't really give us the warm welcome we were expecting. I'd probably go back there by myself for the gluten-free pancakes, but I don't think my husband would go back there with me.
(3)
Anthony W.

Unfortunately, we weren't able to get the full experience of this restaurant. I went with a party of four, but two of my friends went to church prior to coming . Knowing we'd have to wait for a table on a Sunday morning, two of us decided to show up early and get in line. We arrived at the restaurant at 11:05 AM for breakfast, and were told that the wait was going to be around 20 minutes. After about 30 minutes, they finally buzzed us, and the host came over. At that point, he snapped that because all four of us weren't yet there, we had to wait. We stood around for 25 more minutes, watching party after party be seated, some of whom had only been in line for 15 minutes. At noon, we became extremely frustrated, turned in our buzzer and left. Brunch on N. Orleans seated us promptly, had excellent service, and absolutely delicious food. Wish we could have eaten, but needless to say, we won't be trying either Meli location again.
(2)
Brad A.

The food was very good but the service was horrible. I must have had an 'ignore me' sign on because I seemed to have been the only one with bad service. I was seated and no one checked on me for 5-10 minutes. After the waitress took my order I never saw her again. She never checked to see how I was doing and forgot to bring the juice I ordered. It still managed to be on my bill though.
(2)
Blair S.

Found this place here on Yelp and it had good reviews? We walked in, nice place, and ordered. Up to then, no problems. I ordered an omlette and a side of bacon. Omlette was wrong, it had nothing in it, nothing?? The potatoes were cold, and my daughters corned beef has was clearly right out of some can. On top of this, the waitress never once gave me coffee, had to ask her three times. She spoke poor English so maybe she was challenged. In essence, our experience was very bad! Cold food, wrong food, and bad food! The trifecta to not go back.
(1)
Neil B.

So good! They have a good variety of breakfast options on the menu, and the flavors are unique. Everything was delicious! We waited 30 mins, but it was worth it.
(4)
John M.

I find this establishment very appealing and always a great place to go for brunch on weekends. The food selection is outstanding and the quality is superb. This morning I had the Pecan Waffle and it was just sinfully delicious. I also asked for a side of scrambled eggs and bacon and was given healthy portions, but oh, was I ever satisfied. My dining companion had a skillet of the day and the report was that it was excellent, too. This is a great restaurant and I like it a lot. I find it is often easier to get seated here than most other brunch places of this quality. Enjoy it and I highly recommend it.
(5)
David S.

Phenomenal, phenomenal, phenomenal brunch. Came here from out of town and drank incredibly delicious freshly made juices such as beet-apple-carrot. Then had no idea what to order from the super extensive and delicious-looking menu. Had one of the most divine omelets I have ever tasted--fig, pancetta, goat cheese, peppers, and onions. Hesitant to be posting this review because I know next time I'm in town it will be more packed, but this place knocked my socks off.
(5)
Happiness L.

Beware to the solo diner. They discriminate against you at this place...cast you aside and make you feel as though your business is unimportant. I was very much looking forward to going here for breakfast this morning....however I don't think I will ever return and never got to have a meal here earlier this morning. I arrived and mentioned to the lady at the front that I am dining alone for breakfast and she offered for me to sit at the bar...no thank you. I want a regular table so I too can look out the window and have a nice meal. The man who is responsible for seating people and the lady agreed it would be about a 10 minute wait. I was ok with that...no one was in front of me so I would be next. However, just a moment later two people came in and were seated right away. I was told that they got a 4 top table because there were two instead of one. This is ridiculous....they could also share a two top table. It was really ignorant and prejudice of this place to seat the other people before me. Lack of class, lack of respect, and a real lack of proper customer service!
(1)
FoodLover Z.

went there at noon on a sunday for brunch. got a table relatively quickly. but other than that, nothing about this place makes me want to come back. i had a crab cake benedict, which was probably the worst benedict i've ever had. my friends weren't terribly impressed with their entrees either. the server was terrible, seemed like she was in a bad mood or in a hurry or something. the juices and milkshakes were good though, but that's about it. i went there with high hopes after seeing the reviews on yelp, but was very disappointed.
(1)
Grennan K.

Warming up to this place. Had the chorizo breakfast omelette that was savory. Paired it with the goat cheese grilled chicken wrap that was so rich in flavor. Roast peppers and red onions topped off the wrap! They could have held back on the cheese just a little. They changed up their menu.
(4)
Rachael C.

We stopped by this morning on a whim and had a wonderful dining experience. Our server was kind and really delightful, and the food was fantastic. I loved that the portions were not overly large, but the focus was on fresh, quality ingredients. We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Jessica P.

Great food! I'm a breakfast person . Everything I've tried on the menu has been delicious ! Staff are efficient. Coffee and juice bar are great . Still keep going back for more ! If you're ever in River North, stop by ! :D
(5)
Hen H.

Good food, good service and really tasty drinks. Need I say more! Perfect brunch location.
(4)
Cindy G.

We came to Meli Cafe on a lovely Sunday afternoon. There was a line out the door, but the wait was only 20 minutes. This restaurant is huge and they turn tables pretty quickly. To start off I had a Bloody Mary that really just tasted like tomato juice with hot sauce in it. I wouldn't recommend it. They did offer some unique bellini's which is what I wish I would have gotten. I ordered the farmhouse skillet which came out pipping hot in a little ceramic crock/casserole dish. The skillet had potatoes, onions, green peppers, ham, bacon, and sausage. Yes, that's alot of goodness in there! I loved how sizzl-y it was. Just when I thought it was getting cold, I would turn another bite and steam would come out. The ingredients were farm fresh and the two fried eggs on top were the perfect finish. My only complaint was the sausage had cinnamon in it which was WAY too sweet. I just picked around it, but the I do not enjoy sweet meats. Overall I can't stop thinking about how simple and delicious this place was. The service was a bit slow, but totally not unexpected for Sunday brunch. I would defenitly come back!
(4)
Stefanie A.

Favorite breakfast/brunch place in the area. Their smoothies are instant hangover cures! Food is amazing too. Def worth the long wait on the weekends!
(5)
Jennifer S.

We must have gone in a bad day because out food was incredibly bland. We had such high hopes seeing as this place had lots of good reviews, but no. The spinach and chicken omelet was just that - Boiled chicken and spinach in a egg batter. No flavor at all. The service was also pretty slow and she got my order wrong twice.
(1)
Mace W.

Hostess was rude and the food was not all that great/worth the wait. Several other brunch spots that are far better in chicago
(2)
Edward D.

My girlfriend and I had breakfast at Meli two Saturday's ago. The food and service were both below average. I'm not sure how this place is getting so many four and five star reviews. Pros: Very nice decor and the wait was only about 20 minutes which is good for 11 am on a Saturday. Cons: Our server was terrible. I ordered French toast, a side of bacon and two eggs. The French toast was dry and flavorless as was the fruit that accompanied it. The eggs never made it out. We both had coffee and waited about 20 minutes for a refill when finished. When our server finally decided to refill our coffee, she filled up only one of the cups and left the other one empty. WTF?! My girlfriend's omelette was also only average. Our server seemed like she was in a different world. I would choose another establishment for breakfast or brunch, this place is pricey and the food and service are substandard
(2)
Cassie G.

We ended up here by mistake but what a sweet and savory mistake it was. Not expecting most breakfast places to be closed on 4th of July, we found ourselves wandering hungry and grumpy near Meli Cafe. The crowd of people outside suggested it definitely wasn't closed so we joined the long list of people waiting and spent about 45 minutes just drooling over the plates in front of people around us. After begging the host to let our group of 6 squeeze into a table meant for 4, we were ready to order. Thankfully, we were hungry so I got to try plenty. Highly recommend the juices - I got the Pure Gold that was delicious. The jalapeno skillet was hot and fresh and the Meli's honeycakes on the side were its perfect complement. I think everyone loved what they ordered. Service here was a little off but they were doing their best and the food came out surprisingly quick. I'm assuming on a holiday where it's not one of the sole options open for brunch, it wouldn't be so hectic and I'd definitely come back.
(4)

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Address : 540 N Wells St
Chicago, IL, 60654
Phone (312) 527-1850
Website https://www.melicafe.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :6:00 am - 3:00pm

Specialities

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

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Meli Café

540 N Wells St, Chicago, IL, 60654

Meli Café Menu

Eggs

Eggs - Add-ons

Omelets

Scramblers

Breakfast Sandwiches

Skillets

Frittatas

Benedicts

Breakfast Mounds

French Toast

Waffles

Pancakes

Crepes

Healthy Habits

Additions

Healthy Meal suggestions for Meli Café

Eggs

Eggs - Add-ons

Omelets

Scramblers

Breakfast Sandwiches

Skillets

Frittatas

Benedicts

Breakfast Mounds

French Toast

Waffles

Pancakes

Crepes

Healthy Habits

Additions

Craig R.

Christina M.

Christina M.

Jessica S.

Tim B.

Elsa V.

Nadia S.

Kelly M.

Chrysa L.

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Patrick M.

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Amisha P.

Paolo D.

Darius Y.

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Marie D.

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Shing Yiing O.

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William K.

Jaclyn L.

Meagan B.

Jordan P.

Carly T.

Jennifer C.

Stephanie W.

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Joel H.

Maria H.

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Ava D.