Alexander’s Cafe
1725 N State St, Elgin, IL, 60123
Alexander’s Cafe Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Elgin for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1725 N State St
Elgin, IL, 60123 - Phone (847) 888-4146
- Website https://www.alexanderselgin.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:30 am - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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John H.
Everything I've gotten here has been amazing. The cinnamon butter on their pancakes is fantastic, and I think I nearly cried tears of culinary joy when I tasted their Chipotle Benedict. The Butchers Block skillet is another great choice. It quickly replaced Burnt Toast for me. They even have a bar to sit at so when I'm dining solo there is hardly ever a wait. I come at least once a week now. Edit: I don't ever go back and edit reviews, but I just had the Bananas Foster pancakes and they straight up blew my mind.
(5)Jennifer K.
A million years ago my Hubby and I lived in Elgin when the kids were little and we ate at Alexander's occasionally for breakfast or lunch. I happened upon Alexander's this past weekend with my Mother in Law for lunch. The place has been completely renovated and looks modern and bright. The menu has been drastically overhauled. Once upon a time this was your standard Greek family restaurant (which is not a bad thing). The changes are them keeping up with the times. Lots of fresh and contemporary menu items with a sprinkling of the traditional Greek menu items of the past. MIL had the Caesar salad which was tossed in the dressing. I felt that it was dated and boring. I had the Mediterranean salad with grilled chicken and it was very good! The salads are huge and we should have shared one salad, as we each took home about half. Not on their lunch menu, but still available, is the Saganaki. We had to get one and shared it before our salads. Delicious as always. Our server, who was unremarkable, asked us if we were enjoying our "stinky" cheese. Not a glowing endorsement. I will eat here again in the future if I find myself out that way, but mostly because of the lack of other options in the area.
(3)Pawan L.
Great food, I had breakfast and lunch here it was great. The service is good and the portions are also good. Would recommend the if your tired of the usual places. I was in town for about 2 weeks and this is my place to eat.
(4)Mark D.
Been here just twice since their big remodeling and grand reopening. It's DEFINITELY changed for the better. Gone are the old-school dark vinyl booths and club seating and IN with a real bar and a contemporary interior. Sunday crowds are a bit big at prime time and I think the volume is overwhelming the kitchen. My omelet was good but not great. The side order pancakes are a bit small. The cinnamon butter they're serve with is fantastic. Others in our group had good breakfasts also. One downside? Don't bother asking for crispy hash browns. We all did and what we got were basically raw potatoes barely browned on one side. Not what we ordered and evidence the kitchen didn't take their time. Crappy thoughtless hash browns lost this place a star. Another one lost to the barely above average food. Three stars.
(3)Skyler B.
I was on a business trip and my hotel was in the same parking lot as this restaurant. It had all kinds of food options and choices. I went here 3 different times and service was just "Ok" each time. The owner was there each time and was very rude to an employee cleaning during one of my visits. The chicken tenders are better than you would expect. The chicken parmigiana was pretty good as well. Lastly, the raspberry ice tea is delicious. Prices were alittle high for just a diner.
(3)Natalie K.
This is only my second time dining in, but so far I really like this place. The menu has a great selection and I really like the modern decor. Also, they serve intelligentsia coffee, so that's a huge plus in my book. The first time dining, I had a salad which was pretty average. But, the second time, I had the "berry good" crepes and they were delicious!! I loved them. I also had a taste of the "s'moreo" pancakes and they were really good - you'll love them if you like cookies n cream. Oh yeah, I also tried their soup - I believe it was vegetable beef noodle, and it was very good. They actually had four soups to choose from, which was pretty cool. Most diners usually only have two. Service was fantastic. I wasn't there for more than 30 minutes, and my coffee was refilled multiple times. Will definitely return!
(5)Jerry N.
I'm really glad I don't live near Elgin because I would be a regular at Alexanders. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and they do no disappoint. I ate here two days in a row this weekend - I sat at the bar both times as I was eating alone. First off, very updated restaurant and people are not crammed together as many places will do. The first day I had the Butcher Block skillet meal. My eggs were slightly more done than I ordered but not enough to send it back. Very tasty dish. Day two I had their basic egg dish with sausage - it was delicious. They also have screwdrivers with fresh squeezed OJ so I was able to get plenty of vitamin C this weekend. ;-) Also, I came at rush hour and the service fast and friendly. Sunday's meal had a nice pianist playing as an accompaniment - nice touch Alexander's!
(4)Rachelle D.
My hubby and I would stay at the hotels across the street for a little staycation sometimes while he had work in the area. We've gotten food here a couple times and I think it's fantastic. The service was quick and fantastic, the atmosphere was great, and the food was high quality and fresh. I hope to be able to eat here again one day!
(5)Kirsten T.
Nicely remodeled with updated furniture. Light and bright makes it inviting and a pleasant environment. Have eaten here many times over the years and they have always delivered a solid breakfast! I love their light and fluffy omelets. The steak skillet the other half had was delicious!! Service was excellent, refills were constant and waiter was attentive. We will be back!
(4)Jen M.
I'm a fan of the fish tacos, and some breakfast items I have had have been pretty good. Tonight, my husband and I went for coffee and pie. Coffee was very good (Intelligentsia) and lemon meringue pie was huge....but not very good. The lemon filling was a little off and the meringue was thick and almost chewy. I'll try a different dessert next time, or we will find a different dessert spot.
(2)Ralph W.
My parents and I ate at Alexander's for years when I would visit them. I always loved it. On a recent visit to my brother I stayed across from the restaurant and decided to eat there for old times sake. One word: yum! First, the remodel looks great. Very modern and clean-lined. Second, service was wonderful. Third, food was tasty. Had the prime rib French dip and it was amazing. Obviously roasted on site. Fries were hit and fresh and they serve real Coke. Definitely glad I stopped in.
(5)Lars G.
We joined some friends for a Sunday morning breakfast here recently. The wait was not very long and was actually enjoyable due to the excellent pianist and comfortable seating. The Staff: The gentleman that seated our party was jovial and polite with a good sense of humor. Our server was also polite, but started out on a sour note with me by pre-apologizing for the way our hash browns were going to come out of the kitchen. Most of our party ordered crispy hash browns, and the server stated flatly, "I'll try, but the cooks have trouble with that." I was shocked, to say the least. Your cooks have trouble with properly prepared hash browns? I worked as a line cook and manned the breakfast grill. Properly prepared hash browns are not like Unicorns, they DO EXIST. More on this in the next section, so back to the staff. As I said previously, our server was polite, albeit a sub-standard hash brown apologist. Coffees were refilled, waters were topped off, and pleasantries were exchanged. One of our party members asked for some hot sauce and was promptly handed a 64 oz bottle of ketchup. Another diner requested extra napkins that never appeared. Our server apologized once again upon serving everyone hash browns that were obviously under-cooked. If only Gordon Ramsay had seen this bit of half-assery the entertainment value of the ensuing shoutfest might have made the meal worth the price. The Food: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and for restaurants, in my humble opinion, this axiom is doubly true. How can I expect to find great evening fare in a place that can't properly produce simple dishes such as omelets and hash browns? My omelet (a "Denver" style) was not up to par. The veggies were mushy and the eggs were rubbery. Omelettes should be light and fluffy. The veggies in an omelet should let you know they are there by retaining some texture and flavor that is at least reminiscent of their origins. To paraphrase Senator Lloyd Bentsen: I've served omelettes. I know omelettes. The omelet is a friend of mine. Alexander's, you have no omelettes. Now back to the hash brown saga... Here is the secret to excellent hash browns: keep the potato shreds soaking in ice water on a clean counter top next to the hot grill. Clarified butter goes on the grill, squeezed potato shreds go on the butter, season, toss, flatten, cold butter pats on top, watch, flip, watch, taste, season if necessary, serve. Not exactly rocket science, so I just don't understand why so many kitchens put up with serving hash browns that either come out half-raw or burned on the outside and mushy in the middle. I have heard many excuses from "the cooks don't have time" to "we're short on help today" but there is simply no reason that even a short handed kitchen with a 9:30 AM weekend rush cannot pay enough attention to make sure the food served is presented as requested by the customer. Please, please, please fix the hash browns. The Atmosphere: This place has recently been remodeled and it shows. The seating is comfortable and the tables are not too close together. Natural light streamed in to compliment the lilting piano music that faded in and out with the currents of cinnamon and spice from the kitchen. The overall noise level was acceptable and even with a very large table next to us we were able to have a conversation without shouting. In summary, I would not consider returning to this restaurant unless someone else were to go there first and assure me that the issues outlined above have been fixed. I think it is just a shame that a place with good staff and excellent ambience is being held hostage by a kitchen that is not being guided to excellence, but instead is content to provide fare on a level with a Denny's at 3 AM.
(2)Stephanie M.
This place is so delicious! I've been here twice now- the first time I got their house made corned beef hash, as in not from a can- ahhmazing!! This morning, per our very friendly waiter's recommendation, I tried the chilaquiles. Holy deliciousness!! I cannot recommend them more highly! Fortunately, I couldn't finish my breakfast and had to take home leftovers :-) My boyfriend had the steak skillet, and he enjoyed every tender bite of it. The staff were all very friendly and accommodating, and the coffee is "gourmet", as in not your typical diner coffee. They even have a coffee bar! The menu has a good variety, but is not overwhelming at all- just one page of delicious selections. The ambience however is probably a huge reason I keep going back- it's super clean, has these fantastic rustic wood table tops, slatted wood divider walls, and is open and comfortable. The prices are extremely reasonable as well. I highly recommend this restaurant for a tasty, homemade, comfortable breakfast any day of the week!
(5)Natalie F.
Had a late night dinner over the weekend with my boyfriend. I had a side of chicken noodle soup, Caprese chicken w sweet potato fries and he had braised pork tacos. All the food was very fresh and extremely tasty. Server was attentive and friendly. The atmosphere alone will make nth of us come back. We took the chocolate crime pie to go. There wasn't one bad thing about this visit. Love this place
(5)Lisa S.
Had a wonderful dinner here! Calamari appetizer was cooked to perfection. The French Onion soup wasn't overbearing, delicious!! Highly recommend the Mediterranean Chicken: delightful. But the best part was our server, Mike. He was the perfect blend of personable and unobtrusive. We truly enjoyed the entire experience. It wasn't just dinner, it was a cozy and memorable night. We will be back!!
(5)Aina L.
This place is a glorified diner with a good service but the food needs improvement. It just looks good on paper but in person not so much.
(2)Chante R.
After a much needed makeover, this place has transformed into my favorite restaurant in West Dundee. They still sell the cakes and pies which are scrumptious! The staff are still amazingly friendly which I love. The biggest change is the layout and decor - this place is so bright, inviting. Lastly the menu was overhauled with new additions - crafty skillet meals (I had the spicy chorizo), banana frosters (waffles, French toast and pancakes) and so much more! The tea selection also was impressive. The quality of the food changing made a huge difference and this is why foodies like myself will come back.
(5)Nick S.
The new Alexander's is super nice. Modern and spacious...... If you like good design, you'll notice things like: the loungie waiting area, oversized booths that fit six people and bathroom doors that push from the I inside out. It's nice not touching a knob on your way out of the jon. THE FOOD: First, the coffee is excellent. I guess it's Intelligesta. Awesome. The Cali omelette is delicious. My little guy got the pancakes and fresh squeezed orange juice. I didn't ask him, but the cup of syrup seemed to make him happy. SERVICE: Very nice server. Lots of people floating around filling coffee and water.
(5)Nana M.
Both my boyfriend and I love this place! Great service, the servers are really nice, the food is great! Especially the chicken parmigiana, it's to die for! I absolutely will keep coming to Alexanders my favorite restaurant! I recommend this place to anyone looking for a great place to eat!
(5)Katie B.
I love this place! I used to go here back in the day with my high school friends for coffee and tea, just to hang. The feel of the place has definitely changed since then. And while I do prefer the old look of the place, it makes sense that they would change it to kind of "keep up" with everywhere else. Though, it seems like since they've deviated from the old diner/family restaurant style atmosphere (and menu), and classed it up a bit, they aren't nearly as full with patrons as they used to be. I never get anything besides the breakfast food...and it's delicious. Their portions are huge (especially their omelettes!). They will modify for gluten and dairy allergy without any scoffing. I usually never have a problem with the staff here...friendly and attentive no matter the amount of people dining there at the moment. We were once here at night, and I thought they served breakfast at night (they don't). My son wanted their caramel french toast (seasonal menu item which is SERIOUSLY THE BEST FRENCH TOAST I HAVE EVER HAD) and I wanted an omelette. The waitress offered to check with the chef to see if he would make us breakfast food, and he said yes. We didn't ask her to check, she just did it on her own...good service! The last time I was there it was quite busy and my boyfriend ordered the steak skillet with no dairy, and they accidentally brought it out with cheese on it. It had to be sent back and by the time he got it we had already finished our food. They also forgot my fruit, and were out of the tortillas for the chilaquilles. But this experience was an exception; they're usually on top of everything. Good food, good portions, good service, good atmosphere...go!
(4)Carrie F.
Great food,especially breakfast. We love the fresh squeezed juice and pancake sides. Chilaquiles is my favorite!
(5)Rhoda N.
Stopped for breakfast. They have a small menu, but interesting. The cappuccino I ordered was awful! Old black coffee with froth. Steak and eggs were average, biscuits and gravy salty. Would I return? Probably not.
(3)Ara R.
Amazing!!!!! Alexander's is our new favorite restaurant for breakfast. We've only had breakfast here but we've heard lunch and dinner are also delicious.
(5)Katie S.
My first time coming here was great. Our waitress was super sweet and attentive. I ordered a panini and my boyfriend ordered a skillet. They were both delicious! As a side for my panini I ordered herb potatoes, they were the best tasting potatoes ever! I didn't try to the fresh orange juice, but that is on my list for the next visit :)
(5)Bernice N.
Delicious traditional food beautiful presentation. clean restaurant polite staff. Its like Gordon Ramsey came in remodeled and updated their menu. In this case change is good. Go for breakfast and you will come back for lunch!!!!
(5)Patrick B.
Alexander's is righ up the street from where I work so I visit this establishment often. I've tryed several things on their menu and I have yet to find a favorite. The reason for this is that everything I've ordered there has peen phenomenally delicious. Some of my favorites include the meatloaf, veggie burger, fish tacos, and many more. You seariously cant find a bad meal at this place. The employees are nice and the place is always clean. I STRONGLY suggest that if you have a chance to try Alexander's that you take advantage of the opportunity. The portions are filling and the food is seemingly healthier. I will continue to support this restaurant with my business. They have undoubtedly earned 5 stars!
(5)Spencer D.
They've really improved the atmosphere of this place with the upgrades. Our party was 5 on a Sunday morning around 10am and the wait was approx 10 min. I got a skillet with eggs and hash browns on the side, everyone else had good meals. Except for one major down side... They seriously need to spend some time working on the HASH BROWNS. I understand it's Sunday morning and and hash browns take a little while to get crispy, but we even heard the table next to us saying the hash browns were sh**. The waitress was awesome and acknowledged the hash browns were poorly cooked. Rest of the food was pretty good, pancakes had a cinnamon butter which was great. Great prices, but fix the darn has browns.
(4)George H.
I have dined here many times over the years and I was glad to see they were going through a remodel in the fall. The place before was stuck in the 80's and always seemed dingy and dirty - no a place I liked going to and I only went there out of convenience. After the remodel, the restaurant is much brighter and inviting.The menu has shrunk, but having worked in restaurants when I was in college, it makes sense financially to have a more limited menu, it reduces overhead for having to stock all the various ingredients fresh. I have dined here twice since the remodel with my team from work and we have all enjoyed our food both times. I personally have had the Asian Wrap with Tuna as well as the Fried Fish Tacos. The tuna and the fish were both cooked perfectly - trust me, I am a food snob, especially when it comes to how I like my fish cooked. Is it the 'old' Alexander's? Definitely not...and that, to me, is a VERY good thing! I will definitely be back!
(4)Taylor W.
My family and I have been eating here for 25 years. Reason #1 I gave 1 stars: It was near closing and I had just gotten in from Florida to visit my family. When we were leaving I had forgotten my mittens on the window ledge. The next day I had called I asked to speak to the manager and if they were still under the table possibly. Well he assured me they weren't there and that he would call me if they found them. Since it was closing I knew we were the last one in there. Shockingly the manager told me that they are "in the process of now keeping things that are left behind." Now it makes me upset we have been coming there for 25 years and in return to have my mittens stolen...they were 100% left there and unique. :( Reason #2: My chili came out luke warm. Who the hell wants cold chili when it's 12℉ outside?!?! My Chicken Tenders and Sweet Potato Fries were amazing but once again those weren't so warm either.... The food is better, but over priced....and cold. ALEXANDERS.....GET YOUR SH!T TOGETHER! Someone's gettin the stank eye from me next time I go....
(1)Chris J.
My wife and I went to Alexander's on a recent Sunday morning for breakfast. Though she had been there a few times in the relatively recent past and spoke highly of the "new" place, it had been many years since my last visit. Back then the food was decent (if unremarkable), but what really stood out in my memory were the tired, much outdated décor and the ubiquitous multi-page tome of a menu so common to family restaurants. WOW!! What a change for the better!! There is a fresh, contemporary feel as soon as you walk in (no more worrying that someone was going to ask to see my AARP card at the door...); clean, open and modern, but still warm and inviting. We sat at a booth which was both spacious and comfortable. Since it was about 8:30 am we did not require any bar service, but the bar does look well-appointed and ready to provide whatever potables one might desire. Gone was the Encyclopedia Britannica-sized menu, and in its place was a one sheet (two sided) bill of fare which showed their breakfast and lunch offerings. While traditional eggs & meat and eggs Benedict are still reporting for duty, there are many fresh new offerings as well - it is obvious that a great deal of time and thought went into creating an exciting and vibrant menu that features interesting ingredients that you normally don't see in the run-of-the-mill breakfast places. Good luck finding chilaquiles and fig & walnut pancakes in any of the other family restaurants around the area! On a side note - I read a review here where someone bemoaned the lack of biscuits and gravy - I grew up on b&g and I love to eat them, but I didn't miss them at all on this menu (I had a hard enough time making a choice as it was!) I finally decided on the Alexander omelette, which contains applewood smoked bacon, spinach, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions and goat cheese. The vegetables were fresh and cooked perfectly; onions sweet, peppers cooked until tender, and the spinach heated but not turned to mush. I chose the hash browns and toast to go with it, and they were both delicious. My wife went with the chilaquiles (tortilla chips simmered in salsa verde) with chorizo and eggs, and was very satisfied. Now, my wife is from Mexico and knows what REAL Mexican food is supposed to taste like; her seal of approval on the chilaquiles says more about the quality of the dish than this gringo ever could, so take her word for it! Throughout our time there, our server was quite friendly and attentive; she made sure that we always had full coffee cups and checked in on us frequently. When my wife sent her eggs back (long story short, my wife prefers her eggs burnt - truly, honest-to-goodness, full-on crunchy-burnt - so she does have to send them back to suffer longer from time to time), the server was accommodating and apologetic. Incidentally, the eggs were finally immolated to my wife's satisfaction Another thing we noticed (which might seem unimportant to some, but which impressed me) was that when the server brought us hot sauce, it was not just the usual single, sad bottle of Tobasco, but a selection of several sauces in a caddy. I have always hated regular Tobasco sauce, and it was nice to have a choice. This is the kind of subtle detail which so many places overlook, but which is a direct reflection of the establishment's focus on customer service. Kudos! Overall, I would highly recommend Alexander's, and I look forward to many more meals there!!
(5)Stephen D.
Before Alexanders was renovated my wife and I never would have considered eating here. It used to be a very outdated diner with very poor quality food. Now the atmosphere is very artsy and modern and the food is fantastic! They have added many unique options that you can't get anywhere in the area. With the combination of a great environment, good food, and friendly service this is definitely one of my favorite go to locations
(5)Peter T.
Your fairly standard Chicago local diner fare, open early for the local business coffee crowd, and just off the tollway for travelers. Probably does a brisker business since a local Cracker Barrel relocated out of the area. We didn't vary from the norm, went with bacon and eggs, at 5.99, including hash browns and toast. Coffee extra. Order was prepared promptly and done to the table's specifications. We liked the fact that there was butter on the table, and coffee refills came in abundance.
(4)Linyun Q.
Had a few business lunch/dinner here. Never had an issue. Good people, good food.
(4)Shane M.
We were on a long road trip across the US and we happened across this place. 2 weeks of eating out 3 times a day, and this place really stood out. The staff were very friendly and the interior was new and stylish. It's nice that they put mouthwash in the bathroom. (I mistakenly washed my hands with it as it kind of looked like soap.) We had tropical yoghurt and a side of french toast with cinnamon butter. Both were great, but the toast was historic. We are still talking about it a month later.
(5)Nick M.
Just went there yesterday for lunch and still great food. Ever a nice the remodel they have truly become a great restursnt that the area needed. KEEP UP THE GREAT FOOD!!
(5)Jeff P.
Wow! Havent been on yelp in a while, but this place deserves it. Service was outstanding and the food was incredible. Fresh ingredients and large portions! I have no clue how this joint only has 3 stars. If you are across the street at the Holiday Inn, you should definitely walk here. AND they have alcohol!
(5)Linda M.
Alexander's just reopened after a three-month-long remodel. It's beautiful and the menu looks great! There is a full bar and a large coffee menu. We went for breakfast yesterday and I had the steel cut oats. Tasty! Lots of interesting skillets and Benedicts and Intelligentsia coffee. What's not to love? We're going back this evening to try the dinner menu.
(5)Jen J.
My husband used to dine at Alexander's with his family when he was a child. Apparently they went so often he didn't have the fondest memories and didn't want to ever go back. But after years of passing by the place, and the fact that they remodeled, he caved when I mentioned I'd like to go. Anyhow, we had an early dinner (4:30) on a Saturday so it wasn't packed by any means. Our server Ben was very pleasant and helpful. When I told him our son was getting over a stomach bug, Ben made sure our table was constantly stocked with bread and thoughtfully suggested bringing him Sprite. We ordered the Mediterranean Chicken, Meatloaf melt, and a kid's cheeseburger meal. The chicken was cooked well and the roasted potatoes were very flavorful. My only complaint was the steamed veggies of broccoli and carrots. They just weren't cooked enough so I had a hard time stabbing them with my fork. My hubby enjoyed his meatloaf melt, which was served as an open-faced sandwich with onion straws piled high--making a nice presentation. Our daughter's cheeseburger meal came with 2 small sliders. I noticed mold on top of one of the buns, which Ben whisked away and brought another order shortly thereafter. And like a good restaurant should, her meal was comped. As we were leaving, I ordered a chai tea latte to go. I wanted to see if theirs would be better than Panera's. Unfortunately, I found it to be very milk-heavy. But it's cheaper than Panera's so I'll probably start getting them from Alexander's when I'm in the area. Overall, we enjoyed our visit and will definitely come back!
(4)Virginia S.
I LOVE the beautiful, modern, newly renovated full coffee/eating bar with nearby comfy seating, cozy atmosphere, and PIANO!
(5)Jerry F.
WOW!!!! LOVE the Facelift Alexander's Cafe!!! A wonderful menu,,,gorgeous new ambiance,,,great relaxing soundtrack and superb service!!!!! We will be frequent diners here!!! Try the Bacon Mac n Cheese! FABULOUS!
(5)Mike C.
Great food and great service. My only complaint is I wish the dumplings were bigger. But the food every time I go is great. Especially the Saganaki.
(4)Cheryl I.
First time back since the remodel, like other reviews the menu is definitely streamlined, but still excellent! Prices on par for what you get. The coffee is EXCELLENT! The veggie omelette is full of veggies, crispy side of hash browns, hubs had French toast with cinnamon butter. Both of the meals were hot, plentiful and delicious! They now have roasted red potatoes that were hot and delicious as well, for the non hash brown crowd. The lunch menu looked good and every tray of meals that went passed looked VERY yummy! The remodel is really nice and we love it. Very cozy, only thing I would change is have smooth jazz type music instead of what was playing. We will be back for sure. The only reason 4 stars and not 5 is because yelp cheats and culls those out ! Love the new Alexander's!
(4)Mike M.
Went for breakfast on a Sunday around 8am. New interior and architecture. Good coffee and latte (intelligentsia). Nice bathrooms with mouthwash and hand lotion. My skillet was very good, perfectly cooked, just the right amount of oil (light) and the right mix of veggies, meat and hash browns (not loaded with hash browns like most). Good spot.
(5)Amanda C.
My family and I have been coming here 20+ years. When I fly in from California to visit my folks, going to Alexander's is a must. The food is mediocre and overly priced now. What happened to the hot open faced sandwiches? The Steak Alexander, has been a favorite since I was a kid. Yeah, that doesn't exist anymore. All the type of foods that brought families in is no more. What happened to the martini list? And a bartender that knows how to make one would be nice. Service was great, and has always been. They always try their hardest. I was happy to hear about the remodel and was looking forward to my next visit. The decor was cold and sterile. No warmth. After dinner, I walked out so disappointed. My parents have given this place several tries since the remodel, I don't think they will be back again.
(1)Craig R.
It's been well over a year since I had been to Alexander's. And I had no idea they had underdone a *major* interior and menu upgrade. These changes make Alexander's a top breakfast and dining spot in the area. The new menu is great; modern, creative takes on breakfast classics. The fresh squeezed orange juice and properly made caffe latte were great. We had the bananas foster French toast and chilaquiles with chicken. Both were delightful. The bananas foster was rich and creamy - very true to the name. Not overly sweet or syrupy, and every bite a treat. The chilaquiles were layered well with crispy tortilla, tasty grilled chicken, fresh sliced avocado, cilantro, scrambled egg and salsa verde. The food presentation, plates, and silverware were attractive. The service attentive, pleasant and professional. The interior is bright and clean with hard wood floors, great woodwork, a pleasant waiting area with a fireplace, a breakfast and coffee bar offering caffè lattes, espresso, etc. Much thought and pride is apparent. This is a wonderful spot and the makeover better than anything from TV. A real gem that I am glad to have been reintroduced.
(5)Vee J.
We stumbled upon the cafe while taking our friend to O'Hare, to go back to Australia. It was the perfect good bye America dinner! Great service amazing food!!
(5)O H.
Well what happened to this place? We have been going to Alexander's since the late 80"s. When they said that they were going to go through a major renovation we wondered what that would entail. After all, sprucing up a place after 25 years is only good business. What we hadn't counted on was a complete remake of the place replacing a cozy, friendly restaurant with a cold, stark décor of a empty boardroom. There is nothing there. Nothing on the walls, no color or warmth at all. It makes you feel very uncomfortable. In the past Alexander's would celebrate the seasons with cute indoor decorations. And then there was the outside painted windows. We looked forward to their window changes every season; spring flowers, fireworks, scarecrows and all the winter themes that they would showcase. Now there is nothing, not even a plant. What you will get are 3 TV's all touting the sports channel, (do they think they are a sports bar?) and then we have the very loud, dare I say, music? The prices have gone up considerably, the portions are a little less than before. Well of course that's to be expected, who else is going to pay for this dismal redecorating? The service was fine but there are only a few of the old staff left. I suspect that things have changed behind the scenes too. Such a shame, we won't be regulars anymore. I don't know how anyone could say that this place is inviting. We so miss all the amenities that made Alexander's a family friendly restaurant. They would have done a lot better if their new vision would have had the customer's comfort in mind.
(1)Joe C.
Extremely long wait, normal for a Sunday, but 8-10 groups that came in after us were seated before us, we were a group of 4. The excuse was they're new, bull....... Keeps getting worse, waiting forever for food!!! At least they covered the check
(1)Kai R.
My wife loved the prime Rib and the food was good. I am not sure this is a family restaurant, as it seems like a much older crowd were eating here. My kids had the corn dogs and Mac & cheese. The Mac & cheese looked awesome. I had the Greek chicken salad. I liked it, but I would have preferred a better dressing. Otherwise, all was good, but again, I would not say it is a family restaurant.
(4)D B.
First rate! Fresh, delicious food every time we've gone whether it was fish tacos, pot roast or breakfast.
(5)Kim L.
Very good ! Breakfast is my favorite & the pancakes delish ... We go here often ! Staff is friendly & usually fast . Highly recommended & place is beautiful since the remodel !
(4)Lynn M.
My family and I had been coming here since they opened in the 80's. Loved most things on the menu. Stopped in a couple months ago with my father. Looking forward to it but instead found a 'restaurant makeover'! This is a diner not a fine dining restaurant. The atmosphere is no longer comfortable. Gone are the plants and cute window painted decorations to celebrate the seasons and the menu has changed. My father was looking forward to the open faced turkey sandwich, gone now! We will never be back! The decor is cold and I'm not sure what they are trying to achieve sports bar or dance club but it's bad. Might has well throw in the towel now, I don't see this helping your business. Next time we're in the area we'll go up the road to Village Squire which was still nice last time I was there. They were at one time owned by the same people with very similar menu items except no breakfast. Oh no, I remember seeing them closed for several days for some type of renovation some time ago. Hope they haven't changed as well.
(1)Mike Z.
Great place to take a family. Great food, clean and awesome staff. Has the Asian salad, turkey panini and chicken fingers and fries and it was all great.
(5)Scott D.
Great food, environment and service...quality and value is here. Loved the quality ingredients and coffee was outstanding!!! Kiley was a great server with excellent attentiveness and friendly. I'll be back if ever in the area again! Highly recommended for breakfast!
(5)Sue F.
One of our favorite places for breakfast. Between the two of us we have tried almost everything on their menu and have not found one thing we do not like. The omlettes are large and fluffy, the herb roasted potatoes are so good, the homemade sausage patties are excellent and the cinnamon butter on the pancakes is a nice addition,
(4)Nichole W.
Skip on this if you are looking for a fresh, hot breakfast. Even the coffee was cold. While our server was nice, it just doesn't make up for the really bad food.
(2)Elaine B.
What a great place. First time eating there. Very very good food and outstanding service. Our server was so friendly. Had the skillet with pancakes and hot tea. They serve Forte tea with all the accoutrement and it was quite unexpected.
(5)Shaun H.
I dont like to write bad reviews, and im hoping for this restaurants sake this was an off day. Today i brought my girlfriend and her parents to alexanders for mothers day. Upon arrival i immediately noticed the fresh remodel and was quite impressed, even having never been there before. My girlfriend and i arrived first, and took a seat at the bar. The bartender appeared more concerned with sidework than taking a drink order. I really didnt give it much thought. Then we sat down for dinner. The menu was nice and reasonably priced . I had the meatloaf which was very good. No complaints about the food whatsoever. The service on the other hand was not so great. It started with an incomplete drink order then a long overdue check back. Industry standard is two bites or two minutes. Then finaly the bread we asked for arrived after we finished eating with a lame excuse. Ill give them one more chance.
(3)JAN W.
We have been to Alexanders on many occasions, we have never been disappointed. The food and staff are great. Our favorite is the pot roast, best ever! Also love the prime rib.
(4)Laura S.
Have been going to Alexander's for years. Glad to see the remodeling but wish the Superior coffee, the breakfast croissant, the fried chicken, the ribs and the $1 desserts would come back on the menu. The new managers manners also leave a lot to be desired. I wish the owner, who is a very friendly guy could see how this manager conducts himself when interacting with the customers. It was a bad experience for me. The wait staff has always been fantastic, very attentive, pleasant and outgoing. The manager should take a lesson from them.
(3)Tanja S.
Had a great breakfast experience. Place is clean and cozy. Food came out quickly and was absolutely delicious. The staff was so kind and attentive. Ask for Chris, she'll give you great service! Definitely coming back!
(5)Michelle D.
Just moved to the area a few months ago and my fiancé and I absolutely love it! We have been there for breakfast lunch and dinner. The place has a really awesome look to it and is very clean. We love the mason jars filled with pop. That's totally our thing. On some nights there's a person playing the piano live and singing and he is amazing! Love love this place we have gone there over 5 times already.
(5)Grace K.
If it ain't broke PLEASE don't fix it! The remodel was needed - agreed. But bring back the old menu, fried chicken, Cobb salad and the mason jars!!
(1)Jason B.
I have gone here for breakfast a couple times over the last few weeks and they have a great menu (I highly recommend both The Very Berry and Tiramisu French Toast). The place looks great since the remodel and the staff is very friendly.
(5)Rose D.
I've been here a couple of times for breakfast, a fish fry, and a later night fried appetizer/pie/coffee visit. Each time I was neither blown away or disgusted. Just meh. The service is average, the food at or just below. I only go here when necessary due to proximity.
(2)Keith P.
Ok what?? You don't serve biscuits and gravy? What breakfast place doesn't serve biscuits and gravy? I came here for the first time since the 'grand' reopening and found the place MUCH improved...everything that is but the menu. The new decor is very clean and modern. Gone are the uncomfortable booths with saggy-bottomed chairs. Now are more comfortable booths, but I did have trouble getting my 6'1" body in. A little more room please?? Next, the menus are...different. Gone is the epic menu and in it's place is a plastic poster. And apparently...gone are the things that made this place good to me. The waitress, who I have had several times before the remodel, informed me that the lemon-blueberry French toast was good. When I inquired about the changed menu she stated that this made them different and there was "no place like it in the area." Darn right there's not. Everyone else serves biscuits and gravy. So, much to my chagrin, I ordered the recommended French toast. To her credit, it was delicious. Hot, not too sweet and great texture. The coffee was hot, fresh and my cup never got past half empty. Oh...did I mention prices have definitely increased?? I get it...you have to upgrade to survive. However, I hope they recover their lost ways with their menu. Disappointed with a changed menu, and hoping they return classic items to their proper place.
(3)Samantha V.
Typical all american diner type restaurant. The crowd is typically older seniors. Food isn't too bad, the burger is a little greasy and the pretzel bun isn't as moist as I'm used to, but no real complaints.
(3)Claire D.
I get that they wanted to rebrand. And it doesn't matter that we've been going there for years. But I don't get how they have lost the simplest things. The salad, for instance. They always knew how to make a good salad with iceberg lettuce. All those years, that salad was fresh and crispy, with ranch dressing which my grown children still use as their standard to measure all other ranch dressings. No more. My salad was full of brown and pale greens, and the ranch dressing was thin, watery and tasteless. And there's no way those brown pieces of lettuce were any other ingredient than lettuce. Then there's the bar, which is now the centerpiece of the restaurant. When it was Alexanders, there was a martini list, and behind that diner counter, they made a good raspberry martini, among others. Now that the place has a real bar .... No martini list. Not only that, no one even knew how to make one. I felt bad for our server, who tried so hard to make this a good dinner. Not his fault. Another server? bar guy? came to our table and said he could make me whatever I wanted. So I said I'd like their raspberry martini. It came clear, not pink. Raspberry vodka and vermouth. Not even close. He had no idea, and I had to send it back. How does an experienced establishment lose their ability to mix a simple cocktail? The irony of moving from a family-style diner, with drinks listed on a somewhat-worn piece of paper, to a cafe with full bar, and no fun drinks list, is not lost on me. We've tried the place a few times, but I think our Alexander days are over. The remodel is well done, albeit a bit stark in the dining areas. Any ambience of warmth is only found in the waiting area, where there is some texture to the decor. The flatbread pizzas were very good. Might try it one more time for breakfast. But as the owners have intended, Alexanders is no more.
(2)Amy R.
Charming little eatery in the E town. One of the quickest Easter visits ever. Came down for the day from MN a few Easters ago and met up with the in laws at Alexanders. Had a family feel to it and felt like people would gather here after church. The food was decent. Nothing overly spectacular, but hit the spot and was fairly inexpensive. Nice selections of breakfast fare and I remember that their eggs Benedict was good. Eggs were done perfectly. Will gladly swing back next time I'm in the mood for breakfast.
(4)Chris M.
This is an above average area family restaurant. It is a frequent stop for Sunday breakfast and it doesn't disappoint. Parking is ample and easy to get to if you are driving North on 31. Driving South poses some challenges crossing 31 during busy travel times. They had a sign for $1.00 dessert with purchase so there's a bonus for your sweet tooth.
(4)Zhong Y.
Quality and value have slipped over the last few years. Saturday afternoon lunch, 1pm. Hardly anyone there. Had a beef stroganoff, which was mostly gravy and noodles garnished with mushrooms and bits of meat; takeaway for evening was a hot pot roast sammie; this was two slices of mostly beef suet over white bread served with mashed taters and gravy. The veggies were out of a freezer bag or can. Sad, really. Can you believe these were the specials? Today was the last straw for me; had a bad skirt steak, bad hot beef sandwich, and, well, today. Go elsewhere for lunch.
(1)Jim D.
The food is ok but not worth the money great for old people
(3)David C.
Classic "American" Family Restaurant. Great option to yet another meal at the Belvidere Oasis. Alexanders is typical of family style restaurants across the Midwest. Family run, big menu, large portions, reasonable pricing. It is also a great option rather than another fast food meal on Illinois tollway - with a gas station across the street you have everything you need. Service is prompt and professional. Food quality is above average for a family style place, so that is a bonus. Plus - you never leave hungry. If you are interested in a short break along your drive rather than just a pit stop, a great place. They also have some true vegetarian options, not just another salad. My daughter was happy with the choices and with her meal, so that is a bonus also. This will definitely become one of my stops on trips to Chicago/NW Indiana.
(4)Alfredo V.
I tried this place a while ago and I would be just fine if I never went back. The food we ordered sounded great on the menu, but once we picked it up we had second thoughts. The salad was soaking wet, and the dressing was too runny and bland. Chicken tenders I ordered for the kids were dry and hardly edible. None of the food we ordered was very good, and we were left feeling ripped off. That was my first impression, and I don't think I'll be going back anytime soon.
(1)Wesley S.
Alexander's Restaurant is pretty good within the class of family restaurants. Management, the owners, I presume, are on the floor and in the kitchen. They keep close tabs on what is going on. Service is adequate, but not remarkable either way. The menu selection is just a bit larger than the average family restaurant, and the dishes are executed competently. Side salads are a nice size, and bread is fresh --- one of those little things that makes a restaurant stand out. I'm not sure whether Alexander's makes its own pie, but each piece is $1.00 if you have ordered dinner there. I tried the pie and it is ok. Aside from the pie, prices overall are moderate, but not cheap, for the value received. Coffee, tea, iced tea and so on, are mediocre. Alexander's is a bit of a mixed bag, but I recommend it to anybody looking for a family restaurant.
(3)Don N.
Servers are very friendly & helpfull. Food is always prepared as ordered. Take advantage of the daily specials. They are very good & inexpensive. Would recommend for a good meal at a reasonal price.
(4)Ryan C.
This place was horrible. Went in for a late lunch on a Friday. Our server was slow. When he got to the table we found out he could barely speak English. I ordered a margarita off the menu. It came after 5 minutes and was just cheap tequila and super sweet margarita mix. I ordered the Mac and cheese with 2 sides. My food can out with out sides. I asked about them and then waited almost 5 minutes for him to come back and tell me that my meal did not come with sides, after he has asked what sides I wanted with my food. He finally came back with one of the sides so i settled for it. As we ate we had to listen to 2 waiters have a loud discussion with the manager or owner about how the $3 tip he recievered was too low. We left quickly and we won't be back after this experience.
(1)E M.
I was looking forward to the new Alexander's Café. The old place was just that, old and tired. Although everything about it now is new, I'm not sure I like the new look. It looks unfinished. I love the more open floor plan and they made good choices in materials and neutral colors, but there is nothing to give it personality. It's a very nice generic update. The totally empty walls need some help. Adding some simple wall décor with some sparks of color or metallic accents would definitely help. The food experience started off with disappointment. The salad came with some brown pieces of lettuce which "stained" the flesh of the cucumber slices sitting on top. I sent it back and ordered the Greek soup instead. The waiter came back with the soup and said the "kitchen" stated, "The lettuce was not brown, they use rhubarb". If they are using rhubarb greens, they better stop as my research says that the greens have various levels of toxicity. Is fresh rhubarb even available in December? I know the difference between old brown lettuce and fresh lettuce. This was old brown lettuce. The fact that the cucumber flesh was "stained" proves the salad had been made a long time before it was served. How can a simple fresh salad be so hard to get right? And don't put the cup of dressing in the salad! That is so unsanitary! The roasted white fish with asparagus was ordered but broccoli was served instead. This was quickly fixed. The asparagus was cooked perfectly. The white fish had good flavor but was barely warm. Hot meals should be served hot! Service was good and attentive. Being that this is a re-launch, the staff seemed nervously attentive in greetings and service. Calm down and act natural! Atmosphere, C+ Staff, B Food, C Prices/Value, C
(2)Dee B.
The best thing about this place was that the food was cooked. The Service We entered and stood without a greeting for at least 5 minutes. When the hostess finally got around to seating us, she acted as if getting us a child seat was not in her job description. The waitress... after being seated for about 45 seconds she asked if we were ready to order and we replied no, we didn't see her again for another 15 minutes. when we finally did get to place an order "Ill have to cobb salad with blackened shrimp" "What kind of salad?" "Cobb" "With Chicken?" "Shrimp" "Sauteed?" "Blackened" The Food The salad then came to me with chicken, and when I sent it back, it came with sauteed shrimp. Never did I get even a hint of an apology for getting my order wrong. My husbands pasta dish was ok at best, my salad was so sad, the prime rib my mom got was mostly fat. I do not see any reason to ever return to this place.
(1)Paul K.
Call it 3.5 stars. Took five people for lunch and bill was $60. No when went home hungry. If your looking for good food at an affordable price, this is the place to go.
(3)Bill M.
My boss and I stopped in here for lunch after a client meeting in the area. When we stepped into Alexander's, we were asked if we were here for breakfast or lunch. We both went for lunch, though the poster sign of the apple pancake looked tempting. I ordered the schnitzel special, with a decent breaded pork cutlet, so-so spaetzle and mixed veggies. The lunch also came with soup or salad plus a bread basket. I opted for the French onion soup, which was the tastiest part of the meal (and it should be since it had a 75 cent surcharge). Boss goes for the chopped steak with mashed potatoes along with bean soup, and he ate it all up. There were some Greek specialties on the menu too (flaming saganaki in Elgin??), though if I had ordered one I'm not sure if our English-challenged waiter would have figured it out (I asked for water and did not get it, and he may have tried to upsell me on a potato even though I alread had veggies on the plate). I guess you can have a slice of pie or cake for only a buck along with your meal, but we were in a hurry so no dessert.
(3)Ryan S.
This is a pretty bad restaurant. Very little vegetarian food, really poor crabby service. Many of the booths and tables are dirty and in poor condition. Food is incredibly bland and tasteless. With veggies boiled beyond recognition. The comment above about elderly clients is true and liekly an indicator. Stay away from this place.
(1)Dan G.
Went with the family, and it was a solid dinner. Remember, folks, 3 stars = solid! I wouldn't necessarily make a special trip to eat here, but if I was around, why not? The wait staff was great - super nice, accommodating, and prompt. The food was solid, just what you would expect from a family dinner place. They had a sale on pie, so we had some dessert, and all was decent there as well.
(3)No A.
Alexander's is good and consistent. I looked at some of the other reviews here on Yelp and the "downticks" seem to come from vegetarians. I'm not a vegetarian so I can't review it as such. The restaurant is a better-than-average general type restaurant. Good for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Prices are reasonable. And unlike some other general-purpose restaurants in the neighborhood, they serve alcoholic beverages. The menu is huge so there is always something for everyone. They have a special prime rib (Fridays or Fridays and Saturdays...I'm not sure) which is very, very good. Service is always good and friendly.
(3)David D.
My fellowship group has been frequenting Alexander's for the last four years for breakfast. Everything is good and fresh. The staff has always been nice. I used to go there for lunch every once in a while when I worked in Elgin. It was a nice place close by to relax and enjoy a bite to eat.
(4)John M.
I took a large group of family here once and the waitress looked like she had a horrible cold and the ventilation over our table was freezing. It would have been difficult to leave. We all got horribly sick with colds lost a lot of work and I will never return.
(1)Joe C.
Decent family owned restaurant with a local food distributor. This restaurant caters mostly to regulars and people staying at surrounding hotels that do not have transportation to go somewhere else to eat. The quality of the food is a little better than diner quality but not good enough to be classified as a legitimate restaurant.
(2)A. M.
This place has gone so downhill that it's not even worth the bother anymore. The last straw was making a reservation for Mother's Day and they proceeded to sit everyone else before us. Meanwhile, we sat and waiting for an hour to even be seated. When the food finally got to us 2 hours later, it wasn't worth the wait. Bland, tasteless, etc. I'm not even going to discuss the health hazards of dead plants in the window, dust and filth hanging from every corner of the ceiling over your food an all over the outdated fixtures and "decorations". I will never go here again.
(1)George B.
Alexander's is a typical family diner. Food and service is pretty good. This place is not too far away from I-90 or Route 72.
(4)John F.
We usually stop at this place for breakfast when taking a car trip starting early morning to Wisconsin or points northwest. Generally fast service and good good for a formula type restaurant. Easy on/off location convenient to I-90, but you will get stuck for another local toll.
(4)