Can't believe I've lived in Evanston for four years and have just found this place. The omlette and apricot flaky were absolutely scrumptious. The food was decently portioned, just enough. I loved the interior--it has a really fun and cozy vibe. Be prepared however to wait in line for brunch on the weekends! My friend waited for about 15 or so minutes to be seated. We got there around 10:30. It was pretty busy and crowded. Wish we could've gotten a table further away from the door.
(4)
Nikki L.
I want to love Lucky Platter. I really do. But their service is lacking. My order got messed up and I got regular fries instead of sweet potato fries (Honestly not a huge deal, but I was still disappointed. I didn't change it due to time) and my friend didn't get the sausage she ordered. The waiter was very nonchalant and didn't really seen to care too much that he forgot. I didn't expect him to grovel at our feet, but an "Oh I'm so sorry that happened! They will be right up." Would have been nice. Instead it was a very curt, "I'll go put in an order." Granted it was busy, but as a server myself I understand that it is possible to be nice and helpful, while also having a lot of tables. The food was really good. I got their California burger, with a veggie patty instead. I've also been here and gotten the Tofu scramble, which was also really delicious. You don't get a lot of food with the scramble so you are full, but not stuffed. Overall I'd come back here if I had to due to a time crunch or convenience. If I didn't though I'd stick to Walker Bros for brunch.
(3)
Sakura P.
The first time we ate here in May we had excellent service and delicious food. Yesterday we visited again for brunch and were unimpressed with the service and food. When we arrived there looked to be a few parties waiting (maybe 7-8 people). When asked how long the wait would be for two people, the hostess said 30-40 minutes but possibly shorter. Because our last experience was so good, we figured it would be worth the wait. So we grabbed a seat on the bench after one of the groups was called. Ten minutes passed and we noticed an empty two-top across from us. Meanwhile, there was only one party of two ahead of us. Looks like we'll be seated soon, right?? If only. A few moments later, a group of two older ladies walked through the door and to the server podium. The server mentioned that "there is only one party ahead of you" (funny how they get "there's only one party" and we got "30-40 minutes wait...) and immediately seated the other party ahead of us. Soooo....did we not count as a party any more? Were we forgotten? To add insult to injury, the group of older ladies got seated before us when we were obviously there sooner! We only got acknowledged when we moved closer to the hostess podium. Once re-seated near the podium the hostess told us that we were next and then seated us within 5 minutes at the two-top that had been empty for about 10 minutes by that time. Getting ignored and/or skipped over in a restaurant that obviously had tables available: not a good way to start a meal. So we sit at the table and I order the crab cake benedict and DH orders the french toast with some kind of crust. The waitress brings drinks but only checks back once to see if DH wants a refill on hot water for his tea. The food arrives and looks good. Unfortunately, the poached eggs that come with my meal are not runny and have been cooked too long for poached eggs (I make these at home myself so I know poached eggs only take 5 minutes if you know what you're doing). On top of that, they are a little cold. However, the waitress is no where to be found to let her know this. DH has to get up and find her to let her know since she has not checked on us since the food arrived. DH also has to ask for water refills since none are offered (a restaurant cardinal sin...). To their credit, they did re-do the benedict for me with actual poached eggs and I could tell they were freshly made, if a little sloppily put together. DH said the french toast was okay. They also turned down the A/C when DH found it too cold inside. Unfortunately, they let us down with the service even before we sat down. We didn't leave feeling very "lucky" and I'm not sure that we'll be back to try them again in the near future, which is a shame since as recent NYC transplants we are on the hunt for a good diner.
(2)
tricia l.
Sorry to say what others have posted. New owners and it isnt the same. Just. Not. What. It. Used. To. Be. Eric was the previous owner and a total pro. He really cared and it showed. I dunno. Maybe i will give them another chance. Maybe i won't though. We just ate their tonight. My favorite The Chop Salad has gone South but my friends liked their tuna Melts. For coffee, go to Starbucks. The coffee isnt as good as it used to be.
(3)
Angela S.
Cute new bar alert! Yet another interior update since my last visit. Walk in, head straight back, and you'll find a neon lit hipster bar in the back corner. The cool thing about this bar is the fact that its shelves are adored with Evanston's local spirits and brews, including FEW and Sketchbook. Stopped in for a lunch meeting and ordered up the chicken pot pie and a side of sweet potato fries. The pie was super thick, loaded with chicken, and had a kick of spice that I just couldn't seem to figure out. In fact there were so many flavors going on it was like a spice party in my mouth. The fries were super skinny and totally unexpected in a good way - not your typical soft and orange potato. The iced tea I had was fantastic. It was unsweetened and had a hint of something...almost a smoky flavor. My lunch experience overall was an infusion of flavors. Some I liked and others that might have been a bit too much. My dining partner ordered up a black bean burger. Though I didn't try a bite, it was gorgeous and ginormous. Fun lighting and artwork hanging from the ceiling. Lots to scope out while dining. Friendly staff.
(4)
Ashley M.
Went there and grabbed a coffee,& got the huevos rancheros. It was good, decent portion and coffee was good also! Service was great also! I wish it came with more tortillas lol but it's really not that big of a deal! I will be back.
(4)
Henry W.
Unfortunately, this restaurant has changed ownership, and the food has suffered considerably. I used to love this place, salads were large and flavorful and the scrambles were delicious. Now, all plates are half the size they once were, and the food is old and stale yet still the same price. The tandoori chicken for example used to come with lots of delicious chicken, avocado and cherry tomatoes. Now, they removed the avocado, the chicken is awful and old, and the cherry tomatoes are virtually non-existent. So disappointing, I would recommend strongly against this place, coming from someone who used to love this place.
(2)
JP N.
You really have to blow me away to get a perfect score ! However , this was difficult not to do so. I have been to the Lucky Platter many times and have always been pleased . Today I had a weird mixture of items but I was so delighted . A. Iced T B. Breakfast Potatoes well done C. Broccoli and parmesan cheese D. Cinnamon glazed Bacon E. Two breakfast sausage Amazing !!!!
(4)
Mike M.
I'll keep this short and sweet. We went in Sunday for breakfast and our server was awesome. She was funny, polite and attentive. Most importantly the food was fantastic! I will definitely be going back again.
(5)
Ceyda E.
Love the vegetarian options on the menu! So delicious. This place is great for lunch, brunch, and dinner --very friendly, neighborhoody atmosphere. The prices are very reasonable for the quality and amount of food. Also, their cornbread they bring to the table is AMAZING (especially when warm).
(5)
Tamara J.
I have been to the Lucky Platter a few times and simply can't understand the rave that my colleagues have over this restaurant. The dining area is basic. The service is marginal. I have never ordered anything from the menu that I felt was exceptional. I will say that others seem to love this place and it's usually pretty busy with customers. People often like being on Main Street (in terms of location) because there are other shops that line both sides of the street, so perhaps that adds to the experience for them.
(2)
Jacob K.
Nice employees, eclectic American food. I tried the highly recommended apricot flaky crust pastry which was delicious. Recently remodeled for a more modern look and feel with a bar in the corner.
(5)
Liz W.
I work in the industry and I think Yelp is pretty problematic, so it takes a lot for me to write a bad review. However, I will unfortunately echo what lots of folks on here have said. New ownership = crappy food. I grew up coming to this place, it was a family favorite. However the minute I took a bite of my pot roast I could tell that the ownership had changed. Not only was it swimming in oil, so much so that I poured off about three tablespoons worth, and it was still barely edible, but it was unseasoned and bland as can be. The waiter was really nice and noticed I wasn't eating, he even sent the manager over who was a bit pompous and just kept saying "we'll try harder next time". Well for me there won't be a next time, they didn't even comp the meal I had clearly only taken three bites out of. It's nice they came in and revamped the space, but the food is why people came here, and now the food is why I'll never return.
(2)
Brian S.
Neat atmosphere, good service, kept our water glasses full. Food was delicious thank you!
(4)
Mike B.
Tasteless food. Poor service. Low value for money. An absolutely bad experience. I had the chicken pot pie. It had no salt and the chicken was tough and tasted a little weird. Someone at my table had the fried chicken and it was average. The waitress offered a drink refill AFTER we were done with our meals. Go figure!
(1)
Jack K.
Best restuarant in Evanston ! But city needs to build other than a high rise. No auto or bike traffic strictly pedestion only ! A better version of "Lincoln Sq." !
(5)
Sir Gull R.
Last time I partook in the offerings of this establishment was 8 years ago. It has been this way due to a amateurish meal, unremarkable service and regrettable decor. But I heard that this local favorite had announced renovations. Naturally I was excited and expecting grand changes which would affect the menu as well. :: sad trumpet:: Disappointingly they did not. What they did was create a buzz and fluster the wait staff. The short version: the food is still "meh" the service is still "meh" but hey new ceiling tiles.
(2)
Emily K.
Came here over Memorial Day weekend with my family and even though the place was packed, we got seated in 20 minutes which was not bad. The menu is very standard, nothing stood out on the breakfast or lunch menu. I tried the classic benedict, crab benedict, french toast and breakfast potatoes. All very average so this wouldn't be on the top of my list of places to go to for brunch in the future.
(3)
R. J.
Loved the old Lucky Platter. The interior update looks GREAT, but it is SO NOISY. We left before sitting down last weekend due to noise. Please, management, consider taking noise reducing measures. It's a local gem, but won't be back until quieter. Thanks.
(2)
Carl I.
Had a business meeting with a friend here, and while he was a long time fan, I was a newbie. Well, first of all the service was great -- a young, polite server who was friendly and took pains to make sure that I was happy, even telling me about possible allergen ingredients. Super nice. I had the chicken pot pie -- yummy and like another reviewer I cold not id the spices, but it was great, as was the squash that was hollowed out with a great sauce. Superb Key Lime pie with a killer crust. This place is wonderful. Read the couple's review of the long wait, and didn't see anything like this from the staff. Even when I was off to the washroom, I was thanked for my presence. Really? Can it get any better?
(4)
Kelly R.
My favorite place for brunch food, hands down. The decor takes a little getting used to but look past that and you get a delicious meal. I love the salads and their chicken pot pie is the epitome of comfort food. My kids love Platter because they have a home made cream soda, which isn't too bad. They also have a nice selection for kids foods so I'd say that it's a very family friendly restaurant. Although the service is not always 100% (or 75% for that matter) I enjoy the food and my family loves the Platter, as well.
(4)
Amanda S.
LP is our favorite neighborhood haunt. The maple glazed bacon is a MUST, and when it's on top of a burger it's heaven.
(5)
Molly M.
The lucky platter has a cool vibe to it with whacky pictures on the wall, but without being overboard. The new renovations, which include a bar were done beautifully. I have to recommend the apricot flakey. Truly such a delicious treat. Just make sure that you get there a little early on the weekend because there is usually a little bit of a wait (but totally worth it!)
(4)
Terri R.
Love this place! It's close to our church so we caught brunch there over the weekend. Fabulous. We had the huevos--delicious; and a "make your own scramble", also delicious. We sat at the bar and our bartender / server was fun and friendly. Every dish we saw coming past us looked amazing. And, we were introduced to brews from a terrific local brewery--Sketchbook brewery--which were sublime. Can't wait for next Sunday!
(5)
Dee S.
I don't feel so lucky.. This was awful, I had to douse everything in sauce to cover up the actual flavor of the food. Lets start with the omelet..It's a relatively easy and simple thing to make. Lucky Platter somehow managed to make it absolutely disgusting. First off, it was room temperature, but wait, it gets better! So on top of the thing looking like a burrito I cut in to it and nothing but grease came rushing out due to the under cooked soggy bacon, really, In an omelet? The red peppers were cold and soggy, the "smoked gouda" was liquid...But to go along with the theme, it wouldn't be right for the "omelet" itself to be fully cooked and for the inside not to be runny, folks I present to you the "sunny side omelet" courtesy of the lucky platter.. Lets get to the potatoes..STALE, would be one way to describe them, DRY would be another adjective you could use, FLAVORLESS would be a stellar choice. If you don't heed my advice and end up in this place, make sure you use lots of salt, pepper, ketchup, hot sauce etc.. I wouldn't even come back if I wasn't paying for the meal..
(1)
Marc M.
Finally found a place that does pot pie right these days, none of that top crust only jokes. The carribean pumpkin soup was great as well.
(4)
Holly R.
Eric & Derek (co-owners) have done a wonderful job with this place and will always offer a smile and a good meal when you walk into their restaurant. The remodeling of this place was a huge improvement. The bar is a wonderful place to hang out for a bit...or longer. :) The staff is extremely friendly - Craig is right at home behind the bar and is completely at ease providing levity and quality food and libations to anyone's day! Food is yummy!
(5)
Peter H.
My wife and I are pretty heart broken. After being regulars at Lucky, for a long time our favorite restaurant on the North Shore, since it first opened in the 90's... we aren't going back. After having literally 6 of our last 7 or 8 orders screwed up, and noticing a big decline in the quality of the food, the jury is in. Lucky Platter these days, circa 2015, sucks. New management is apparently failing. Maybe the bar build out has been a distraction. Regardless, we are sad, sad, sad... but done ignoring the facts and giving chances. Lesson learned. Maybe we'll try again in a year or two.
(1)
Erin M.
Not a clean place to eat. I went here with my sister to try a new place and ended up ordering not one, but two dishes with hair in them! The first one was soup with a small black hair and the second was a salad (see photo) with a long black hair in it. I have brown hair so I know it wasn't mine. Worst part was I already started eating before I realized! The owner was very apologetic and comp'd our meal saying that this never happens there, but for it to happen twice in one meal to the same guest is simply unacceptable. Please buy your staff some hairnets and check your food before running it out to the customer. So gross.
(1)
Emily T.
Oh.my ....my tummy's happy again!! Had the Texas Burger w/Butternut Acorn Squash & Chai Tea. Wolfed it down about 10-15min!
(5)
Michelle P.
I've been here twice, once for dinner and once for breakfast. I'd give the breakfast 4 stars and the dinner 3 stars... Breakfast - My friends and I all got omelettes. The menu has several different omelettes and a huge selection of interesting ingredients for "make your own." I got the Omelette #1 - artichoke hearts, goat cheese, avacado, and tomato sauce. It was perfect - eggs cooked just right, with a generous amount of filling. It came with oven potatoes that were perfect, and an amazing raisin scone that just melts in your mouth. Dinner - I ordered the Portabella sandwich. What I really wanted was one of the burgers with a portabella mushroom instead of the burger patty, since they don't have veggie burgers. The serve seemed confused by my request, and said she'd have to check with the kitchen to see if they could do that.I explained that I just wanted the toppings that come on the gouda burger, but since I'm a vegetarian, could they give me the mushroom instead of the burger? The server asked me if I just wanted a slice of gouda on my mushroom, and I figured that was the best I was going to get so I said sure. The sandwich was okay, nothing great, but when the bill came I saw I was charged $1 for the slice of gouda. I could understand an extra charge, but she should have mentioned it ahead of time. The sandwich came with thin sliced sweet potato fries which were overcooked and on their way to being cold by the time they came. Which gets to why I'd give this place a lower rating, even though the breakfast food was amazing. The service was slow and erratic. Both times I was there the place was packed. The host was friendly and sat us as soon as possible, but it took a long time for the server to show up to take our order at dinner, and on both visits, besides taking our order and bringing us the food, no waitstaff came to our table. No water refills, we couldn't find her to ask for ketchup or extra napkins. It seemed like the place was understaffed for having every table filled. So I wouldn't come here if I was in a hurry. But I definitely want to come back for breakfast again. And maybe get some of those raisin scones to go.
(4)
Valerie W.
Apparently, The Lucky Platter is an Evanston mainstay. I had no idea. Never been there, never heard of it, WHERE HAS IT BEEN ALL OF MY LIFE?!? Seriously though, when can I go back and try everything? We met a friend at The Lucky Platter yesterday for breakfast, and were seated right away. I feel like it's possible to have a long wait at this small establishment, but we were on the early side for brunch (before 11 on a Sunday? I'd call that a win.) The booths are a little bit cozy, but nothing unbearable. The staff is SUPER friendly, and offered coffee up right away (my glazed Sunday morning eyes must've tipped them off.) I ordered the crab cake benedict and shared a side of the cinnamon-glazed bacon. OH.MAH.GAH. Best.benedict.ever. No skimping on hollandaise. Perfectly poached eggs (VERY IMPORTANT.) Crab cake was meaty with very little (if any) filler. English muffin? No. Try a griddled slice of HOME MADE coarse-meal cornbread. I died and went to benedict heaven. The only thing that would've made it better is for the $8.75 price tag is if breakfast potatoes were included. Luckily, one of my dining partners had some extra on his plate to spare. You bet your A I used those to soak up extra egg yolk and hollandaise. Cinnamon-glazed bacon, I did not forget about you. Why I decided to share is pretty much beyond me, and was pretty tragic. Next time, no sharing. The swine will be ALL MINE. Check out The Lucky Platter if you're in the E-Town area, and even if you're not! You can thank me later.
(5)
Rebecca B.
Pros: -Solid diner food. My Texan husband enjoyed his pulled pork sandwich and my crab cake benedict was definitely tasty. The crab cake component was surprisingly good and the benedict was yummy. -They have improved the ceilings from the tin foil decorations noted by some yelp customers Cons -The cook of their poached eggs was inconsistent from plate to plate. -service was very slow -$6.50 for an average-sizes mimosa with barely any booze on it. The food is good, but not the stuff of which legends are made. If I lived down the street I would probably come fairly frequently. Service is too slow, which would be fine if drinks weren't so expensive (so we could justify having more than one during the long wait for food).
(3)
Beth B.
I've been here multiple times over the last 4 years while living in Evanston. It was always adequate for a quick breakfast. Recently, however, they remodeled under new ownership and I tried it twice. I will never go back. This morning I took my 11 year old son for a breakfast treat. His food (pancakes and overpriced bacon) was cold. Mine...an omelet, had a ROCK in it, that I crunched once. It was loud enough that my son handed me his napkin to spit into without me saying a word. I notified the waitress, who asked me if I wanted another omelet (NO!) and immediately handed me the check. I said, "thank you, we will not be back" and she walked away without saying another word. Any restaurant can make up for a bad food experience with good service, but Lucky Platter is a failure in both areas.
(1)
Tina L.
BACONNNNNN. I forgot what else I ordered here, but I do remember the bacon! Thick cut bacon is the bomb dot com forreals. You probably already know by now -- I have an intense and passionate love for all things brunch. I tend to go for the savory, so that is exactly what I did here. I ordered the Huevos Rancheros with Homemade chorizo. Wait, what? Homemade chorizo? I love you, chorizo. Even moreso when you're homemade. It's a little pricey ($10 for one breakfast dish is quite hefty), but I am never able to finish an entire entree anyway...so it's more like $5 now for the first half, and then $5 later for the second half that I will most likely take home for a snack or meal the next day (which did happen).
(4)
Sarah B.
Sunday brunch here was great! I had a make your own scramble that comes with a side of breakfast potatoes and raisin toast. It was the perfect size and everything tasted delicious. My only complaint would be that the toast was somewhat dry, but overall the experience was lovely.
(4)
Ross W.
The food was great but service was slow. They were very accommodating with our 3 young kids. The fried green tomato benedict and lucky hash were both stellar. Kids liked whole wheat pancakes but $6 for two pancakes was a lot :-/
(4)
Twin M.
The food is mediocre and the service was ok. I have been there a few times and every time I have tried something different just to see if I was wrong about my previous experience. And unfortunately, it's always the same. I live so close to this place so I like the convenience, but I have to say that I have not been impressed the few times that I've been there. The first couple of times, I got a burger the sweet potato fries as a side. The burger was ok but the sweet potato fries were soggy and not at all what I expected fries to taste like. On another occasion, I tried one of their sandwiches and once again it was not all that good...it was lacking in flavor.
(2)
Naomi M.
I've been here three times and nothing wowed me. I had the classic burger on my first visit which took quite a while to come out. Maybe they were short in the kitchen but I felt like I'd been sitting there for almost an hour. The 2nd time I had the Gouda Burger, which if I ever go back, I'll probably have again. The cucumbers on the burger are good and gives the meat nice flavor. The last time I had the mac and cheese side with the stremed broccoli. Now I was not expecting to recieve one big head of broccoli on a plate. This was akward and probably the reason why I haven't been back. Just get a burger and sweet potato fries and you'll be ok.
(2)
J C.
If you love diner food and feel like taking it up a notch, then The Lucky Platter is for you. The food is unremarkable, average at best. Big portions, the service was reasonable but I've been twice and won't be returning.This place has way too much hype.
(2)
Jenny O.
My oh my! What a difference! The remodeling, the service, the hospitality, the food! I could go on and on! I'm sold on this place and it took no convincing. Thanks to new ownership they were able to turn this place around! Please if you haven't been or were disappointed in the past, check it out! You won't be disappointed!
(5)
Mary T.
Just went for lunch today - recently remodeled and it has a new bar and bright, whimsical decor. Food is fabulous and always has been. Love the Yankee Pot Roast and chop salad with jicama including the toasted sesame dressing. The service has improved in the past few months as well and was wonderful.
(5)
Steve A.
Wow, this place was a double surprise. From the name I thought it would be Chinese, and from the decor I thought it was a greasy spoon. And in fact there is plenty of diner food on offer here, but there are also some amazing dishes. I opted for the portobello sandwich, which was fabulous. The bun was perfectly grilled, the mushroom had a delightful texture, and the crispy thin onion rings added just the right amount of crunch. The sauce gave it a nice kick, and lettuce and cucumbers added a refreshing layer of cool. Wow, after writing that I'm ready to eat another one. My sandwich came with a choice of fries, and I selected the gingered fruit. Double wow! The cantaloupe, strawberries, plums and pineapple had been coated with a ginger sauce, and then perked up with cilantro and green onion bits. Creative and delicious. I'm definitely headed back here to check out breakfast.
(5)
Sean O.
My favorite place in Evanston to have brunch. The portions for the omelets and the scrambles are just the right amount. The crab cake eggs benedict was delicious, but could use some more crab to make it phenomenal. They also make great burgers and BBQ chicken sandwiches.
(5)
Susan D.
I've been going to this place for over a decade and took an out of town guest for breakfast. Nice new look, but the service yesterday was awful. It took 20 minutes for our chai to arrive and 30 for our scrambles. Are you kidding me?? What was worse was the blase attitude of the hostess when I told her--politely--on leaving, that the service wasn't good. The waitress, whom I honestly felt was overworked, also seemed annoyed that WE were annoyed at having to wait so long, which is not the right attitude. We left a decent tip anyway, but I really will think twice before taking guests there again, or about going there myself.
(2)
Jessica P.
Upon arrival..we were seated immediately or i guess I would say we seated ourselves immediately because the host just asked us where we wanted to sit and we just walked there and sat down... yea the hostess didn't seem too friendly or maybe she was annoyed that there were already 2 kids crying in the restaurant and we came with a baby in a stroller (but he was not a crying baby...).. California Burger ($8.75): comes with your choice of a side, i went with sweet potato fries (yum)..the overall burger was huge and delicious..generous with the spinach & avocado and the meat was cooked perfectly as requested (medium rare).. Sweet potato fries: they are skinny like shoe string fries...but tasty.. :) Food portions: burger = big... enough for leftovers.. or for a content stomach Customer Service: the hostess wasn't too friendly, but our waiter was friendly so that's what matters right?. I would come here again if I was in the area for the burgers..
(4)
Adam J.
Food was average at best. Eggs were undercooked for my Cajun Scramble, tortillas were not prepared appropriately for the Huevos Rancheros. Chorizo tasted more like ground beef. No jelly for toast. Food came out very quick, under 10 minutes. Service was very casual. No offer on beverage refills throughout the meal. Check was dropped before the table was bussed. Place was very busy however, they must be doing something right to keep the seats filled. Maybe it was just a one off experience, would probably give it a shot at redemption in the future.
(2)
Mick B.
Had a great breakfast here while visiting Evanston this past weekend. Highlights for us were the "Make your own" scramble, the very fresh bread for toast, and of course the legendary apricot cheese flakey (you really have to try it to understand). Service was tip-top and we even lucked out and got a window table to be able to watch the characters on Main street going by. I feel that this is certainly one of the more enjoyable breakfast restaurants in Northern Illinois. Almost everything on the menu has a little twist to it, and sadly some people just can't handle this uniqueness (at least not for breakfast anyway). On the Lucky Platter website they describe their menu as "funkalicious post-Hippy eclectic world cuisine" and that sums it up about right. The only negative that I can think of is that parking can be somewhat of a challenge in and around this area on the weekends. If you are prepared to walk a block or two it's all good.
(4)
Mahshid G.
This place is awesome! I frecuently come here and I have been fully satisfied with the food and service. Really great atmosphere as well.
(5)
Nicola P.
Excellent Place! My friend and I went for lunch today and the food was So Flavorful! I have never been here before and I'm so glad we were here! We shared the mushroom quesadilla and each had a salad- mine was the chicken tandoori, and then she had the Gouda burger and I had the Portobello Mushroom sandwich. Each item was colorful and each bite was Amazing! I took some food home and I know I'll be eating with a smile tonight-- the service was Great as Well! I will Definitely Be Back!!!
(5)
Chris P.
Evanston's hottest brunch place is Lucky Platter!! This place has everything: Apricot Cheese flakey, crab cakes Benedict, build your own scramble, cinnamon crusted bacon. And EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. This place is a must. But only you can finish your own destiny. Go, try, live.
(4)
Cubs F.
My husband and I used to go to lucky platter 3-5 times a week. However, this past year, everything about it has gone downhill very fast. We decided to give it one last try, and we will never go back after a very disgusting meal. He got: turkey meatball linguine. He mentioned that he seemed to have lost the taste for turkey. I tried it and it was mushy inside and undercooked. I ordered a California burger- well done. I cut into it to discover it was very pink inside so I sent it back. After receiving it back (same burger), another cut revealed still very pink! I told the manager who took it away and apologized. I received it a 3rd time and it was STILL pink! And oddly, there was only about a 4th of the burger left on a very mushy bun. Keep in mind I had only cut it open to see if it was well done! We laughed about that! But it was honestly so disgusting to even look at and nowhere near done. Other times we have gone this year, we have received meals with missing ingredients and undercooked food. So this was certainly one of many unfortunate times. Not sure what's up with the news owners, but I wish you all better luck!
(1)
Ba R.
I've gone here since the early '90s. I've never had any problem with the place, but suddenly, with the new owner, it's even better. The decor is refreshed, without changing the vibe. The food is better (try the Thai braised kale side dish). Apparently they've had booze here for a while, but now they're doing it right: Margaritas not-from-mix, signature cocktails, Temperance beer. If you haven't been go. If you haven't been in a while, go back. I will. And if, like my wife, you love their beef stroganoff, I have it on good authority that it will be returning as the weather turns cold.
(5)
Anya A.
Went here for lunch and enjoyed my portabella mushroom burger with sweet potato fries. The atmosphere was nice and felt homey. The decor is a little weird.
(4)
Caitlin B.
On the upside, this place is extremely close to my condo, and there's nowhere else to get brunch within easy walking distance. It's usually pretty full, but I've never had to wait more than 5-10 minutes for a table, and there's always room inside to wait, unlike other brunch places in Evanston. The food is okay- the menu isn't super extensive, and if you don't like eggs, you're pretty limited in what you can order. HOWEVER- all you need is an apricot cheese flakey (or two- let's not kid ourselves- of course you can eat two), and your day is made. Now, the downside: this place is extremely dirty. Dirty as in- if my house looked like this, I'd be too embarrassed to invited anyone over. The floor, in particular, looks like it's never been cleaned, and we've been given silverware so dirty we've needed replacements on more than one occasion. Don't even think about using the bathroom here. Just eat your cheese flakey quickly and try not to look around.
(2)
Shannon M.
Lucky Platter looks like the creative little sister of your standard Big Boy or the like. Just a basic room full of booths, but the decor consists of paint-by-numbers, welded found object sculptures, and wads of tinfoil glued with maniacal precision to the drab acoustic ceiling tiles. Likewise, the menu takes the basic diner staples and does a big sidestep. Sure you've got iced tea, but there's also iced hibiscus tea (which is really good, though had some real pucker power). Bacon isn't just bacon but comes with a cinnamon glaze. (Hear that? It's me saying "omnomnomnomnom...") Fries are bumped up to sweet potato fries. Etc. Though we were there for lunch, we came in above the 2 pm cutoff so I could still order breakfast. Thus, I ordered the cinnamon glazed bacon (see "omnomnomnom" above), the roasted red potatoes (which were rather indifferent) and the Cheese Flakey (a pastry filled with soft sweetened cheese and apricot jam, served warm. Really delicious). My friend got the Texas burger and enjoyed it (though we wondered why one would put cucumbers on a burger...). Staff was chill and service was smooth. All in all, an enjoyable meal. Evanston's lucky to have this place; I'll remember it for future visits :)
(4)
Javier Q.
OMG! I ate here today for Lunch as I was in the area taking a class......and it was hidden a bit, and was curious to see what it was about. With the name *Lucky Platter* i was expecting an Asian joint....u know like Poo Poo Platter but this one is **LUCKY*** =] So this place looks like a mom and pop place...it was cute. When I entered it was PACKED! I mean I was worried I wasn't going to be able to have time to eat here.... but magically, we got sat very quickly!! The waiter came very quickly, and i picked the Mexican Omelet.... and I mean, I love Omelets so I expect them to be the same everywhere else.... but MAN OH MAN!!! This omelet was INSANELY GOOD!!!!!!!! The chorizo with the black beans and cheese with AVOCADO for a filling was orgasmic!!! My classmate had the Florentine Benedict, and I tried a bite for curiosity...and OMG ALSO AMAZING!!!!!!!!! it was different! Poached egg, with spinach, ham, and instead of toasted bread, it was TOASTED CORN BREAD!!! SOOO FREAKING DELICIOUS!!! I definitely recommend this place... its super far from where i live but if i am ever in the area, I know where I will go EAT!!
(5)
Jessie S.
Quirky, fun atmosphere with delicious homestyle fare. Get the apricot cheese flakey! It'll keep you coming back
(5)
AJ M.
Came by for pick up for lunch. Menu looked most like a reg brunch diner. One thing that stood out was a tandoori chicken sandwich with apricot curry sauce. The sandwich was a little wet n messy but not bad. The side I chose was Mac n cheese which tasted like Kraft you can make at home. They included corn bread which was a nice surprise at first but didn't live up to the excitement. This place was pretty busy despite the mediocre food. I feel sitting in for breakfast/brunch would be a while other experience. As for now there's alot better options in the location, pass...
(3)
Bruce M.
This has been one of my favorite places for a long time. It just changed hands as of mid-July 2014, but the recipies are the same. The decor is slightly less funky: gone are the little balls of aluminum foil on the ceiling, and the pictures of '70's NBA stars. The staff are friendly and attentive. I usually go for lunch or dinner, though the breakfasts are wonderful. Lately, I usually split a portabella mushroom sandwich with a friend....wonderful, especially with the grilled onions on top. The caribbean pumpkin soup is great (slightly sweet, slightly sour). The house salad is a sort of a waldorf salad with greens, nuts, raisins and pieces of apple. It's delicious. The orange vinagrette dressing is something I'd love to be able to buy for my own salads. IMHO their key lime pie the best around!!! Even if you have other favorite desserts, do yourself a favor and try the key lime pie. I once ate my way around Key West looking for better. I found some that came pretty close, but none that beat the Lucky Platter's. It's got a graham crust, a sweet-but-not-too-sweet pie, covered by an amazing crème anglaise sauce, and topped with a strawberry. And the prices are reasonable, too.
(5)
Larisa O.
Evanston restaurants are pricey. Lucky Platter is not. For $8.00 entrees in Evanston, you aren't allowed to complain.
(5)
Andrew L.
Loved it. My first time there. My wife and I had a Saturday a.m. breakfast and the food was excellent as was the service. Interesting and odd combinations, but they work. Music, yes, but not too awfully loud. Prices a little bit on the high side, but not terribly. Street parking unfortunately. Funky yes, but in a good way. One less star for no wi-fi.
(4)
Christine K.
Had the chicken tandoori salad, and taste-wise, it was great. The avocado chunks, apricot chutney, and tandoori chicken were the perfect combination, bringing life to the greens with the spice, rich creaminess, and sweetness. The problem I had was with the freshness of the vegetables. The cherry tomatoes and romaine lettuce were subpar and below par. The place itself wasn't what I would call the cleanest restaurant either. I definitely wouldn't mind coming, again, to try its mushroom quesadilla or tofu scramble, but I wish the ingredients used were fresher.
(3)
Jason R.
3 words: Portobello Mushroom Sandwich.
(5)
Jenny S.
A big shout out to the new management at Lucky Platter! It is great. Clean! Great menu classics and some new too. Excited to have a good place to go again. Glad I kept checking.
(5)
Jamie F.
I went to the lucky platter on a Saturday with two girlfriends. We got there towards the later part of service while it was still pretty busy inside. We were seated immediately in a booth. While waiting about ten minutes for anyone to come check on us we started noticing the decor. There was a really awkward, borderline pornographic poster right in my line of vision and I couldn't stop staring at it. I'm not up tight by any means, but a pair of breasts first thing before I eat can be a little off setting. The overall atmosphere felt like any normal diner, busy. I wasn't expecting Michelin 3 star service but the waitress was less than professional. Nothing rude or anything like that. She just seemed distracted and like she had better places to be. I cook professionally, and I look like I belong in the back of house (pink hair, forearm tattoos) To other this can make me look like a vagrant or fringe society member. Often I get treated as such based on how I look. Here it was the same. Three twenty something girls, let's just serve them and get them out ASAP, they're taking up real estate. Anyways, the food... Yikes. I got the huevos rancheros with chorizo. The best part of the dish: the avocado and properly cooked eggs. That's it. It was about two cups of chopped tomatoes piled on too of fake chorizo with old and undercooked black beans. The corn tortillas were ok. The eggs were hidden under all of this. Visually and logistically a nightmare. The bad- what they were trying to pass off as chorizo is actually ground beef with what tasted like taco seasoning you get out of a bag. Such a bummer because real chorizo can change your life. The Bloody Mary was also subpar. The celery was an entire stalk which they hadn't even managed to run under water as it was pretty dirty. I didn't say anything, a little dirt never hurt. I was pretty upset about the fact there was less than a shot of vodka in it. Overall, this place was dingy, the service is rushed, and the food is not worth making the trip out. I don't plan on returning here. Ever.
(2)
Amanda C.
Moved to Evanston and Lucky Platter is our local favorite. Tuna sandwich is delicious and you can't go wrong with their egg scramble. Definitely a place we will eat at often.
(4)
d u.
Unassuming diner food, hits the spot. Nice relaxed atmosphere and attentive friendly service.
(5)
Brian C.
Great local place. They are patient with kids and food is good. It has a little bit of everything.
(4)
Tom D.
Based on my dozens of visits over 20 years: Probability of getting good food: 85%. Probability of good server: 50%. Probability of speedy/attentive service: 35%. Probability of an error in your order: 20%. . When I visited on 11/11/2014. my order took 30 minutes to arrive despite few customers, was wrong twice (completely wrong item), the eggs were so undercooked that the whites were runny and translucent, and I finally gave up on trying to get them to do it right. The server offered a 40% discount on the twice incorrect/undercooked item (it should have been 100% of course), and as we were leaving another server was apologizing to another table for all the errors in their orders. I overheard him saying "the owner is not here today and everything is a mess".
(2)
Lexie V.
I love this place. I have come here for YEARS-- used to be a regular back when i lived in Evanston and da Rog. Yes, the service is spotty. Expect it, move on. I love the decor here-- it's kitschy, offbeat, colorful, bold and fun. Sames goes for the menu. I love the food: from the creamy mac and cheese with tomatoes (yum) to the house-made cream soda (seriously wicked treat) to their house salad with sesame dressing (my must-have) to the Caribbean pumpkin bisque (oh my!) to their breakfast scrambles and apricot cheese flakeys. I love you, Lucky Platter, and i miss you dearly and will always visit you when I come home, mmk? Keep making the good stuffs that make my belly smile!
(5)
Tison H.
The place is ok. My boyfriend and I checked this place out and it was average. The coffee tasted burnt, along with my bacon that was burnt to a crisp. The mexican omelet was great minus the breakfast potatoes which were also burnt. I had the multi-grain pancakes with berries and it was awesome. Small plates and over priced, also the booths very uncomfortable, maybe next time Lucky Platter.
(3)
Jackie G.
Great restaurant. The renovations really improved the place and i love the new ginger lime dressing-- lots of great recent changes. The staff is also really friendly and never fail to make it a fun and relaxed time.
(5)
Meredith C.
Very cool place. Eclectic art and very interesting decorations. I had the egg white scramble. It was light, fresh, and delicious.Whole wheat toast was hearty and unique. Potatoes were very well cooked. Friend had the Mexican omlet, which he loved. If you're one to indulge.... they offer a side called the flaky which is a sort of crepe danish wonderfullness. Staff was polite. Place was clean. Very cool!
(4)
Meredith B.
A decent breakfast place with a sizeable touch of the quirk. Waiter was friendly, goofy, and attentive - but on a Tuesday morning my colleague and I were the only people in the joint! I got the montana hash with wheat toast and sunny side up eggs. Toast was thick cut. Eggs cooked well but very buttery - I actually tilted them up at an angle to get the butter to slide off! Potato and veg hash was pretty good - potatoes had a nice texture, the other veggies tastes more steamed than roasted. Loads of cheese on the hash, some of it melty and gooey, some crumbly and tangy. Sort of an odd combination but definitely satisfied my craving for a savory breakfast. 8 bucks for the meal. Don't know why every body is getting so worked up over it being pricey - it's really not. Portion was more than I could eat, so I was satisfied.
(3)
S S.
I haven't been to Lucky Platter in awhile because it had gotten so filthy. I remembered that there were new owners,which is a good thing because the previous owner was quite unpleasant. We were having our car serviced nearby and decided to walk over and give it another chance. To my surprise,the place was much cleaner. New tables,a paint job,and a new ceiling really helped. For those of you who are nostalgic for the tin foil ball ceiling ,there is a framed ceiling tile in the entrance. The food seemed the same....above average diner food. We will be back for breakfast. Now.......if they would only clean and update the bathrooms.........
(3)
Chaya H.
We decided to try the Lucky Platter. We ordered the large house salad, pumpkin soup, Tandoori Salmon salad, the quesadillas, and the key lime pie, First - the house salad that was supposed to have feta, raisons, and walnuts, had no feta, only a pinch of walnuts, and maybe 10 raisons in the whole thing. Total rip-off. Also, it had apples, but they used green cooking apples on the sour side rather than sweet apples, so it was ridiculous. Then, they laid the chicken I ordered as an extra on top of the salad in a mat so that the whole salad was warm and wilted. Someone has no idea at all how to make a salad. The pumpkin soup had about a tenth as much pumpkin in it as I'm used to - and just wasn't really pumpkin soup. The Tandoori salmon was overcooked and the sauce was very blah - salad was warm and tasteless much like the other salad. Quesadillas were that typical gummy mess you get in crap restaurants, but the flavor wasn't awful or anything, if you ignored the texture. The key lime pie was awful - not made correctly at all, no key lime flavor, not dense enough, and generally totally mediocre. Very forgettable food.
(2)
Dallas D.
I used to really like this place... Good food, fun atmosphere... In fact, so much that I was looking for a part-time job, I applied. I was "trained" (read = jumped straight into waitressing, bussing tables, prepping food, ringing sales) for eight straight hours, then had to forfeit ALL the tips. When I very politely inquired to the manager about the tips, and the lack of a break (legally required after five hours during a shift 7.5 hrs or longer), I was told that I wouldn't be a good fit. If you like the food here, great... The waitstaff and kitchen staff were polite and helpful, don't get me wrong. But please know that if you eat here, you are supporting owners and management who violate our labor laws and are taking advantage of their staff.
(1)
D A.
I've gotta say, they are growing on me. They recently finished a needed remodeling. The food and service is better than I had experienced in the past. I mostly go there for late breakfast on the weekends. It's good hangover food.
(4)
Asparagus S.
Good burgers, fair prices, nice staff. Cornbread comes with every meal, which is also good. Pumpkin soup is pretty good too. Wish they offered regular fries with the burgers, but all they offer is sweet potato fries or your choice of another side. Not a fan of the sweet potato fries, but the other sides are fine subtitutes for regular french fries.
(4)
Max G.
The food here is absolutely delicious. They make some of the best crab cakes I've ever had. The staff is good enough. They're not the friendliest folks, but they're usually pretty busy so it's understandable. The decor is nice, but everything is coated in a thick layer of dust and grime, including the plates, glasses, and silverware. So gross!
(4)
Jennifer L.
This place had me at its metallic menagerie of a marquee mounted above the entrance. My interest was officially piqued. Upon actually entering, however, I have to say the exterior is a bit misleading. The interior has an almost country bumpkin, diner feel to it. The whole establishment is an eclectic infusion of industrial, folky hippie-dippy-ness... that's about the best way I can put it. I still find myself wondering what the heck is on their ceiling tiles! It's certainly unique, I'll give them props for that. I've been here on two separate occasions: on my first go around, I was here for the late lunch/dinner hour and the second time was during breakfast. The only reason I give it 3 instead of 4 stars is the quality of the food seemed to vary based on the time of day. The lunch/dinner hour was also rather slow when we dined here (around 5pm) so we had the benefit of getting special attention from our server. He was super attentive, helpful, made great recommendations and even gave us an extra side dish on the house. Great personal touch that made our dining experience memorable. I think he may have been one of the owners, judging by the way he took care of us. I ordered the tandoori chicken sandwich and it was purely delectable, with its ingenious combination of feta cheese and their flavorful tomato and apricot chutney. Breakfast, on the other hand, was a little bit of a letdown. Granted, it was MUCH busier, they were bursting at the seams trying to seat guests as quickly as they could. I'm not sure if they were trying to sling the food as fast as possible, but there was definitely a noticeable difference. I don't want to use the word "bland", but it's the first word that comes to mind, unfortunately. I had the Classic Eggs Benedict, which was just okay. Which is too bad, because our server from our first visit here RAVED about the breakfast menu. Their coffee was also less than fresh. Maybe their pancakes or french toast would have been a better pick. All in all, I won't write the place off. It's got its own appeal and I could see it as having its regulars and loyal customers, especially those of whom live in the immediate area. Side Note: Their sweet potato fries are amazingly addictive, and the homemade cornbread they serve instead of warm rolls/bread was a nice touch, somethin' different -- but when I noticed they even incorporated it into the Eggs Benedict, I think maybe they'd gone a touch overboard.
(3)
Cami R.
Great salads and sandwiches! The steak salad and avocado salads are the best!The chicken pot pie is to die for!! Obviously not the place for pizza and scrumptious cheeseburgers... Pretty good kie lime pie but just regular chocolate cake
(4)
Laura S.
This is probably my favorite restaurant in Evanston. So freakin' delicious, such great customer service, and always fantastic for brunch. I come here as much as I can...the brown sugar glazed bacon, apricot flakies, and omelets are my favorite. I've also had delicious soup, fish, and fried chicken here. Everything about this place is great - the wait staff are efficient, friendly, and don't rush you out of the restaurant when you're done eating. Prices are reasonable and the coffee is yummy.
(5)
Tanya K.
Had wonderful Eggs Benedict with crab cakes. Friends were happy with their breakfast offerings and service was wonderful, even as the reunion caused us to occupy the booth for almost 2 hours.
(5)
Liz A.
There is almost always a line, but it is well-worth the wait. The owners and servers are a little quirky, and the decor includes some arts and crafts chandeliers giving the restaurant a definite hipster vibe. That being said, the food is outstanding-- these hipsters can cook! Definitely try the cheese flakey and cinnamon glazed bacon. Everything else is fair game, as well. Their lunch and dinner menus are great, but I would definitely make my first visit a breakfast or brunch.
(5)
Ari A.
Look up, at the ceiling, there are balls.... of Tin Foil. To protect us, against the Aliens... or add some quirk to this American Cafe/Diner/Restaurant. You'll also find way TOO many paintings of WAY too ugly people and their portraits, but they are interesting to stare at. Apparently this place is well known for their bread, but i failed to get anything exciting with my omelet, and went for the toast. The raisin scone was pretty good and the pancakes were delicioso! We ended up sitting at a table in waiter's "no man land" and thus it took a while for our clumsy waiter to take our order. Great company, good food, interesting ambiance... makes for an all around good morning. Plus, if you let me walk away with a handful of Jolly Ranchers, you've got a happy lady on your hands
(3)
David F.
Slipped. Used to be a favorite breakfast spot. Service very spotty. Eggs undercooked. Bacon too crispy. Wait forever for second cup if coffee. One piece of toast. No butter or jelly. Not living up to old standards. New owners or bad day????
(2)
Andy S.
My girlfriend and I absolutely love this place. Very eclectic is the way I like to describe it. Such a variety of food that we keep trying new things and we always enjoy. Good food for every meal - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I love the use of homemade cornbread instead of regular bread before the entrees. Favorites include: BBQ Chicken Salad, BBQ Pork Tenderloin Dinner (un-freaking-believable), Roast Beef Sandwich, and the Philly Steak Sandwich.
(5)
M P.
If you are in the mood for breakfast with old potatoes and sub par scrambled eggs this is the place. Unfortunately there is not much competition for breakfast in the area so the place gets busy as people want to dine on a weekend mornings.
(1)
Melanie B.
I love this place! I haven't had a bad meal! The polenta open-faced sandwich was delicious! I also enjoy the salmon and any of their Tandoori dishes. Breakfast here is a must!!!! The cinnamon glazed bacon and apricot flakey are delicious (though a bit heavy for having frequently).
(5)
Ahzea M.
I hadn't been here in a long time and I thought I would delete my initial review. I Was really looking forward to a few items on the menu and went with an open mind. I Thought it would be my new favorite spot!. Actually, it is still a disaster. Just like all the other reviews claim. I thought the California burger was vegetarian based on the vegetable ingredients highlighted! I didn't know that! Imagine what a nightmare it would have been for me to sink my herbivore teeth into that?!??? Why would you call it a California burger? What restaurant in 2014 doesn't have a veggie burger? I ordered the portobello sandwich. It was ok for the first few bites. Then...just a salty object to eat. The waitress was a great actress! She Acted so friendly when I arrived. Then never once checked on me during the meal. Came back to give me the check in exchange for my hard earned cash. This place especially SUCKS, because it is NOT vegan friendly.
(2)
Patrick R.
I've been here twice ...and I can not figure out what the attraction is for this restaurant. Food is just OK. The place is kinda dirty. Food a bit pricey. The decor must fool people into thinking they're in a really "cool" place.
(2)
Cassie S.
I guess the best way to describe my experience here was completely underwhelming. Given the great reviews (by people I know and trust) and the write-ups I've read elsewhere, I expected to really enjoy my meal. Instead, I found a menu that was not terribly inspired (though the bf's chorizo burger did look really good, though burnt) and not particularly varied either. (Also, the decor - not nearly as "funky" as I expected based on the reviews. Maybe I just have a tendency towards strange places, setting my quirkiness bar pretty high, but this seemed more like any other non-chain restaurant) Maybe our mistake was in going for lunch (and too late of a lunch to want to eat breakfast even though we could have I think...). So I'd probably go back just to see what everyone else thought was so great but there are a lot of other restaurants on my "to try" list in the meantime.
(2)
Q.P. G.
Holy cow, this place is dirty! We sat down at a dirty table. Got to use a dirty high-chair. When my coffee came, I took a sip and there was food stuck to the inside of it. The pitcher of cream also had food stuck to it. My wife's french toast tasted like hash-browns, so obviously they're not cleaning the cook top. On the positive side, my oatmeal was good. I don't think we'll be back. This place will skeez out anyone who enjoys a clean dining experience.
(2)
Tasha P.
I loved the food. The hash browns were ridiculously awesome. Vegetarians also have plenty of options. It's actually a favorite spot for many vegetarians I know. I'm not here much, but I eagerly await my next visit.
(4)
Amanda O.
You CAN take the flakey home with you!! Or four, like I did :)
(5)
Jillian W.
So unexpected! We happened upon this cute little spot. They have great food and a quirky but fun atmosphere. Our server was friendly and helpful. I would definitely recommend.
(5)
Andrew S.
A hidden gem! Their breakfast is sumptuous (get the apple cider syrup). The apple blitzes are unique and great. Their dinner menu is phenomenal. I especially like the tandoori chicken sandwich and the carribean pumpkin soup. For side dishes ive never had gingered fruit anywhere else but cant get enough of it, and oh yea, fresh cornbread with every order... Be warned that the place is mad eclectic and really awkward to dine at although byob is only $1.25, take out is fast and the best option. The only complaints i have with it are that the staff can be stiff, and they have occasionally not given me a side dish ive asked for.
(5)
Rock Star R.
:( What happened to you? You used to be clean, creative, affordable, and just truly lovely. Now, you're dirty, food is nasty, service is ridiculous and the owner/manager seems to have a rather large chip on his shoulder. Total bummer.
(1)
Christine B.
#1 omelet was amazing. The Benedict was good too but would've been nice to have a small side. The corn bread available on request is a nice add. Can't go wrong with the avocado salad (add goat cheese) and the tuna melts either. Unique foods and combos. Solid place. One recommendation for the restaurant: make a bfast combo. E.g. Eggs and bacon, potatoes and toast. Also, there is one waitress there that needs to be retrained..she has served me probably 4 times now.. And she is really forgetful..rarely checks up on you.. And she can't wait to get away from the table. Once she was in such a hurry that she left while my friend was mid-ordering. The other waitstaff seem fine.
(4)
Lauren M.
I would classify this place as an upscale diner. Diner food - elevated. The benedict choices are varied and they offer some interesting twists, such as griddled cornbread, rather than English muffin, as the base for the benedicts. We tried the bacon side since Yelpers raved over it, but it wasn't the kind I like, not crispy, more chewy in texture and lukewarm. Everyone's' food looked eye-appealing and if hearty food, big portions and a family-friendly vibe are your thing, this is a great option. Service was friendly and fast.
(3)
Adi S.
Enjoyed brunch here with a friend on a Sunday. I have had brunch at a handful of places in Evanston, and overall I thought this was a fairly good spot and I would definitely come back. I had the swedish pancakes, which were quite good, but what especially stood out was the apple cider syrup...with which it was my first ever encounter. Also I got the cheesy flakey at my friend's insistence and I have to say it was my favorite part of the meal.
(4)
Kristy F.
Atmosphere: Pretty large venue, original decorating but somewhat uninviting- 2 stars Service: Ok. Not as attentive as I'd hope considering the place was empty. 2 stars Food: Carribean Pumpkin Soup- 3 stars Small Tandoori Chicken Salad- 4 stars Side of Breaksticks- 3 stars Conclusion: The food was fresh and tasty but something about the atmosphere felt uninviting. Prices were decent but I'd only go back if a friend wanted too. 2 stizzars!
(2)
Caleb L.
Food is ok, service terrible and almost rude. I was here with a five year old and was basically ignored Slow slow slow service Pizza had so much parmesan cheese it was inedible
(2)
Allison E.
I rarely come to Evanston, but this is a lovely little spot, and totally worth the trip. I had the most delicious salmon when I was here. It was tandooried and came with a side of sweet potatoes and this marvelous apricot/tomato chutney stuff. It was really perfectly cooked and delightfully simple. Everything else that came to the table could be described the same way. The mushroom quesadillas were wonderful and the fruit had a really nice dressing. There was something about each plate that made it taste interesting without overdoing it. Just exactly what I love about good food. OH! and hot ciders that were perfect too. The decor is eclectic, off-beat, artsy. I saw some lamps and stuff that I would have loved to put in my own house. Playlist was indie, oldy, and worldly. Service was casual and attentive. Keep up the nice work Lucky Platter.
(5)
Katrina L.
Meh. Really close to me so it's easy to go here on my way home. The servers are really nice so that's a plus. The food, I'm not so sure. I've had their tuna melt and I thought that it was a little fishy - also wasn't flavorful enough for me. It seemed like it was just tuna and mayo. I ordered it with sweet potato fries and it was just ok. I think that maybe it wasn't as good because I ordered it to go, so they weren't crispy. I also ordered the tandoori chicken. Again, didn't leave a really good impression on me. I guess I'd go back if I have no other options and don't want to cook for the night.
(3)
Annie Y.
This is a fun little diner in Evanston that my friend took me to when I asked her to show me her favourite food places around Northwestern. When I first walked in and saw the mismatching decor, I didn't expect much, but I was pleasantly surprised by the awesome food and great service. They start you off with free cornbread, which I basically hoovered. By the time I'd gone through two baskets, I was almost too full for food. We ended up splitting a Tandoori chicken sandwich and a BBQ chicken sandwich. They were more like burgers than sandwiches. Both of them were fantastic. I'd say the Tandoori chicken had a slight edge, because I loved the apricot preserve they put in it. I wasn't a fan of the mac & cheese -- it was too sweet and had red peppers in it, which I thought was an odd choice. The mashed potatoes were great, though. Our server was really friendly and didn't mind at all when I kept asking for more cornbread. Overall, great experience, and fairly priced. Would go back again next time I'm in the area.
(4)
Matt R.
Well, isn't this probably the weirdest place I've been to in a bit. The food is pretty good here, good variety and comes fairly fast from the kitchen. The menu itself is definitely a bit small on choices. Meanwhile, the place has crazy things from floor to ceiling. I do mean *ceiling*. All sorts of artwork and old collectibles are placed in and outside of the restaurant. Waitstaff were polite. I had the patty melt and my girl had the portabella sandwich along with sweet potato fries. We finished off with a bananas foster which was good. Basically, we carb loaded to high heaven, had a greatly unhealthy but good meal, and carb-crashed about 3 hours later, but it was well worth it.
(4)
Liz S.
One of the best brunch places, with pretty, interesting kitschy decor (eg, all the light fixtures are made of old colanders). I LOVE the omlettes here. With an omlette comes sides of potatoes and toast. You can sub the potatoes for ginger fruit but I usually ask to sub ginger fruit for the toast, since I'm allergic to wheat, and most of the time the waiters act like I'm asking them to stand on their heads. wtf. But this fruit is SO good. I don't taste any ginger, but it's got purple onions and parsley which probably sounds unappetizing, but it's delicious. They have combinations that aren't your average ingredients, like putting pesto in an omelette (something I think is long overdue;) I LOVE pesto). My favorite breakfast items are Omelette No. 1 (avocado, artichokes, goat cheese, roasted tomato sauce), and the Tuscan Omelette, and the spiced chai is delicious as far as beverages. You can make your own scramble, and they have 28 different ingredients to choose from! wow. Now that I'm vegan, I can't wait to go back and try their tofu scramble (but it has feta in it...what?! why would you cut out eggs but still have cheese...hmm)
(5)
Colleen C.
So, I'm all sorts of in breakfast lust with this place... After many diverted attempts to eat here, I finally made it! And yes, I am yelping live. That's how I roll, omelette-filled, caffeine-driven and keyboard out. I'm for real. The exact blend of quirk and cute that I desire in a breakfast place. Funky decor, unique vibe, random sculptures and art, tucked away location. Steps from the Main Street Purple Line stop...easy metered parking, all sweet and sensible in Evanston. My No. 1 omelette was nothing short of perfection. Goat cheese, avocado, artichoke hearts. mmmmm, coupled with an apricot cheese flakey (who needs whole wheat toast? NOT I)...simply an amazing Thursday morning kickoff. So here, I sit...all content like in my breakfast endorphin rush, and the world is righted by eggs once again. And coffee, and this HUGE fish ornament fashioned out of coffe cans and old vintage paintings, and well-decorated tables that do not match....and...and... And I just like it. Norah Jones adds to the euphoria, I might add...
(4)
Wendy C.
Convenient place to have brunch. I like the interior design because it's cute and original. I ordered the Cinnamon Raisin French Toast today and it tasted good! I love the raisin all over my toast! One of my friend who did not really like Cinnamon said the smell was too strong, but I felt it okay. I had a relax time over there.
(4)
mike f.
I can't help but notice how the portions keep getting smaller and smaller and smaller. The Jambalaya is NOT $13.50 worth of food,neither is the Turkey Meatballs and Linguini. They used to give you a decent amount of food when ordering them but no more. Another example is the Fried Chicken special. They used to give you mashed potatoes and cole slaw with your dinner but NO MORE! I was NOT given $12.50 worth of food tonight. $12.50 for four pieces of CHICKEN???? Sorry,Lucky Platter! You just lost a long time patron. Can you say "RIPOFF"?
(2)
Marina K.
How did this place get so filthy? I can appreciate kitsch and quirky decor, but when all that stuff just accumulates dirt and dust over the years, it's just unacceptable. I tried this place three times. I only went back because I really wanted to give it another shot after so many people kept insisting that it's really good. Well after the last time, there will be no convincing me to come back. First, the table and benches were dirty (on top of the decor, floors, and walls, which are always dirty). Then, I kept overhearing horrible, loud arguments coming from the kitchen (sounded like it was between management and staff). And the a huge bug ran across the wall near my table. At that point, I wanted to run, but felt bad and ate at little bit of my food, listening to the fight in the kitchen the whole time. The only reason this is a two star review, and not a one star is the food is not terrible. It's not very good, but it's edible and actually tastes pretty fresh, but that not reason enough to eat here.
(2)
Caity F.
Mixed feelings. The first few times I ate here I was very happy with my meal and the service. Loved the breakfast, and either me or my boyfriend would order the Montana Hash with two eggs over easy. Also have had two or three of the omelette options. Consistent, delicious, and the apricot flakey is a nice touch. Reason for 3 stars instead of more: 1. inconsistent service. Sometimes get really friendly waiters, other times get stand-offish people with bad service. One time our plates came out at totally different times, I had both water AND coffee spilled on my pants - and no word of acknowledgment from the server. Odd. 2. Bad dinner experience. Soggy sweet potato fries and a soggy burger roll were not very appealing. This dinner experience came at one of those times the service was a little off, so that didn't help. A friend of mine ordered a salad and it was missing ingredients listed on the menu - just a little strange. I've heard good things about the lunch/dinner menu so maybe we ordered the wrong things but yikes, we were turned off. Mixed feelings! Hence the 3 star rating. Would be less if it weren't for all those tasty breakfast experiences.
(3)
J K.
Fantastic, lesser-known, breakfast gem in Evanston. I like everything about this place, especially the food. Breakfast is unfailingly delicious and comes with a scone or apricot cheese "flakey". Regardless of what you order for breakfast, I highly recommend the flakeys - they are fantastic. I usually order the Cajun Scramble that's filled with lots of andouille sausage and broccoli with a tasty, spicy, sauce and a side of breakfast potatoes that are steamy and soft - much better than the dried out potatoes that one gets at many lesser breakfast spots. The decor is quirky and fun, consisting of animal sculptures made of scrap metal (like the fish made from an old mailbox) and the amateur paintings with odd facial proportions and expressions. Service has always been prompt, efficient, friendly, and attentive, even during the rare busy times. Because it's on Main Street and a bit removed from downtown Evanston, I've rarely had to wait for a table, even on weekends. One caveat I offer is that I've never eaten lunch or dinner here so my 5-star review applies only to breakfast.
(5)
Kristina G.
We loved this place! One of the best in Evanston. Crabcakes the best I ever tried.!
(5)
Bonnie S.
I've been eating at Lucky Platter since it opened about 18 years ago. Very casual atmosphere and delicious food. If you're careful, you can even eat healthfully there. For breakfast/brunch I often get the tofu scramble, substituting fresh fruit for the potatoes and bread/pastry. Salads are made with dark green veggies (they seem to know that iceberg lettuce has virtually no nutritional value). Several vegetarian dishes all throughout the day and their salmon dishes are wonderful. Veggies sides are also offered, some change with the season. The bar menu isn't extensive but love their margaritas and bloody marys. Some nice wines are also available. There's often a wait on weekend mornings, but one can usually get seated fairly quickly other times.
(5)
Laura W.
Stopped by here on a weekday that I had off from work. Wanted to take advantage of eating breakfast in a less crowded environment than on the weekend. It was actually more crowded at 7:30am than I expected but we had no problem getting a table. I had the crab cake benedict and I learned that I don't really like hollandaise sauce but the actual crab cake and the cornbread it was served on were good. I also ordered a side of regular bacon because you need bacon for breakfast when dining out. My friend had the cajun scramble and really liked the remoulade sauce. The breakfast potatoes were also big and crunchy. What other reviewers said about the decor is true, the sort of hippy-diner vibe. Everything is laid back and casual which lead to a nice relaxing breakfast.
(3)
Maria L.
My husband and I tried this place for breakfast while running errands in the area. While it's a little pricey, it's much better than other options in the South Evanston/North Chicago area.
(4)
Laila C.
I have no idea why I never came here my 4 years at NU but I sure regret that. Super Cheap and super Yum! A meal for 2 adults and a child was under $30 with tax and tip. Ugh..where else could you possibly get that and still leave happy and full?! My steak and mushroom sandwich was awesome! A good deal of steak and a ton of mushrooms= happy Laila.
(4)
D J.
Didn't think eggs and black beans could make a palatable pairing, but the Mexican omelette from Lucky Platter proved me deliciously wrong! The well turned out, well packed Sunday brunch to- go tasted even better by the lakefront, especially with the side of potatoes and carrots too! I substituted the healthy (aka boring) wheat toast for the apricot cheesy flake and loved the sweet close to my great brunch. A 10 minute wait for the food was easily spent browsing the bustling downtown streatch. One of the better 10 buck brunches I've had -- Lucky Platter (and Evanston) gets a thumbs up.
(3)
John C.
This place is delicious. A bit on the pricey side, but worth it for a good breakfast. I had crepes filled with berries, along with an egg over hard and some OJ. Coffee is high quality as well. I would definitely return in the future.
(5)
Benjmin F.
This is not an everyday or an every week spot for use - but when we crave it it never disappoints. The first 3 times we went we ordered the same dish - Tandoori Chicken Salad - because it is just that good! The last time I ordered the Gouda burger with a side of steamed broccoli. The burger was well seasoned, creatively constructed and perfectly moist. One of the only burgers I have eaten without the necessary addition of any condiments (although a dollop of Dijon would probably knock it out of the park!). On the downside, the staff is hit or miss. You may be taken aback your first time there that the waitstaff is so nonchalant. They rarely make eye contact and they don't seem incredibly pleased to be there. However, when your order is placed they become top-notch. They attentively top off half-enjoyed beverages, they check regularly but not intrusively. They attend to their diners without getting in the way. A great place to have a personal or business conversation without obstruction from an overly chatty server. It is just their style there. I know a few reviewers have commented on the decor. We love it. It is like having a home cooked meal (with flair) in the back of an antique store. Eclectic art and creative sculptures. Anything but ordinary. This deserves a separate line: make sure to try their homemade bloody Mary!
(4)
Eszter H.
Lucky Platter is definitely a local institution! Sure, it's not perfect, but given the quality of the food and the prices plus the fun decor, it's a great place, an absolute must! In addition to eating here regularly, I also buy takeout often, especially during the winter months (the Beef Stroganoff from the Winter menu is very yummy). For breakfast, it's either the Huevos Rancheros or the Blintzes. Yum! For lunch or dinner, you have to try the Fried Green Tomatoes. Both their soups and salads are very good. The large potion of the latter is truly large, only get it as the entree. Also, their pick-your-toppings pizzas are excellent So what's not perfect? They're not so good about honoring requests such as getting water that's not cold. They may be slow to respond to other requests, too. But everything else makes up for these aspects of the service. Remember to look up when you're there, it'll make you smile.
(5)
Taylor J.
Perfectly tasty burger - ordered the California burger - with avocado, feta and red pepper, but nothing really stood out. Sometimes that's all you need though, and in the case of the friend I went with, when you live in the apartment complex above the restaurant (as she does) sometimes proximity trumps all other considerations. Would consider coming back if only to check out the eclectic art from the other side of the dining room
(3)
Nicky C.
I had heard about this place thru friends, described unfavorably--pretentious and rude. Not my experience. The service may have been a bit slow, but totally friendly and accommodating. As far as food, the Fried Green Tomato Benedict was superb. Yummay. Also, I got an order of Cinnamon Glazed Bacon, which was crazy rich. Probably won't get it again but if you love super-sweet heavy bacon, this is the place. I was a little surprised by lack of young people, given it's reputation for being a hipster haven. Maybe because school's out? Anyways, I will come back if I find myself in Evanston again. Oh, and I loved the imaginative decor!
(4)
Patricia L.
Came here for brunch on Labor Day and was extremely pleased that 1. they were open (unlike Dixie Kitchen where we were supposed to go) and 2. the wait for a table of 7 took no more than 10 minutes. If you love eggs' benedict and salmon just as much as I do, you have to try their September special: Salmon Cake Eggs' Benedict. For the lack of a better description, it is, in fact, THE BOMB AND A HALF! Hands down, probably one of the best places for eggs' benedict. Especially since they offer more than 2 options (Classic, Florentine, Fried Green Tomato, and Crab Cake). The salmon cake was very well seasoned and the hollandaise sauce didn't overpower the flavor of the salmon. This is the only place I've been to that serves it on toasted cornbread instead of the traditional English muffin which was a modification for perfection. It didn't come with a side or anything so don't expect it...even for $8.95. I know it's a bit on the pricey side but totally worth it and I think everyone should try it at least once this month. A friend of mine made his own omelet which came with a side of breakfast potatoes and his choice of a raisin scone, apricot cheese flakey (DI-VINE!) or whole wheat toast for $8.25. So, go. You might as well. :)
(4)
Sarah P.
This is my favorite breakfast place ever. My family has been going there for years and do not plan on stopping any time soon. When you walk in the door, be prepared to be bombarded with a lot of tacky but kind of fun art. The walls are covered with it, and the ceilings look like they were attacked with huge aluminum spit balls. For breakfast I alternate between two meals. The apple ricotta blintzes are amazing, but you have to get apple cider syrup for the full effect! My absolute favorite is the scramble with bacon, cheddar, and avocado (they have lots of options for ingredients...you can pick any three). The apricot cheese flakey is a MUST, whether it comes with your breakfast or you order one on the side. Take it to go if you are too full after breakfast! Trust me, you will want it later! I have never actually eaten lunch or dinner at the restaurant but often order carry out for dinner. The tuna melt is on cornbread and is topped with melted cheddar, diced tomatoes, and avocado. It's different than any tuna melt I've had else where...the cornbread and avocado make it what it is! You can't go wrong with the sweet potato fries as the side. YUM!
(5)
Nadege L.
First of all, they don't have that many good things on their menu and I normally order out and get the BBQ chicken sandwich and sometimes I don't have time to check the sandwich or I forget and those times they have forgotten to put BBQ sauce in BBQ chicken sandwich wtf?OR something is missing. I shouldn't have to continuously check a bag to make sure the food I ordered is correct? And all the manager can say is sorry but he's not because this has happened to me and other people MULTIPLE TIMES. I like the sandwich but I hate eating at Lucky Platter because the service in the place is so BAD. I'm tired of giving a business my money if their service is bad and they could careless. I'm never going back!
(2)
Erin C.
This should be a 1.5. I ate at Lucky Platter once before, several years ago, and had a decent lunch experience. I ate there again today and had a much worse one. The difference: the waitstaff and (perhaps) my order choice. I'll start w the latter. I ordered the chopped salad, it was mediocre at best and very bland. A bunch of raw peppers, jicama and onions chopped up w a little lettuce. Something I could have easily whipped up at home but wouldn't have b/c I would've been..well..very bored. My friend had a steak salad, which looked better and the cornbread was warm and pretty good. Second, the waitstaff. Our waiter, didn't get his name, had zero personality. He didn't greet us, he didn't smile, he just did his job and vacillated between apathy and annoyance when interacting w us. Ok, whatever. Then when we were waiting to pay (credit card on the table) I let my squirrelly one year old out of his high chair to walk around a bit. Many of the customers smiled at him as he made eye contact, no biggie. Then another waiter, this one named Jason, made eye contact w me, as I was standing near my table and two feet from my son, and pointed back and forth between my son and the high chair and said something to the effect of, "why don't you pick up your son and put him back in there so he doesn't get run over" in a snippy voice. Excuse me!? Where are we Alinea? I'm pretty sure this is tap water I'm drinking and you haven't showered in 4 days and are wearing a tee shirt and shorts you've had for 14+ years! The bottom line is this is a place you would expect to be kid friendly but is definitely not, and aside from the patrons everyone seemed to have some serious attitude! We will not be back.
(2)
John A.
I'm giving this place 3 stars, but I think I'm being a bit generous. I ate here last about 12 years ago, and at the time thought it was great. Since then, I think quality has suffered quite a bit. The tables need to be wiped down better since they all look kind of dirty, and this sort of problem can be symptomatic of a larger issue. In addition, the place was full of obnoxious senior citizens which kind of ruined our meal. There was one woman who was a spitting image of Estelle Constanza from Seinfeld screeching about one pointless thing after another. Apparently she used to cook a good brisket, and she once made chicken for her daughter's birthday, and something about Koreans, and something about pita bread, and I basically just wanted to leave. The place is just kind of sad, and not a place I want to eat at again. My burger was relatively good hence the 3 stars. The sweet potato fries were also good. They either need to turn the place around or there will be a slow decline over time.
(3)
Madelyne S.
I have been going here for over ten years and it is consistently the most authentic, consistent, quirky, and charming place in the chicagoland area. Everyone I take here ends up returning on their own. The staff is knowledgeable and pleasant. The atmosphere can't help but make you smile-it is just that goofy with the awful artwork and tin foil balls stuck the ceiling. And the food? Full of taste and very filling.
(5)
Charles M.
Lots or restaurants hang interesting art as a distraction from mediocre food. Maybe you won't notice. Lucky Platter in Evanston hangs and presents some pretty ghastly art that it doesn't need at all because the food is terrific, but somehow, the place would not be the same without the ambiance. The Platter has some of the most troubling bad paintings I have ever seen, efforts that are just far enough off the mark to make you think, "Ooooo....that was painted by someone who is completely batty." And that's not all. Try making birds from old coffee pots and various cans and utensils. There they sit, as though they are ready to clank into life and fly off into some strange aluminum and stainless steel universe. There's a painting of the Joe the Yankee Clipper that is genuinely uncomfortable. Fess Parker as Daniel Boone, that makes you think really hard about sitting in there. But it's all worth it. What an unusual place! You don't go to a restaurant to look at art, though. You go to look at food. I can report without hesitation that I have never had a meal there in more than a decade that I didn't enjoy. I have one complaint. Broccoli is important, but troubling as a vegetable. So it should not be served hot and cruchy. Just a personal thing. I like it mushier. The mashed potatoes are to die for. The hamburgers are memorable for all the right reasons. Pie and ice cream is served up the way you might want it at home. Breakfasts are simply spectacular, at least for me, because what could be better than three slices of thick bacon, very dark toast and some eggs? You get potatoes too, but I'm not much for that kind of starch at the start of the day. People like them, but I wouldn't eat them anywhere. You can get a bowl of oatmeal that sticks with you all day, and that's saying something in a world in which instant has become so common. How hard is it to boil water and cook oatmeal? But I digress. In its own strange way, the place is bold as can be. They have pot roast on the menu in the winter, and it comes out just like pot roast! Big flavorful cut of roast with those mashed potatoes with some skin left on (the ONLY way to make mashed potatoes in my world). Pumpkin soup is a special. And if you have never had a cream soda made from scratch, this is the place for it. Warning: It can get busy, and this is not one of those places that rush things along. Sometimes I get the sense that people are on the edge of panic when the place is packed up to its little aluminum foil balls on the ceiling, but that's just me. There is something comforting about being known in a restaurant that is so unusual. Take a minute to look around while you are waiting for your salad (huge, complicated salads) to arrive. yes, that is the most phallic looking baseball game hanging on the wall you have ever seen. you won't see it anyplace else!
(5)
Alison L.
In love. The perfect amount of delicious food and funky atmosphere that makes for a good brunch! The food is consistently good, it's pretty much always crowded (even on a weekday -- I mean, where do all these people come from? Don't you all have work?), and it always hits the spot! I feel like it's the little extra sides of love that I like most about Lucky Platter, i.e., the scones, gingered fruit, maple syrup bacon (expensive but so worth it), apricot thingy, corn bread... so don't forget to order those!
(5)
Cory C.
This place has yet to fail to deliver. My to-be-in-laws shared this gem with me. From the outside you'd think you were heading into a Punk Bar circa 1980 that forgot to grow up. From the waiters station you'd think you entered your Grandmother's living room and she had digressed into Edie from Grey Gardens. That all pales, however, once your food arrives. And how it does, oh-so-quickly. While they have a brunch, I'm more in favor of their dinner menu. Be it the year-round Caribbean Pumpkin or the seasonal Gazpacho, you can't go wrong with either of these delights coupled with a never ending basket of cornbread squares and a glass of hibiscus iced tea. Starting with fried green tomatoes makes for a perfectly portioned (for 2) appetizer and sets the stage for things to come. Upon several trips I've tried the Tandoori Chicken Salad, BBQ Pork Tenderloin, Grilled Skirt Steak and Horseradish Crusted Talapia. Never once have I had a bad meal and never once have I been disappointed. Plus the service is unbelievable; the wait staff actually enjoy -- they want to be there -- their jobs and it shows. Even coming in a 9:20 (closing at 9:30 is only complaint) the staff sat us and were more than happy to stay the extra few minutes. This place emits a sense of quiet confidence and that translates into comfort food that fills the belly without breaking the bank. A stellar go-to in the heart of downtown Evanston, this is a once-a-weeker in my book.
(5)
Olivia L.
I must applaud The Lucky Platter for the awesomely, quirky environment! There are just strange things put around the restaurant as decorations, like super old toys. The light fixtures are one-of-a-kind too! It's really a fun place to eat, because it's really a quirky diner. The food is decent. I have had their bbq chicken salad and portabella sandwich. Although, the food was good, I thought the dishes were a bit heavy and oily for my taste. I figure if those 2 dishes were heavy and oily-- I can't imagine what the rest is like-- especially the meatier ones. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed eating there! I have definitely had better food in it's category-- but nonetheless, it is a fun place to eat! Plus, almost everything comes with cornbread!
(3)
diana S.
cinnamon glazed bacon. holy moses. Staff was friendly, food delicious, coffee great - had brunch at 10 a.m. on a Saturday, busy but not swamped.
(4)
Vincent C.
Okay food, but embarrassingly slow service. The food comes out hot, but not piping, so it obviously sits a while before it gets served. Maybe the staff is worried about burning diners' mouths? The menu looks great on paper, but just falls a bit flat. The food is just not worth the aggravation of waiting and repeatedly asking for water/coffee refills or the bill. The best thing about this place is its funky decor.
(2)
Reed H.
Food was great, we went to breakfast on July 4th. Really enjoyed the pancakes we got and it was pretty kid friendly. Our server was complaining about having to work on July 4th. Felt really guilty about making him work that day.
(4)
Steve G.
The Lucky Platter is a crappy "restaurant" run by hippies and morons. Their motto seems to be, "Let's do JUST enough to technically fit the definition of restaurant, and not a smidge more!" My wife and I live right up the street from the Lucky Platter. We end up there due to convenience more often than I'd like, and each time I marvel about the crappy indifferent service, and the overpriced food. Last night, though, will be the last time I go to the Lucky Platter. I've finally found an excuse to write them off for good. With my wife at work late, I promised my 2-year old I'd take her to the ice cream shop after dinner. There's a great little ice cream shop right up the street that has become one of our favorite places to go... but they keep strange hours, and even at 6:30pm on a weeknight we found it closed. Once you tease my little girl with ice cream, you'd best cough up the ice cream, or you'll face her wrath for the rest of the night. I knew we could get a scoop next door at the Lucky Platter, so we headed there. When the host greeted us, I told him all we'd be having was a small scoop of ice cream for the little girl. He took us to a booth and sat us down. A few minutes later, our big angry waiter stopped by with menus. I stopped him and said, "we don't need menus, we're just here for a scoop of ice cream for the little girl." "That's all you're having?" he asked gruffly. "Yup," I said. He threw the menus aside, and marched back to the kitchen, muttering something about "mutter mutter mutter ice cream store next door, mutter mutter mutter boo hoo wah wah wah." As much as I wanted to deliver on my ice cream promise, I didn't want to eat at a place where the staff would treat us with such disdain. I marched to the kitchen where I met the host, and told him he should tell his waiter buddy to relax.... that I knew there was an ice cream store next door, but it happened to be closed, so we came here. I made it very clear that we would not make this mistake again. Lucky Platter - where it's a crime to order ice cream for the world's cutest little girl. Hopefully one day the Lucky Platter will be taken over by new management, who will replace the angry and lazy atmosphere with one befitting of an actual restaurant. Until that day, we'll be getting our ice cream (and our food) from more friendly establishments.
(1)
Doris D.
Love this hippie dippie little diner! ;) Been here 3 times and it is consistently solid food. They have fantastic bloody marys and margaritas here for brunch. Their crab cake benedict is made of cornmeal and is fantastic. The decor is quirky and service is fast. This place is a gem. Check it out!
(5)
Luke A.
The food has gone down hill rapidly in the last several months. When a significant portion of my Montana Hash was charred to the point of being inedible, the waiter was kind enough to not charge me for it. But then said his manager ask that the next time I come in I should ask that it not be cooked that way. Now, there's a big difference between preference and indelible food, unfortunately this was definite the latter.
(2)
Rebekah C.
My coworkers and I happened to stumble upon this restaurant for breakfast this morning. The decor and our server, Samantha, set the start to the most fantastic breakfast!! We will definitely return. Having dairy and egg allergies leads me short on being able to enjoy breakfast out. Samantha was beyond friendly and helpful providing a plethora of options for me to enjoy. Highly recommended and make sure to try the cinnamon glazed bacon. Delicious!!
(5)
Elisabeth C.
I used to live a couple of doors down from this establishment. While the food is generally pretty tasty, I kind of resent paying $8.25 for a salad with no meat in it. They do a mean breakfast/brunch, but the wait staff can be kind of surly at times. It can also get sort of crowded, and since it's family friendly, people bring annoying screaming children in there. The food is good, generally not too bad for you, and although it's kind of expensive, it's Evanston. You can't beat a diner with tin foil balls on the ceiling, either.
(5)
Double L.
The Lucky Platter is a perfect example of the fact that you don't really need to be good at anything to have a constant breakfast crowd waiting outside your door every weekend. I have been here many times and actually was just going to update my review when I realized I'd never written one yet. To be honest, the food is generally decent here. We often go because it is within walking distance of my parent's house and there really isn't anything else in that area that serves breakfast. This past Saturday morning is definitely the last time I will ever go there. I don't know if they were down a server or what and to be frank I don't care. Our server showed up at our table, didn't say hello and just had a surly, uninviting attitude about him. I know for a fact I am not a difficult customer so don't treat me like I am. If you don't like people then don't work in the service industry. Good service can save a bad meal and bad service can ruin a good meal, sadly we got a bad meal and bad service. The lady's silverware was disgusting, whatever it happens. She also had a dead fly attached to her lemon on her ice tea, also whatever it happens. Not a huge deal but when you don't apologize for it or even remove the dirty silverware from the table it starts to be a problem. If the server had checked back with us at some point during the meal he might have realized that there was a fly in her drink and fixed the problem but that might have been too much to ask. So now to the food, the hollandaise sauce on my Eggs Benedict had a pretty healthy film on it by the time it was put in front of me, which really isn't that cool. The lady's salad dressing had been spilled all over the bottom of her plate so it really made the whole dressing on the side irrelevant. My Stepdad's Huevos Rancheros looked o.k., thankfully. 1 for 3, good average in baseball but not the best for a restaurant. Surprisingly this isn't the worst experience we have had here. A previous time we were there we had the pleasure of listening to someone chew out the kitchen staff while we were waiting for our food. Either that or someone in the back of the house has a pretty serious case of Terrets. I guess it is our own fault but at this point the lesson has been learned.
(2)
Angie S.
My friend took me here the day my boyfriend broke up with me. I didn't want to go. I looked like crap. I cried throughout breakfast. So why would I give this place 4 stars? Three words people: Cinnamon Glazed Bacon. There reall isn't more to say. Everything was great, from what I can remember and taste (it was a bad break up, cut a girl some slack) but the cinnamon glazed bacon sealed the deal. Oh, and they have fantastic homemade cream soda. Done, and done!
(4)
Christian H.
Every time I come here, everything has been delicious. I would personally recommend going straight for the breakfast foods, the huevos rancheros and all the eggs benedict dishes have been very tasty (not sure about the other sections of the menu, but I'd assume everything else is good too). The decor is also kinda funky.
(4)
Matt H.
I've been to Lucky Platter a number of times, the food has always been great, the decor is quirky and interesting and there has always been quite a good atmosphere. However, the service is just bad. I'm sure some of the wait staff are great, but our waitress this afternoon was just rude, flippant and needs to find another job which doesn't involve interacting with human beings. We took two of our friends who were visiting Evanston, none of us will be going back. Looking at all the reviews it appears bad service is an ongoing issue. It's such an easy thing to fix.
(2)
Robert M.
The Lucky Platter is a charming neighborhood breakfast joint. The food is delicious and the staff are friendly. The decor may take a while to get used to. The Lucky Platter does not seat incomplete parties during busy hours. (Which are most hours) The menu is a little but tricky, but once you go there more than once and know what you want it is very easy. I would recommend The Lucky Platter to smaller groups of 2-5.
(5)
Karen M.
It was crowded, but the wait was only 10 minutes. I normally don't order scrambled eggs in restaurants since it's been my experience that at a lot of places the cook lets the eggs sit in the pan like an omelette and get brown (ick) and then they chop them up and put them on a plate and call them scrambled. However, I took a chance here and was delighted to get real scrambled eggs (with feta, spinach and onion). They were DELICIOUS!
(5)
Juliann P.
This is the first time I have have been here in 4 years, back in town for the holidays, I'm so glad I re-visited! There have been a few bad reviews recently- so I was compelled to add a positive. Food was excellent, great value as always & service was very attentive despite our waiter handling a large group of 12 at the same time! The crab eggs benedict was by far the best benedict I have ever had- ANYWHERE! Lucky Platter has added a bar since I moved out of town- and the bloody marys & margaritas were top-notch and very reasonably priced at 5.75$ I will visit again the next time I am in town....
(5)
Formerly Picky Eater J.
Friendly, good service, works for breakfast (served until 2!), lunch, and dinner. Lots of interesting stuff for breakfast, and the whole wheat pancakes (with blueberries for me) are always a good choice, the cider syrup is a little different but works great! Dinner is good too, though they don't have my favorite pork tenderloin anymore. Again lots of creative dishes, and you really can't go wrong. Very friendly staff as well, and the service is gernerally quick. Have been going for years and will continue to go back!
(4)
Alex R.
I came to the Lucky Platter with friends on a Sunday around noon. The place was absolutely packed which really speaks for the food served there considering the competition in Evanston. Although our waiter was somewhat absentminded (a theme amongst the wait-staff) it only provided more time to chit chat, especially about the eclectic decor consisting mostly of metal folk art and odd wall kitsch. I ordered the tuna melt over toasted corn bread and topped with tomato and avocado along with a side of roasted red potatoes. Long story short, by the time the waiter came by to collect our dishes there wasn't a crumb left on my plate. The tuna melt was fantastic and and the fresh tomato and avocado were unusually nice compliments to the warm tuna and cornbread. A true fiesta in my mouth. My pals were also very satisfied with their meals, one with a buffalo chicken sandwich and the other with a unique salad. The prices were very reasonable and our total bill with tip came out to about $40. I will be returning to sample the other dishes on the menu very soon.
(4)
Catherine W.
Fine place for a casual sit-down breakfast/brunch. The flakeys are pretty good. Egg scrambles were fine, nothing spectactular.
(3)
Mary K.
I really want to give this place a 3.5 but I rounded up because I feel confident it'd be even better if I tried it again. Went for breakfast on a Wednesday a.m. and the place was surprisingly packed. Despite that two folks rushed up to the front to seat us, and promptly delivered drinks. The waitress seemed overwhelmed with tables, but was so speedy (she walked f.a.s.t!) and friendly. I do wish she would have been able to stick around a while longer each time she breezed by. Food was good but not great. Split a greek omelet with my sister...thought the omelet itself was yummy but the potatoes on the side tasted and looked overdone. Bacon was overdone but I didn't specify that I like it on the flabbier side. That said, it was really cheap since we split. Prices didn't seem to high on most menu items. Love the atmosphere. Staff are laid back, but not to the point of bad service. Decor is fun and funky. Good vibes. Would go again.
(4)
Simone T.
I've been coming here for years - one of THE BEST breakfast stops in town. However, get here early on weekends or you could wait up to 30 - 45 minutes for a table!
(4)
Tony T.
I'm writing after yet another unlucky experience at The Lucky Platter. I've been going to Lucky Platter for almost 15 years, but I doubt I'll return. It's a filthy restaurant. The food is generally so-so: occasionally good, but usually mediocre. And, as I'll mention below, it's a gamble whether or not your food will arrive as you ordered it. The decor is a mash-up of . . . something or other. The decor probably was hip at one time, but clearly it's trying way too hard now. Even though I've encountered many friendly staff, I've just as often been forced to deal with sullen and rude service. Back to the filth, though: the residue I've found on glasses and coffee cups I've been given over the years is grotesque. And I've never been given more dirty silverware at a restaurant than I have at Lucky Platter. I should add that I'm not ridiculously sensitive when I go to restaurants. I understand you'll get dirty stuff once in awhile; you ask for a replacement, and life goes on. (I've worked in kitchens before, and I know that you can't be perfect when you're running a restaurant. But you can try to be as clean as possible.) It's just happened so much at Lucky Platter that it's a pattern, not an aberration. Those servers who are friendly do their best with a kitchen that is either overtaxed or uninterested. A couple months ago, my breakfast order (a simple Tofu Scramble) took an hour to come. I asked that the restaurant remove the charge for the dish from my bill. (I'm a patient person, but waiting an hour, even during a busy time, stretched the bounds of what is acceptable at a restaurant without giving the customer some kind of break -- like the meal on the house.) The sullen manager offered to take off 25% from the bill. Yesterday, I ordered a Tofu Scramble with no potatoes. It came with ham in it. This happens frequently at Lucky Platter: I'm Vegan, and even when I explicitly order non-meat/non-dairy dishes, I'm never sure I'll actually get what I ordered. The waitress apologized and put in a new order. The new order came with no ham but with potatoes (not a big deal, of course, but a waste of food all the same). For my troubles, I was given an apricot flaky.
(1)
Kenneth L.
CLIFF'S NOTES: "A" for effort and originality. "C-" for execution. SETTING - Quirky, strange, antique shop / hippie-esque vibe (minus tie dye). I dug it. SERVICE - Super friendly hippies to accompany the hippie ambiance. Attentive. Prompt enough. Smiles. FOOD - On the low end of par. Menu had slim pickins. Breakdown below: 1) Cheeseburger - Patty was much bigger than 1/3 lb as advertised (which pleased me immensely) but it was severely under seasoned (as in: NOT) and I could taste that the meat wasn't really all that fresh. Came with a grilled slice of white onion (think: disc). Cool idea but not tasty. Sweet potato fries were ok. Needed a pinch of salt (there wasn't any). 2) Green tomato eggs benedict - Eggs poached beautifully. Hollandaise was fine. Tomato "sauce" overwhelmed the taste of dish and it was salty. Not sure that using corn bread as the base was such a great idea, especially with the "sauce". Taste of corn bread was overwhelmed and got soggy quickly. An odd combination overall... 3) Cinnamon bacon - Tasty, I suppose, but definitely overrated, IMHO. The thick slice of bacon was a bit dry but still chewy thanks to the copious amounts of caramelized cinnamon sugar glaze which stuck to my teeth. I can see why people love it - it is bacon after all... PRICES: Reasonable. BUGS ON FLOOR: True story. Witnessed 1 fly and an ant. Nothing sinister like a cockroach or spider. VERDICT: We probably won't be back
(2)
Dee W.
Wow - what a great experience - this place was the location for our first Evanston yelp group brunch! It was definitely a great location, we had our table all set up before we got there and everyone showed up! A great group of people and great food. Huge thanks to Kake S for setting this up and it was also the location for the infamous Ellen M/Dee W first meet-up. Five of us started off with their mojita (yes, that's not a spelling error - it really ends with an 'a') which was refreshing for the warm weather and not as sweet as a typical mojito - yum! Spice S's chicken salad looked delicious and was really portioned on the large side. I stuck to the Cajun scramble which was really good and even had a little bit of a spicy kick to it. Service was pretty friendly and definitely allowed us sufficient time to talk and get to know each other better. Something that I really loved here is the decor - it's very interesting - the tiny wads of tin foil on the ceiling reminded me of biting off gummy bears' heads and throwing them on the ceiling as a kid (shhh..some things must be left 20 years in the past). There was some great artwork on the walls, too. Overall a great location - huge portions, fresh and tasty food that is good and not too heavy, friendly service - we'll be back again! EDIT: Pictures of food and group uploaded!
(4)
Helen L.
I came here on two separate occasions- once with my boyfriend and once with my parents. I absolutely love the decor- aluminum foil balls on the ceiling and some cool paintings and metal sculptures. The California burger is to die for - probably one of the best burgers I've ever had in my life. I would also recommend the tandoori chicken sandwich. Yes, this place is a little grimy, but the food was so darn good I could overlook the fact that they could wipe down the tables and menus more.
(4)
David D.
I can say that I do indeed enjoy this place for breakfast/lunch. This is a small neighborhood restaurant that offers somewhat creative twist on (classic) American fare. I would say that this place is a decent breakfast place, seems like a family establishment due to the casual staff (just an assumption). My favorite would have to be the Texas Burger for lunch, however. The sweet potatoes are amazing, if not the best in town. The coffee is delicious. The orange juice is fresh. They also give complimentary cornbread, which is great not just because its free, but its very good. For the rest of the items, they're hearty, tasty, but not out of this world. The environment is not modern or classic, its more post-hippie. Enjoy this one.
(4)
Carolyn M.
Hands down my favorite brunch spot in Evanston! The decor is quirky and unpretentious, and everyone is really friendly. If you go for brunch, you have to get the apricot cheese flakey. Paired with a cuppa joe, it's to DIE for! I hear their dinner menu is good, too, but I have yet to try it.
(5)
Jason M.
"post-Hippie eclectic world cuisine." That's a quote from the Lucky Platter website. I can't say I really have a lot of knowledge of post-Hippie eclectic culture, but if this is true, I'm a fan. The restaurant's decor is strange, but comfortable. Most of the walls are covered with incredibly random artwork, ranging from a 7th grade art fair portrait of JFK to a similarly painted Hugh Downs (Maybe!?!). The ceiling is covered with small foil balls (presumably to keep the aliens from reading our minds) and every table has a floral/bizarre table covering. As I remarked at the time, our waiter had a sort of gay, urban highlander thing going on. It worked for him. I don't think there's anything about the Breakfast menu that's incredibly impressive looking. It isn't filled with fusion-y benedicts or chilaquiles made out of angel hair cut tortillas or the like; it seems relatively standard for a hip spot. Despite that, all of the food was excellent. Future yelper Meg L encouraged me to make my own scramble while she ordered the tofu scramble. My scramble had grilled onions, feta and andouille sausage. Magnifique! For her side, she got the gingered fruit. This was truly something special. I can't even describe it except to say it was a fruit plate with diced red and green onions in a wonderful ginger something that made my soul smile. While the potatoes I had were fine (with cilantro, mmm), the fruit is definitely the recommended side. Lastly, both the Apricot Cheese Flakey and the Scone were delightful. How do you pronounce apricot? She said /ape-ricot/ while I say /app-ricot/. I think her way is weird. Despite the language barrier, she did take me to a really great brunch spot in Evanston, so all is forgiven.
(4)
Danny W.
Ok, so here's the thing: I've been to the Lucky Platter several times now, mostly for breakfast, and really can't complain. The food is good, the decor is kooky. Everything you could want. However, I went to Lucky Platter for dinner last night and could not have been more disappointed. I ordered the Tandoori Salmon. It came out bright pink on the inside, i.e. like raw pink. I mentioned this to the waiter, who sent it back. It came back a few minutes later, cooked, but now, only as a half portion. That's right, dear reader: the cook had thrown away the part I had attempted to eat, tossed the rest of it on the grill, and then given it back to me. I mentioned this to the waiter, and indicated that I wasn't willing to pay full price for half the salmon, and so he said I could have another fillet no charge. Awesome, wtg Lucky Platter. However, when this came out IT WAS EVEN RAW-ER THAN THE FIRST TIME! WTF? Anyway, after two massively undercooked pieces of fish, I was done. They were very apologetic, but that doesn't excuse the fact that no attention was paid to my food at all. Moral of the story: sometimes, even good restaurants don't give a fuck. What can you do?
(2)
Shaun S.
Just ha a nice experience a the LP. Both Tracy and I went for Burgers. I've been eating a ton of chicken and turkey for the past two months as we cruise to the wedding date. So When one of the specials was a Chorizo Burger, I had to go for it...plus it had Advocado slices! The bun and the patty are both home made and I had the Mac n' Cheese for my side... ummm, I think I'm headed right to LifeTime in the morning to burn it all off! We had a great meal, great service and the fun interior decorations really made you feel like you weren't just in another drab restaurant! We got out for $20 plus the tip and that came with a complimentary order of cornbread. Fun place to go!
(4)
Bridget B.
This is one of my favorite restaurants and I've been here many times over the years. The interior is unlike any other restaurant...very eclectic and cool. Their menu has a lot of cool variations on typical American food and I love that they have seasonal options (although I don't think hot chocolate should be seasonal as I don't drink coffee but also like a warm drink with brunch sometimes). The other reviews are accurate when they say the staff is not overly friendly. Personally that doesn't bother me because I find very chatty waiters annoying. They have always simply done their job and that is fine with me. In terms of the food I have never had anything that I did not like and I think the price is very reasonable for the area and for what you get (good portions). I would recommend for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
(5)
Jeff G.
I love the platter and crave things on the menu that I can get nowhere else. I have been going there for at least ten years almost weekly. Lately I notice that the dishes and silverware are filthy and it may deter me from going back. There's bumpy stuff on the undersides of the plate edges and stuff stuck to the silverware (that has chemical buildup from the dishwasher on it). I am usually quite forgiving about this kind of stuff. Lately, though, it's really bad and I was embarrassed when I took new people there after raving about the great menu and food. Platter, please clean it up! I love you! I want to be able to give you 5 stars!
(3)
Rob G.
Since my last review, we've been back to the Lucky Platter several times. We've been there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and have no complaints. We're greeted upon entry; seated quickly; and served efficiently. If you are expecting a Maitre d dressed in a tuxedo and mustachioed servers bowing with towels over their arm, this is not the place for you. If you like great food at reasonable prices, come on in. Just enjoy the eclectic atmosphere, the quirky staff, and the excellent menu choices.
(5)
Emily D.
Now, see. . . I didn't find this place objectionable for the price at all. $15 for a hearty breakfast with unique elements AND beer? I think that's reasonable. None of us left hungry and we were all pleasantly surprised at the choices, having trouble choosing between breakfast and lunch offerings. Three of us went on a Sunday afternoon and I had a delightful scramble of avocado, ham and swiss with amazing home fries. My husband had the special omelette (it involved bacon, that's all I know) and our friend had a zesty chicken sandwich and really good mac and cheese. We were happy, happy campers and will return most certainly. The service was kitschy and fun and the surroundings were really warm and toasty. Love the crowd, love the food. Love the location. Just go.
(4)
Beth S.
I am fond of this funky place. I've been here a few times for weekday lunches with friends, and I've always left satisfied. I am still thinking of the excellent blueberry pancakes I had recently, and I can't wait to go back and have those again soon. Sometimes I even make a lunch out of 2 or 3 of their yummy sides, which are very reasonably priced. They serve breakfast until 2 PM, and they are vegetarian friendly - both big plusses. Interesting sandwiches, salads, and soups are options if you are not in the mood for breakfast food.
(4)
Gabriela A.
The scone or pastry that comes with your omeletts is so so good. I'd go to Lucky Platter for the apricot cheese pastry alone. I've only been here for breakfast, but the salads look good too. If you're in Evanston - this is a great breakfast spot.
(4)
Jenna C.
Lucky platter has outpaced Clarkes for weekend diner food in Evanston. Cornbread was served swiftly and was a-ok. Fried green tomatoes were delicious. House salad was good, but I think I picked the wrong dressing. Decor is cute. Servers are friendly. LePeep is a better brunch unfortunately it also closes super-early. Dixie Kitchen has better southern food, but no line and reasonable prices at the Lucky Platter.
(4)
doug t.
I've been there three times now, each less satisfying than the one before. We were hurried after we were served....or so it seemed. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. My son likes to roam a little bit and we try to keep him contained as best we can. The staff wasn't digging the "kids being kids" thing. The food - it's adequate. The ammenities though -- this is where improvements are needed most. The coffee is only tolerable, but tipping me to a thumbs down is that they only have Sweet-N-Low. Nothing cries "we're cheap" more than Sweet-N-Low exclusivity. No Splenda. No Equal. Most places spoil customers with a Pot-Pourri (sp??) of blue, yellow and pink. But Lucky Platter, in true Evanston Idealist fashion, is all pinko. Also, for goodness sake, how am I supposed to spread butter that's straight out of the freezer. C'Mon !!!
(2)
Grace H.
My friend and I are no strangers to Evanston, but we officially became residents this spring. The first thing we needed during the hectic moving schedule was a friendly, affordable place to eat with food that had some semblance of awareness and good health in the mind of those preparing it. The first place we were referred to was Lucky Platter by a local friend with good taste who'd been living here for half a decade. We trusted his judgment and went in for an early supper. Our first dining experience here was magical and delicious! We were so thrilled to be saving money (on most items) and to be eating food that wasn't mainstream or greasy, The selection was fun and the drinks were alright. The wine was bitter with being served by the glass but that happens in even a 4-star restaurant, so I ignored it. The coffee was ok, not bad, not fantastic, decent...the deserts were ok but a little sickly sweet, still, not that bad at all. We enjoyed ourselves a lot, loved the decor, a young blonde girl waited on us and she was sweet and funny and put up with us being airheads as we were exhausted, new in town, and asking questions. We're also picky eaters, we generally only eat organic food. The second trip here was agony. The waiter was this middle aged guy who was rude, rushed us, was almost yelling at us, just horrible, I wondered if it was a joke, his horrible attitude, to match the surreal kitsch of the decorations (which are wonderful and we love along with the surreal period music they play). The place was filled with really loud elderly people who were very drunk. It was funny but annoying and we needed to move, and out waiter just about foamed at the mouth when we told him! The food was just so-so that time, and the waiter would not stop being rude every time we encountered him. Hard to enjoy the meal, and with drinks and dessert this time, we spent a lot of money, and felt ripped off because of the waiter and the blandness of the food. It just didn't taste fresh or appetizing, We gave it a third try because we just love the place so much and it's not fast food or greasy jock pub food. The third trip was just ok, the same waiter was insanely rude. We were made to feel very unwelcome in this restaurant. The food wasn't great, boring, and looked and tasted like cafeteria food. SOme of it tastes like it comes from a box mix in the generic isle at Jewel. Very disappointed. Fourth chance, I ordered take out so we didn't have to be constantly assaulted by the rude older waiter. The gay waiter took my order and seemed stressed and was not friendly. I was perplexed. No eye contact, no smile, nothing, barely mumbling, So the burger was ok, but it tasted more like heart attack food (pub food) than expected and the sweet potatoe fries were cold and had lost their texture as they weren't packaged correctly. Several things on the order were wrong. I vowered not to eat there again. We got small take out order recently in hopes of just all of it being bad luck. The food was still OK, not great. For the money, we look to go somewhere else now. It's a last resort if we ever eat there again. If we do, we won't expect much, esp if we go in to sit down, which was what we loved. There are a few items on the menu that are lovely, but most of what we've ordered was just OK, nothing to write home about. It's the lesser of evils, the food here, to us. The beans and rice we ordered was dry and crunchy like it had been microwaved, which was disappointing, as you can get a side of it for a couple of dollars. The cornbread tastes like boxed cornbread. yes, it's free, but it's not amazing or even really that great. We will probably try eating here again one more time, as the menu changes over the seasons and we want it to work out. If we have the same lack of quality and hostility from the wait staff, we will never come here again and won't recommend it to anyone, which is really, really a crying shame, because it's such a cool place to go, and we love southern cooking (though not the kind your unhealthy grandma makes in her kitchen with cheap ingrediants). Sad to write this. Hope it changes!
(2)
Emily G.
Lucky me! I live nearby and walk over. Never had a bad meal in15 years. Montana hash for breakfast, tandoori chicken salad or sandwich for lunch, pot roast and crunchy broccoli for dinner--all good. Reasonably priced, interesting artwork & found art mobiles. Once a week at least for me.
(5)
Jade T.
What else do I need to say? There is a so-so selection of vegetarian options available here. They are a "post-Hippy" restaurant after all. The food is average and the portions are on the smaller side. The menu is little varied, but I find the vegetarian options pretty boring. Mushroom Quesadillas, Grilled Portabella Sandwich, Huevos Rancheros (the Blind Faith Cafe version is much better), Avocado Salad... YAWN! Kudos for having Tofu Scramble on the menu though. The prices for certain items like side dishes are inexpensive at only $2.50, but the majority of dishes are slightly overpriced. Like Justin G. states, it's Evanston. The service is a hit or miss, usually a miss. I'm a bitchy Yelper who takes off one star for every 15 minutes my water glass is left empty.
Cold brisk day in Chicago = soup for lunch. Where to go? aaaaahhh The Lucky Platter. What soup? Pumpkin Spice. YUM. This oup will really do the trick to warm your bones on a cold day in Chicago. Not to mention that the spices will take your mind to warmer places surrounded by crystal blue waters. The sweet potato fries are incredible. thinly cut, which is the key. i've had too many thick cut fries and they just adsorb th oil and get soggy. and while you are eating, pause for a moment and take in the glory that are the weirdest walls i've seen in awhile.
(4)
Jean C.
I don't get up to Evanston as often as I'd like so when I do, I'm pretty much spoiled for choice about where to eat. Fortunately a friend brought me to The Lucky Platter this afternoon with a promise of beans and rice, and now I've fallen for this place in a serious way. He told me right from the start that the food was great but the service was often haphazard and slow. I sort of got what he meant since there were some lags in the most basic stuff like getting seated or being given glasses of water only after asking a couple of times. But over all the service was friendly enough to make up for any minor short-comings, so it didn't bother me much (I was once ignored completely at the Heartland Cafe for a full half-hour in spite of repeated pleas for at least some water. That's bad service. This was just erratic.) The food did not disappoint. I had fried green tomatoes with remoulade sauce, black bean soup and cornbread. The tomatoes were not as good as Dixie Kitchen's fried green tomatoes but darn good anyway. Black bean soup was excellent and the cornbread was heavenly. My companion had mac and cheese and black beans and rice. Both were excellent. The decor is a win, too. The walls are lined with thrift store art, and the light fixtures are colanders hung with old chandelier crystals. Everything hit just the right note. I haven't enjoyed a new place this much in ages, and I plan to go back as soon as possible to try some of the other amazing dishes on the menu.
(4)
Emma O.
One of my favorite restaurants in Evanston. The super-weird yet super-awesome scenery, complete with random portraits, aluminum foil balls, and bizarre sculptures, you never get bored looking around the restaurant. The food is delish. One-of-a-kind and perfect comfort food. You start off with warm cornbread (complete with butter and honey -- it's like cake except not as bad for you, right?), then move to their home-made cream soda (I've never had cream soda like this before -- super authentic recipe and so yummy!) and then pick from their extremely diverse menu. The menu is partly seasonal, so some options are there year-round (like the enormous tuna melt -- yummers!) and others change with the months. They also have a wide array of sides to choose from, so instead of being limited to slaw or chips or fruit, you have things like steamed broccoli or sweet potato fries or more cornbread! Such a great place to go with friends or with visitors.
(4)
ELAINA A.
I went there the other night and had the best food ever! The staff was really on top of their game. My server Brian was the most charming and attentive server ever. I had a little bit of everything. The house salad is super fresh with toasted sesame dressing. The BBQ salmon was to die for with fresh cut sweet potato fries. I really could go on forever about this menu but try it yourself. P.S. Don't skip dessert Key Lime Pie is from heaven!
(5)
Jess M.
I like this place a lot, all due to their portobello burger. It's topped with roasted red pepper, goat cheese and other goodies. And any place that serves mac and cheese as a side is pretty amazing. Yum Their decor is fun too.
(4)
Justin G.
It's a three-star place. It's extremely average in terms of what you get for what it costs. But, it is an Evanston restaurant, so I expected it to be a little overpriced. It gets four stars though due to it's liberal politically) leanings. Both my sister and I were convinced we knew our server, but we weren't sure where from. How completely inane and irrelevant.
(4)
Robert C.
Let me start by saying "delicious"!!!!! Crab cakes are made from scratch with love and care! The firm and flaky Horseradish encrusted tilapia was devoured quickly by someone who doesn't like fish! The key lime pie is the best - it made my girlfriend cry because it was so good!
(5)
Cody R.
This is the best place to eat in Evanston. The food is to die for albeit a bit difficult to describe. Think of the food as a cross between diner, experimental and comfort food all with the love of mom's home-cooked deliciousness. You can never go wrong with a Lucky burger, steak salad, or tandoori chicken salad. Also, their specials are called "specials" for a reason so don't be afraid to try them. Be sure to save room for dessert because whether it's the banana cream pie or pumpkin pie, Lucky knows what's up when it comes to sweets. Not to mention, the atmosphere is one-of-a-kind. The decor is quirky and the venue is small which lends itself to a fun, intimate feel. YOU HAVE TO GO!
(5)
Danielle R.
I am very much a fan of breakfast... would consider eating it for every meal if I could. So, being new to Evanston/Chicago, I had to find a great local breakfast joint. I had heard good things about Lucky Platter and having been there 3 times now, I can say... they are right! Environment: You'll walk in and find yourself looking more at the interesting art/decorations than the person/people you're with for your first visit or two... no worries, that's normal. It's very different and interesting! Service: This is the reason I put 4, not 5, stars. You can easily sit for 3-4 minutes before being offered drinks and then another 5+ before they return to take orders. I'm not sure if they just have their servers with too many tables or what but this could definitely be improved. I'm typically just chatting with friends so it's not too bad! Food: Now, let's talk about the main thing! I'm not a girl who typically orders pancakes at a restaurant because they never have lived up to what I grew up on (sadly, Bisquik). But, despite that, I ordered 2 pancakes with the Apple Cider Syrup. Oh my goodness!!! I couldn't believe that these whole wheat pancakes were so delicious. And that syrup was amazing too! I also had a side of Cinnamon Glazed Bacon which was different but amazing as well!! I had the same thing on my second visit. On my last one however... I attempted a more healthy option. I had the Greek omelet with egg whites. I also had the Apricot Cheese Flakey. Now, don't let the word "Cheese" freak you out... it's more like a soft cheese but not cream cheese (similar though). It just tastes like a delicious pastry! The Omelet was good too but did not touch the pancakes! The breakfast potatoes are nicely seasoned here too. Overall: If you are like me and hunt down local breakfast places for warm food, this is your place. I can't speak to their lunch menu but don't think I'd order lunch here anyways... It's always breakfast at Lucky for me!
(4)
Elizabeth T.
Why does this place get such great reviews?! When I saw it on Check, Please, I was astonished. I've only been here a couple of times but it was terrible. Once, they didn't have any ketchup for my potatoes. (How do you not have ketchup?!) That said, the service sucked. And the last time, I had some kind of corn flake encrusted french toast. Bleck. The inside looks disgusting too. It's like a diner but dirty hipster style. It's cheap overpriced food lacking quality and taste.
(1)
Sourma K.
I'd go back I just wouldn't recommend it as one of the best breakfast places in Chicago and I'd go back because its in the neighborhood and its good enough.
(3)
Jori F.
Everything was soooo delicious! I loved the gingered fruit that came with the quesadillas. The small chopped salad was huge, such a good value! And the BBQ pork with sweet potato mash and veggies was amazing! I will definitely come back.
(5)
Eliza B.
YUM. I went there for the second time this weekend. I love the decor in this place... I want to take everything and use it to decorate my apartment. I had the "Omelette No. 1" with avocado, artichokes, goat cheese, and tomato sauce. It was delicious, and I highly recommend the "apricot cheese flakey," definitely worth the extra 25 cents. The gingered fruit wasn't as exciting as the bold, underlined text in the menu made it out to be, though. The cream soda is amazing.
(5)
Jessica O.
I tried this place out with a few sorority sisters on Saturday (I KNOW... I was in a sorority). So the place was full, and really kitchy, but the food was amazing. I had the tuscan omelet with the apricot flakey (SO GOOD)... and the service was great contrary to what others have said. Really enjoyable and I will be back!
(4)
Sam M.
Rudest service ever, left before the food even came, it was that bad.
(1)
Marianna S.
The service is strange... but the food is amazing. Service is odd, with weird rules and regulations to their menu. But, I'll brush that aside for some delicious food! Love their custom pizzas, good burgers, great tuna melt, nice selection of tasty soups, pretty good salads, and cornbread... with butter and honey. YUM. Side dishes are fun too, and go beyond the usual fries option. I opt for the mac & cheese when I feel like being unhealthy and gingered fruit when I'm being a bit wiser. Gotta love the complimentary Jolly Ranchers too!
(4)
Ryan O.
I really like this restaurant, but had a bad experience recently. We came for breakfast and were disappointed. 5 minutes after the waitress took our drink order, she came back to tell us she had a "brainfart" and forgot what we wanted. Later we ordered a montana hash with a side of bacon. Well someone brainfarted on our food too. The bacon came out cold, not warm, but sitting around for hours cold. We also got an egg white scramble, which was yellow (yolks...). Usually this restaurant is good, and I hope ownership reads this review to remedy bad food/service because I would like to continue to dine here. Lifes too short to eat bad food.
Like the concept, and my family enjoys. for the most part, dining here. Electic food offerings, that put a twist on the usual. The problem is that you can't get just the usual. No simple burger. No simple pancakes. No simple mac-and-cheese for the kids. I feel like we are eating at a B&B where everything is bit overdone. Love the decor, though. Staff occasionally seems overworked, and a bit surly.
(3)
John M.
Visited Chicago for the holiday and met up with a buddy of mine that I used to work with when I lived in town. My lady, brothers, and friend decided to have brunch at the Lucky Platter - he has been, but it was the first time for all of us. Cute place - lots of funky decor and friendly people working, "post hippy" is a great way to describe it for sure. Veggie friendly for those of you who avoid flesh, but plenty of animals for those who prefer the beast. I have to agree with others who have commented on the cinnamon glazed bacon - and I don't generally touch the stuff - it's the jam. Two great tastes that taste great together. We had a couple of versions of the eggs benedict (grilled veggie and crabcake), and I had the huevos rancheros, as I have to try them in every town I visit now (my favorite are still found at Meadowlark Dayton, OH - represent). They were good, and I cleaned my plate, but I'd like a little more imagination re: the sauce. Overall a cute place with pretty good food and pretty good service that I'd love to try again next time I'm in town. Officially a 3.5 star review at this time - Nice.
(4)
Jims L.
If you've ever walked down Main St. regularly and never eaten at The Lucky Platter, all the name means to you is ten feet of windows lined with huge planters at the corner of an alley. But it is SO MUCH MORE. Make it a point to visit this place for breakfast/brunch/dinner! I have to say that I've only tried their benedict fidel and crab cakes, which came with an apricot cheese flaky, and their gazpacho but this single experience redefined what breakfast food has always been to me. I was never a breakfast food person, but if it means food like the dishes I had at The Lucky Platter I definitely now am. I like their cutesy decorations too. And they make their hollandaise in house and it's delicious.
(5)
Allison P.
At first I was scared--big creepy bizzaro tin man statues hang above the front entrance, and other creepy creepsters can be found inside. Whether they be Salvador Dali-like paintings, way too many lined up in a row- or more tin statues or creepy scream-like figurines, they were weird to say the least. But--the food is AMAZING. The pumpkin soup is spicy and good. Pick your own scramble was yum-a-lum, even with eggs whites only. Get the flakey cheese apricot scone thing--unique and fresh, flakey...great mix of fruit and yum.
(4)
foodie c.
Good food but restaurant is a bit dirty.
(3)
Erika G.
Great, friendly place for brunch or lunch. Veggies and carnivores alike can find something to love. I've had delish food every time I've been here.
(3)
J F.
Weak food, weak service, weird decor. If you live here, there are better options. While there are some good things on the menu, we are talking a few isolated things. Overall bland food and waiters that are slow and inattentive. I put in as much effort in this review, as Lucky Platter did in my experience there.
(2)
amy h.
Cute decor, so much potential but I have been here 3 times and there is always something very wrong... *1st time: I tried their "new cappuccino" and they obviously didn't go through some sort of training because it was absolutely disgusting. I traded it in for regular coffee. *2nd time: The waiter was clearly annoyed that he had to wait tables. *3rd and final time (yesterday): My breakfast potatoes were dry and tasted like dish soap - how is that possible? Even worse, my cajun scramble was inedible because it was smothered in spicy mustard - so overpowering that I couldn't taste my eggs hiding underneath the mustard. When everyone at my table was finished and my plate was still full, the waitress asked if I wanted it wrapped up to go, as opposed to "Was everything okay with it?" One of my breakfast companions said his apple compote wasn't very good - how can you screw that up, too? The ONLY decent thing here is the gingered fruit. If you want a good breakfast in Evanston, head to Dixie Kitchen. The service is just okay there, but the breakfast is delicious.
(1)
Sarah M.
Big ol' MEH. The decor is pretty fun. They reused a lot of materials and made fun animal shaped items and other little kitschy items. And they decorated the ceiling tiles with foil balls. Fun. Our waiter was very inattentive - I would like to say it's because they were busy, but I saw the other waiters going by and visiting other tables pretty often. I ordered a mojito - and I don't know why I tend to do this, because this place did not scream 'hey, good mojitos will come from here'... so skip it. For my meal, I ordered the large house salad (which comes with lots of fruit - raisins and apples!) with an orange vinagrette. The salad itself was good... dressing I think I just made the wrong pick. I also had a side of mac and cheese. Now I don't know about you, but for me, the quintissential mac and cheese is creamy and cheesy and tasty. This lacked all three items. Big disappointment. But yum, cornbread! It comes with almost every meal that is ordered, and comes in cute little cubes - tasty for sure. I like that they offered this as opposed to the usual bread basket that you get. The service isn't what makes this place meh to me... I just wasn't impressed with my food. I would give them two stars, but my parents, who ordered a lucky burger, and a bbq chicken sandwich, were both very pleased with their meals. Since I'm a vegetarian and cannot speak to that, I'll give LP another star for that.
(3)
Dina D.
Yeah, he's lucky, I'M lucky, YOU'RE lucky, we're ALL LUCKY!!! ha hhahahhahahaaha!!! He is lucky because the Lucky Platter is clean and has interesting kitschy decor that keeps young children busy looking around at all the pretty shiny things... I'm lucky because the Lucky Platter serves lunch AND breakfast. You know I'm big on having the option of eating breakfast foods...also, there isn't anything wrong with their coffee. It's quite delicious...smooth and not bitter...mmm. The food is fresh and interesting and always good... You're lucky because the service at Lucky Platter is friendly, efficient and casual. Who wants an ass kisser? Not me! We're all lucky because of the apricot flakies. Oh man, these things are good... ALWAYS take one home with you! Let's all be lucky now, shall we..?
(5)
Lillian M.
My roommate introduced me to this wonderful restaurant for brunch on a Sunday morning. It has a college-artsy feel with the aluminum balls on the ceiling, a large fake fish above the door, and a baseball pinball game hung on the wall. Friendly wait staff with good food! Although the crowd was mostly suburban folks (some with children), there were college students, rich hippie types, and a sprinkling of Rogers Parkers like my roommate and me. The portions were hearty but not obnoxiously large. My only regret is that they don't offer their homemade chai tea in the summer -- why? I would love to try it, maybe iced? I had a fantastic Mexican omelet with chorizo, black beans and avocado. (I'm a closet vegefisharian, but I just had to try this!) The potatoes that came with the omelet were excellent -- not overseasoned, not mushy or greasy. I decided not to get the flakey and opted instead for homemade wheat bread which was also good. My roommate did get the flakey, which is like a homemade danish except all the jelly stuff is inside, and said it was excellent. A welcome escape from Heartland Cafe, which is very close to where I live but has gone downhill a little bit, especially in the service area. I will still go to Heartland, but they could take a lesson from Lucky Platter in both food and service. If you're planning to go to brunch on Sundays in particular, go early -- it really gets busy after 10:30am, but they don't kick people out of their table or booth if they wish to linger over their coffee. Tables are cozy but not too closely spaced together. It's a small to medium-sized restaurant -- small enough to feel cozy and intimate, but not so small that it becomes quaint or cramped. I will definitely go back to Lucky Platter!
(4)
Claudia P.
Love the portobello burger and sweet potato everything. Coffee and tea could be better. Homey atmosphere, and there is usually a wait for brunch and breakfast, but people do get seated democratically. Decor is slightly off-kilter in a good way. A neighborhood favorite.
(3)
Virginia T.
We went on a Saturday morning (11:30 or so). The wait was short, the decor kitschy and cute. The food was excellent. The service.....not so much. It took forever to get our order taken, we only got refills when we asked, my toast came out a good 10 minutes after the rest of my meal (and so did the bacon, and it was sans the 3rd piece we ordered). The way I looked at it she was just saving us tip $. But the food was awesome. The sourdough pancakes were really, really good....the burger was good and cooked to order, the cinnamon glazed bacon was heaven itself, and the cajun scramble was pretty tasty. All in all, I would go back.
(4)
Gianna O.
The burgers are fantastic, and I love that you can request avocados with anything. They bring you gigantic slices of fresh avocados. The atmosphere is great too...funky, college-town feel.
(4)
Gillian R.
My mom lives down the street from this little joint so I've been going for years. Echoing another Yelpers sentiments about the service...I'm convinced the wait staff are told by management (or at least someone) to provide exceptionally bad service. I have never had a good server here, in fact, the last time I came I commented to my dining partner "wow, we got our waters in under 10 minutes". That being said, I keep returning because the food is sensational. I would come just for the corn bread or Caribbean Pumpkin Soup alone. Oh. My. God. The pumpkin soup. Two words: Yum and mee. I also feel it's (reasonably) well priced. The avocado salad is delish, especially with the toasted sesame dressing - they should bottle and sell that stuff! Parking is moderate and wait times for seating are short unless it's Sunday brunch. But again, be prepared for some of the best food and the worst service. Ever. Seriously.
(4)
Jean C.
Brunch for 3 this sunday morning was great. Huevos Chirizo, Omelet Mumbai, and Omelet #1 were all wonderful. The raisin scone was best I have had....lovely taste. Also it was 10:20 am on Sunday am and we did not have a wait. It was crowded, so maybe we just hit it right.
(5)
Josh E.
Yeah, totally not bad. I went for Saturday brunch with Karen G. and got the diced turkey hash. It had a ton of mozzarella, so if that's your thing then you'll be pleased. The raisin scone that came with was delectable as well. Karen got omelet #1. It has artichoke hearts, avocado, goat cheese, and roasted tomato sauce. She liked it, and said that it has a good liquidy consistency from the tomato sauce that makes it better than a standard "dry" omelet. However, the breakfast potatoes were a little flavorless. It was a cute place, and we got lucky with parking right outside. I'd say give it a go if you're in Evanston around brunchtime. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Steve T.
Food: excellent and interesting (cinnamon-glazed bacon, cinnamon-raisin French toast) Atmosphere: cool artwork and kitsch on the walls, lots of bizarre stuff to look at Service: average to good; waiter was friendly Coffee: average, not bad
(3)
david h.
We had one of the best breakfast's ever at the Lucky Platter. Great food, fun ambiance, great service from interesting, interested funny servers. We had whole wheat buttermilk Banana pancakes, carmelized bacon (OMG delicious), and the Number 1 omellette with goat cheese artichoke, avocado and tomato aioli. Highly recommend this place if you are alive and have a mouth. if not, you should avoid it.
(5)
Carolyn G.
We went out on a limb and decided to try this place and I am so glad we did! When we walked in, the first thing I noticed were the aluminum foil balls glued to the ceiling. Ok, weird. As I looked around, the rest of the decor was just as weird. I was a little worried. I shouldn't have been. The food was great! I had the Mexican omelet (yum!) and my husband had the smoked turkey hash. Both dishes were excellent, though I preferred mine. :) I will definitely be back!
(5)
Marion P.
This place makes me happy! Quirky art on the walls, nice atmosphere, some unusual things on the menu, and pretty good food. We tried a few things today: - Pumpin Soup (SO GOOD!) - Mac & Cheese (yummy) - Cornbread (decent) - Avocado Salad (great dish to have on the menu, but it was a bit bland - but a large portion for the money!) - Sweet Potato Fries (apparently not the best everyone has eaten, although this was the first time I've had any and I thought they were pretty good). I definitely want to go back here, for brunch of course and to try more things on the menu. This seems like the kind of place where you can find some really excellent things among mediocre others. EDIT: We went for brunch, after all, and now I added two stars to my original review! We had omelettes, and they were so very tasty! Mine was a mexican omelette (spicy, with avocado, beans and cheese, yum!, and potatoes and a warm raisin scone on the side, yum again!) Seriously, brunch is the way to go at this place! The place was packed, and the food was positively amazing, and very affordably priced. I am so taking my friends here for brunch!
(5)
Jake G.
Amazing food, Eggs Benedict, great, Pancakes, superb. Also cool scenery around the place. I mean they've got all these metal sculptures and cool paintings. the service is kind of slow though and thats the only drop back
(4)
Nia B.
The service was very bad and I won't eat there again.
(1)
Cinsou E.
This is a great place ! If you want to have a typical American breakfast, this is the place where you must go. I have been several time and I can say that the food quality is very good (the soup is great), people are super nice and the atmosphere is very casual. The decoration is very interesting and you can not see that somewhere else. On the top of that, prices are very reasonable. You can not be disappointed.
(5)
Joseph L.
I have always loved this place... really original flavors and style.
(4)
Adam S.
This place is Top-Notch! The measure of an enduring restaurant is not just the value and decency of it's food but also the quality and character of it's customers. I'm not just saying that because the owner is my brother...Well, maybe I am. Still, there are a lot of times I don't really like my brother but it's very rare I don't like his food or the people sitting next to me at his restaurant.
(5)
Lindley E.
When I lived in Evanston and didn't want to go to Blind Faith Cafe (brunch spot #1) this was my brunch spot of choice. The food simply tastes better than Clarke's (or whatever it is called) and is served with a side of kitsch. Yes, the flakeys are good...maybe the best thing about Lucky Platter. I have never experienced poor or indifferent service - it has been, across the board, just fine. Dinner isn't much to write home about. Comfort food, executed in a bland, uncreative, moderately tasty way.
(3)
Lee R.
I've never had a bad meal here and it's extremely reasonable for such well prepared food. I wanted to wait until I'd had breakfast before I reviewed and it's taken me forever but I finally made it! Everything on the dinner menu is amazing. I had the juevos rancheros w/ chorizo for breakfast, which is a dish open to wide interpretation. They did a great job with it -- delicious, fluffy eggs and an array of ingredients joined with a few tortillas. I had to fork up a significant amount off the plate afterward, having only gotten three tiny tortillas, but that's okay, I wasn't worried about appearances in the company of family :) Definitely will be going back to try a few other things on the breakfast menu!
(5)
Lauren C.
Stopped here for breakfast to end a weekend of conferences at Northwestern. Good location, but that's where the good stopped. Weird decor inside, including tin can birds (one carrying a tin can dead fish), and paintings of misshapen people. Waitstaff was slow and not engaged at all -- the guy who took our order took about 20 minutes to fetch us an orange juice and iced chai, and seemed incredibly sad. Maybe he was sad to be working in such a place. The orange juice had cinnamon in it, but cost $3.75 for a large. Outrageous prices! The iced chai had no tea, just spices and milk. My associate wanted to order a Tamarind Lemonade, but apparently they don't make that anymore although it's on the menu. (The waiter was, apparently, quite sad about this too.) I ordered a make-your-own scramble with mushrooms and broccoli. It was very much just eggs, broccoli, and mushrooms tossed in a pan. Nothing special at all. It was also cold. The potatoes on the side were obviously reheated many times as they were dry, the skin crackled, and flavorless. I also had the apricot cheese flaky, which was good, but out of place with the meal and not any better than something I could have gotten at a coffee shop somewhere. My associate had eggs benedict, which is served over cornbread. To pull this off, you have to have some serious cornbread, and this was not serious. She was disappointed, as the cornbread was mushy and not toasted, and was not an adequate accompaniment to Hollandaise sauce. This was not worth the $14. I would have rather had the free adequate continental breakfast at our hotel.
(2)
Lois A.
I'm sure at one time this was a great place to eat in Evanston. The food here tastes good - having honey on the table for the cornbread is awesome. But...man it is dirty in here. The word dingy comes to mind when you walk in because it feels like the lights are just streaming through dust. There is a lot of fun outsider art in here and that is great but actually looking closer at the print hanging on the wall next to our table I saw, yes, a lot of grime. Our server last night was nice but totally scatterbrained...bringing wrong things. Also, the ranch dressing for my salad was really warm which may be why I felt horrible after eating here and all evening long. Also, all of our food came out less than five minutes after we ordered which is not usually a good thing.
(2)
Ellen M.
This place has very good food. I'll put up with it when I've got plenty of time to spend, necessary since it always seems to take an eternity to get seated. Also, the orders always seem to get lost or wildly inverted. Like, I order swedish pancakes with ligonberries, he orders eggs and bacon, they put the side of berries on the plate with the eggs, and I get my swedish pancakes and his toast. We manage to sort it all out. The service isn't bad, it's just confusing. They say puzzles are good for the mind, let's just say I'm a damn genius after dining here a few times. That said, the swedish pancakes are mighty fine. There's not another breakfast dish I seek more regularly than that one.
(3)
James B.
After several visits, I finally got the experience that some other have received. Apparently, Juan Valdez's donkey broke down -It took over 10mins for our server to bring our coffee. When my Montana Hash arrived, it came with a surprise guest appearance - someone's lengthy hair. A sad day for The Lucky Platter
(2)
Brian B.
After recently moving to the neighborhood my wife and I were down to find some new local eats. Lucky Platter will not be our "place" in fact I don't think we'll go again... I found the decor to be cute and homey but not restaurant quality. The service was prompt, but could have been more friendly. Then there's the food, concept wise it is spot on! Great dishes in CONCEPT. I ordered the skirt steak medium rare, it was very good and I was very pleased with the mushrooms and blue cheese on top, the mash potatoes were quite tasty-while the spinach was just okay and relatively bland. My wife ordered the classic burger adding bacon, cheddar and sun dried tomatoes, cooked medium. The burger had too many onions and lettuce while the cucumbers were a little odd in my eyes but otherwise the toppings were wonderful and portions are easily fixed. The first couple bites (which were very small) were good, but not great , and then it quickly became clear that the burger was rare, red and not very warm in the middle. We sent the burger back and fifteen minutes later, after my food was all gone, out came a piping hot fresh burger. The new burger was closer to well done than medium and was too hot to eat for another five minutes or so. After waiting so long after eating my wife wasn't hungry and after a few bites we began the wait for our bill. I was surprised we didn't receive much of an apology, a free dessert or a discount or anything of that nature- but it is a small business so maybe they don't do those things because they don't want to cut into the bottom line; overall it came off as bad service in my eyes and for that reason I don't plan on coming back.
(2)
Marie B.
Four stars...for the cornbread!!! It was divine. I hesitate to write a review about the food because I didn't really order what I wanted. Thanks to Yelp, I had perused the menu before hand and decided on the crab cakes benedict...and being a Southern Girl, I wanted to try their Fried Green Tomatoes. Well the FGT are brought to the table...covered in green onion. Am horribly allergic so I had to send them back. Sigh. This started the dialogue, re: crab cakes and I learned they too contained onion. Since my friend's food was ready...and we were both starving, I quickly ordered an omellette. It was good...just not what I had a taste for. My friend had the Turkey Hash and he liked it. It looked a little odd to me...am addicted to the chicken hash at RL the Ralph Lauren restaurant. He also had the French Toast...which he totally loved. All in all, seems like a cool place....the burgers looked divine!!
(4)
Drake W.
The menu was somewhat limited and had very specific food choices. Though I think this was a good thing as it forced me to try new things. I wasn't disappointed. The food was amazing. I had the salad with avocado with sun dried tomatoes. A delicious combination. For the main course I had the crab cakes. They weren't over-breaded or over-fried as you usually get with crab cakes at restaurants. It really brought out the taste of the crab meat. The dish also came with a coleslaw. Here's the thing: I have never liked coleslaw. But this was different. Instead of a mayonnaise base, they used a sweet base. I can't remember what it was exactly but I think it was described on the menu. Anyway, I thought it was delicious! To put a spin on a simple thing like coleslaw and completely change my perspective; I never had that happen before at a restaurant. There wasn't a complaint at my table about any of the other dishes either. The atmosphere was simple, yet eclectic with several portrait paintings on the walls. I hope to return very soon!
(5)
Cathy B.
I'd come here again, if I were ever this far north of Chicago, and yet this far south of Evanston. I totally heart the spirit of the place -- the decor, the attitude of the waitstaff, the informality of seasonal changes to the menu. I heart all of that. I even heart some of the menu items, though ultimately I think the menu options were a bit sparse, and reliant on pretty interchangeable ingredients -- does every salad need the option of grilled chicken and/or portobellos? Don't some salad taste better without these add-ons? Should the consumer have all control over add-ons? Don't you, as a restauraneur want some input into how your finished items taste? But really, my food was just fine. And that's about all. Leaps and bounds above what a normal diner would serve -- healthier, veg-friendly, and with nice traditional hippy alternatives, like hibiscus tea, etc. But still, a bit predictable.
(4)
Keiko S.
So this is what's called "Evanstonian" cuisine, and I think I kinda like it for its peculiarity. As already pointed out by my fellow yelpers, it's an interesting place - in terms of both decor (don't forget to check the ceiling when you're there) and menu. First came the mojita, which was fairly strong and refreshing. My tofu scramble was really tasty - it's basically blocks of tofu mixed with a bunch of feta cheese. The tandoori chicken salad was tasty, though a bit on the sweet side. Despite some mishaps (see John B's thorough review), I think everyone enjoyed the food and walked out full. In any case, this charming and somewhat eccentric restaurant will always have a special place in my heart...mostly for personal reasons, though. And Dee W and I still can't figure out why their mojita is spelled with an "A"... UPDATE: Thanks to Rocky B, we now know that "Mojita's are usually made with vodka as Mojito's are generally made with rum"!!
(4)
E. W.
There is one reason to go to The Lucky Platter: Omelette No. 1. It is an omelette filled with artichokes, avocado, goat cheese, and roasted tomato sauce. It is served with breakfast potatoes and a pastry. My husband and I each order one. I get mine with the raisin scone. He gets his with the apricot cheese flakey. We smile at each other a lot while we eat. Ordinarily, I am one of those people who always wants to add this or substitute that at restaurants, but even I cannot improve on this dish. If you like the above ingredients, order the No. 1. It is perfection on a platter. It makes the wait worth it, and it enables appreciation of the crazy decor.
(4)
Neha N.
I've eaten here a few times and find it pretty.... average? I do have to commend them on their portabella mushroom sandwich. The sauce they put on there is SO good! Vegetarians would appreciate this. Another time I came and got the eggplant sandwich... ick. The sweet potato fries are kind of soggy and the cornbread is kind of subpar. I do love the crazy weird decorations though! Also, the staff has always been nice, even when they are packed.
(3)
Cecilia M.
The Lucky Platter had been a long time favorite since my sister in law introduced me to this place. They have some truly outstanding comfort food dishes (i.e. Fried green tomato Benedict, Gouda burger). Their only downfall is the service ranges form Okay to meh. Most of the time its Okay though so I can say its well worth your visit. And if you are picky about service i.e. like to have the waiter check on your a lot or are in a hurry etc maybe just let your waiter know your priorities and I am pretty sure they will accommodate.
(4)
John B.
The Lucky Platter is never lucky for me. I stopped in with a friend just recently, jonesing for some breakfast food, only to find out that they stop serving breakfast at 2. I'm not docking any stars for that, but considering that LP's breakfast menu is far superior to their lunch or dinner menu, they really should serve it all day. My complaint, as ever, is the service. The hostess was great at getting us a table at what proved to be the end of the breakfast rush (dammit!), but the server couldn't really be bothered. Maybe it's just the laid back Evanston lifestyle, but he was definitely on a different schedule than we were. And listening to him complain to another worker about the tip another table left him didn't really impress us. I can see why people love this place, but it never seems to treat me right.
(3)
Adrian D.
The gentleman seated us and brought out what I thought was bread. It sure was, some good cornbread. What! I was surprisingly satisfied. It was late, so I settled for a salad. The Mango chutney was especially great. I am now curious to see what else on the menu will meet the standards set. Since this was my first time, I gave Lucky Platter 3 stars, for now.
(3)
John D.
The Lucky Platter is a "joint". That being said, what would any neighborhood be without one? I'm a HUGE fan of this neighborhood joint. The decor alone has such amusing flair that your eyes will wander throughout the entire meal. The food is fast and straightforward. I've never had a truly great nor truly bad meal there. The egg dishes w/potatoes will please breakfast fans, while the tandori chicken is always good for those seeking lunch fare. The crowd is an eclectic mix of young families, young people, and the elderly. The only caveat I would share is, be warned, they have some mean rush times where you could be waiting a while for a table. However, isn't that the result of any truly fun joint?
(4)
Lauren C.
I've had a hit or miss relationship with The Lucky Platter food-wise, but there are some gems on the menu that keep me coming back. Must Have's: --Caribbean pumpkin soup. Good cold weather soup with a little bit of kick! It's definitely one of the stars of their menu --Sweet potato fries: Shoe string sweet potato fries! AMAZING! Can't beat em! --Gingered fruit: Unique fruity salsa-like side dish. It's not for everyone, but I adored the mixture of sweet and savory with a hint of cilantro. --Apricot cheese flakey: Really good accompaniment to their breakfast dishes! --Cornbread: Best sidekick for the pumpkin soup. Hands down! I like The Lucky Platter's motif; they're trying a little too hard with the foil balls on the ceiling, but check out the colander lamp shades! Waitstaff is slooow...i've always had to wait at least 5 minutes before i'm greeted by my waiter. They're not the friendliest bunch either Recommend to go orders when you're in a hurry. Food is always hot and the service is a hell of a lot faster to go! Decent food, just not sure if it's worth the hype.
(3)
Susi D.
I used to live around the corner from the Lucky Platter. And I used to host a bunch of insane booze-filled parties that resulted in lots of pals sleeping over on my floor. So that equation turned into this: Hungover Friends + Need for Breakfast = Lucky Platter! The decor is great...all sorts of cool stuff to look at and see. Every available space is covered with something....retro-style pictures of mysterious ladies, mosaics, bottle caps, you name it. I always got an omelet and they were so tasty. I enjoyed mine with spinach, tomato & feta, yum yum yum! I remember the service being pretty good. We would all roll in...all shaggy and foggy-eyed and hungover and STARVING and before you knew it we'd have a table and would be gobbling up our food and coffee with gusto. Gotta love the Lucky Platter. I wish I still lived nearby. *sigh*
(5)
Sean M.
my girlfriend and I visited this restaurant today. we were looking for a good lunch at a reasonable price. the girl that seated us asked if we wanted a booth or a table but didn't seem very happy that we were there. I have to agree with the other reviews that the place was downright dirty. I had a Philly cheese steak sandwich with pumpkin soup. my girlfriend had the salmon salad with balsamic dressing. there is no way this food was cooked to order by how fast it arrived at our table. the steak sandwich was average at best but thrown together and look like a pile of slop. upon arrival the salmon salad was also a mess. approximately three bites of salmon on top of a bed of dirty,wilted,mixed greens. one of .the tomatoes was still actually frozen. dressing was very low grade and had the consistency of tar. overall a high cost low quality meal. the only positives I can mention is the pumpkin soup and the waiter was pleasant and a gentleman. In closing the lucky platter is luckey to still be in business. we won't be returning.
(1)
Cat W.
This is my favorite restaurant in the region. The menu is as interesting as the decor (and that's a feat). It's usually not quite as crowded as the raw food markets of Blind Faith and I prefer the quieter ambiance. I highly recommend the design-your-own pizzas, the cornbread and spiced pumpkin soup, and you absolutely cannot be allowed to leave the premises without trying their homemade cream soda. Absolutely the best I've ever had. I'm not sure about their gluten free menu, as I haven't been back recently (unfortunately) but I'm sure they have something for everyone.
(5)
Gerardo A.
Evanston is a great college town. On Saturday, a friend and I took a tour of Northwestern University. Then, we headed off to the Lucky Platter to have lunch. We both had the tandoori chicken sandwich, which was absolutely delicious. It was mildly seasoned and it came with the most delicious fruit salad with a ginger glaze. It was also served with a yummy cornbread. I was so impressed with the Lucky Platter that we went back for dinner on Sunday. We both had the tandoori salmon, which was just as delicious as the chicken. We ordered the mac and cheese, which was divine. It had fresh tomato, which gave it a tang. I will definately be back for more!
(5)
Ariel B.
UPDATED 7/7/2013 Where once I gave this really cute diner four stars, I am down to one. I have been coming here for years and the last time we went I thought things were off and it was a fluke. This time....HORRIBLE is the nicest thing I can say. When we were first seated and placed our order, everything seemed fine. Then we got our food. I asked for 2 easy poached eggs, potatoes, wheat toast and side of sausage. My potatoes were reheated (yes, went cold and were heated again) and were as hard as a rock. The sausage was terrible, it tasted off. The eggs were hard and the wheat toast was thick and tasteless. There was not one thing I could eat on my plate. Our server stopped by once to reheat our coffee and we never saw her again. The pace was empty and she was busy chatting in the corner with a coworker. We had to flag down two people to get her to come back to our table. She asked my friend if she was done with her plate (which was also terrible) and left. My plate is still full of food and she glanced at it and walked away. She came back with coffee, "Are you finished?" My plate was barely touched. I nicely explained that I wasn't happy with my meal and there was nothing that I ordered that was any good. "Oh, I'm sorry. The sausage is on me." Uh...ok. We both looked at each other and just shook our heads. I mean, come on! I worked in food service. Your customer said NOTHING tasted good and that's the best you can do? I didn't even eat anything! So we paid and left. It was the last time I'll ever go there. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * A friend of mine and I went for brunch on Saturday. She kept telling me how great the place was, so I finally trekked up north for the goods. I knew there was going to be a long wait, so I had brought in my Starbucks. When we were finally seated at a table, the first thing the server said to me, "There is a surcharge for outside beverages. This time you are ok, but next time we're going to charge you." Ok, fine, I can deal with that, I've dealt with it before. We had a wait and I needed something to drink, I said I was fine with a surcharge. But then the server kept repeating it. OK! FINE! I get it. I said I was fine with it, charge me. I don't care. We needed a few minutes to order and it seemed to be a problem. Was this all over my coffee? I even ordered another cup and I drank enough coffee from them to float the Titanic for goodness sakes. I felt like we kept getting attitude. The food was really good. I had the Crab Cakes (under the benedicts) and it was fantastic. It came on some kind of corn bread, delish. My friend had the cinnamon raisin french toast. Very good as well. We split the potatoes (which comes with carrots) and they were very tasty. AS WAS THE COFFEE. Sorry. Still bitter. Overall, I think the decor is great, the food is good, but I could do without the 'tude.
(1)
Isabella P.
This is my favorite restaurant in Evanston. First of all, everything, and I mean everything, on the menu is delicious. The menu is very unique, sometimes putting a spin on some old favorites. I am a big fan of the homemade creme soda and my mother has been trying to figure out their delicious catfish recipe for years. You really can't go wrong. The atmosphere is very fun and funky combining vintage art with more modern style art and ideas in design. It is decently priced and definitely somewhere I would take guests visiting Evanston. A little gem of a restaurant!
(5)
Curtis H.
Great food, very unique, as is the quirky style. Suggest BBQ chicken salad or pot roast for dinner. Can not go wrong.
(4)
Patti B.
Thanks to Yelp, I've found another source of good food near my new place! I took food to go since I always feel weird eating in restaurants by myself, so I can't say much about the service, but I people-watched while I waited and everyone seated near the door seemed pretty happy with food moving around fast. Anyway, the tandoori chicken salad was very good with an interesting blend of flavors. Never one to like artichokes, I actually thought they were good in this dish. Even though I ordered a small salad, the portion was pretty big and the chicken was still warm when I opened it at home. The cornbread was a bit of a letdown - I've definitely had better in Berkeley, but at least it was piping hot. I'll definitely be back to try other dishes! ***UPDATE: 9/2/07*** The boyfriend and I came back for dinner this weekend and I take back what I said about the cornbread - with the whipped butter, it's quite good! I also tried the portobello dish and liked it, although it tasted somewhat similar to the tandoori chicken salad.
(4)
Adam S.
Quirky place and a nice find away from what is quickly becoming "cosmopolitan" chain-ridden downtown Evanston. What is happening with Evanston anyway? Talking about building a 50-story tower in the middle of it? But I digress... I've been to Lucky Platter now several times for lunch and a couple times for dinner and have never been disappointed. Their salads are big and fresh and even the dressings are unique and tasty (not your typical thousand island / ranch choices.) My favorite thing on the menu is probably the tandoori chicken sandwich with a side of sweet potato fries. The spf's aren't as good as at Rockit which I consider to be the best sweet potato fries this side of...whatever...but they are still pretty good. Bottom line, everything seems to be good at this place and the vibe is very soothing and way laid back. I almost wish they would make it a little more comfortable; some cushions on the chairs, etc. but I guess they probably don't want people hanging out there all day - but that's definitely the kind of place it is...
(4)
tony c.
a nice place for a brunch that's a little different from other joints. this place is right up the street from my mom's, so sometimes we default to The Lucky Platter when we're trying to think of something to break our routine. they've got a nice, homey, moderately healthy selection of meals that are usually a slightly different take on something standard. definitely good quality, and yes- the cornbread is pretty great, too. they can also mix a pretty mean bloody mary (granted, i usually order a double) when the mood strikes. lastly, the atmosphere is pretty cool. the eclectic decor always gives you something to look at when the company isn't very interesting. (no, not you, mom!)
(3)
beno g.
The service was not all that good but not really bad. The food on the other hand is amazing. Not many dishes are quite what you expect. The flavor and those little things that make the dishes great are what I like here. You would never guess from reading the menu. This is real comfort food. The tomato bisque soup was the best I have ever had. Other than the kinda halfhearted service, the only downside is on the vegetarian options. There is a sandwich and an entry, typically. Both amazing but I thought there would be more options.
(3)
ann s.
This place has been so wildly uneven for me, it's hard to pick out a star rating. Sometimes the service has been wonderful (like the time a server offered to let us sample a couple of soups to decide which we'd prefer), sometimes it's been awful (once it was so awful that I put the LP on my personal blacklist for a couple of years). There are a couple of things they make that I like, including their pumpkin soup, sweet potato fries and corn bread. I like their sides, but I'm generally not bowled over by their entrees. Oftentimes, I order things with some expectation of what they're going to taste like, only to find that they taste very different from what I was expecting. That can be fine or not fine, depending on your point of view. For instance, their jambalaya. I was expecting it to taste like something I'd get in New Orleans, or a place serving Cajun- or Creole-style food. What I got was rather tasty, but it barely resembled any jambalaya recipe I've ever had (and with not much in the way of spice). I've had some odd but perfectly fine cocktails as well. I don't like their breakfast menu much, but that has to do with my desire to have the option of ordering a cheap couple of eggs over easy with some good potatoes, diner-style, and leave it at that. Last I saw, everything was much more elaborate. The decor is funky and sort of cute. So I'll be back, but probably as some sort of dining-companion/convenience compromise.
(3)
Kathryn R.
I usually go there for the salads. They are always delicious! I am not a corn bread fan, so I can't tell you about that. The wait staff has consistently been average. The prices are OK.
(3)
Chris W.
I was here for lunch. I had a Greek omelet and my friend had the Mexican omelet. I enjoyed my Greek one more however the only way it really kicks in the mouth is to take a bite of the innards of the omelet and then stab it with a bite of potato and THERE YOU GO. Delicious breakfast/brunch meal in a very cute environment. Feels very indie inside. Like having brunch inside the LP of the Arcade Fire : Funeral.
(3)
Quantas G.
MMMmmmm, good. The Caribbean pumpkin soup? Yes, very delicious. The kitschy decor complete with weird bulbs protruding from the ceiling? Yes, appreciated. The homey atmosphere? I likey. The tender pot roast? More, please.
(5)
yefim k.
worst breakfast ever everything looked good like it was fresh but it all tasted like trash really the biggest disappointment ever after all the good stuff i heard about this place don't waste you time if your thier dixie kitchen is only minutes away
(1)
Elif T.
I tried this place, because from outside it seems so nice and cool. Unfortunately, it is not... When you get into the restaurant, it smells really bad. It seems dirty, it might be because of the smell. I felt as if i am lost and the server was not so attentive at all. I would say, never again....
(1)
Ashley H.
The great food, great prices, and great service will keep me coming back.
(4)
Nick H.
I love eclectic places. It's one of the perks of living in this area. The Lucky Platter is one of the more eclectic places that can be found on the North Shore. We both enjoy the cozy atmosphere and the decor...wehre else can you see a scrap metal sculpture of a fish? The letters of the sign out front are made from old pot handles. How cool is that? The food here is decent. Their cornbread is the shit. The sweet potato fries are tasty and worth ordering a basket. Last summer, I had a tamarind lemonade that was very surprisingly flavorful and well balanced. For our most recent meal there I had the turkey meatballs with spaghetti (tasty, nothing too unusual) and my wife had the chili. Both were ideal on a cold and shitty evening. We like eating here and neither of us has gotten sick or had food poisoning.
(4)
Jami K.
I've been here a couple times and it's generally pretty good but not absolutely terrific. They have a nice mix of vegetarian items along with stuff an omnivore would end. Definitely get their pumpkin soup...it's tasty and will warm you up. The first time I was here their sweet potato fries were good, but the last time they were dry and burnt...that was a bummer. The corn bread is good and comes with a lot of items, but you have to make sure you ask for it!
(3)
Laura S.
I brought my mom and sister here for brunch yesterday for the first time, and my mom and I agreed that it was the best we've ever eaten. My sister, the very picky one, wasn't equally enthused, but clearly enjoyed herself. We passed this along to our waiter, who had the owner/chef come out, and we had a nice chat about the history of the place. I'm surprised to read about issues with the service, as we were seated promptly and our waiter was nothing but attentive, with perfect coffee refill timing. All of our food came out exactly as ordered: cinnamon raisin french toast for my mom, whole wheat french toast for my sister (had to swap out the bread for the picky one :P), Cajun scramble for me, with sides of bacon and sausage for the table. Beautiful food! The french toast was just sweet enough, and thick enough to hold up against the maple syrup and not become a gooey mess like others would. And I normally avoid ordering scrambled eggs, as most restaurants clearly use some kind of "egg product," but these were very clearly eggs, and the rest of my ingredients (broccoli, andouille sausage and pepper jack cheese) were fresh and delicious. The potatoes were also a treat, though perhaps just a smidge too garlicky. Skip the toast and order an apricot cheese flakey for an additional 25 cents, yummy! Bottom line, this is homemade fare, clearly made with love. And it will keep me coming back.
(5)
Mike J.
Great place for traditional breakfast food. I have only been there once, but found the food choices more exquisite and interesting than in other breakfast places in Evanston. The Omelette No.1 with artichoke hearts, avocado and goat cheese was delicious, and so was the french toast with raisins and cinnamon. The waiter was also friendly and humorous.
(4)
Little Tuna's Mom X.
Good, cheap food. Yummy.
(5)
Daniel S.
When I lived in Evanston and had a morning free (or wanted to procrastinate in public), I would grab a Trib from the newsstand at Main and Chicago and walk over to the Lucky Platter for breakfast. So, back in town for winter break with a morning to myself, I thought I'd run through my old routine. Unfortunately, the LP didn't satisfy like it used to. In the "olden" days, I usually ended up at one of the two-top booths or a four-top in the back, but thanks to a larger weekday breakfast crowd, I was seated at a two-top right in the front between two other tables. Normally I don't care, but the tables were crammed in pretty tight - I was inclined to talk about psychology and computers with either group, but instead made the best of it and focused on the Trib. At first, service was great. First cup of coffee was on the table within 2 minutes, and my order was in fast. The food came relatively quickly. Unfortunately, here's where the LP began to fail. First, the portion was ridiculously small. I ordered a scramble with honey ham, sun-dried tomatoes, and sauteed spinach. The food tasted great - the ingredient combo is the same as their "Florentine Benedict", but I wanted toast and potatoes (and I had been scarred by a bad Benedict the day before - see my review on "Orange"). Anyway, it looked as if there were two medium-sized eggs in the scramble along with a small helping of each ingredient. For $8.25, I expected something closer to a 3-egg omelet, but I guess we all have to cut back in this economy. Potato portion was OK, but I only got one piece of toast. Apparently, bread is hard to come by these days... So, I could have overlooked some of these food faults if I hadn't been overlooked by the wait staff. I know that some people hate when the staff keeps filling their coffee mid-cup, ruining their cream/sugar balance. I drink my coffee black, so I expect one thing of my breakfast coffee: it never runs out. The staff had no clear service pattern - a waiter would bring a full pot of coffee to one table and then take it back to the service area without making a trip to his other tables. So, I put my coffee mug at the opposite end of the table, hoping he would notice. Finally, about 10 minutes later, I caught a different waiter's eye and got my refill, not to mention more water and a serving of jelly. The ketchup that I had also been wanting became a non-issue - in my coffee-less frustration, I ate my potatoes without the necessary condiment. I waited similarly long for the check - I had enough time to finish the crossword without interruption. I'll never know how much time I lost to the LP, but I do know that when I got back to my car, the 60 minutes I put on my meter had expired. It seems that, with no ticket on the windshield, the parking gods had smiled upon me even though the breakfast gods had forsaken my Lucky Platter experience.
(3)
Ted K.
The Lucky Platter is a great place for breakfast. I recommend the Classic Eggs Benedict. The hollandaise sauce was fantastic and I liked that they garnished it with fresh scallions. What makes this dish stand out is that instead of using an englsih muffin, they serve it on toasted corn bread. The service was very attentive and the decor was unique.
(4)
Rob L.
I've been going here for about 2 years, since before my wife and I got married. We enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner here. They have an eclectic menu and atmosphere. For the most part the service is pretty good, but can be spotty at times. We are big fans of the sweet potato fries and the roasted seasame salad dressing. It gets really busy on saturday and sunday mornings.
(4)
Eric T.
When considering all the dining options in Evanston, The Lucky Platter is an absolute must at some point. It's unique, moderately priced, easy to get to (right off the L or Metra Main St stop), and the decor is a visual trip in itself. I've had good and great experiences here, never bad. The food is traditional American revisited with a twist of southern flair - you can get really good fried green tomatoes as an appetizer; their jambalaya is very tasty, and so are the Louisiana crab cakes over slaw ; cornbread comes with all entrees. But going beyond the southern flair you find some really solid comfort food like beef stroganoff; mashed sweet potatoes; roast acorn squash; sweet potato fries. Two favorites include horseradish crusted tilapia and their turkey meatballs marinara w/linguini. Plus they have a decent beer & cocktails selection. Dine-in or pickup only.
(4)
John D.
One word: Montana Hash. I always get the Montana Hash when I go here. Its soo good. The decor is fun and strange and the wait staff are cool and laid back. But seriously, get the Montana Hash.
(4)
Larz F.
The food is okay but the service acts like you're interferring with their day. The menu is strange - they'll have seven kinds of salmon which is great if you want salmon. Other choices seem pretty limited.
(2)
Chrissy F.
I used to work at the Starbucks across the street from this place and I'd hear food poisoning stories from my fellow coworkers. But growing up with family members with fickle stomachs, I usually chalk that sort of thing up to individual circumstances. One Sunday morning one of my coworkers wanted breakfast, but didn't want anything from our store (all the food is way too sweet!) So he wanted to order out, but not alone. I, of course, offer to go in on it with him and he suggests we order from Lucky Platter. An alarm goes off in the back of my mind, but I couldn't put my finger on it...so I shrugged it off and ordered breakfast. I really don't feel the need to continue this story because I think everyone has a good idea of where I'm going with it... Needless to say, I got sick at work - an experience that I don't recommend to anyone... But like I said...fickle stomachs
(1)
Ann Y.
I don't know if I went on a bad day, but I had a really awful experience. First our waiter just seemed as if he didn't want to be there at all. He was really slow in taking our order. Then I started with the pumpkin soup which was just mediocre and not really sweet at all. My husband had a burger which he said was just OK. I had a tuna melt which actually was pretty good. Here is where it got bad- we both ordered the side of mac and cheese. It was lukewarm, dry, hard and unflavorful. We exchanged it for the potatoes which weren't much better. They had drink refills, but our waiter disappeared. For $22 I will go somewhere else.
(2)
Gfiddy F.
Pretty good.
(5)
David B.
I love this funky american ecletic restaurant. Great for breakfast and lunch/dinner. Absolutely love the corn bread.
(4)
Loryn R.
My boyfriend had been here once before and raved about it. We walked in and it looked like there was a little bit of a wait, my first thought is that this place has got to be good. The amount of people waiting was very misleading. Yes, you will be amused by all the decorations on the walls and ceiling but that does NOT make up for terrible service and sub par food. it didnt take us long to get sat and then look over the menu. they seem limited on usual breakfast items. I'm not one for eggs and that was pretty much all you could choose from. Our waiter eventually came over to take our order, my boyfriend had noticed that the table next to us had been sat a few minutes before but hadn't ordered yet. So he said to take their order first. Apparently this was too much for a waiter to handle, he walked away. He came back, took the other table's order and walked away again. FINALLY he came back for our order. when our food came, i was pretty disappointed. these 'fantastic' breakfast potatoes were overcooked with almost no flavor. I had ordered crab cake Benedict that was way sweet for my liking, and i am a big fan of sweet tea. i was up in the air about wanting coffee until i tried my boyfriends. I'm positive mud would have tasted better. it was obviously burnt and had been sitting around. we rarely saw our waiter and was not the 3 dollars we had left him. after we had left, my boyfriend asked what i thought about the place, i said it was so-so and he sternly said we were never coming back. I didn't really have a problem with that, but i let him finish his statement. He didn't want to alarm me since i get very jumpy around bugs, but he saw bugs crawling on the floor. i wanted to throw up my breakfast when he had said that. i did see a fly, flying around but ya know, a lot of restaurants have the occasional fly, but once i found out that there were other disgusting bugs crawling around, i will make a point to never visit this place again. If you really want an interesting breakfast, maybe you should check out the Orange restaurant in Glenview, it may not have as much to look at but at least the food is fantastic and the service is way better.
(1)
George T.
Good service and outstanding breakfast. #1 omlette is stellar! Will be repeat customer.
(4)
Ann G.
I've been here twice now, first time with friends and second time with my mother. Both times two thumbs up! The decor is awesome and the food is tasty. My mojito was definitely strong too! I'll be back again for take-out or maybe try breakfast...
(4)
Melinda C.
I only come here for brunch and it is great every time. You can't go wrong with an omelette - I had a Mexican omelette today with chorizo, black beans, avocado, and pepperjack cheese. Yum! And wonderfully accompanied by an apricot cheese flakey (like a danish with mascarpone cheese) which is arguably the best part of any meal. The ambiance is comfortable and relaxed - great for a nice homey meal.
(4)
sarah l.
Hmmm...I was a little confused about what this place was trying to be. It's like a diner, with an artistic flair. Yet the menu was very vegan friendly and more creative than typical diner food. I don't usually drink wine when I go out to eat at a diner either, so that kind of threw me off. I have to say I did like the food. It was good, fresh, and felt healthy. However, nothing was outstanding or really satisfying. The carribean pumpkin soup was probably the best thing on the menu that I tried. I would go back, but not out of my way to eat here.
(3)
Sarah K.
I love, love , LOVE this place. The food is always delicious and fairly cheap. The atmosphere is funky and the staff is friendly. Who could ask for anything more?
(5)
Paul C.
Sweet potato fries. Awesomeness. This is a great causal spot to bring your friends, and it's vegetarian friendly to boot (although I'm not vegetarian friendly so I don't know why I said that).
(4)
Elizabeth A.
we go to the platter nearly once a week because the food is always outstanding and it is wicked inexpensive--and it's right down the block from us. however, one does need to be up for traditional food that is not 100% traditional; i.e., they serve very tasty but somewhat unusual fare. for example: the Caribbean pumpkin soup is made with jalapenos and bananas, but it is the best darn soup you will ever eat in your life. it is true the staff can be flaky, depending on your server. we have come to know each waiter/waitress and their respective personalities and this adds to the charm of the experience. while this can be irritating for a newbie platter diner, the food, the free cornbread and the low priced check more than compensate for the occasional cranky server.
(5)
Sarah F.
"funkalicious superfood"-You can't have a bad meal at this place. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and every bite is wonderful. Breakfast items include apple ricotta blintzes, whole wheat pancakes, vegetarian benedict, and Greek omelettes. Lunch includes items, such as a Tandorri chicken salad, a grilled portabella sandwich, and key lime pie. Dinner includes items, such as Louisiana crab cakes, beef stroganoff, and horseradish crested tilapia. The setting is very homey, with lots of paintings and booth seating.
(5)
David B.
Yummy in my tummy. Love the food here. Wait staff is really friendly also. Gourmet comfort food is what I would call this. Love the super eccentric decor also. expect a wait during prime hours though. Another plus is full liquor bar!
(4)
Midori G.
For starters, I went here with a group of 7 including myself at a 11am on a Monday; it was not particularly crowded and so we had none of the food mix-ups or poor service that others noted. In fact my water was poured so frequently that I think I finished a pitcher all by myself. As for the food: corn bread and sweet potato fries equals pure deliciousness. I think the prices are very good; about $10 per person and I left very full having had the lunch special - tuna melt with a side dish (the fries). I cannot believe it took me four years before coming here and only wish I had discovered much earlier than 4 weeks before I leave! I think everyone should come here to check out the food and of course the decor; can we say Lobster Boy?!
(4)
Caroline T.
I was impressed. Made it before 2 luckily so I could order the breakfast. I had a Greek Omlette that came with incredible breakfast potatoes and an apricot cheese flakey (the first time having one of those) all for $8.50.It was delicious. My friends got sides of bacon that looked amazing, with breakfast burrito type things and one friend had a steak salad that was delicious. The decor is really cool, funky,artsy deco, neighborhood Evanston restaurant. I think it is ideal for bfast and brunch not as many lunch choices about 5 sandwhich choices that all looked good and original. I feel like you get a lot for your dollar here, but food that is quality. I would definitely go back. Ideal Evanston diner, I reccomend.
(4)
melissa g.
i work down the street from lucky platter, and for people that know the neighborhood, there's not that many food choices compared to downtown evanston. because of this, i have ordered from lucky platter numerous times and have been satisfied. their menu is a little quirky which can be irrating when you are not in the mood for "different" food. but overall, their menu has a selection for everyone. i have gotten take out more than eating in, but both have been pleasant experiences. its not expensive and the fun atmosphere makes for a entertaining time.
(4)
Jen H.
The Lucky Platter came highly recommended to me by several Evanstonians as a good breakfast place, so I had to check it out. With an eclectic nouveau-southern cuisine, and vintage remix decor, it was definitely a great alternative to IHOP. With drinks including tamarind juice and hibiscus iced tea (which I have not seen outside of Austin), and a wide range of breakfast selections, both vegetarian and umm, carnivorous, this place hit the spot. I got the "pick your own" scramble with swiss cheese, onions, bacon and egg whites only (50 cents extra) with toast and delicious southern style hashbrowns (which included some sweet potatoes!). My fiance's omelette was stuffed with cheese and spinach, and came with a lovely apricot pastry. I have heard this place can get quite busy--we were fortunate enough to go around 8am on a Saturday, and almost had the place to ourselves.
(4)
Gray K.
I can't speak to anything else on the menu, but their french toast is totally amazing--and completely undersold on the menu. Cinnamony, made crispy with corn flakes, and served with strawberries and apple cider syrup. So good. Also my server was kind and kept the coffee coming, so I have no complaints.
(5)
Allen B.
A great eclectic original menu....... serving things prepared in unique but tasty ways. First taste delicious, but less satisfying as the meal goes on, maybe because of over-seasoning. Funky original kitschy decor. Wait staff kind of indifferent , not unpleasant but not particulary friendly either. This used to have what I called "the best breakfast in town" but the last couple times I went there, it was more on the greasy side. The general feeling of the place is that it is not very clean....makes me wonder how clean the kitchen is. The whole concept is just a little tired. One time, although this was quite some time ago, I saw that my fork at the place setting was greasy. When i called attention to it to the waiter, he said in a way that actually made me laugh: " Yeah, trying to find clean silverware in this place is like winning the lottery." He did bring me a clean fork though. Five years ago I would have given this place 4 stars, but after my last couple of visits, it's only 2, mainly because of the cleanliness factor.
(2)
Jacob K.
Yuck, Yuck and Yuck. This place has to be one of the worst places I have eaten in my life. Aside from all the mediocre restaurants in Evanston this one is just bad. The pancakes are worse than anything made out of a mix, it was overpriced for what you got... but lets not forget ambiance. This is a dirty looking hole in the wall. The waitresses seemed more interested in chatting with each other than attending to customers. I wish there was a 0 rating or negative one.
(1)
Jennifer H.
I can't believe I haven't written a review of Lucky Platter yet, because it's such a staple in my diet and my life! The best adjective for Lucky Platter is "reliable." I've never had anything bad here (although I can particularly recommend the tandoori chicken salad, the turkey meatballs and linguine and any pizza with their yummy cracker-thin crusts). However, I've also never had anything outstanding here. So, like I said, reliable. But it's fun dining in the kitschy dining room, with their colander sculptures and silly menus, and the service is always quick and with a smile. Lucky Platter's probably not worth a trip to Evanston, but if you live here, you should definitely make a stop.
(4)
Jonathan K.
dont know why i didnt realize the diversity of the menu last time...this place is pretty off the hook. chorizo burger is PACKED with flavor and hits that spot so hard. cant wait to try the tandoori sandwich, they have jambalaya, jerk chicken...banana cream pie....
(5)
Chris W.
Go for the ambience, if hipster kitsch is still your thing. The food is reasonably tasty but diminutive of portion for the price, and last time I was there, our waitress was adorably indie rock but seemed to want us dead.
(2)
Linda D.
I would like to like this place. I've been there 4 times in about 4 years because some good friends live nearby and like the place. Last night we went and this time I think will be the last for a long time. I had the large avacado salad with portabella and if I'd wanted a jarred artichoke heart salad I would have been much more pleased. The choice of 3 vinagrette salad dressings and none other seems to be putting all your eggs in the vinagrette basket, and I don't really care for that. My husband had well cooked tilipia that was to have been horseradish encrusted. Maybe it's us, but that certainly implies spicy.. didn't deliver though. The 3rd member of our party ordered the same salad I did, but with chicken instead of portabello, but unfortunately the waiter didn't hear the order correctly and my friend had finished half his salad before 1/2 cup of chicken arrived. Our server was very busy, but tried his best to be attentive. 2 stars here is defined as "Meh, I've experienced better". That says it all..
(2)
Joshua M.
I need a half star damnit, this is a 3.5 for sure. Quirky, interesting menu... not sure if I had the best of what they had to offer. The sweet potato fries were good, but I like a little saltier side with my burger.
(3)
SaSa ..
I really like breakfast at Lucky Platter - the service is fast, the food is great, and the place has a fun kitschy atmosphere. I've only been for breakfast, and all the food has been great. The pancakes are huge - order one unless you have a huge appetite. The bacon is great, as are the scrambles and the wheat toast. The restaurant is always crowded, but they turn over the tables quickly, so the wait isn't horrible. This probably isn't the best place if you want to linger over a leisurely breakfast - food comes quickly, as does the check.
(4)
bloopie s.
i had a friend visiting recently who is particular about what she likes to eat, but once she finds something favorable, she's destined to be a regular. for instance, when i lived in san francisco, i took her to try the gingerbread cake at chow. she liked it so much we had to go back to chow every single day so she could get the cake. (granted, it is VERY good) we had the same experience at lucky platter. fortunately, lucky platter has many delicious items to sample for breakfast, lunch, or dinner....not just dessert. their apricot flakey was what got her hooked and i have to admit, it is really good....especially when it is warm, with gooey cream cheese inside and sparkly sugar crystals all over the flakey crust. YUM. i am LUCKY that i live so close to here. and apparently i am very cheesy too...just like that amazing flakey.
(5)
Joanna B.
I've eaten here on a number of occasions, and while the food is often very good, the wait staff and service leaves much to be desired. I usually am dining alone and a single top gets treated like a step-child. If you're not a friend of the hostess or wait staff, or recognized as a 'regular' you're treated worse than a step-child. I'm probably eating there again this morning because it's around the corner from where I get my car serviced, but this may be the last time if I don't notice a difference in the service.
(2)
Sasha R.
I've been coming here fairly regularly for many years, most of the time it's good, although I can't say I've ever had exceptional service. A few of the waiters are really surly while some others appear to be extremely stressed/anxious. The last time I went to Lucky Platter was the worst experience I've had there. It was in the afternoon, after lunchtime and before dinner, there were maybe two tables with people in the place and we stood, waiting to be seated, for about five minutes before we decided to just seat ourselves. After 6 or 7 more minutes of sitting there and having none of the five people working there offer us drinks or even a menu, we got our own menus. After another 10 minutes, still nobody came to help us, even though they had clearly seen us waiting. I don't know what their problem was, maybe they just had attitudes because we didn't wait for their incompetent asses to seat us, but if I ever have a similar experience there I won't be giving them a third chance.
(3)
Mopsie B.
Sorry, but I'm dying of laughter at Steve G.'s comments...Seriously, "the world's cutest little girl" wanted ONE scoop of ice cream? You weren't even going to have anything? Couldn't you just have ordered it to go when you walked in, rather than take a table and a waiter's time? I am really waiting for the day when parents stop thinking that the world revolves around them and their little darlings! If what you are describing is true, then I agree that the waiter could have been a little nicer but you seem to have no consideration or thought for others, either. (I'm sure you weren't planning on leaving a big tip, if at all)...I logged on here to say that I LOVE the Lucky Platter! The menu contains just about anything anyone could ever want and it's served up pretty quickly. My little nephew loves it, too. Most recently, I had the build-your-own scramble with a number of sides and extra toast- they didn't even charge us for the extra toast. They are really amenable to special orders and while it certainly is an unconventional place, I will return, because it's quirky and good.
(4)
Joseph F.
The food here is great, the service is hot or not- I recently ate here and the waitress only came to take our food order and never refilled coffee or even asked how the food was. The apricot flaky for breakfast is great!
(3)
Zack M.
The wait can be long for a big party, but I think the food is delicious. I had jerk chicken and mac/cheese though I tried all five other entrees at the table and everything was very good... Much better than Wishbone for comfort food.
(4)
Tiffany T.
I used to live down the block from the old Lucky Platter, and used to go there quite a bit on weekends... the first time I got food poisioning I figured it was an oddity, then I take a friend from out of town for a nice lunch, and she gets food poisioning, which ruined her whole trip. Then I make the mistake of going back a third time much later and... yup - you guessed it. Third times the charm! Don't these people have health inspections? They're doing something wrong I think! Too bad, as I used to like the food when it wasn't making me barf for 24 hours afterward.
(1)
Ellen D.
I love The Lucky Platter. I have lived down the street from it for the last 4 years and when I have people in to visit it's high on the list of places to go. They have an eclectic menu. I love breakfast there--the huevos rancheros and cheese flakies are delicious. And they have a mean cup of coffee. I often carry out the chopped salad with the toasted sesame dressing and it's a lot of salad for the price. And my go-to lunch/dinner item is the portabella sandwich with a side of mac and cheese. The goat cheese and crispy onions on the sandwich make it. I have tried several other things on the menu and have never been disappointed. While there is a wait for breakfast and lunch on the weekends, it usually isn't too long and it's well worth it.
(5)
CE S.
Lucky Platter is my favorite, hands down. I can't even comment. Between the amazing pizza toppings and Don Knots lookalike art, I'm in heaven. Nom Nom Nom as the cats say in LOZL land.
(5)
Philip A.
Lucky Platter has been around for quite some time now, and there is a reason. They seem to always be packed, at all times of the day. Great omelettes, also burgers with sweet potato fries that kick butt! This is like American food that's thinking outside the box.
(4)
Lauren G.
I have been here a number of times and each time I go the service is not good. One time I stood at the front to wait for a hostess for 10 minutes on a busy Sunday morning. No one cared that there was a line out the door just to check in and people started seating themselves. The service at the table is slow and accompanied by so-so attitudes. BUT the food is excellent! The ham and cheese sandwich is the best sandwich I've eaten and the soups are flavorful. I enjoy ordering food when I know the ingredients are fresh and local. One last note, they are known for their cornbread, but each time I order it I like it less and less. I don't know if they changed the recipe but I won't be ordering it again. And the cornbread always manages to come out with the food I order. Wouldn't it make sense to serve the bread as an appetizer?
(3)
dave s.
Decorated in crazy photos, painting and sculptures, this place is great for breakfast or lunch. You are bound to come across almost every variety of people that Evans ton has to offer. From artsy fartsy locals to NU students to old folks, this place caters to anyone and everyone. The food is average at best, but it is a good diversion from typical chain restaurants in the area. They do sport sweet potato fries , which is a plus.
(3)
Tom S.
I love this quirky place. It serves southern-ish, comfort food with updated recipes. I love their skirt steak, burgers and the house salad (tossed greens full of feta cheese, raisins & apples served with a variety of house-made dressings--my favorite is the toasted sesame). The decor is pure kitsch with colander light fixtures, a variety of sculptures made from found metal utensils and the art display of paint-by-number and other not-quite professional quality artwork (you'll have Mellancamp's "little pink houses" running through your brain after seeing a 50's painting of somebody's proud pink ranch house). Monthly specials keep the menu fresh. Breakfasts are said to be fabulous.
(5)
Katie M.
I don't understand places that expect the diner to get by on the decor. Love the decor! But Lucky Platter, for all it's hype and supposedly good food, consistently serves up the worst service. The service is terrible and often surly, no "bitchy". Since it's in the 'hood, I've visited 3 times at different times of the day since March and, stupidly, I thought I give it a go again today. The eternal optimist. But hey, if a customer can't get coffee for over 10 minutes and it takes 30 minutes to get the wrong, cold breakfast, there is something seriously wrong and it wasn't even busy yet. The table next to me wondered if the place was self-serve and another table got up and left. (1. bad service, 2. cold food, 3. wrong order - yer out!) I'd say it would be nice to actually eat the food there, but I won't be back. -Still hungry in Evanston, going home to make breakfast.
(2)
Emma R.
I love this place! House salad with chicken and toasted sesame dressing - my favorite!
(5)
Mary C.
Mmmmm....sweet potato fries. Need I say more? Ok, their menu is full of American comfort food options with emphasis on southern dishes like fried green tomatoes and pecan pie. Lucky Platter is certainly an original-looking establishment. Decor includes paint-by-numbers paintings, vintage games and strange aluminum sculptures. I wish the menu was better laid out and would include more items. Everything we had was very good including dessert. I didn't find the staff too friendly. They kept looking at us like they wanted our table and I hate that rushed feeling.
(4)
Linda S.
The menu here is limited and the descriptions aren't too great, but everything you get here is really tasty. I got the barbeque chicken sandwich and it was unbelievable -- chicken cooked to perfection topped with thin crispy onion rings and a sweet bbq sauce. Portions here are large enough to take home for a second meal. Another great entree is the angel cake french toast with raspberry orange syrup. Yum! So light yet so rich! Decor here is really eccentric -- pay attention to the paintings and the aluminum ceiling.
(4)
a w.
This is a great place to get some breakfast. They have all the usual breakfast dishes -- hash browns, french toast, and pancakes -- but everything has a unique twist to it, making it one of a kind. The decor here is a bit odd -- lots of aluminum, odd paintings, and weird lighting. But the service and food is excellent and you'll definitely want to come back here again.
(4)
carmen f.
Omg, this places is a star place! Avoid it, food is greasy, the place is very dusty and servers are a little too casual...
(1)
Tracey M.
I'm waiving between an 2 and 2.5. We were there on a Saturday afternoon (around 1pm). The place was packed. The women managing tables was kind of rude to my mom. Enough so that before we even ate a bite she told me we're never coming back here again. Our server was nice and told us to take our time despite being told by the hostess we needed to order immediately. The food was fine. I had sour dough pancakes and breakfast potatoes. The pancakes were okay, but I don't know why they are considered sour dough as they tasted like plain pancakes. The potatoes were cooked as I asked - "extra, extra, extra, extra crispy" - so they get points for that. They were also tasty. The other thing that made me enjoy my visit less was the fact that I was tracking time in the back of my mind because of the meter that was ticking away. I don't blame this on the restaurant, just the fact that I'm a suburbanite that isn't use to having to think about how much time is left on the meter. With that in mind, parking is a bit tough in that area, but not impossible like other places around the city. I may try Lucky Platter again, but I'm not racing back anytime soon.
(2)
Kurt O.
It may be hidden, but this kitchy restaurant is not a secret. It's packed with a diverse crowd that love hefty comfort food. The walls are filled with original outsider artwork which sets a great tone. It's like a celebration of the common every-man. While waiting for my breakfast, I enjoyed seeing every-day people and every-day artwork. There was an attractive woman ready a book while she ate. Next to me was a table of philosophy graduate students debating about social norms. Another table had an older couple holding hands and drinking coffee. The service was friendly and attentive. The food is "old fashioned" wonderful. The Lucky Platter offers a warm friendly atmosphere and satisfying "opposite of fast food" meals.
(5)
Kev A.
Unprofessional, unfriendly, unaccommodating They refused to cook my food without butter, even after I said it was not just a preference but an allergy. I was told that it was impossible for them to cook eggs without using butter on the grill. When we asked a second waiter to confirm that this was true, the waiter was yelled at from the kitchen, loud enough for us to hear it "No! It's impossible!" Ridiculous. Our waiter was one of the most sullen people I've ever encountered. I've heard he's famous for this. As for the food, I ended up having sausage and potatoes. The sausage was truly amazing. The potatoes were boring, flavorless and tough.
(1)
Rob B.
First time here. Food was delicious and service was very good. Highly recommend the steel cut oatmeal and also the homemade sausage patties..
(4)
Maki I.
This used to be my go to restaurant when I lived in Evanston. Quirky decor and unique breakfast dishes. Food is always delicious. It does get crowded on weekend for brunch/breakfast.
(5)
Steve O.
The food is good but the service was crap. I had coffee while my girlfriend had a meal and I never got a refill for the entire time we were there.
(2)
Sharee M.
I have visited this area of Evanston before and wanted to visit The Lucky Platter in the future. So I was excited to finally go to TLP. Yet, I was a little surprised by the ranking and information on Yelp. But hey, maybe I review would help them out. The atmosphere is invited with a theme that suggest they really care about family and the history of TLP. I am not sure how to explain the motif; lots of different artwork, aluminum balls on the ceiling...yeah, I don't know if there is a word other than unique. But not enough to overwhelm or scare you away. Sitting is plentiful and even though it was a busy Sunday, the wait was less than 3 minutes. The food was OK for me, and the hubby loved his food. I tried the 'famous' fried green tomatoes, fruit bowl (good fruit selection), wheat toast (nice and thick), and breakfast potatoes. Everything was very yummy, except for the fried green tomatoes that I only ate one serving of four. I am very familiar with the dish and what needed improvement for me was the sauce and garish that took the dish over. The hubby got pancakes (large portion), a egg Benedict, and breakfast potatoes that he really enjoyed. Service is also a place were improvement is needed at TLP. The waiter came to take for our orders. I asked if milk was in the Steel Oatmeal, due to diet restrictions. The waiter told me he would check and as I continued with the rest of my order, he walked away. To serve another table. Our wait time for our food after he returned with the answer for the oatmeal, took our order, and bought our food out was 30 minutes. The waiter never updated us on why the food was taking this long. We were not offered bread during our wait and the appetizer (fried green tomatoes) came out with the main dishes. Overall, our time at TLP, food wise, was good. The prices were really good for the amount of food and the atmosphere was interesting. However, we will not re-visit due to the service.
(2)
Kathryn J.
Chicken on salad was either expired or had been exposed to cigarette smoke--not good. Hate to send food back but it was a stomachache waiting to happen. Waiter also forgot bacon and fruit sides and dispensed with any pleasantries such as "hello, good morning." Crusty dried food on edge of table. This place is a no.
(1)
Melissa A.
One of my favorite places in Evanston. You go for the food and the experience. It's very low key and quirky but not pretentious. Hard to find that combo. My favorite decoration is the ceiling.
(4)
Annn F.
Loved the metal sculptures and those foil balls on the ceiling. Also the apricot flakey and the spuds were really great. To me, he omelette mumbai was pretty gross, the egg part had gone cold and the insides-I don't even want to think about. The servers style move of pouring coffee by pulling the urn up in the air left a big splash of java on the table and I'm going to try and figure out why I think sloshed coffee denotes neglect-because maybe that's just me.
(2)
Mark K.
A charming breakfast/lunch establishment that's worth checking out if you're in the area. First, the good: - Food. Everything is very tasty, in a home-made type of way. They are famous for the scrambles - customizable omelets that come with really great roasted potatoes and a great variety of fillings. You can either build your own or pick a pre-designed model. The individual pizzas are also great and reasonably priced, you can pick 3 toppings to start or more for extra charge. They also have eggs benedict which not every place has nowadays. For your coffee get the famous Flaky, you won't regret it. Their cream soda is also great. - Ambiance. The decor is very creative and unique. There are a bunch of sculptures cleverly made from household appliances. Some old-timey paintings. The crowds are a mix of Northwestern students and older Evanston intelligentsia. Now the slightly-less-good: - There might be a wait if you come on a weekend during lunchtime. They also wont seat you unless all your party is present. - The service is a bit surly. I wouldn't call it unfriendly, maybe just a bit impatient and not overly attentive. I guess this is understandable in a very busy place. - Not cheap. An average item will run you between $8-10. But the quality of the food is worth it. The detractors are minor, this place is definitely worth a visit.
(4)
Jimmy G.
This place is bomb. Whenever I'm in Evanston I try to stop there, and I always try to convince my family to go. I think they're sick of it, but fuck them. It has a cool, kitschy decor and a slightly upscale diner fare with a great menu. Everything I've had is great. The gouda burger is simply amazing with smoked gouda, caramelized onions, cucumbers, red leaf lettuce, garlic alioli, and an amazing soft sourdough bun. So good! I want it every second of every day. Just to drown in a sea of burgers feeding on them like plankton as I float mouth open like a retarded whale drifting through the prehistoric soup in a semi-conscious state of culinary bliss, aware of nothing but the succulent taste of sweet sweet cheese melting into meat- my soul, my obsession, my animus. If only they delivered! The rest of the menu is nearly as good. Highlights include the mushroom quesadilla with red peppers, onions, and a spicy sauce, as well as the excellent crab cakes. I know some people used to complain about cleanliness, which I never noticed, but in the new rehab with new ownership it is no longer an issue. So dine on, people, and bon voyage!
(5)
Janelle F.
I love going to Lucky Platter! It's very charming, and right in our neighborhood, so I have been there quite a few times. Their Bloody Mary is very good and the price is right, at $6.75. Almost every time I go, I order the Tandoori Chicken Salad. It's good-quality comfort food and very generous with ingredients. My husband thinks that the burgers are very good there.
(5)
Jay S.
I found The Lucky Platter to be well more than okay, but not great. We got a Tandoori Chicken Sandwich and the Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict. The crab cakes on the Benedict were tasty, the eggs were poached perfectly, the cornbread used in stead of an english muffin I thought was a cool twist, but I didn't think the portion of the Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict was nearly large enough. It came only with the eggs benedict and no sides like hash browns or anything. The Tandoori Chicken Sandwich was quite good indeed, but I didn't think the portion for that was quite large enough either. One thing I did love about this place was the decor. It's kitschy and fun. There are paintings and weird photos and strange chandoliers. I dug it a lot. The service was good too. I'll probably be back, but I won't go when I'm quite so hungry.
(3)
Colleen L.
First, they won't seat you unless every member of your party is present, no matter how many people are crammed into their tiny waiting area while plenty of tables sit empty and waiting in the dining area. Several reviewers mentioned the rudeness of the waitstaff. The reviews might be exaggerated, but they're certainly not wrong. The hostess seemed bothered that I was there, and our waitress wasn't exactly cold, but she wasn't very helpful either. She was smiling, but all questioned were answered with as few words as possible as she left as quickly as possible. I had the tandoori chicken salad, which was good and bad. The chicken was tasty, but calling it "tandoori" is a bit of a stretch. It's nothing like traditional tandoori and is instead covered in a tomato/apricot chutney that is very sweet; there's hardly a need for dressing. The bad thing about the salad greens are sandwiched between hot chicken and a super hot plate, so they never stood a chance. Super wilted. The best thing they offer is the hibiscus tea which is tart and sweet without being sweetened with sugar. As I understand it, though, it's only on the menu in the spring/summer.
(2)
Laurence M.
In serious need of service improvements. I waited over fifteen minutes for my waitperson -- even though they were very slow at the time. When none came to my table, although three kept walking past it, each seemingly in a daze, I decided to leave. That's when a waiter saw me walking out. He asked where I was sitting and how long. When I informed him, he said, "Well, have a great day." And he clearly didn't care that I was leaving. So with no apologies for making me wait, there's no apologies for me writing this review.
(1)
Ehow C.
This is the go-to restaurant for breakfast or brunch in Evanston. I'm a big fan of their omelettes and eggs benedict. And if you have the opportunity or just want to satisfy your sweet tooth, their apricot cheese flakeys are delicious. The decor may not be for everyone, but as my coworker said, he only cares about the food, and really enjoyed it when I recommended the place to him.
(4)
Benjamin B.
This has become my new favorite. I love the feeling, the people, but most of all the food!!! I would highly recommend the Mac N Cheese and the Pot Pie. The pot pie might be the best I've ever had. The staff was extremely friendly and service was excellent. The decor is very kitchey DIY and I absolutely love it. It feels homey and is a place I would take someone I love.
(5)
Cora P.
Absolutely my favorite restaurant in Evanston. Every item on the menu has a unique twist that makes it special, delicious, and worth going to Lucky for. All the breakfast items are fantastic, and my favorite sandwich is the tandoori chicken (oh my gosh. Perfection on a bun.) The atmosphere of the restaurant is also really interesting. They have weird, surreal art on the walls, interesting recycled sculptures, and locally-made lighting fixtures and figurines. The menus are kitchy-but-explanatory, and their waitstaff is incredibly nice. If you go there enough, they remember your name. Such a great place!
(5)
Rick R.
I gave this place 2 stars because the service was friendly and efficient. The food however was pretty yucky. The sourdough pancakes were blah but the breakfast patties were pure nastiness---undercooked pork, greasy and too much chorizo fat. Yuck
(2)
Weisun C.
Your first impression is that there is/are "artsy" people involved here. That's clearly evident from the quirky sculptural assemblage over the front, and the even more quirky pieces hanging on the walls inside. It's all with a touch of humor (note the colanders turned into overhead light fixtures). But they get down to business when serving you, though depending on when, it can be a bit spotty. Nothing to complain about with the food. None of it will really surprise you. What they offer for lunch and especially breakfast/brunch is homey and dependable; Diner stuff that's hard to get wrong. I've even had a nice meal here well after 4 PM. And the prices are not outrageous for this strip of Evanston. It has always felt warm and cozy inside the Lucky Platter too. Depending on the hour, even though there's plenty of metered street parking, you might be competing for a spot with denizens of the Starbucks almost directly across the street. A convenient source for the latest Reader, the venerable Main News, is just steps west on Chicago Ave.
While I was staying with some friends in Evanston, they suggested this breakfast/diner that was essentially located around the corner from them. It was fairly standard New American breakfast fare. I ordered the tofu scramble, which was hearty, tasty, but not mind-blowing. My friend ordered the crab cake egg benedict which looked pretty good. The atmosphere is definitely post-hippie with tattooed waitresses and painted walls. There were quite a lot of people who were there on New Years Day, and pretty packed with a lot of people from the surrounding area. It seemed like a popular place. If I lived in that neighborhood, I'd probably frequent it for a tasty breakfast.
(3)
John L.
A Cajun Scramble with an apricot flaky, Coffee and a sour apple Jolly Rancher might just be heaven on earth. I go here at least twice a week and don't even have to order any more. The service is great!
(5)
Brett M.
This venue punctuates Evanston dining. Quaint yet eclectic, hip but not trendy. The atmosphere is easily likable with its artistically littered walls, not overly bright lighting, and controlled sound. I had the roast beef, black bean soup, and sweet potatoe mash. Reasonably priced and delicious! I didn't feel overly unhealthy eating here either. The service was good although not fantastic. Not a place for a big selection by drink nor food, however, this really focuses On what lucky platter specializes. I recommend lucky platter as an Evanston must. Seriously, try it.
(4)
Annette Q.
No reason not to give this 4 stars. Fun atmosphere & delicious REAL food made from scratch.
(4)
Patricia D.
Overall it was a decent place. We sat down right away, and our good came out pretty quick. The waiter messed up my order. I decided not to say anything, and just eat it anyways. What he brought out was probably healthier for me anyways. Food was ok, and so was the atmosphere.
(3)
Lindsay S.
My husband and I love trying out new restaurants. Tonight the three of us along with my 1 year old daughter checked this place out and it was great. We had great customer service and both of us had the fabulous portobello mushroom sandwich. Needless to say we will be back for more excellent food and service.
(5)
Mac B.
Walked around Evanston one morning and stumbled upon this place. I figured, how can you screw up breakfast? Well they sure did. Slow, slow, slow service! Eggs were good. Bacon was cold and obviously cooked an hour ago at least and not reheated. Potatoes had a weird flavor to them. Just not my kind of breakfast. Maybe the french toast or pancakes were better, but I'd never go back..... Find somewhere else to pick up breakfast!
(1)
Andy M.
Right, so I like this place, have been going for years and will keep coming back as I visit Chicago. That said, I do wish that they'd make an effort to source some of their food in a way that they could proudly advertise. I have the luxury of eating at restaurants with locally sourced, or at least proudly sourced ingredients on a regular bias and have gotten less patient with those that don't. Today I'll eat vegetarian options - but in the future this is likely one customer who'll start going elsewhere. I made the mistake of asking the waitress of she could tell me anything about where the beef comes from (feeling very Portlandian and knowing the answer already - as nothing is mentioned in the menu). I received a chuckling 'From a cow.' Which - I get. It seems petty. But know that more and more of your customers can quickly translate that to 'From Sysco,' from 'We don't care,' and from a 'hormone-injected antibiotic-laced CAFO-dwelling cow of unknown origin.' Know that for many that is less and less appetizing. And as alternatives pop up, to alternatives I'll go. Till then - the fried green tomato Benedict on cornbread is so good. And breakfast potatoes cannot be beat.
(3)
Kevin B.
The Lucky Platter is an eclectic, very Evanstonish type restaurant. The art on the walls is a mixture of eccentric and something you'd find at a Salvation Army. I'm not sure I love the decor as it feels "weird-to-be-weird" but it's not a big deal either way. Their menu has a good selection and as long as you're not super picky, you'll find something you'll want to eat. I am a fan of their tuna melt which is on a corn bread and has some nice pieces of tomato on it. Most people I've talked to also are a fan of the tuna melt. Options on the sides are unknown to me because I always get the very good sweet potato fries. Add a bit of honey on top. That's a nice addition. Lucky Platter's biggest problem is its service. You may or may not get seated pretty quickly because it is often busy. I am not going to hold that against them. When I went today I waited 10 minutes before the waitress even took our drink order. We didn't get refills on coffee and getting the bill was quite slow. This isn't the first time I've had sub-par service. Despite the service, I'd still recommend going to Lucky Platter. Their food is good and unique.
(4)
Victoria W.
Came here June 2012. Their whole wheat pancakes are unappetizing. I ordered a side of egg and it also was nothing great. The coffee we ordered looked like something i can get from my school cafeteria, they didn't even bother to put it in a nice cup or mug. It came in this small flimsy plastic cup. The waiter was alright, not super nice but not rude. He also had a bit of an issue being clear about the dishes. I had to ask him very specific questions to be sure. I also thought this place was a tad expensive for the food they sell. $6 for 2 pancakes? Wow? They are just pancakes!? They don't even serve it with any special maple syrup, sadly I think i can have a better experience at iHop. Another problem I have is that their marble tables are way too low. I am not even tall, 5'6 average height for female. The place is not particularly clean but not noticeably dirty. After my meal I walked down to Lee's beach a couple block east of the restaurant and had a much better experience than my breakfast.
(3)
Bobby C.
This restaurant is a nice mix of quirky art, cozy atmosphere and good food. The walls and ceiling are covered with all kinds of artwork, portraits and old black and white photos. Looks like the sort of thing you would see walking around a local art fair and adds to the feeling that you're walking into your mom's really-really big kitchen. I had the tuna melt which was fantastic. The tuna isn't drowned in mayo and has a perfect mix of fish, chives and celery. The tuna was topped with cheddar, tomato chunks and avocado and served on ?!cornbread?!? Awesome! My friend got the chicken avocado salad which was also good. The chicken and veggies are fresh and the lettuce is legit. Our soup sides were just okay. I've been there when it's busy and can be a bit cramped, but today we went for a later lunch and the service was great. The prices are very reasonable and the portions aren't too big or too small for a mid-day brunch. No bar so if you are craving a bloody steer yourself to another saloon. But if you are in the mood for a tasty affordable brunch I highly recommend.
(4)
Yanyao N.
IT'S BACK! The best thing in a bowl EVER aka Lucky Platter's beef stroganoff has returned! Bye bye warmer weather Jambalaya (good also, but not the best thing ever) and move over for the best saucy, meaty, egg noodley cold weather comfort food on Main Street. Hooray! Coming here today made me sad for 2 reasons: 1. I used to live 30 steps away. Now I do not. Sadface! 2. The perfect trifecta is when they have beef stroganoff, thai braised kale, and banana cream pie on the menu. This was pretty much my winter to-go order staple. Every time. But the banana cream pie is now only available on Mondays.... which means if I go again tomorrow, it would be threesome perfection! Anyway....LP is pretty much great. Lots of strange art pieces in there for you to gaze at if your dining companion is a snore. A pretty diverse menu - turkey meatballs, burgers, tandoori chicken sandwich (try it! you're welcome), pizza, fried greed tomatoes, soups, great salads (and dressings), pot roast, fish, etc. I'm pretty sure everyone will find something they like on the menu. The sides are amazing. Get the Thai braised kale if you see it on the menu as it is my favorite side. Closely followed by the gingered fruit - fruit? onions? ginger? what?! Trust me, it is works. They bring out corn bread cubes too. And I've only just started talking about lunch/dinner. Breakfast is not to be missed here either. The tofu scramble is packed full of goodness (tofu, spinach, garlic, shiitake mushrooms) and flavor. Choose the apricot cheese flakey on the side for a little sweetness. The best breakfast you can get on this street. They do a Benedict on cornbread, have some great omelets/scrambles. But come early on weekends, as it fills up. People really want those apricot cheese flakeys. I spent about 30/40 minutes walking here today in the cold and wind and am already planning my next few meals. I see a tandoori chicken sandwich and slice of banana cream pie calling my name.
(5)
Robyn K.
Really liked this place! Came here on recommendation from a local. The corn bread is to die for!!! Ask for it. I had grilled salmon and it was really tasty. The only puzzling thing is that you can easily walk past it and not know it is there. They need to invest in decor and more attractive signage!
(5)
Eric K.
After This place was on the Hungry Hound on ABC I decided to add it to our Sunday brunch plans. The atmosphere is very fun with crazy pictures, statues and fun things to look at everywhere. The food - I had eggs benedict and my friends had pancakes. (one regular and one sourdough). The portions we got were ok but we added an order of potatoes for the table to share. (mine SHOULD have come with some if you ask me). They were heavy handed on the hollendaise sauce which was fine with me but I wasn't overly impressed. Either were my friends with their food. The WORST part was the service. Our waitress was extremely rude every time she dealt with us. Not friendly, not inviting, and we did not feel welcomed at all. We even told her it was our first visit there - didn't help. She may have been busy but common courtesy would be nice. We will NOT be back. Restaurant owners need to learn that they can lose customers by bad staffing.
(2)
Stefan B.
Lucky Platter is one of my favorite restaurants. This is an eclectic American restaurant that offers a wide variety of choices. I find them to be one of the real choice places for Lucky Burgers. Their burgers aren't exactly traditional, but definitely a tasty alternative to what you could get anywhere else. I love that whenever I have ordered a burger here, they can prepare it exactly how I want it. Whether I want it medium rare, or well done, or anything in between, they have been spot on. I think I have tried everything on the menu at least once, and I have never found a dish I didn't like. I still recommend the burgers and the pizzas above all else. The staff has always been hit an miss, but mostly hit. There is one gentleman, who I forgot his name, that has been one of the most outstanding servers I have ever met. Even on my most complex orders, and changing my order mid service, he never missed a beat. I make sure to tip him big every time I see him. Some of the staff has not been as pleasant, but I've only had one real problem once in the many years I have been attending. There was one time when I ordered fresh, 8 piece cornbread, and received microwaved, 6 piece cornbread. I should have said something right away, but I let it slide too easily. I won't do that again. This is one of the few places I go for the scenery. Some may find it distracting, but I love the eclectic mix of folk art and vintage graphics. Sometimes it's just relaxing to sit back and take in the view. If you need any reason to try it once, just go for the exotic scenery. The only one problem I have with Lucky Platter is one of the best problems for a restaurant to have. That is, it is always packed solid on the weekends for brunch. At around 11am on a Sunday, expect a 30 minute wait. Expect it to be even longer on Mother's Day. To make it fair, they don't take reservations, and they expect your entire party to be there to be seated. Most people will resent this, but I prefer it because it prevents people from abusing the system. I only find it to be a dilemma for me, because I have to think hard if I really want to suffer the wait. Outside of the peak time, I haven't ever had to wait to be seated. All in all, I love the Lucky Platter. It is a great place for comfort food, and caters to the adventurous too. I've been going here for years, and never think I'll stop.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Breakfast Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Tue Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Yuri H.
Can't believe I've lived in Evanston for four years and have just found this place. The omlette and apricot flaky were absolutely scrumptious. The food was decently portioned, just enough. I loved the interior--it has a really fun and cozy vibe. Be prepared however to wait in line for brunch on the weekends! My friend waited for about 15 or so minutes to be seated. We got there around 10:30. It was pretty busy and crowded. Wish we could've gotten a table further away from the door.
(4)Nikki L.
I want to love Lucky Platter. I really do. But their service is lacking. My order got messed up and I got regular fries instead of sweet potato fries (Honestly not a huge deal, but I was still disappointed. I didn't change it due to time) and my friend didn't get the sausage she ordered. The waiter was very nonchalant and didn't really seen to care too much that he forgot. I didn't expect him to grovel at our feet, but an "Oh I'm so sorry that happened! They will be right up." Would have been nice. Instead it was a very curt, "I'll go put in an order." Granted it was busy, but as a server myself I understand that it is possible to be nice and helpful, while also having a lot of tables. The food was really good. I got their California burger, with a veggie patty instead. I've also been here and gotten the Tofu scramble, which was also really delicious. You don't get a lot of food with the scramble so you are full, but not stuffed. Overall I'd come back here if I had to due to a time crunch or convenience. If I didn't though I'd stick to Walker Bros for brunch.
(3)Sakura P.
The first time we ate here in May we had excellent service and delicious food. Yesterday we visited again for brunch and were unimpressed with the service and food. When we arrived there looked to be a few parties waiting (maybe 7-8 people). When asked how long the wait would be for two people, the hostess said 30-40 minutes but possibly shorter. Because our last experience was so good, we figured it would be worth the wait. So we grabbed a seat on the bench after one of the groups was called. Ten minutes passed and we noticed an empty two-top across from us. Meanwhile, there was only one party of two ahead of us. Looks like we'll be seated soon, right?? If only. A few moments later, a group of two older ladies walked through the door and to the server podium. The server mentioned that "there is only one party ahead of you" (funny how they get "there's only one party" and we got "30-40 minutes wait...) and immediately seated the other party ahead of us. Soooo....did we not count as a party any more? Were we forgotten? To add insult to injury, the group of older ladies got seated before us when we were obviously there sooner! We only got acknowledged when we moved closer to the hostess podium. Once re-seated near the podium the hostess told us that we were next and then seated us within 5 minutes at the two-top that had been empty for about 10 minutes by that time. Getting ignored and/or skipped over in a restaurant that obviously had tables available: not a good way to start a meal. So we sit at the table and I order the crab cake benedict and DH orders the french toast with some kind of crust. The waitress brings drinks but only checks back once to see if DH wants a refill on hot water for his tea. The food arrives and looks good. Unfortunately, the poached eggs that come with my meal are not runny and have been cooked too long for poached eggs (I make these at home myself so I know poached eggs only take 5 minutes if you know what you're doing). On top of that, they are a little cold. However, the waitress is no where to be found to let her know this. DH has to get up and find her to let her know since she has not checked on us since the food arrived. DH also has to ask for water refills since none are offered (a restaurant cardinal sin...). To their credit, they did re-do the benedict for me with actual poached eggs and I could tell they were freshly made, if a little sloppily put together. DH said the french toast was okay. They also turned down the A/C when DH found it too cold inside. Unfortunately, they let us down with the service even before we sat down. We didn't leave feeling very "lucky" and I'm not sure that we'll be back to try them again in the near future, which is a shame since as recent NYC transplants we are on the hunt for a good diner.
(2)tricia l.
Sorry to say what others have posted. New owners and it isnt the same. Just. Not. What. It. Used. To. Be. Eric was the previous owner and a total pro. He really cared and it showed. I dunno. Maybe i will give them another chance. Maybe i won't though. We just ate their tonight. My favorite The Chop Salad has gone South but my friends liked their tuna Melts. For coffee, go to Starbucks. The coffee isnt as good as it used to be.
(3)Angela S.
Cute new bar alert! Yet another interior update since my last visit. Walk in, head straight back, and you'll find a neon lit hipster bar in the back corner. The cool thing about this bar is the fact that its shelves are adored with Evanston's local spirits and brews, including FEW and Sketchbook. Stopped in for a lunch meeting and ordered up the chicken pot pie and a side of sweet potato fries. The pie was super thick, loaded with chicken, and had a kick of spice that I just couldn't seem to figure out. In fact there were so many flavors going on it was like a spice party in my mouth. The fries were super skinny and totally unexpected in a good way - not your typical soft and orange potato. The iced tea I had was fantastic. It was unsweetened and had a hint of something...almost a smoky flavor. My lunch experience overall was an infusion of flavors. Some I liked and others that might have been a bit too much. My dining partner ordered up a black bean burger. Though I didn't try a bite, it was gorgeous and ginormous. Fun lighting and artwork hanging from the ceiling. Lots to scope out while dining. Friendly staff.
(4)Ashley M.
Went there and grabbed a coffee,& got the huevos rancheros. It was good, decent portion and coffee was good also! Service was great also! I wish it came with more tortillas lol but it's really not that big of a deal! I will be back.
(4)Henry W.
Unfortunately, this restaurant has changed ownership, and the food has suffered considerably. I used to love this place, salads were large and flavorful and the scrambles were delicious. Now, all plates are half the size they once were, and the food is old and stale yet still the same price. The tandoori chicken for example used to come with lots of delicious chicken, avocado and cherry tomatoes. Now, they removed the avocado, the chicken is awful and old, and the cherry tomatoes are virtually non-existent. So disappointing, I would recommend strongly against this place, coming from someone who used to love this place.
(2)JP N.
You really have to blow me away to get a perfect score ! However , this was difficult not to do so. I have been to the Lucky Platter many times and have always been pleased . Today I had a weird mixture of items but I was so delighted . A. Iced T B. Breakfast Potatoes well done C. Broccoli and parmesan cheese D. Cinnamon glazed Bacon E. Two breakfast sausage Amazing !!!!
(4)Mike M.
I'll keep this short and sweet. We went in Sunday for breakfast and our server was awesome. She was funny, polite and attentive. Most importantly the food was fantastic! I will definitely be going back again.
(5)Ceyda E.
Love the vegetarian options on the menu! So delicious. This place is great for lunch, brunch, and dinner --very friendly, neighborhoody atmosphere. The prices are very reasonable for the quality and amount of food. Also, their cornbread they bring to the table is AMAZING (especially when warm).
(5)Tamara J.
I have been to the Lucky Platter a few times and simply can't understand the rave that my colleagues have over this restaurant. The dining area is basic. The service is marginal. I have never ordered anything from the menu that I felt was exceptional. I will say that others seem to love this place and it's usually pretty busy with customers. People often like being on Main Street (in terms of location) because there are other shops that line both sides of the street, so perhaps that adds to the experience for them.
(2)Jacob K.
Nice employees, eclectic American food. I tried the highly recommended apricot flaky crust pastry which was delicious. Recently remodeled for a more modern look and feel with a bar in the corner.
(5)Liz W.
I work in the industry and I think Yelp is pretty problematic, so it takes a lot for me to write a bad review. However, I will unfortunately echo what lots of folks on here have said. New ownership = crappy food. I grew up coming to this place, it was a family favorite. However the minute I took a bite of my pot roast I could tell that the ownership had changed. Not only was it swimming in oil, so much so that I poured off about three tablespoons worth, and it was still barely edible, but it was unseasoned and bland as can be. The waiter was really nice and noticed I wasn't eating, he even sent the manager over who was a bit pompous and just kept saying "we'll try harder next time". Well for me there won't be a next time, they didn't even comp the meal I had clearly only taken three bites out of. It's nice they came in and revamped the space, but the food is why people came here, and now the food is why I'll never return.
(2)Brian S.
Neat atmosphere, good service, kept our water glasses full. Food was delicious thank you!
(4)Mike B.
Tasteless food. Poor service. Low value for money. An absolutely bad experience. I had the chicken pot pie. It had no salt and the chicken was tough and tasted a little weird. Someone at my table had the fried chicken and it was average. The waitress offered a drink refill AFTER we were done with our meals. Go figure!
(1)Jack K.
Best restuarant in Evanston ! But city needs to build other than a high rise. No auto or bike traffic strictly pedestion only ! A better version of "Lincoln Sq." !
(5)Sir Gull R.
Last time I partook in the offerings of this establishment was 8 years ago. It has been this way due to a amateurish meal, unremarkable service and regrettable decor. But I heard that this local favorite had announced renovations. Naturally I was excited and expecting grand changes which would affect the menu as well. :: sad trumpet:: Disappointingly they did not. What they did was create a buzz and fluster the wait staff. The short version: the food is still "meh" the service is still "meh" but hey new ceiling tiles.
(2)Emily K.
Came here over Memorial Day weekend with my family and even though the place was packed, we got seated in 20 minutes which was not bad. The menu is very standard, nothing stood out on the breakfast or lunch menu. I tried the classic benedict, crab benedict, french toast and breakfast potatoes. All very average so this wouldn't be on the top of my list of places to go to for brunch in the future.
(3)R. J.
Loved the old Lucky Platter. The interior update looks GREAT, but it is SO NOISY. We left before sitting down last weekend due to noise. Please, management, consider taking noise reducing measures. It's a local gem, but won't be back until quieter. Thanks.
(2)Carl I.
Had a business meeting with a friend here, and while he was a long time fan, I was a newbie. Well, first of all the service was great -- a young, polite server who was friendly and took pains to make sure that I was happy, even telling me about possible allergen ingredients. Super nice. I had the chicken pot pie -- yummy and like another reviewer I cold not id the spices, but it was great, as was the squash that was hollowed out with a great sauce. Superb Key Lime pie with a killer crust. This place is wonderful. Read the couple's review of the long wait, and didn't see anything like this from the staff. Even when I was off to the washroom, I was thanked for my presence. Really? Can it get any better?
(4)Kelly R.
My favorite place for brunch food, hands down. The decor takes a little getting used to but look past that and you get a delicious meal. I love the salads and their chicken pot pie is the epitome of comfort food. My kids love Platter because they have a home made cream soda, which isn't too bad. They also have a nice selection for kids foods so I'd say that it's a very family friendly restaurant. Although the service is not always 100% (or 75% for that matter) I enjoy the food and my family loves the Platter, as well.
(4)Amanda S.
LP is our favorite neighborhood haunt. The maple glazed bacon is a MUST, and when it's on top of a burger it's heaven.
(5)Molly M.
The lucky platter has a cool vibe to it with whacky pictures on the wall, but without being overboard. The new renovations, which include a bar were done beautifully. I have to recommend the apricot flakey. Truly such a delicious treat. Just make sure that you get there a little early on the weekend because there is usually a little bit of a wait (but totally worth it!)
(4)Terri R.
Love this place! It's close to our church so we caught brunch there over the weekend. Fabulous. We had the huevos--delicious; and a "make your own scramble", also delicious. We sat at the bar and our bartender / server was fun and friendly. Every dish we saw coming past us looked amazing. And, we were introduced to brews from a terrific local brewery--Sketchbook brewery--which were sublime. Can't wait for next Sunday!
(5)Dee S.
I don't feel so lucky.. This was awful, I had to douse everything in sauce to cover up the actual flavor of the food. Lets start with the omelet..It's a relatively easy and simple thing to make. Lucky Platter somehow managed to make it absolutely disgusting. First off, it was room temperature, but wait, it gets better! So on top of the thing looking like a burrito I cut in to it and nothing but grease came rushing out due to the under cooked soggy bacon, really, In an omelet? The red peppers were cold and soggy, the "smoked gouda" was liquid...But to go along with the theme, it wouldn't be right for the "omelet" itself to be fully cooked and for the inside not to be runny, folks I present to you the "sunny side omelet" courtesy of the lucky platter.. Lets get to the potatoes..STALE, would be one way to describe them, DRY would be another adjective you could use, FLAVORLESS would be a stellar choice. If you don't heed my advice and end up in this place, make sure you use lots of salt, pepper, ketchup, hot sauce etc.. I wouldn't even come back if I wasn't paying for the meal..
(1)Marc M.
Finally found a place that does pot pie right these days, none of that top crust only jokes. The carribean pumpkin soup was great as well.
(4)Holly R.
Eric & Derek (co-owners) have done a wonderful job with this place and will always offer a smile and a good meal when you walk into their restaurant. The remodeling of this place was a huge improvement. The bar is a wonderful place to hang out for a bit...or longer. :) The staff is extremely friendly - Craig is right at home behind the bar and is completely at ease providing levity and quality food and libations to anyone's day! Food is yummy!
(5)Peter H.
My wife and I are pretty heart broken. After being regulars at Lucky, for a long time our favorite restaurant on the North Shore, since it first opened in the 90's... we aren't going back. After having literally 6 of our last 7 or 8 orders screwed up, and noticing a big decline in the quality of the food, the jury is in. Lucky Platter these days, circa 2015, sucks. New management is apparently failing. Maybe the bar build out has been a distraction. Regardless, we are sad, sad, sad... but done ignoring the facts and giving chances. Lesson learned. Maybe we'll try again in a year or two.
(1)Erin M.
Not a clean place to eat. I went here with my sister to try a new place and ended up ordering not one, but two dishes with hair in them! The first one was soup with a small black hair and the second was a salad (see photo) with a long black hair in it. I have brown hair so I know it wasn't mine. Worst part was I already started eating before I realized! The owner was very apologetic and comp'd our meal saying that this never happens there, but for it to happen twice in one meal to the same guest is simply unacceptable. Please buy your staff some hairnets and check your food before running it out to the customer. So gross.
(1)Emily T.
Oh.my ....my tummy's happy again!! Had the Texas Burger w/Butternut Acorn Squash & Chai Tea. Wolfed it down about 10-15min!
(5)Michelle P.
I've been here twice, once for dinner and once for breakfast. I'd give the breakfast 4 stars and the dinner 3 stars... Breakfast - My friends and I all got omelettes. The menu has several different omelettes and a huge selection of interesting ingredients for "make your own." I got the Omelette #1 - artichoke hearts, goat cheese, avacado, and tomato sauce. It was perfect - eggs cooked just right, with a generous amount of filling. It came with oven potatoes that were perfect, and an amazing raisin scone that just melts in your mouth. Dinner - I ordered the Portabella sandwich. What I really wanted was one of the burgers with a portabella mushroom instead of the burger patty, since they don't have veggie burgers. The serve seemed confused by my request, and said she'd have to check with the kitchen to see if they could do that.I explained that I just wanted the toppings that come on the gouda burger, but since I'm a vegetarian, could they give me the mushroom instead of the burger? The server asked me if I just wanted a slice of gouda on my mushroom, and I figured that was the best I was going to get so I said sure. The sandwich was okay, nothing great, but when the bill came I saw I was charged $1 for the slice of gouda. I could understand an extra charge, but she should have mentioned it ahead of time. The sandwich came with thin sliced sweet potato fries which were overcooked and on their way to being cold by the time they came. Which gets to why I'd give this place a lower rating, even though the breakfast food was amazing. The service was slow and erratic. Both times I was there the place was packed. The host was friendly and sat us as soon as possible, but it took a long time for the server to show up to take our order at dinner, and on both visits, besides taking our order and bringing us the food, no waitstaff came to our table. No water refills, we couldn't find her to ask for ketchup or extra napkins. It seemed like the place was understaffed for having every table filled. So I wouldn't come here if I was in a hurry. But I definitely want to come back for breakfast again. And maybe get some of those raisin scones to go.
(4)Valerie W.
Apparently, The Lucky Platter is an Evanston mainstay. I had no idea. Never been there, never heard of it, WHERE HAS IT BEEN ALL OF MY LIFE?!? Seriously though, when can I go back and try everything? We met a friend at The Lucky Platter yesterday for breakfast, and were seated right away. I feel like it's possible to have a long wait at this small establishment, but we were on the early side for brunch (before 11 on a Sunday? I'd call that a win.) The booths are a little bit cozy, but nothing unbearable. The staff is SUPER friendly, and offered coffee up right away (my glazed Sunday morning eyes must've tipped them off.) I ordered the crab cake benedict and shared a side of the cinnamon-glazed bacon. OH.MAH.GAH. Best.benedict.ever. No skimping on hollandaise. Perfectly poached eggs (VERY IMPORTANT.) Crab cake was meaty with very little (if any) filler. English muffin? No. Try a griddled slice of HOME MADE coarse-meal cornbread. I died and went to benedict heaven. The only thing that would've made it better is for the $8.75 price tag is if breakfast potatoes were included. Luckily, one of my dining partners had some extra on his plate to spare. You bet your A I used those to soak up extra egg yolk and hollandaise. Cinnamon-glazed bacon, I did not forget about you. Why I decided to share is pretty much beyond me, and was pretty tragic. Next time, no sharing. The swine will be ALL MINE. Check out The Lucky Platter if you're in the E-Town area, and even if you're not! You can thank me later.
(5)Rebecca B.
Pros: -Solid diner food. My Texan husband enjoyed his pulled pork sandwich and my crab cake benedict was definitely tasty. The crab cake component was surprisingly good and the benedict was yummy. -They have improved the ceilings from the tin foil decorations noted by some yelp customers Cons -The cook of their poached eggs was inconsistent from plate to plate. -service was very slow -$6.50 for an average-sizes mimosa with barely any booze on it. The food is good, but not the stuff of which legends are made. If I lived down the street I would probably come fairly frequently. Service is too slow, which would be fine if drinks weren't so expensive (so we could justify having more than one during the long wait for food).
(3)Beth B.
I've been here multiple times over the last 4 years while living in Evanston. It was always adequate for a quick breakfast. Recently, however, they remodeled under new ownership and I tried it twice. I will never go back. This morning I took my 11 year old son for a breakfast treat. His food (pancakes and overpriced bacon) was cold. Mine...an omelet, had a ROCK in it, that I crunched once. It was loud enough that my son handed me his napkin to spit into without me saying a word. I notified the waitress, who asked me if I wanted another omelet (NO!) and immediately handed me the check. I said, "thank you, we will not be back" and she walked away without saying another word. Any restaurant can make up for a bad food experience with good service, but Lucky Platter is a failure in both areas.
(1)Tina L.
BACONNNNNN. I forgot what else I ordered here, but I do remember the bacon! Thick cut bacon is the bomb dot com forreals. You probably already know by now -- I have an intense and passionate love for all things brunch. I tend to go for the savory, so that is exactly what I did here. I ordered the Huevos Rancheros with Homemade chorizo. Wait, what? Homemade chorizo? I love you, chorizo. Even moreso when you're homemade. It's a little pricey ($10 for one breakfast dish is quite hefty), but I am never able to finish an entire entree anyway...so it's more like $5 now for the first half, and then $5 later for the second half that I will most likely take home for a snack or meal the next day (which did happen).
(4)Sarah B.
Sunday brunch here was great! I had a make your own scramble that comes with a side of breakfast potatoes and raisin toast. It was the perfect size and everything tasted delicious. My only complaint would be that the toast was somewhat dry, but overall the experience was lovely.
(4)Ross W.
The food was great but service was slow. They were very accommodating with our 3 young kids. The fried green tomato benedict and lucky hash were both stellar. Kids liked whole wheat pancakes but $6 for two pancakes was a lot :-/
(4)Twin M.
The food is mediocre and the service was ok. I have been there a few times and every time I have tried something different just to see if I was wrong about my previous experience. And unfortunately, it's always the same. I live so close to this place so I like the convenience, but I have to say that I have not been impressed the few times that I've been there. The first couple of times, I got a burger the sweet potato fries as a side. The burger was ok but the sweet potato fries were soggy and not at all what I expected fries to taste like. On another occasion, I tried one of their sandwiches and once again it was not all that good...it was lacking in flavor.
(2)Naomi M.
I've been here three times and nothing wowed me. I had the classic burger on my first visit which took quite a while to come out. Maybe they were short in the kitchen but I felt like I'd been sitting there for almost an hour. The 2nd time I had the Gouda Burger, which if I ever go back, I'll probably have again. The cucumbers on the burger are good and gives the meat nice flavor. The last time I had the mac and cheese side with the stremed broccoli. Now I was not expecting to recieve one big head of broccoli on a plate. This was akward and probably the reason why I haven't been back. Just get a burger and sweet potato fries and you'll be ok.
(2)J C.
If you love diner food and feel like taking it up a notch, then The Lucky Platter is for you. The food is unremarkable, average at best. Big portions, the service was reasonable but I've been twice and won't be returning.This place has way too much hype.
(2)Jenny O.
My oh my! What a difference! The remodeling, the service, the hospitality, the food! I could go on and on! I'm sold on this place and it took no convincing. Thanks to new ownership they were able to turn this place around! Please if you haven't been or were disappointed in the past, check it out! You won't be disappointed!
(5)Mary T.
Just went for lunch today - recently remodeled and it has a new bar and bright, whimsical decor. Food is fabulous and always has been. Love the Yankee Pot Roast and chop salad with jicama including the toasted sesame dressing. The service has improved in the past few months as well and was wonderful.
(5)Steve A.
Wow, this place was a double surprise. From the name I thought it would be Chinese, and from the decor I thought it was a greasy spoon. And in fact there is plenty of diner food on offer here, but there are also some amazing dishes. I opted for the portobello sandwich, which was fabulous. The bun was perfectly grilled, the mushroom had a delightful texture, and the crispy thin onion rings added just the right amount of crunch. The sauce gave it a nice kick, and lettuce and cucumbers added a refreshing layer of cool. Wow, after writing that I'm ready to eat another one. My sandwich came with a choice of fries, and I selected the gingered fruit. Double wow! The cantaloupe, strawberries, plums and pineapple had been coated with a ginger sauce, and then perked up with cilantro and green onion bits. Creative and delicious. I'm definitely headed back here to check out breakfast.
(5)Sean O.
My favorite place in Evanston to have brunch. The portions for the omelets and the scrambles are just the right amount. The crab cake eggs benedict was delicious, but could use some more crab to make it phenomenal. They also make great burgers and BBQ chicken sandwiches.
(5)Susan D.
I've been going to this place for over a decade and took an out of town guest for breakfast. Nice new look, but the service yesterday was awful. It took 20 minutes for our chai to arrive and 30 for our scrambles. Are you kidding me?? What was worse was the blase attitude of the hostess when I told her--politely--on leaving, that the service wasn't good. The waitress, whom I honestly felt was overworked, also seemed annoyed that WE were annoyed at having to wait so long, which is not the right attitude. We left a decent tip anyway, but I really will think twice before taking guests there again, or about going there myself.
(2)Jessica P.
Upon arrival..we were seated immediately or i guess I would say we seated ourselves immediately because the host just asked us where we wanted to sit and we just walked there and sat down... yea the hostess didn't seem too friendly or maybe she was annoyed that there were already 2 kids crying in the restaurant and we came with a baby in a stroller (but he was not a crying baby...).. California Burger ($8.75): comes with your choice of a side, i went with sweet potato fries (yum)..the overall burger was huge and delicious..generous with the spinach & avocado and the meat was cooked perfectly as requested (medium rare).. Sweet potato fries: they are skinny like shoe string fries...but tasty.. :) Food portions: burger = big... enough for leftovers.. or for a content stomach Customer Service: the hostess wasn't too friendly, but our waiter was friendly so that's what matters right?. I would come here again if I was in the area for the burgers..
(4)Adam J.
Food was average at best. Eggs were undercooked for my Cajun Scramble, tortillas were not prepared appropriately for the Huevos Rancheros. Chorizo tasted more like ground beef. No jelly for toast. Food came out very quick, under 10 minutes. Service was very casual. No offer on beverage refills throughout the meal. Check was dropped before the table was bussed. Place was very busy however, they must be doing something right to keep the seats filled. Maybe it was just a one off experience, would probably give it a shot at redemption in the future.
(2)Mick B.
Had a great breakfast here while visiting Evanston this past weekend. Highlights for us were the "Make your own" scramble, the very fresh bread for toast, and of course the legendary apricot cheese flakey (you really have to try it to understand). Service was tip-top and we even lucked out and got a window table to be able to watch the characters on Main street going by. I feel that this is certainly one of the more enjoyable breakfast restaurants in Northern Illinois. Almost everything on the menu has a little twist to it, and sadly some people just can't handle this uniqueness (at least not for breakfast anyway). On the Lucky Platter website they describe their menu as "funkalicious post-Hippy eclectic world cuisine" and that sums it up about right. The only negative that I can think of is that parking can be somewhat of a challenge in and around this area on the weekends. If you are prepared to walk a block or two it's all good.
(4)Mahshid G.
This place is awesome! I frecuently come here and I have been fully satisfied with the food and service. Really great atmosphere as well.
(5)Nicola P.
Excellent Place! My friend and I went for lunch today and the food was So Flavorful! I have never been here before and I'm so glad we were here! We shared the mushroom quesadilla and each had a salad- mine was the chicken tandoori, and then she had the Gouda burger and I had the Portobello Mushroom sandwich. Each item was colorful and each bite was Amazing! I took some food home and I know I'll be eating with a smile tonight-- the service was Great as Well! I will Definitely Be Back!!!
(5)Chris P.
Evanston's hottest brunch place is Lucky Platter!! This place has everything: Apricot Cheese flakey, crab cakes Benedict, build your own scramble, cinnamon crusted bacon. And EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. This place is a must. But only you can finish your own destiny. Go, try, live.
(4)Cubs F.
My husband and I used to go to lucky platter 3-5 times a week. However, this past year, everything about it has gone downhill very fast. We decided to give it one last try, and we will never go back after a very disgusting meal. He got: turkey meatball linguine. He mentioned that he seemed to have lost the taste for turkey. I tried it and it was mushy inside and undercooked. I ordered a California burger- well done. I cut into it to discover it was very pink inside so I sent it back. After receiving it back (same burger), another cut revealed still very pink! I told the manager who took it away and apologized. I received it a 3rd time and it was STILL pink! And oddly, there was only about a 4th of the burger left on a very mushy bun. Keep in mind I had only cut it open to see if it was well done! We laughed about that! But it was honestly so disgusting to even look at and nowhere near done. Other times we have gone this year, we have received meals with missing ingredients and undercooked food. So this was certainly one of many unfortunate times. Not sure what's up with the news owners, but I wish you all better luck!
(1)Ba R.
I've gone here since the early '90s. I've never had any problem with the place, but suddenly, with the new owner, it's even better. The decor is refreshed, without changing the vibe. The food is better (try the Thai braised kale side dish). Apparently they've had booze here for a while, but now they're doing it right: Margaritas not-from-mix, signature cocktails, Temperance beer. If you haven't been go. If you haven't been in a while, go back. I will. And if, like my wife, you love their beef stroganoff, I have it on good authority that it will be returning as the weather turns cold.
(5)Anya A.
Went here for lunch and enjoyed my portabella mushroom burger with sweet potato fries. The atmosphere was nice and felt homey. The decor is a little weird.
(4)Caitlin B.
On the upside, this place is extremely close to my condo, and there's nowhere else to get brunch within easy walking distance. It's usually pretty full, but I've never had to wait more than 5-10 minutes for a table, and there's always room inside to wait, unlike other brunch places in Evanston. The food is okay- the menu isn't super extensive, and if you don't like eggs, you're pretty limited in what you can order. HOWEVER- all you need is an apricot cheese flakey (or two- let's not kid ourselves- of course you can eat two), and your day is made. Now, the downside: this place is extremely dirty. Dirty as in- if my house looked like this, I'd be too embarrassed to invited anyone over. The floor, in particular, looks like it's never been cleaned, and we've been given silverware so dirty we've needed replacements on more than one occasion. Don't even think about using the bathroom here. Just eat your cheese flakey quickly and try not to look around.
(2)Shannon M.
Lucky Platter looks like the creative little sister of your standard Big Boy or the like. Just a basic room full of booths, but the decor consists of paint-by-numbers, welded found object sculptures, and wads of tinfoil glued with maniacal precision to the drab acoustic ceiling tiles. Likewise, the menu takes the basic diner staples and does a big sidestep. Sure you've got iced tea, but there's also iced hibiscus tea (which is really good, though had some real pucker power). Bacon isn't just bacon but comes with a cinnamon glaze. (Hear that? It's me saying "omnomnomnomnom...") Fries are bumped up to sweet potato fries. Etc. Though we were there for lunch, we came in above the 2 pm cutoff so I could still order breakfast. Thus, I ordered the cinnamon glazed bacon (see "omnomnomnom" above), the roasted red potatoes (which were rather indifferent) and the Cheese Flakey (a pastry filled with soft sweetened cheese and apricot jam, served warm. Really delicious). My friend got the Texas burger and enjoyed it (though we wondered why one would put cucumbers on a burger...). Staff was chill and service was smooth. All in all, an enjoyable meal. Evanston's lucky to have this place; I'll remember it for future visits :)
(4)Javier Q.
OMG! I ate here today for Lunch as I was in the area taking a class......and it was hidden a bit, and was curious to see what it was about. With the name *Lucky Platter* i was expecting an Asian joint....u know like Poo Poo Platter but this one is **LUCKY*** =] So this place looks like a mom and pop place...it was cute. When I entered it was PACKED! I mean I was worried I wasn't going to be able to have time to eat here.... but magically, we got sat very quickly!! The waiter came very quickly, and i picked the Mexican Omelet.... and I mean, I love Omelets so I expect them to be the same everywhere else.... but MAN OH MAN!!! This omelet was INSANELY GOOD!!!!!!!! The chorizo with the black beans and cheese with AVOCADO for a filling was orgasmic!!! My classmate had the Florentine Benedict, and I tried a bite for curiosity...and OMG ALSO AMAZING!!!!!!!!! it was different! Poached egg, with spinach, ham, and instead of toasted bread, it was TOASTED CORN BREAD!!! SOOO FREAKING DELICIOUS!!! I definitely recommend this place... its super far from where i live but if i am ever in the area, I know where I will go EAT!!
(5)Jessie S.
Quirky, fun atmosphere with delicious homestyle fare. Get the apricot cheese flakey! It'll keep you coming back
(5)AJ M.
Came by for pick up for lunch. Menu looked most like a reg brunch diner. One thing that stood out was a tandoori chicken sandwich with apricot curry sauce. The sandwich was a little wet n messy but not bad. The side I chose was Mac n cheese which tasted like Kraft you can make at home. They included corn bread which was a nice surprise at first but didn't live up to the excitement. This place was pretty busy despite the mediocre food. I feel sitting in for breakfast/brunch would be a while other experience. As for now there's alot better options in the location, pass...
(3)Bruce M.
This has been one of my favorite places for a long time. It just changed hands as of mid-July 2014, but the recipies are the same. The decor is slightly less funky: gone are the little balls of aluminum foil on the ceiling, and the pictures of '70's NBA stars. The staff are friendly and attentive. I usually go for lunch or dinner, though the breakfasts are wonderful. Lately, I usually split a portabella mushroom sandwich with a friend....wonderful, especially with the grilled onions on top. The caribbean pumpkin soup is great (slightly sweet, slightly sour). The house salad is a sort of a waldorf salad with greens, nuts, raisins and pieces of apple. It's delicious. The orange vinagrette dressing is something I'd love to be able to buy for my own salads. IMHO their key lime pie the best around!!! Even if you have other favorite desserts, do yourself a favor and try the key lime pie. I once ate my way around Key West looking for better. I found some that came pretty close, but none that beat the Lucky Platter's. It's got a graham crust, a sweet-but-not-too-sweet pie, covered by an amazing crème anglaise sauce, and topped with a strawberry. And the prices are reasonable, too.
(5)Larisa O.
Evanston restaurants are pricey. Lucky Platter is not. For $8.00 entrees in Evanston, you aren't allowed to complain.
(5)Andrew L.
Loved it. My first time there. My wife and I had a Saturday a.m. breakfast and the food was excellent as was the service. Interesting and odd combinations, but they work. Music, yes, but not too awfully loud. Prices a little bit on the high side, but not terribly. Street parking unfortunately. Funky yes, but in a good way. One less star for no wi-fi.
(4)Christine K.
Had the chicken tandoori salad, and taste-wise, it was great. The avocado chunks, apricot chutney, and tandoori chicken were the perfect combination, bringing life to the greens with the spice, rich creaminess, and sweetness. The problem I had was with the freshness of the vegetables. The cherry tomatoes and romaine lettuce were subpar and below par. The place itself wasn't what I would call the cleanest restaurant either. I definitely wouldn't mind coming, again, to try its mushroom quesadilla or tofu scramble, but I wish the ingredients used were fresher.
(3)Jason R.
3 words: Portobello Mushroom Sandwich.
(5)Jenny S.
A big shout out to the new management at Lucky Platter! It is great. Clean! Great menu classics and some new too. Excited to have a good place to go again. Glad I kept checking.
(5)Jamie F.
I went to the lucky platter on a Saturday with two girlfriends. We got there towards the later part of service while it was still pretty busy inside. We were seated immediately in a booth. While waiting about ten minutes for anyone to come check on us we started noticing the decor. There was a really awkward, borderline pornographic poster right in my line of vision and I couldn't stop staring at it. I'm not up tight by any means, but a pair of breasts first thing before I eat can be a little off setting. The overall atmosphere felt like any normal diner, busy. I wasn't expecting Michelin 3 star service but the waitress was less than professional. Nothing rude or anything like that. She just seemed distracted and like she had better places to be. I cook professionally, and I look like I belong in the back of house (pink hair, forearm tattoos) To other this can make me look like a vagrant or fringe society member. Often I get treated as such based on how I look. Here it was the same. Three twenty something girls, let's just serve them and get them out ASAP, they're taking up real estate. Anyways, the food... Yikes. I got the huevos rancheros with chorizo. The best part of the dish: the avocado and properly cooked eggs. That's it. It was about two cups of chopped tomatoes piled on too of fake chorizo with old and undercooked black beans. The corn tortillas were ok. The eggs were hidden under all of this. Visually and logistically a nightmare. The bad- what they were trying to pass off as chorizo is actually ground beef with what tasted like taco seasoning you get out of a bag. Such a bummer because real chorizo can change your life. The Bloody Mary was also subpar. The celery was an entire stalk which they hadn't even managed to run under water as it was pretty dirty. I didn't say anything, a little dirt never hurt. I was pretty upset about the fact there was less than a shot of vodka in it. Overall, this place was dingy, the service is rushed, and the food is not worth making the trip out. I don't plan on returning here. Ever.
(2)Amanda C.
Moved to Evanston and Lucky Platter is our local favorite. Tuna sandwich is delicious and you can't go wrong with their egg scramble. Definitely a place we will eat at often.
(4)d u.
Unassuming diner food, hits the spot. Nice relaxed atmosphere and attentive friendly service.
(5)Brian C.
Great local place. They are patient with kids and food is good. It has a little bit of everything.
(4)Tom D.
Based on my dozens of visits over 20 years: Probability of getting good food: 85%. Probability of good server: 50%. Probability of speedy/attentive service: 35%. Probability of an error in your order: 20%. . When I visited on 11/11/2014. my order took 30 minutes to arrive despite few customers, was wrong twice (completely wrong item), the eggs were so undercooked that the whites were runny and translucent, and I finally gave up on trying to get them to do it right. The server offered a 40% discount on the twice incorrect/undercooked item (it should have been 100% of course), and as we were leaving another server was apologizing to another table for all the errors in their orders. I overheard him saying "the owner is not here today and everything is a mess".
(2)Lexie V.
I love this place. I have come here for YEARS-- used to be a regular back when i lived in Evanston and da Rog. Yes, the service is spotty. Expect it, move on. I love the decor here-- it's kitschy, offbeat, colorful, bold and fun. Sames goes for the menu. I love the food: from the creamy mac and cheese with tomatoes (yum) to the house-made cream soda (seriously wicked treat) to their house salad with sesame dressing (my must-have) to the Caribbean pumpkin bisque (oh my!) to their breakfast scrambles and apricot cheese flakeys. I love you, Lucky Platter, and i miss you dearly and will always visit you when I come home, mmk? Keep making the good stuffs that make my belly smile!
(5)Tison H.
The place is ok. My boyfriend and I checked this place out and it was average. The coffee tasted burnt, along with my bacon that was burnt to a crisp. The mexican omelet was great minus the breakfast potatoes which were also burnt. I had the multi-grain pancakes with berries and it was awesome. Small plates and over priced, also the booths very uncomfortable, maybe next time Lucky Platter.
(3)Jackie G.
Great restaurant. The renovations really improved the place and i love the new ginger lime dressing-- lots of great recent changes. The staff is also really friendly and never fail to make it a fun and relaxed time.
(5)Meredith C.
Very cool place. Eclectic art and very interesting decorations. I had the egg white scramble. It was light, fresh, and delicious.Whole wheat toast was hearty and unique. Potatoes were very well cooked. Friend had the Mexican omlet, which he loved. If you're one to indulge.... they offer a side called the flaky which is a sort of crepe danish wonderfullness. Staff was polite. Place was clean. Very cool!
(4)Meredith B.
A decent breakfast place with a sizeable touch of the quirk. Waiter was friendly, goofy, and attentive - but on a Tuesday morning my colleague and I were the only people in the joint! I got the montana hash with wheat toast and sunny side up eggs. Toast was thick cut. Eggs cooked well but very buttery - I actually tilted them up at an angle to get the butter to slide off! Potato and veg hash was pretty good - potatoes had a nice texture, the other veggies tastes more steamed than roasted. Loads of cheese on the hash, some of it melty and gooey, some crumbly and tangy. Sort of an odd combination but definitely satisfied my craving for a savory breakfast. 8 bucks for the meal. Don't know why every body is getting so worked up over it being pricey - it's really not. Portion was more than I could eat, so I was satisfied.
(3)S S.
I haven't been to Lucky Platter in awhile because it had gotten so filthy. I remembered that there were new owners,which is a good thing because the previous owner was quite unpleasant. We were having our car serviced nearby and decided to walk over and give it another chance. To my surprise,the place was much cleaner. New tables,a paint job,and a new ceiling really helped. For those of you who are nostalgic for the tin foil ball ceiling ,there is a framed ceiling tile in the entrance. The food seemed the same....above average diner food. We will be back for breakfast. Now.......if they would only clean and update the bathrooms.........
(3)Chaya H.
We decided to try the Lucky Platter. We ordered the large house salad, pumpkin soup, Tandoori Salmon salad, the quesadillas, and the key lime pie, First - the house salad that was supposed to have feta, raisons, and walnuts, had no feta, only a pinch of walnuts, and maybe 10 raisons in the whole thing. Total rip-off. Also, it had apples, but they used green cooking apples on the sour side rather than sweet apples, so it was ridiculous. Then, they laid the chicken I ordered as an extra on top of the salad in a mat so that the whole salad was warm and wilted. Someone has no idea at all how to make a salad. The pumpkin soup had about a tenth as much pumpkin in it as I'm used to - and just wasn't really pumpkin soup. The Tandoori salmon was overcooked and the sauce was very blah - salad was warm and tasteless much like the other salad. Quesadillas were that typical gummy mess you get in crap restaurants, but the flavor wasn't awful or anything, if you ignored the texture. The key lime pie was awful - not made correctly at all, no key lime flavor, not dense enough, and generally totally mediocre. Very forgettable food.
(2)Dallas D.
I used to really like this place... Good food, fun atmosphere... In fact, so much that I was looking for a part-time job, I applied. I was "trained" (read = jumped straight into waitressing, bussing tables, prepping food, ringing sales) for eight straight hours, then had to forfeit ALL the tips. When I very politely inquired to the manager about the tips, and the lack of a break (legally required after five hours during a shift 7.5 hrs or longer), I was told that I wouldn't be a good fit. If you like the food here, great... The waitstaff and kitchen staff were polite and helpful, don't get me wrong. But please know that if you eat here, you are supporting owners and management who violate our labor laws and are taking advantage of their staff.
(1)D A.
I've gotta say, they are growing on me. They recently finished a needed remodeling. The food and service is better than I had experienced in the past. I mostly go there for late breakfast on the weekends. It's good hangover food.
(4)Asparagus S.
Good burgers, fair prices, nice staff. Cornbread comes with every meal, which is also good. Pumpkin soup is pretty good too. Wish they offered regular fries with the burgers, but all they offer is sweet potato fries or your choice of another side. Not a fan of the sweet potato fries, but the other sides are fine subtitutes for regular french fries.
(4)Max G.
The food here is absolutely delicious. They make some of the best crab cakes I've ever had. The staff is good enough. They're not the friendliest folks, but they're usually pretty busy so it's understandable. The decor is nice, but everything is coated in a thick layer of dust and grime, including the plates, glasses, and silverware. So gross!
(4)Jennifer L.
This place had me at its metallic menagerie of a marquee mounted above the entrance. My interest was officially piqued. Upon actually entering, however, I have to say the exterior is a bit misleading. The interior has an almost country bumpkin, diner feel to it. The whole establishment is an eclectic infusion of industrial, folky hippie-dippy-ness... that's about the best way I can put it. I still find myself wondering what the heck is on their ceiling tiles! It's certainly unique, I'll give them props for that. I've been here on two separate occasions: on my first go around, I was here for the late lunch/dinner hour and the second time was during breakfast. The only reason I give it 3 instead of 4 stars is the quality of the food seemed to vary based on the time of day. The lunch/dinner hour was also rather slow when we dined here (around 5pm) so we had the benefit of getting special attention from our server. He was super attentive, helpful, made great recommendations and even gave us an extra side dish on the house. Great personal touch that made our dining experience memorable. I think he may have been one of the owners, judging by the way he took care of us. I ordered the tandoori chicken sandwich and it was purely delectable, with its ingenious combination of feta cheese and their flavorful tomato and apricot chutney. Breakfast, on the other hand, was a little bit of a letdown. Granted, it was MUCH busier, they were bursting at the seams trying to seat guests as quickly as they could. I'm not sure if they were trying to sling the food as fast as possible, but there was definitely a noticeable difference. I don't want to use the word "bland", but it's the first word that comes to mind, unfortunately. I had the Classic Eggs Benedict, which was just okay. Which is too bad, because our server from our first visit here RAVED about the breakfast menu. Their coffee was also less than fresh. Maybe their pancakes or french toast would have been a better pick. All in all, I won't write the place off. It's got its own appeal and I could see it as having its regulars and loyal customers, especially those of whom live in the immediate area. Side Note: Their sweet potato fries are amazingly addictive, and the homemade cornbread they serve instead of warm rolls/bread was a nice touch, somethin' different -- but when I noticed they even incorporated it into the Eggs Benedict, I think maybe they'd gone a touch overboard.
(3)Cami R.
Great salads and sandwiches! The steak salad and avocado salads are the best!The chicken pot pie is to die for!! Obviously not the place for pizza and scrumptious cheeseburgers... Pretty good kie lime pie but just regular chocolate cake
(4)Laura S.
This is probably my favorite restaurant in Evanston. So freakin' delicious, such great customer service, and always fantastic for brunch. I come here as much as I can...the brown sugar glazed bacon, apricot flakies, and omelets are my favorite. I've also had delicious soup, fish, and fried chicken here. Everything about this place is great - the wait staff are efficient, friendly, and don't rush you out of the restaurant when you're done eating. Prices are reasonable and the coffee is yummy.
(5)Tanya K.
Had wonderful Eggs Benedict with crab cakes. Friends were happy with their breakfast offerings and service was wonderful, even as the reunion caused us to occupy the booth for almost 2 hours.
(5)Liz A.
There is almost always a line, but it is well-worth the wait. The owners and servers are a little quirky, and the decor includes some arts and crafts chandeliers giving the restaurant a definite hipster vibe. That being said, the food is outstanding-- these hipsters can cook! Definitely try the cheese flakey and cinnamon glazed bacon. Everything else is fair game, as well. Their lunch and dinner menus are great, but I would definitely make my first visit a breakfast or brunch.
(5)Ari A.
Look up, at the ceiling, there are balls.... of Tin Foil. To protect us, against the Aliens... or add some quirk to this American Cafe/Diner/Restaurant. You'll also find way TOO many paintings of WAY too ugly people and their portraits, but they are interesting to stare at. Apparently this place is well known for their bread, but i failed to get anything exciting with my omelet, and went for the toast. The raisin scone was pretty good and the pancakes were delicioso! We ended up sitting at a table in waiter's "no man land" and thus it took a while for our clumsy waiter to take our order. Great company, good food, interesting ambiance... makes for an all around good morning. Plus, if you let me walk away with a handful of Jolly Ranchers, you've got a happy lady on your hands
(3)David F.
Slipped. Used to be a favorite breakfast spot. Service very spotty. Eggs undercooked. Bacon too crispy. Wait forever for second cup if coffee. One piece of toast. No butter or jelly. Not living up to old standards. New owners or bad day????
(2)Andy S.
My girlfriend and I absolutely love this place. Very eclectic is the way I like to describe it. Such a variety of food that we keep trying new things and we always enjoy. Good food for every meal - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I love the use of homemade cornbread instead of regular bread before the entrees. Favorites include: BBQ Chicken Salad, BBQ Pork Tenderloin Dinner (un-freaking-believable), Roast Beef Sandwich, and the Philly Steak Sandwich.
(5)M P.
If you are in the mood for breakfast with old potatoes and sub par scrambled eggs this is the place. Unfortunately there is not much competition for breakfast in the area so the place gets busy as people want to dine on a weekend mornings.
(1)Melanie B.
I love this place! I haven't had a bad meal! The polenta open-faced sandwich was delicious! I also enjoy the salmon and any of their Tandoori dishes. Breakfast here is a must!!!! The cinnamon glazed bacon and apricot flakey are delicious (though a bit heavy for having frequently).
(5)Ahzea M.
I hadn't been here in a long time and I thought I would delete my initial review. I Was really looking forward to a few items on the menu and went with an open mind. I Thought it would be my new favorite spot!. Actually, it is still a disaster. Just like all the other reviews claim. I thought the California burger was vegetarian based on the vegetable ingredients highlighted! I didn't know that! Imagine what a nightmare it would have been for me to sink my herbivore teeth into that?!??? Why would you call it a California burger? What restaurant in 2014 doesn't have a veggie burger? I ordered the portobello sandwich. It was ok for the first few bites. Then...just a salty object to eat. The waitress was a great actress! She Acted so friendly when I arrived. Then never once checked on me during the meal. Came back to give me the check in exchange for my hard earned cash. This place especially SUCKS, because it is NOT vegan friendly.
(2)Patrick R.
I've been here twice ...and I can not figure out what the attraction is for this restaurant. Food is just OK. The place is kinda dirty. Food a bit pricey. The decor must fool people into thinking they're in a really "cool" place.
(2)Cassie S.
I guess the best way to describe my experience here was completely underwhelming. Given the great reviews (by people I know and trust) and the write-ups I've read elsewhere, I expected to really enjoy my meal. Instead, I found a menu that was not terribly inspired (though the bf's chorizo burger did look really good, though burnt) and not particularly varied either. (Also, the decor - not nearly as "funky" as I expected based on the reviews. Maybe I just have a tendency towards strange places, setting my quirkiness bar pretty high, but this seemed more like any other non-chain restaurant) Maybe our mistake was in going for lunch (and too late of a lunch to want to eat breakfast even though we could have I think...). So I'd probably go back just to see what everyone else thought was so great but there are a lot of other restaurants on my "to try" list in the meantime.
(2)Q.P. G.
Holy cow, this place is dirty! We sat down at a dirty table. Got to use a dirty high-chair. When my coffee came, I took a sip and there was food stuck to the inside of it. The pitcher of cream also had food stuck to it. My wife's french toast tasted like hash-browns, so obviously they're not cleaning the cook top. On the positive side, my oatmeal was good. I don't think we'll be back. This place will skeez out anyone who enjoys a clean dining experience.
(2)Tasha P.
I loved the food. The hash browns were ridiculously awesome. Vegetarians also have plenty of options. It's actually a favorite spot for many vegetarians I know. I'm not here much, but I eagerly await my next visit.
(4)Amanda O.
You CAN take the flakey home with you!! Or four, like I did :)
(5)Jillian W.
So unexpected! We happened upon this cute little spot. They have great food and a quirky but fun atmosphere. Our server was friendly and helpful. I would definitely recommend.
(5)Andrew S.
A hidden gem! Their breakfast is sumptuous (get the apple cider syrup). The apple blitzes are unique and great. Their dinner menu is phenomenal. I especially like the tandoori chicken sandwich and the carribean pumpkin soup. For side dishes ive never had gingered fruit anywhere else but cant get enough of it, and oh yea, fresh cornbread with every order... Be warned that the place is mad eclectic and really awkward to dine at although byob is only $1.25, take out is fast and the best option. The only complaints i have with it are that the staff can be stiff, and they have occasionally not given me a side dish ive asked for.
(5)Rock Star R.
:( What happened to you? You used to be clean, creative, affordable, and just truly lovely. Now, you're dirty, food is nasty, service is ridiculous and the owner/manager seems to have a rather large chip on his shoulder. Total bummer.
(1)Christine B.
#1 omelet was amazing. The Benedict was good too but would've been nice to have a small side. The corn bread available on request is a nice add. Can't go wrong with the avocado salad (add goat cheese) and the tuna melts either. Unique foods and combos. Solid place. One recommendation for the restaurant: make a bfast combo. E.g. Eggs and bacon, potatoes and toast. Also, there is one waitress there that needs to be retrained..she has served me probably 4 times now.. And she is really forgetful..rarely checks up on you.. And she can't wait to get away from the table. Once she was in such a hurry that she left while my friend was mid-ordering. The other waitstaff seem fine.
(4)Lauren M.
I would classify this place as an upscale diner. Diner food - elevated. The benedict choices are varied and they offer some interesting twists, such as griddled cornbread, rather than English muffin, as the base for the benedicts. We tried the bacon side since Yelpers raved over it, but it wasn't the kind I like, not crispy, more chewy in texture and lukewarm. Everyone's' food looked eye-appealing and if hearty food, big portions and a family-friendly vibe are your thing, this is a great option. Service was friendly and fast.
(3)Adi S.
Enjoyed brunch here with a friend on a Sunday. I have had brunch at a handful of places in Evanston, and overall I thought this was a fairly good spot and I would definitely come back. I had the swedish pancakes, which were quite good, but what especially stood out was the apple cider syrup...with which it was my first ever encounter. Also I got the cheesy flakey at my friend's insistence and I have to say it was my favorite part of the meal.
(4)Kristy F.
Atmosphere: Pretty large venue, original decorating but somewhat uninviting- 2 stars Service: Ok. Not as attentive as I'd hope considering the place was empty. 2 stars Food: Carribean Pumpkin Soup- 3 stars Small Tandoori Chicken Salad- 4 stars Side of Breaksticks- 3 stars Conclusion: The food was fresh and tasty but something about the atmosphere felt uninviting. Prices were decent but I'd only go back if a friend wanted too. 2 stizzars!
(2)Caleb L.
Food is ok, service terrible and almost rude. I was here with a five year old and was basically ignored Slow slow slow service Pizza had so much parmesan cheese it was inedible
(2)Allison E.
I rarely come to Evanston, but this is a lovely little spot, and totally worth the trip. I had the most delicious salmon when I was here. It was tandooried and came with a side of sweet potatoes and this marvelous apricot/tomato chutney stuff. It was really perfectly cooked and delightfully simple. Everything else that came to the table could be described the same way. The mushroom quesadillas were wonderful and the fruit had a really nice dressing. There was something about each plate that made it taste interesting without overdoing it. Just exactly what I love about good food. OH! and hot ciders that were perfect too. The decor is eclectic, off-beat, artsy. I saw some lamps and stuff that I would have loved to put in my own house. Playlist was indie, oldy, and worldly. Service was casual and attentive. Keep up the nice work Lucky Platter.
(5)Katrina L.
Meh. Really close to me so it's easy to go here on my way home. The servers are really nice so that's a plus. The food, I'm not so sure. I've had their tuna melt and I thought that it was a little fishy - also wasn't flavorful enough for me. It seemed like it was just tuna and mayo. I ordered it with sweet potato fries and it was just ok. I think that maybe it wasn't as good because I ordered it to go, so they weren't crispy. I also ordered the tandoori chicken. Again, didn't leave a really good impression on me. I guess I'd go back if I have no other options and don't want to cook for the night.
(3)Annie Y.
This is a fun little diner in Evanston that my friend took me to when I asked her to show me her favourite food places around Northwestern. When I first walked in and saw the mismatching decor, I didn't expect much, but I was pleasantly surprised by the awesome food and great service. They start you off with free cornbread, which I basically hoovered. By the time I'd gone through two baskets, I was almost too full for food. We ended up splitting a Tandoori chicken sandwich and a BBQ chicken sandwich. They were more like burgers than sandwiches. Both of them were fantastic. I'd say the Tandoori chicken had a slight edge, because I loved the apricot preserve they put in it. I wasn't a fan of the mac & cheese -- it was too sweet and had red peppers in it, which I thought was an odd choice. The mashed potatoes were great, though. Our server was really friendly and didn't mind at all when I kept asking for more cornbread. Overall, great experience, and fairly priced. Would go back again next time I'm in the area.
(4)Matt R.
Well, isn't this probably the weirdest place I've been to in a bit. The food is pretty good here, good variety and comes fairly fast from the kitchen. The menu itself is definitely a bit small on choices. Meanwhile, the place has crazy things from floor to ceiling. I do mean *ceiling*. All sorts of artwork and old collectibles are placed in and outside of the restaurant. Waitstaff were polite. I had the patty melt and my girl had the portabella sandwich along with sweet potato fries. We finished off with a bananas foster which was good. Basically, we carb loaded to high heaven, had a greatly unhealthy but good meal, and carb-crashed about 3 hours later, but it was well worth it.
(4)Liz S.
One of the best brunch places, with pretty, interesting kitschy decor (eg, all the light fixtures are made of old colanders). I LOVE the omlettes here. With an omlette comes sides of potatoes and toast. You can sub the potatoes for ginger fruit but I usually ask to sub ginger fruit for the toast, since I'm allergic to wheat, and most of the time the waiters act like I'm asking them to stand on their heads. wtf. But this fruit is SO good. I don't taste any ginger, but it's got purple onions and parsley which probably sounds unappetizing, but it's delicious. They have combinations that aren't your average ingredients, like putting pesto in an omelette (something I think is long overdue;) I LOVE pesto). My favorite breakfast items are Omelette No. 1 (avocado, artichokes, goat cheese, roasted tomato sauce), and the Tuscan Omelette, and the spiced chai is delicious as far as beverages. You can make your own scramble, and they have 28 different ingredients to choose from! wow. Now that I'm vegan, I can't wait to go back and try their tofu scramble (but it has feta in it...what?! why would you cut out eggs but still have cheese...hmm)
(5)Colleen C.
So, I'm all sorts of in breakfast lust with this place... After many diverted attempts to eat here, I finally made it! And yes, I am yelping live. That's how I roll, omelette-filled, caffeine-driven and keyboard out. I'm for real. The exact blend of quirk and cute that I desire in a breakfast place. Funky decor, unique vibe, random sculptures and art, tucked away location. Steps from the Main Street Purple Line stop...easy metered parking, all sweet and sensible in Evanston. My No. 1 omelette was nothing short of perfection. Goat cheese, avocado, artichoke hearts. mmmmm, coupled with an apricot cheese flakey (who needs whole wheat toast? NOT I)...simply an amazing Thursday morning kickoff. So here, I sit...all content like in my breakfast endorphin rush, and the world is righted by eggs once again. And coffee, and this HUGE fish ornament fashioned out of coffe cans and old vintage paintings, and well-decorated tables that do not match....and...and... And I just like it. Norah Jones adds to the euphoria, I might add...
(4)Wendy C.
Convenient place to have brunch. I like the interior design because it's cute and original. I ordered the Cinnamon Raisin French Toast today and it tasted good! I love the raisin all over my toast! One of my friend who did not really like Cinnamon said the smell was too strong, but I felt it okay. I had a relax time over there.
(4)mike f.
I can't help but notice how the portions keep getting smaller and smaller and smaller. The Jambalaya is NOT $13.50 worth of food,neither is the Turkey Meatballs and Linguini. They used to give you a decent amount of food when ordering them but no more. Another example is the Fried Chicken special. They used to give you mashed potatoes and cole slaw with your dinner but NO MORE! I was NOT given $12.50 worth of food tonight. $12.50 for four pieces of CHICKEN???? Sorry,Lucky Platter! You just lost a long time patron. Can you say "RIPOFF"?
(2)Marina K.
How did this place get so filthy? I can appreciate kitsch and quirky decor, but when all that stuff just accumulates dirt and dust over the years, it's just unacceptable. I tried this place three times. I only went back because I really wanted to give it another shot after so many people kept insisting that it's really good. Well after the last time, there will be no convincing me to come back. First, the table and benches were dirty (on top of the decor, floors, and walls, which are always dirty). Then, I kept overhearing horrible, loud arguments coming from the kitchen (sounded like it was between management and staff). And the a huge bug ran across the wall near my table. At that point, I wanted to run, but felt bad and ate at little bit of my food, listening to the fight in the kitchen the whole time. The only reason this is a two star review, and not a one star is the food is not terrible. It's not very good, but it's edible and actually tastes pretty fresh, but that not reason enough to eat here.
(2)Caity F.
Mixed feelings. The first few times I ate here I was very happy with my meal and the service. Loved the breakfast, and either me or my boyfriend would order the Montana Hash with two eggs over easy. Also have had two or three of the omelette options. Consistent, delicious, and the apricot flakey is a nice touch. Reason for 3 stars instead of more: 1. inconsistent service. Sometimes get really friendly waiters, other times get stand-offish people with bad service. One time our plates came out at totally different times, I had both water AND coffee spilled on my pants - and no word of acknowledgment from the server. Odd. 2. Bad dinner experience. Soggy sweet potato fries and a soggy burger roll were not very appealing. This dinner experience came at one of those times the service was a little off, so that didn't help. A friend of mine ordered a salad and it was missing ingredients listed on the menu - just a little strange. I've heard good things about the lunch/dinner menu so maybe we ordered the wrong things but yikes, we were turned off. Mixed feelings! Hence the 3 star rating. Would be less if it weren't for all those tasty breakfast experiences.
(3)J K.
Fantastic, lesser-known, breakfast gem in Evanston. I like everything about this place, especially the food. Breakfast is unfailingly delicious and comes with a scone or apricot cheese "flakey". Regardless of what you order for breakfast, I highly recommend the flakeys - they are fantastic. I usually order the Cajun Scramble that's filled with lots of andouille sausage and broccoli with a tasty, spicy, sauce and a side of breakfast potatoes that are steamy and soft - much better than the dried out potatoes that one gets at many lesser breakfast spots. The decor is quirky and fun, consisting of animal sculptures made of scrap metal (like the fish made from an old mailbox) and the amateur paintings with odd facial proportions and expressions. Service has always been prompt, efficient, friendly, and attentive, even during the rare busy times. Because it's on Main Street and a bit removed from downtown Evanston, I've rarely had to wait for a table, even on weekends. One caveat I offer is that I've never eaten lunch or dinner here so my 5-star review applies only to breakfast.
(5)Kristina G.
We loved this place! One of the best in Evanston. Crabcakes the best I ever tried.!
(5)Bonnie S.
I've been eating at Lucky Platter since it opened about 18 years ago. Very casual atmosphere and delicious food. If you're careful, you can even eat healthfully there. For breakfast/brunch I often get the tofu scramble, substituting fresh fruit for the potatoes and bread/pastry. Salads are made with dark green veggies (they seem to know that iceberg lettuce has virtually no nutritional value). Several vegetarian dishes all throughout the day and their salmon dishes are wonderful. Veggies sides are also offered, some change with the season. The bar menu isn't extensive but love their margaritas and bloody marys. Some nice wines are also available. There's often a wait on weekend mornings, but one can usually get seated fairly quickly other times.
(5)Laura W.
Stopped by here on a weekday that I had off from work. Wanted to take advantage of eating breakfast in a less crowded environment than on the weekend. It was actually more crowded at 7:30am than I expected but we had no problem getting a table. I had the crab cake benedict and I learned that I don't really like hollandaise sauce but the actual crab cake and the cornbread it was served on were good. I also ordered a side of regular bacon because you need bacon for breakfast when dining out. My friend had the cajun scramble and really liked the remoulade sauce. The breakfast potatoes were also big and crunchy. What other reviewers said about the decor is true, the sort of hippy-diner vibe. Everything is laid back and casual which lead to a nice relaxing breakfast.
(3)Maria L.
My husband and I tried this place for breakfast while running errands in the area. While it's a little pricey, it's much better than other options in the South Evanston/North Chicago area.
(4)Laila C.
I have no idea why I never came here my 4 years at NU but I sure regret that. Super Cheap and super Yum! A meal for 2 adults and a child was under $30 with tax and tip. Ugh..where else could you possibly get that and still leave happy and full?! My steak and mushroom sandwich was awesome! A good deal of steak and a ton of mushrooms= happy Laila.
(4)D J.
Didn't think eggs and black beans could make a palatable pairing, but the Mexican omelette from Lucky Platter proved me deliciously wrong! The well turned out, well packed Sunday brunch to- go tasted even better by the lakefront, especially with the side of potatoes and carrots too! I substituted the healthy (aka boring) wheat toast for the apricot cheesy flake and loved the sweet close to my great brunch. A 10 minute wait for the food was easily spent browsing the bustling downtown streatch. One of the better 10 buck brunches I've had -- Lucky Platter (and Evanston) gets a thumbs up.
(3)John C.
This place is delicious. A bit on the pricey side, but worth it for a good breakfast. I had crepes filled with berries, along with an egg over hard and some OJ. Coffee is high quality as well. I would definitely return in the future.
(5)Benjmin F.
This is not an everyday or an every week spot for use - but when we crave it it never disappoints. The first 3 times we went we ordered the same dish - Tandoori Chicken Salad - because it is just that good! The last time I ordered the Gouda burger with a side of steamed broccoli. The burger was well seasoned, creatively constructed and perfectly moist. One of the only burgers I have eaten without the necessary addition of any condiments (although a dollop of Dijon would probably knock it out of the park!). On the downside, the staff is hit or miss. You may be taken aback your first time there that the waitstaff is so nonchalant. They rarely make eye contact and they don't seem incredibly pleased to be there. However, when your order is placed they become top-notch. They attentively top off half-enjoyed beverages, they check regularly but not intrusively. They attend to their diners without getting in the way. A great place to have a personal or business conversation without obstruction from an overly chatty server. It is just their style there. I know a few reviewers have commented on the decor. We love it. It is like having a home cooked meal (with flair) in the back of an antique store. Eclectic art and creative sculptures. Anything but ordinary. This deserves a separate line: make sure to try their homemade bloody Mary!
(4)Eszter H.
Lucky Platter is definitely a local institution! Sure, it's not perfect, but given the quality of the food and the prices plus the fun decor, it's a great place, an absolute must! In addition to eating here regularly, I also buy takeout often, especially during the winter months (the Beef Stroganoff from the Winter menu is very yummy). For breakfast, it's either the Huevos Rancheros or the Blintzes. Yum! For lunch or dinner, you have to try the Fried Green Tomatoes. Both their soups and salads are very good. The large potion of the latter is truly large, only get it as the entree. Also, their pick-your-toppings pizzas are excellent So what's not perfect? They're not so good about honoring requests such as getting water that's not cold. They may be slow to respond to other requests, too. But everything else makes up for these aspects of the service. Remember to look up when you're there, it'll make you smile.
(5)Taylor J.
Perfectly tasty burger - ordered the California burger - with avocado, feta and red pepper, but nothing really stood out. Sometimes that's all you need though, and in the case of the friend I went with, when you live in the apartment complex above the restaurant (as she does) sometimes proximity trumps all other considerations. Would consider coming back if only to check out the eclectic art from the other side of the dining room
(3)Nicky C.
I had heard about this place thru friends, described unfavorably--pretentious and rude. Not my experience. The service may have been a bit slow, but totally friendly and accommodating. As far as food, the Fried Green Tomato Benedict was superb. Yummay. Also, I got an order of Cinnamon Glazed Bacon, which was crazy rich. Probably won't get it again but if you love super-sweet heavy bacon, this is the place. I was a little surprised by lack of young people, given it's reputation for being a hipster haven. Maybe because school's out? Anyways, I will come back if I find myself in Evanston again. Oh, and I loved the imaginative decor!
(4)Patricia L.
Came here for brunch on Labor Day and was extremely pleased that 1. they were open (unlike Dixie Kitchen where we were supposed to go) and 2. the wait for a table of 7 took no more than 10 minutes. If you love eggs' benedict and salmon just as much as I do, you have to try their September special: Salmon Cake Eggs' Benedict. For the lack of a better description, it is, in fact, THE BOMB AND A HALF! Hands down, probably one of the best places for eggs' benedict. Especially since they offer more than 2 options (Classic, Florentine, Fried Green Tomato, and Crab Cake). The salmon cake was very well seasoned and the hollandaise sauce didn't overpower the flavor of the salmon. This is the only place I've been to that serves it on toasted cornbread instead of the traditional English muffin which was a modification for perfection. It didn't come with a side or anything so don't expect it...even for $8.95. I know it's a bit on the pricey side but totally worth it and I think everyone should try it at least once this month. A friend of mine made his own omelet which came with a side of breakfast potatoes and his choice of a raisin scone, apricot cheese flakey (DI-VINE!) or whole wheat toast for $8.25. So, go. You might as well. :)
(4)Sarah P.
This is my favorite breakfast place ever. My family has been going there for years and do not plan on stopping any time soon. When you walk in the door, be prepared to be bombarded with a lot of tacky but kind of fun art. The walls are covered with it, and the ceilings look like they were attacked with huge aluminum spit balls. For breakfast I alternate between two meals. The apple ricotta blintzes are amazing, but you have to get apple cider syrup for the full effect! My absolute favorite is the scramble with bacon, cheddar, and avocado (they have lots of options for ingredients...you can pick any three). The apricot cheese flakey is a MUST, whether it comes with your breakfast or you order one on the side. Take it to go if you are too full after breakfast! Trust me, you will want it later! I have never actually eaten lunch or dinner at the restaurant but often order carry out for dinner. The tuna melt is on cornbread and is topped with melted cheddar, diced tomatoes, and avocado. It's different than any tuna melt I've had else where...the cornbread and avocado make it what it is! You can't go wrong with the sweet potato fries as the side. YUM!
(5)Nadege L.
First of all, they don't have that many good things on their menu and I normally order out and get the BBQ chicken sandwich and sometimes I don't have time to check the sandwich or I forget and those times they have forgotten to put BBQ sauce in BBQ chicken sandwich wtf?OR something is missing. I shouldn't have to continuously check a bag to make sure the food I ordered is correct? And all the manager can say is sorry but he's not because this has happened to me and other people MULTIPLE TIMES. I like the sandwich but I hate eating at Lucky Platter because the service in the place is so BAD. I'm tired of giving a business my money if their service is bad and they could careless. I'm never going back!
(2)Erin C.
This should be a 1.5. I ate at Lucky Platter once before, several years ago, and had a decent lunch experience. I ate there again today and had a much worse one. The difference: the waitstaff and (perhaps) my order choice. I'll start w the latter. I ordered the chopped salad, it was mediocre at best and very bland. A bunch of raw peppers, jicama and onions chopped up w a little lettuce. Something I could have easily whipped up at home but wouldn't have b/c I would've been..well..very bored. My friend had a steak salad, which looked better and the cornbread was warm and pretty good. Second, the waitstaff. Our waiter, didn't get his name, had zero personality. He didn't greet us, he didn't smile, he just did his job and vacillated between apathy and annoyance when interacting w us. Ok, whatever. Then when we were waiting to pay (credit card on the table) I let my squirrelly one year old out of his high chair to walk around a bit. Many of the customers smiled at him as he made eye contact, no biggie. Then another waiter, this one named Jason, made eye contact w me, as I was standing near my table and two feet from my son, and pointed back and forth between my son and the high chair and said something to the effect of, "why don't you pick up your son and put him back in there so he doesn't get run over" in a snippy voice. Excuse me!? Where are we Alinea? I'm pretty sure this is tap water I'm drinking and you haven't showered in 4 days and are wearing a tee shirt and shorts you've had for 14+ years! The bottom line is this is a place you would expect to be kid friendly but is definitely not, and aside from the patrons everyone seemed to have some serious attitude! We will not be back.
(2)John A.
I'm giving this place 3 stars, but I think I'm being a bit generous. I ate here last about 12 years ago, and at the time thought it was great. Since then, I think quality has suffered quite a bit. The tables need to be wiped down better since they all look kind of dirty, and this sort of problem can be symptomatic of a larger issue. In addition, the place was full of obnoxious senior citizens which kind of ruined our meal. There was one woman who was a spitting image of Estelle Constanza from Seinfeld screeching about one pointless thing after another. Apparently she used to cook a good brisket, and she once made chicken for her daughter's birthday, and something about Koreans, and something about pita bread, and I basically just wanted to leave. The place is just kind of sad, and not a place I want to eat at again. My burger was relatively good hence the 3 stars. The sweet potato fries were also good. They either need to turn the place around or there will be a slow decline over time.
(3)Madelyne S.
I have been going here for over ten years and it is consistently the most authentic, consistent, quirky, and charming place in the chicagoland area. Everyone I take here ends up returning on their own. The staff is knowledgeable and pleasant. The atmosphere can't help but make you smile-it is just that goofy with the awful artwork and tin foil balls stuck the ceiling. And the food? Full of taste and very filling.
(5)Charles M.
Lots or restaurants hang interesting art as a distraction from mediocre food. Maybe you won't notice. Lucky Platter in Evanston hangs and presents some pretty ghastly art that it doesn't need at all because the food is terrific, but somehow, the place would not be the same without the ambiance. The Platter has some of the most troubling bad paintings I have ever seen, efforts that are just far enough off the mark to make you think, "Ooooo....that was painted by someone who is completely batty." And that's not all. Try making birds from old coffee pots and various cans and utensils. There they sit, as though they are ready to clank into life and fly off into some strange aluminum and stainless steel universe. There's a painting of the Joe the Yankee Clipper that is genuinely uncomfortable. Fess Parker as Daniel Boone, that makes you think really hard about sitting in there. But it's all worth it. What an unusual place! You don't go to a restaurant to look at art, though. You go to look at food. I can report without hesitation that I have never had a meal there in more than a decade that I didn't enjoy. I have one complaint. Broccoli is important, but troubling as a vegetable. So it should not be served hot and cruchy. Just a personal thing. I like it mushier. The mashed potatoes are to die for. The hamburgers are memorable for all the right reasons. Pie and ice cream is served up the way you might want it at home. Breakfasts are simply spectacular, at least for me, because what could be better than three slices of thick bacon, very dark toast and some eggs? You get potatoes too, but I'm not much for that kind of starch at the start of the day. People like them, but I wouldn't eat them anywhere. You can get a bowl of oatmeal that sticks with you all day, and that's saying something in a world in which instant has become so common. How hard is it to boil water and cook oatmeal? But I digress. In its own strange way, the place is bold as can be. They have pot roast on the menu in the winter, and it comes out just like pot roast! Big flavorful cut of roast with those mashed potatoes with some skin left on (the ONLY way to make mashed potatoes in my world). Pumpkin soup is a special. And if you have never had a cream soda made from scratch, this is the place for it. Warning: It can get busy, and this is not one of those places that rush things along. Sometimes I get the sense that people are on the edge of panic when the place is packed up to its little aluminum foil balls on the ceiling, but that's just me. There is something comforting about being known in a restaurant that is so unusual. Take a minute to look around while you are waiting for your salad (huge, complicated salads) to arrive. yes, that is the most phallic looking baseball game hanging on the wall you have ever seen. you won't see it anyplace else!
(5)Alison L.
In love. The perfect amount of delicious food and funky atmosphere that makes for a good brunch! The food is consistently good, it's pretty much always crowded (even on a weekday -- I mean, where do all these people come from? Don't you all have work?), and it always hits the spot! I feel like it's the little extra sides of love that I like most about Lucky Platter, i.e., the scones, gingered fruit, maple syrup bacon (expensive but so worth it), apricot thingy, corn bread... so don't forget to order those!
(5)Cory C.
This place has yet to fail to deliver. My to-be-in-laws shared this gem with me. From the outside you'd think you were heading into a Punk Bar circa 1980 that forgot to grow up. From the waiters station you'd think you entered your Grandmother's living room and she had digressed into Edie from Grey Gardens. That all pales, however, once your food arrives. And how it does, oh-so-quickly. While they have a brunch, I'm more in favor of their dinner menu. Be it the year-round Caribbean Pumpkin or the seasonal Gazpacho, you can't go wrong with either of these delights coupled with a never ending basket of cornbread squares and a glass of hibiscus iced tea. Starting with fried green tomatoes makes for a perfectly portioned (for 2) appetizer and sets the stage for things to come. Upon several trips I've tried the Tandoori Chicken Salad, BBQ Pork Tenderloin, Grilled Skirt Steak and Horseradish Crusted Talapia. Never once have I had a bad meal and never once have I been disappointed. Plus the service is unbelievable; the wait staff actually enjoy -- they want to be there -- their jobs and it shows. Even coming in a 9:20 (closing at 9:30 is only complaint) the staff sat us and were more than happy to stay the extra few minutes. This place emits a sense of quiet confidence and that translates into comfort food that fills the belly without breaking the bank. A stellar go-to in the heart of downtown Evanston, this is a once-a-weeker in my book.
(5)Olivia L.
I must applaud The Lucky Platter for the awesomely, quirky environment! There are just strange things put around the restaurant as decorations, like super old toys. The light fixtures are one-of-a-kind too! It's really a fun place to eat, because it's really a quirky diner. The food is decent. I have had their bbq chicken salad and portabella sandwich. Although, the food was good, I thought the dishes were a bit heavy and oily for my taste. I figure if those 2 dishes were heavy and oily-- I can't imagine what the rest is like-- especially the meatier ones. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed eating there! I have definitely had better food in it's category-- but nonetheless, it is a fun place to eat! Plus, almost everything comes with cornbread!
(3)diana S.
cinnamon glazed bacon. holy moses. Staff was friendly, food delicious, coffee great - had brunch at 10 a.m. on a Saturday, busy but not swamped.
(4)Vincent C.
Okay food, but embarrassingly slow service. The food comes out hot, but not piping, so it obviously sits a while before it gets served. Maybe the staff is worried about burning diners' mouths? The menu looks great on paper, but just falls a bit flat. The food is just not worth the aggravation of waiting and repeatedly asking for water/coffee refills or the bill. The best thing about this place is its funky decor.
(2)Reed H.
Food was great, we went to breakfast on July 4th. Really enjoyed the pancakes we got and it was pretty kid friendly. Our server was complaining about having to work on July 4th. Felt really guilty about making him work that day.
(4)Steve G.
The Lucky Platter is a crappy "restaurant" run by hippies and morons. Their motto seems to be, "Let's do JUST enough to technically fit the definition of restaurant, and not a smidge more!" My wife and I live right up the street from the Lucky Platter. We end up there due to convenience more often than I'd like, and each time I marvel about the crappy indifferent service, and the overpriced food. Last night, though, will be the last time I go to the Lucky Platter. I've finally found an excuse to write them off for good. With my wife at work late, I promised my 2-year old I'd take her to the ice cream shop after dinner. There's a great little ice cream shop right up the street that has become one of our favorite places to go... but they keep strange hours, and even at 6:30pm on a weeknight we found it closed. Once you tease my little girl with ice cream, you'd best cough up the ice cream, or you'll face her wrath for the rest of the night. I knew we could get a scoop next door at the Lucky Platter, so we headed there. When the host greeted us, I told him all we'd be having was a small scoop of ice cream for the little girl. He took us to a booth and sat us down. A few minutes later, our big angry waiter stopped by with menus. I stopped him and said, "we don't need menus, we're just here for a scoop of ice cream for the little girl." "That's all you're having?" he asked gruffly. "Yup," I said. He threw the menus aside, and marched back to the kitchen, muttering something about "mutter mutter mutter ice cream store next door, mutter mutter mutter boo hoo wah wah wah." As much as I wanted to deliver on my ice cream promise, I didn't want to eat at a place where the staff would treat us with such disdain. I marched to the kitchen where I met the host, and told him he should tell his waiter buddy to relax.... that I knew there was an ice cream store next door, but it happened to be closed, so we came here. I made it very clear that we would not make this mistake again. Lucky Platter - where it's a crime to order ice cream for the world's cutest little girl. Hopefully one day the Lucky Platter will be taken over by new management, who will replace the angry and lazy atmosphere with one befitting of an actual restaurant. Until that day, we'll be getting our ice cream (and our food) from more friendly establishments.
(1)Doris D.
Love this hippie dippie little diner! ;) Been here 3 times and it is consistently solid food. They have fantastic bloody marys and margaritas here for brunch. Their crab cake benedict is made of cornmeal and is fantastic. The decor is quirky and service is fast. This place is a gem. Check it out!
(5)Luke A.
The food has gone down hill rapidly in the last several months. When a significant portion of my Montana Hash was charred to the point of being inedible, the waiter was kind enough to not charge me for it. But then said his manager ask that the next time I come in I should ask that it not be cooked that way. Now, there's a big difference between preference and indelible food, unfortunately this was definite the latter.
(2)Rebekah C.
My coworkers and I happened to stumble upon this restaurant for breakfast this morning. The decor and our server, Samantha, set the start to the most fantastic breakfast!! We will definitely return. Having dairy and egg allergies leads me short on being able to enjoy breakfast out. Samantha was beyond friendly and helpful providing a plethora of options for me to enjoy. Highly recommended and make sure to try the cinnamon glazed bacon. Delicious!!
(5)Elisabeth C.
I used to live a couple of doors down from this establishment. While the food is generally pretty tasty, I kind of resent paying $8.25 for a salad with no meat in it. They do a mean breakfast/brunch, but the wait staff can be kind of surly at times. It can also get sort of crowded, and since it's family friendly, people bring annoying screaming children in there. The food is good, generally not too bad for you, and although it's kind of expensive, it's Evanston. You can't beat a diner with tin foil balls on the ceiling, either.
(5)Double L.
The Lucky Platter is a perfect example of the fact that you don't really need to be good at anything to have a constant breakfast crowd waiting outside your door every weekend. I have been here many times and actually was just going to update my review when I realized I'd never written one yet. To be honest, the food is generally decent here. We often go because it is within walking distance of my parent's house and there really isn't anything else in that area that serves breakfast. This past Saturday morning is definitely the last time I will ever go there. I don't know if they were down a server or what and to be frank I don't care. Our server showed up at our table, didn't say hello and just had a surly, uninviting attitude about him. I know for a fact I am not a difficult customer so don't treat me like I am. If you don't like people then don't work in the service industry. Good service can save a bad meal and bad service can ruin a good meal, sadly we got a bad meal and bad service. The lady's silverware was disgusting, whatever it happens. She also had a dead fly attached to her lemon on her ice tea, also whatever it happens. Not a huge deal but when you don't apologize for it or even remove the dirty silverware from the table it starts to be a problem. If the server had checked back with us at some point during the meal he might have realized that there was a fly in her drink and fixed the problem but that might have been too much to ask. So now to the food, the hollandaise sauce on my Eggs Benedict had a pretty healthy film on it by the time it was put in front of me, which really isn't that cool. The lady's salad dressing had been spilled all over the bottom of her plate so it really made the whole dressing on the side irrelevant. My Stepdad's Huevos Rancheros looked o.k., thankfully. 1 for 3, good average in baseball but not the best for a restaurant. Surprisingly this isn't the worst experience we have had here. A previous time we were there we had the pleasure of listening to someone chew out the kitchen staff while we were waiting for our food. Either that or someone in the back of the house has a pretty serious case of Terrets. I guess it is our own fault but at this point the lesson has been learned.
(2)Angie S.
My friend took me here the day my boyfriend broke up with me. I didn't want to go. I looked like crap. I cried throughout breakfast. So why would I give this place 4 stars? Three words people: Cinnamon Glazed Bacon. There reall isn't more to say. Everything was great, from what I can remember and taste (it was a bad break up, cut a girl some slack) but the cinnamon glazed bacon sealed the deal. Oh, and they have fantastic homemade cream soda. Done, and done!
(4)Christian H.
Every time I come here, everything has been delicious. I would personally recommend going straight for the breakfast foods, the huevos rancheros and all the eggs benedict dishes have been very tasty (not sure about the other sections of the menu, but I'd assume everything else is good too). The decor is also kinda funky.
(4)Matt H.
I've been to Lucky Platter a number of times, the food has always been great, the decor is quirky and interesting and there has always been quite a good atmosphere. However, the service is just bad. I'm sure some of the wait staff are great, but our waitress this afternoon was just rude, flippant and needs to find another job which doesn't involve interacting with human beings. We took two of our friends who were visiting Evanston, none of us will be going back. Looking at all the reviews it appears bad service is an ongoing issue. It's such an easy thing to fix.
(2)Robert M.
The Lucky Platter is a charming neighborhood breakfast joint. The food is delicious and the staff are friendly. The decor may take a while to get used to. The Lucky Platter does not seat incomplete parties during busy hours. (Which are most hours) The menu is a little but tricky, but once you go there more than once and know what you want it is very easy. I would recommend The Lucky Platter to smaller groups of 2-5.
(5)Karen M.
It was crowded, but the wait was only 10 minutes. I normally don't order scrambled eggs in restaurants since it's been my experience that at a lot of places the cook lets the eggs sit in the pan like an omelette and get brown (ick) and then they chop them up and put them on a plate and call them scrambled. However, I took a chance here and was delighted to get real scrambled eggs (with feta, spinach and onion). They were DELICIOUS!
(5)Juliann P.
This is the first time I have have been here in 4 years, back in town for the holidays, I'm so glad I re-visited! There have been a few bad reviews recently- so I was compelled to add a positive. Food was excellent, great value as always & service was very attentive despite our waiter handling a large group of 12 at the same time! The crab eggs benedict was by far the best benedict I have ever had- ANYWHERE! Lucky Platter has added a bar since I moved out of town- and the bloody marys & margaritas were top-notch and very reasonably priced at 5.75$ I will visit again the next time I am in town....
(5)Formerly Picky Eater J.
Friendly, good service, works for breakfast (served until 2!), lunch, and dinner. Lots of interesting stuff for breakfast, and the whole wheat pancakes (with blueberries for me) are always a good choice, the cider syrup is a little different but works great! Dinner is good too, though they don't have my favorite pork tenderloin anymore. Again lots of creative dishes, and you really can't go wrong. Very friendly staff as well, and the service is gernerally quick. Have been going for years and will continue to go back!
(4)Alex R.
I came to the Lucky Platter with friends on a Sunday around noon. The place was absolutely packed which really speaks for the food served there considering the competition in Evanston. Although our waiter was somewhat absentminded (a theme amongst the wait-staff) it only provided more time to chit chat, especially about the eclectic decor consisting mostly of metal folk art and odd wall kitsch. I ordered the tuna melt over toasted corn bread and topped with tomato and avocado along with a side of roasted red potatoes. Long story short, by the time the waiter came by to collect our dishes there wasn't a crumb left on my plate. The tuna melt was fantastic and and the fresh tomato and avocado were unusually nice compliments to the warm tuna and cornbread. A true fiesta in my mouth. My pals were also very satisfied with their meals, one with a buffalo chicken sandwich and the other with a unique salad. The prices were very reasonable and our total bill with tip came out to about $40. I will be returning to sample the other dishes on the menu very soon.
(4)Catherine W.
Fine place for a casual sit-down breakfast/brunch. The flakeys are pretty good. Egg scrambles were fine, nothing spectactular.
(3)Mary K.
I really want to give this place a 3.5 but I rounded up because I feel confident it'd be even better if I tried it again. Went for breakfast on a Wednesday a.m. and the place was surprisingly packed. Despite that two folks rushed up to the front to seat us, and promptly delivered drinks. The waitress seemed overwhelmed with tables, but was so speedy (she walked f.a.s.t!) and friendly. I do wish she would have been able to stick around a while longer each time she breezed by. Food was good but not great. Split a greek omelet with my sister...thought the omelet itself was yummy but the potatoes on the side tasted and looked overdone. Bacon was overdone but I didn't specify that I like it on the flabbier side. That said, it was really cheap since we split. Prices didn't seem to high on most menu items. Love the atmosphere. Staff are laid back, but not to the point of bad service. Decor is fun and funky. Good vibes. Would go again.
(4)Simone T.
I've been coming here for years - one of THE BEST breakfast stops in town. However, get here early on weekends or you could wait up to 30 - 45 minutes for a table!
(4)Tony T.
I'm writing after yet another unlucky experience at The Lucky Platter. I've been going to Lucky Platter for almost 15 years, but I doubt I'll return. It's a filthy restaurant. The food is generally so-so: occasionally good, but usually mediocre. And, as I'll mention below, it's a gamble whether or not your food will arrive as you ordered it. The decor is a mash-up of . . . something or other. The decor probably was hip at one time, but clearly it's trying way too hard now. Even though I've encountered many friendly staff, I've just as often been forced to deal with sullen and rude service. Back to the filth, though: the residue I've found on glasses and coffee cups I've been given over the years is grotesque. And I've never been given more dirty silverware at a restaurant than I have at Lucky Platter. I should add that I'm not ridiculously sensitive when I go to restaurants. I understand you'll get dirty stuff once in awhile; you ask for a replacement, and life goes on. (I've worked in kitchens before, and I know that you can't be perfect when you're running a restaurant. But you can try to be as clean as possible.) It's just happened so much at Lucky Platter that it's a pattern, not an aberration. Those servers who are friendly do their best with a kitchen that is either overtaxed or uninterested. A couple months ago, my breakfast order (a simple Tofu Scramble) took an hour to come. I asked that the restaurant remove the charge for the dish from my bill. (I'm a patient person, but waiting an hour, even during a busy time, stretched the bounds of what is acceptable at a restaurant without giving the customer some kind of break -- like the meal on the house.) The sullen manager offered to take off 25% from the bill. Yesterday, I ordered a Tofu Scramble with no potatoes. It came with ham in it. This happens frequently at Lucky Platter: I'm Vegan, and even when I explicitly order non-meat/non-dairy dishes, I'm never sure I'll actually get what I ordered. The waitress apologized and put in a new order. The new order came with no ham but with potatoes (not a big deal, of course, but a waste of food all the same). For my troubles, I was given an apricot flaky.
(1)Kenneth L.
CLIFF'S NOTES: "A" for effort and originality. "C-" for execution. SETTING - Quirky, strange, antique shop / hippie-esque vibe (minus tie dye). I dug it. SERVICE - Super friendly hippies to accompany the hippie ambiance. Attentive. Prompt enough. Smiles. FOOD - On the low end of par. Menu had slim pickins. Breakdown below: 1) Cheeseburger - Patty was much bigger than 1/3 lb as advertised (which pleased me immensely) but it was severely under seasoned (as in: NOT) and I could taste that the meat wasn't really all that fresh. Came with a grilled slice of white onion (think: disc). Cool idea but not tasty. Sweet potato fries were ok. Needed a pinch of salt (there wasn't any). 2) Green tomato eggs benedict - Eggs poached beautifully. Hollandaise was fine. Tomato "sauce" overwhelmed the taste of dish and it was salty. Not sure that using corn bread as the base was such a great idea, especially with the "sauce". Taste of corn bread was overwhelmed and got soggy quickly. An odd combination overall... 3) Cinnamon bacon - Tasty, I suppose, but definitely overrated, IMHO. The thick slice of bacon was a bit dry but still chewy thanks to the copious amounts of caramelized cinnamon sugar glaze which stuck to my teeth. I can see why people love it - it is bacon after all... PRICES: Reasonable. BUGS ON FLOOR: True story. Witnessed 1 fly and an ant. Nothing sinister like a cockroach or spider. VERDICT: We probably won't be back
(2)Dee W.
Wow - what a great experience - this place was the location for our first Evanston yelp group brunch! It was definitely a great location, we had our table all set up before we got there and everyone showed up! A great group of people and great food. Huge thanks to Kake S for setting this up and it was also the location for the infamous Ellen M/Dee W first meet-up. Five of us started off with their mojita (yes, that's not a spelling error - it really ends with an 'a') which was refreshing for the warm weather and not as sweet as a typical mojito - yum! Spice S's chicken salad looked delicious and was really portioned on the large side. I stuck to the Cajun scramble which was really good and even had a little bit of a spicy kick to it. Service was pretty friendly and definitely allowed us sufficient time to talk and get to know each other better. Something that I really loved here is the decor - it's very interesting - the tiny wads of tin foil on the ceiling reminded me of biting off gummy bears' heads and throwing them on the ceiling as a kid (shhh..some things must be left 20 years in the past). There was some great artwork on the walls, too. Overall a great location - huge portions, fresh and tasty food that is good and not too heavy, friendly service - we'll be back again! EDIT: Pictures of food and group uploaded!
(4)Helen L.
I came here on two separate occasions- once with my boyfriend and once with my parents. I absolutely love the decor- aluminum foil balls on the ceiling and some cool paintings and metal sculptures. The California burger is to die for - probably one of the best burgers I've ever had in my life. I would also recommend the tandoori chicken sandwich. Yes, this place is a little grimy, but the food was so darn good I could overlook the fact that they could wipe down the tables and menus more.
(4)David D.
I can say that I do indeed enjoy this place for breakfast/lunch. This is a small neighborhood restaurant that offers somewhat creative twist on (classic) American fare. I would say that this place is a decent breakfast place, seems like a family establishment due to the casual staff (just an assumption). My favorite would have to be the Texas Burger for lunch, however. The sweet potatoes are amazing, if not the best in town. The coffee is delicious. The orange juice is fresh. They also give complimentary cornbread, which is great not just because its free, but its very good. For the rest of the items, they're hearty, tasty, but not out of this world. The environment is not modern or classic, its more post-hippie. Enjoy this one.
(4)Carolyn M.
Hands down my favorite brunch spot in Evanston! The decor is quirky and unpretentious, and everyone is really friendly. If you go for brunch, you have to get the apricot cheese flakey. Paired with a cuppa joe, it's to DIE for! I hear their dinner menu is good, too, but I have yet to try it.
(5)Jason M.
"post-Hippie eclectic world cuisine." That's a quote from the Lucky Platter website. I can't say I really have a lot of knowledge of post-Hippie eclectic culture, but if this is true, I'm a fan. The restaurant's decor is strange, but comfortable. Most of the walls are covered with incredibly random artwork, ranging from a 7th grade art fair portrait of JFK to a similarly painted Hugh Downs (Maybe!?!). The ceiling is covered with small foil balls (presumably to keep the aliens from reading our minds) and every table has a floral/bizarre table covering. As I remarked at the time, our waiter had a sort of gay, urban highlander thing going on. It worked for him. I don't think there's anything about the Breakfast menu that's incredibly impressive looking. It isn't filled with fusion-y benedicts or chilaquiles made out of angel hair cut tortillas or the like; it seems relatively standard for a hip spot. Despite that, all of the food was excellent. Future yelper Meg L encouraged me to make my own scramble while she ordered the tofu scramble. My scramble had grilled onions, feta and andouille sausage. Magnifique! For her side, she got the gingered fruit. This was truly something special. I can't even describe it except to say it was a fruit plate with diced red and green onions in a wonderful ginger something that made my soul smile. While the potatoes I had were fine (with cilantro, mmm), the fruit is definitely the recommended side. Lastly, both the Apricot Cheese Flakey and the Scone were delightful. How do you pronounce apricot? She said /ape-ricot/ while I say /app-ricot/. I think her way is weird. Despite the language barrier, she did take me to a really great brunch spot in Evanston, so all is forgiven.
(4)Danny W.
Ok, so here's the thing: I've been to the Lucky Platter several times now, mostly for breakfast, and really can't complain. The food is good, the decor is kooky. Everything you could want. However, I went to Lucky Platter for dinner last night and could not have been more disappointed. I ordered the Tandoori Salmon. It came out bright pink on the inside, i.e. like raw pink. I mentioned this to the waiter, who sent it back. It came back a few minutes later, cooked, but now, only as a half portion. That's right, dear reader: the cook had thrown away the part I had attempted to eat, tossed the rest of it on the grill, and then given it back to me. I mentioned this to the waiter, and indicated that I wasn't willing to pay full price for half the salmon, and so he said I could have another fillet no charge. Awesome, wtg Lucky Platter. However, when this came out IT WAS EVEN RAW-ER THAN THE FIRST TIME! WTF? Anyway, after two massively undercooked pieces of fish, I was done. They were very apologetic, but that doesn't excuse the fact that no attention was paid to my food at all. Moral of the story: sometimes, even good restaurants don't give a fuck. What can you do?
(2)Shaun S.
Just ha a nice experience a the LP. Both Tracy and I went for Burgers. I've been eating a ton of chicken and turkey for the past two months as we cruise to the wedding date. So When one of the specials was a Chorizo Burger, I had to go for it...plus it had Advocado slices! The bun and the patty are both home made and I had the Mac n' Cheese for my side... ummm, I think I'm headed right to LifeTime in the morning to burn it all off! We had a great meal, great service and the fun interior decorations really made you feel like you weren't just in another drab restaurant! We got out for $20 plus the tip and that came with a complimentary order of cornbread. Fun place to go!
(4)Bridget B.
This is one of my favorite restaurants and I've been here many times over the years. The interior is unlike any other restaurant...very eclectic and cool. Their menu has a lot of cool variations on typical American food and I love that they have seasonal options (although I don't think hot chocolate should be seasonal as I don't drink coffee but also like a warm drink with brunch sometimes). The other reviews are accurate when they say the staff is not overly friendly. Personally that doesn't bother me because I find very chatty waiters annoying. They have always simply done their job and that is fine with me. In terms of the food I have never had anything that I did not like and I think the price is very reasonable for the area and for what you get (good portions). I would recommend for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
(5)Jeff G.
I love the platter and crave things on the menu that I can get nowhere else. I have been going there for at least ten years almost weekly. Lately I notice that the dishes and silverware are filthy and it may deter me from going back. There's bumpy stuff on the undersides of the plate edges and stuff stuck to the silverware (that has chemical buildup from the dishwasher on it). I am usually quite forgiving about this kind of stuff. Lately, though, it's really bad and I was embarrassed when I took new people there after raving about the great menu and food. Platter, please clean it up! I love you! I want to be able to give you 5 stars!
(3)Rob G.
Since my last review, we've been back to the Lucky Platter several times. We've been there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and have no complaints. We're greeted upon entry; seated quickly; and served efficiently. If you are expecting a Maitre d dressed in a tuxedo and mustachioed servers bowing with towels over their arm, this is not the place for you. If you like great food at reasonable prices, come on in. Just enjoy the eclectic atmosphere, the quirky staff, and the excellent menu choices.
(5)Emily D.
Now, see. . . I didn't find this place objectionable for the price at all. $15 for a hearty breakfast with unique elements AND beer? I think that's reasonable. None of us left hungry and we were all pleasantly surprised at the choices, having trouble choosing between breakfast and lunch offerings. Three of us went on a Sunday afternoon and I had a delightful scramble of avocado, ham and swiss with amazing home fries. My husband had the special omelette (it involved bacon, that's all I know) and our friend had a zesty chicken sandwich and really good mac and cheese. We were happy, happy campers and will return most certainly. The service was kitschy and fun and the surroundings were really warm and toasty. Love the crowd, love the food. Love the location. Just go.
(4)Beth S.
I am fond of this funky place. I've been here a few times for weekday lunches with friends, and I've always left satisfied. I am still thinking of the excellent blueberry pancakes I had recently, and I can't wait to go back and have those again soon. Sometimes I even make a lunch out of 2 or 3 of their yummy sides, which are very reasonably priced. They serve breakfast until 2 PM, and they are vegetarian friendly - both big plusses. Interesting sandwiches, salads, and soups are options if you are not in the mood for breakfast food.
(4)Gabriela A.
The scone or pastry that comes with your omeletts is so so good. I'd go to Lucky Platter for the apricot cheese pastry alone. I've only been here for breakfast, but the salads look good too. If you're in Evanston - this is a great breakfast spot.
(4)Jenna C.
Lucky platter has outpaced Clarkes for weekend diner food in Evanston. Cornbread was served swiftly and was a-ok. Fried green tomatoes were delicious. House salad was good, but I think I picked the wrong dressing. Decor is cute. Servers are friendly. LePeep is a better brunch unfortunately it also closes super-early. Dixie Kitchen has better southern food, but no line and reasonable prices at the Lucky Platter.
(4)doug t.
I've been there three times now, each less satisfying than the one before. We were hurried after we were served....or so it seemed. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. My son likes to roam a little bit and we try to keep him contained as best we can. The staff wasn't digging the "kids being kids" thing. The food - it's adequate. The ammenities though -- this is where improvements are needed most. The coffee is only tolerable, but tipping me to a thumbs down is that they only have Sweet-N-Low. Nothing cries "we're cheap" more than Sweet-N-Low exclusivity. No Splenda. No Equal. Most places spoil customers with a Pot-Pourri (sp??) of blue, yellow and pink. But Lucky Platter, in true Evanston Idealist fashion, is all pinko. Also, for goodness sake, how am I supposed to spread butter that's straight out of the freezer. C'Mon !!!
(2)Grace H.
My friend and I are no strangers to Evanston, but we officially became residents this spring. The first thing we needed during the hectic moving schedule was a friendly, affordable place to eat with food that had some semblance of awareness and good health in the mind of those preparing it. The first place we were referred to was Lucky Platter by a local friend with good taste who'd been living here for half a decade. We trusted his judgment and went in for an early supper. Our first dining experience here was magical and delicious! We were so thrilled to be saving money (on most items) and to be eating food that wasn't mainstream or greasy, The selection was fun and the drinks were alright. The wine was bitter with being served by the glass but that happens in even a 4-star restaurant, so I ignored it. The coffee was ok, not bad, not fantastic, decent...the deserts were ok but a little sickly sweet, still, not that bad at all. We enjoyed ourselves a lot, loved the decor, a young blonde girl waited on us and she was sweet and funny and put up with us being airheads as we were exhausted, new in town, and asking questions. We're also picky eaters, we generally only eat organic food. The second trip here was agony. The waiter was this middle aged guy who was rude, rushed us, was almost yelling at us, just horrible, I wondered if it was a joke, his horrible attitude, to match the surreal kitsch of the decorations (which are wonderful and we love along with the surreal period music they play). The place was filled with really loud elderly people who were very drunk. It was funny but annoying and we needed to move, and out waiter just about foamed at the mouth when we told him! The food was just so-so that time, and the waiter would not stop being rude every time we encountered him. Hard to enjoy the meal, and with drinks and dessert this time, we spent a lot of money, and felt ripped off because of the waiter and the blandness of the food. It just didn't taste fresh or appetizing, We gave it a third try because we just love the place so much and it's not fast food or greasy jock pub food. The third trip was just ok, the same waiter was insanely rude. We were made to feel very unwelcome in this restaurant. The food wasn't great, boring, and looked and tasted like cafeteria food. SOme of it tastes like it comes from a box mix in the generic isle at Jewel. Very disappointed. Fourth chance, I ordered take out so we didn't have to be constantly assaulted by the rude older waiter. The gay waiter took my order and seemed stressed and was not friendly. I was perplexed. No eye contact, no smile, nothing, barely mumbling, So the burger was ok, but it tasted more like heart attack food (pub food) than expected and the sweet potatoe fries were cold and had lost their texture as they weren't packaged correctly. Several things on the order were wrong. I vowered not to eat there again. We got small take out order recently in hopes of just all of it being bad luck. The food was still OK, not great. For the money, we look to go somewhere else now. It's a last resort if we ever eat there again. If we do, we won't expect much, esp if we go in to sit down, which was what we loved. There are a few items on the menu that are lovely, but most of what we've ordered was just OK, nothing to write home about. It's the lesser of evils, the food here, to us. The beans and rice we ordered was dry and crunchy like it had been microwaved, which was disappointing, as you can get a side of it for a couple of dollars. The cornbread tastes like boxed cornbread. yes, it's free, but it's not amazing or even really that great. We will probably try eating here again one more time, as the menu changes over the seasons and we want it to work out. If we have the same lack of quality and hostility from the wait staff, we will never come here again and won't recommend it to anyone, which is really, really a crying shame, because it's such a cool place to go, and we love southern cooking (though not the kind your unhealthy grandma makes in her kitchen with cheap ingrediants). Sad to write this. Hope it changes!
(2)Emily G.
Lucky me! I live nearby and walk over. Never had a bad meal in15 years. Montana hash for breakfast, tandoori chicken salad or sandwich for lunch, pot roast and crunchy broccoli for dinner--all good. Reasonably priced, interesting artwork & found art mobiles. Once a week at least for me.
(5)Jade T.
What else do I need to say? There is a so-so selection of vegetarian options available here. They are a "post-Hippy" restaurant after all. The food is average and the portions are on the smaller side. The menu is little varied, but I find the vegetarian options pretty boring. Mushroom Quesadillas, Grilled Portabella Sandwich, Huevos Rancheros (the Blind Faith Cafe version is much better), Avocado Salad... YAWN! Kudos for having Tofu Scramble on the menu though. The prices for certain items like side dishes are inexpensive at only $2.50, but the majority of dishes are slightly overpriced. Like Justin G. states, it's Evanston. The service is a hit or miss, usually a miss. I'm a bitchy Yelper who takes off one star for every 15 minutes my water glass is left empty.
(3)Jacquelyn G.
This is a quirky little diner-esque spot with some very unique dishes. I've never had tandoori chicken salad before (nor have I heard of it in salad form), and I actually changed my mind from a burger to this when I saw the guy next to me get it. It was delicious. A word to the wise, though--don't order the large portion unless you are incredibly famished. It is massive. Aside from the tandoori chicken which is topped with some type of chutney, there is feta cheese, artichokes, avocado and sundried tomatoes. Seemed like kind of an odd combo when I read it on the menu - Mediterranean meets Indian - but it worked. And due to the chutney (and all the other flavors going on), you don't even need the dressing. My husband had a burger so naturally I stole a few of his sweet potato fries. They were kind of soggy and disappointing, so I'm glad I opted for the salad instead. The décor is super quirky and definitely casual. It was so crowded the evening that we were there, they gave us two folding chairs to sit on. I can definitely see this being a neighborhood favorite, though.
(3)Bill V.
Cold brisk day in Chicago = soup for lunch. Where to go? aaaaahhh The Lucky Platter. What soup? Pumpkin Spice. YUM. This oup will really do the trick to warm your bones on a cold day in Chicago. Not to mention that the spices will take your mind to warmer places surrounded by crystal blue waters. The sweet potato fries are incredible. thinly cut, which is the key. i've had too many thick cut fries and they just adsorb th oil and get soggy. and while you are eating, pause for a moment and take in the glory that are the weirdest walls i've seen in awhile.
(4)Jean C.
I don't get up to Evanston as often as I'd like so when I do, I'm pretty much spoiled for choice about where to eat. Fortunately a friend brought me to The Lucky Platter this afternoon with a promise of beans and rice, and now I've fallen for this place in a serious way. He told me right from the start that the food was great but the service was often haphazard and slow. I sort of got what he meant since there were some lags in the most basic stuff like getting seated or being given glasses of water only after asking a couple of times. But over all the service was friendly enough to make up for any minor short-comings, so it didn't bother me much (I was once ignored completely at the Heartland Cafe for a full half-hour in spite of repeated pleas for at least some water. That's bad service. This was just erratic.) The food did not disappoint. I had fried green tomatoes with remoulade sauce, black bean soup and cornbread. The tomatoes were not as good as Dixie Kitchen's fried green tomatoes but darn good anyway. Black bean soup was excellent and the cornbread was heavenly. My companion had mac and cheese and black beans and rice. Both were excellent. The decor is a win, too. The walls are lined with thrift store art, and the light fixtures are colanders hung with old chandelier crystals. Everything hit just the right note. I haven't enjoyed a new place this much in ages, and I plan to go back as soon as possible to try some of the other amazing dishes on the menu.
(4)Emma O.
One of my favorite restaurants in Evanston. The super-weird yet super-awesome scenery, complete with random portraits, aluminum foil balls, and bizarre sculptures, you never get bored looking around the restaurant. The food is delish. One-of-a-kind and perfect comfort food. You start off with warm cornbread (complete with butter and honey -- it's like cake except not as bad for you, right?), then move to their home-made cream soda (I've never had cream soda like this before -- super authentic recipe and so yummy!) and then pick from their extremely diverse menu. The menu is partly seasonal, so some options are there year-round (like the enormous tuna melt -- yummers!) and others change with the months. They also have a wide array of sides to choose from, so instead of being limited to slaw or chips or fruit, you have things like steamed broccoli or sweet potato fries or more cornbread! Such a great place to go with friends or with visitors.
(4)ELAINA A.
I went there the other night and had the best food ever! The staff was really on top of their game. My server Brian was the most charming and attentive server ever. I had a little bit of everything. The house salad is super fresh with toasted sesame dressing. The BBQ salmon was to die for with fresh cut sweet potato fries. I really could go on forever about this menu but try it yourself. P.S. Don't skip dessert Key Lime Pie is from heaven!
(5)Jess M.
I like this place a lot, all due to their portobello burger. It's topped with roasted red pepper, goat cheese and other goodies. And any place that serves mac and cheese as a side is pretty amazing. Yum Their decor is fun too.
(4)Justin G.
It's a three-star place. It's extremely average in terms of what you get for what it costs. But, it is an Evanston restaurant, so I expected it to be a little overpriced. It gets four stars though due to it's liberal politically) leanings. Both my sister and I were convinced we knew our server, but we weren't sure where from. How completely inane and irrelevant.
(4)Robert C.
Let me start by saying "delicious"!!!!! Crab cakes are made from scratch with love and care! The firm and flaky Horseradish encrusted tilapia was devoured quickly by someone who doesn't like fish! The key lime pie is the best - it made my girlfriend cry because it was so good!
(5)Cody R.
This is the best place to eat in Evanston. The food is to die for albeit a bit difficult to describe. Think of the food as a cross between diner, experimental and comfort food all with the love of mom's home-cooked deliciousness. You can never go wrong with a Lucky burger, steak salad, or tandoori chicken salad. Also, their specials are called "specials" for a reason so don't be afraid to try them. Be sure to save room for dessert because whether it's the banana cream pie or pumpkin pie, Lucky knows what's up when it comes to sweets. Not to mention, the atmosphere is one-of-a-kind. The decor is quirky and the venue is small which lends itself to a fun, intimate feel. YOU HAVE TO GO!
(5)Danielle R.
I am very much a fan of breakfast... would consider eating it for every meal if I could. So, being new to Evanston/Chicago, I had to find a great local breakfast joint. I had heard good things about Lucky Platter and having been there 3 times now, I can say... they are right! Environment: You'll walk in and find yourself looking more at the interesting art/decorations than the person/people you're with for your first visit or two... no worries, that's normal. It's very different and interesting! Service: This is the reason I put 4, not 5, stars. You can easily sit for 3-4 minutes before being offered drinks and then another 5+ before they return to take orders. I'm not sure if they just have their servers with too many tables or what but this could definitely be improved. I'm typically just chatting with friends so it's not too bad! Food: Now, let's talk about the main thing! I'm not a girl who typically orders pancakes at a restaurant because they never have lived up to what I grew up on (sadly, Bisquik). But, despite that, I ordered 2 pancakes with the Apple Cider Syrup. Oh my goodness!!! I couldn't believe that these whole wheat pancakes were so delicious. And that syrup was amazing too! I also had a side of Cinnamon Glazed Bacon which was different but amazing as well!! I had the same thing on my second visit. On my last one however... I attempted a more healthy option. I had the Greek omelet with egg whites. I also had the Apricot Cheese Flakey. Now, don't let the word "Cheese" freak you out... it's more like a soft cheese but not cream cheese (similar though). It just tastes like a delicious pastry! The Omelet was good too but did not touch the pancakes! The breakfast potatoes are nicely seasoned here too. Overall: If you are like me and hunt down local breakfast places for warm food, this is your place. I can't speak to their lunch menu but don't think I'd order lunch here anyways... It's always breakfast at Lucky for me!
(4)Elizabeth T.
Why does this place get such great reviews?! When I saw it on Check, Please, I was astonished. I've only been here a couple of times but it was terrible. Once, they didn't have any ketchup for my potatoes. (How do you not have ketchup?!) That said, the service sucked. And the last time, I had some kind of corn flake encrusted french toast. Bleck. The inside looks disgusting too. It's like a diner but dirty hipster style. It's cheap overpriced food lacking quality and taste.
(1)Sourma K.
I'd go back I just wouldn't recommend it as one of the best breakfast places in Chicago and I'd go back because its in the neighborhood and its good enough.
(3)Jori F.
Everything was soooo delicious! I loved the gingered fruit that came with the quesadillas. The small chopped salad was huge, such a good value! And the BBQ pork with sweet potato mash and veggies was amazing! I will definitely come back.
(5)Eliza B.
YUM. I went there for the second time this weekend. I love the decor in this place... I want to take everything and use it to decorate my apartment. I had the "Omelette No. 1" with avocado, artichokes, goat cheese, and tomato sauce. It was delicious, and I highly recommend the "apricot cheese flakey," definitely worth the extra 25 cents. The gingered fruit wasn't as exciting as the bold, underlined text in the menu made it out to be, though. The cream soda is amazing.
(5)Jessica O.
I tried this place out with a few sorority sisters on Saturday (I KNOW... I was in a sorority). So the place was full, and really kitchy, but the food was amazing. I had the tuscan omelet with the apricot flakey (SO GOOD)... and the service was great contrary to what others have said. Really enjoyable and I will be back!
(4)Sam M.
Rudest service ever, left before the food even came, it was that bad.
(1)Marianna S.
The service is strange... but the food is amazing. Service is odd, with weird rules and regulations to their menu. But, I'll brush that aside for some delicious food! Love their custom pizzas, good burgers, great tuna melt, nice selection of tasty soups, pretty good salads, and cornbread... with butter and honey. YUM. Side dishes are fun too, and go beyond the usual fries option. I opt for the mac & cheese when I feel like being unhealthy and gingered fruit when I'm being a bit wiser. Gotta love the complimentary Jolly Ranchers too!
(4)Ryan O.
I really like this restaurant, but had a bad experience recently. We came for breakfast and were disappointed. 5 minutes after the waitress took our drink order, she came back to tell us she had a "brainfart" and forgot what we wanted. Later we ordered a montana hash with a side of bacon. Well someone brainfarted on our food too. The bacon came out cold, not warm, but sitting around for hours cold. We also got an egg white scramble, which was yellow (yolks...). Usually this restaurant is good, and I hope ownership reads this review to remedy bad food/service because I would like to continue to dine here. Lifes too short to eat bad food.
(3)Ken S.
I used to live in Evanston and have been to Lucky Platter about 3 or 4 times. But when I went this past Friday it was different. There were no servers and only two people eating dinner. This is odd for a Friday afternoon at 5:45pm. As soon as I open the menu I notice it's different. Same dishes just a little layout adjustment to obfuscate the removal of side dishes which used to come with your entrée. They are now $1.50 more. It's such a chintzy way to increase your prices. So I order and out comes the corn bread. And there's clearly something wrong with the way it looks I just can't exactly say what it is. I reach for the little butter serving - the type with the little pull top lid - and it's sticking inside of an already used little butter container. And then I realize what's wrong. This cornbread plate is being reserved! Repugnant. I left never to return.
(1)David B.
Like the concept, and my family enjoys. for the most part, dining here. Electic food offerings, that put a twist on the usual. The problem is that you can't get just the usual. No simple burger. No simple pancakes. No simple mac-and-cheese for the kids. I feel like we are eating at a B&B where everything is bit overdone. Love the decor, though. Staff occasionally seems overworked, and a bit surly.
(3)John M.
Visited Chicago for the holiday and met up with a buddy of mine that I used to work with when I lived in town. My lady, brothers, and friend decided to have brunch at the Lucky Platter - he has been, but it was the first time for all of us. Cute place - lots of funky decor and friendly people working, "post hippy" is a great way to describe it for sure. Veggie friendly for those of you who avoid flesh, but plenty of animals for those who prefer the beast. I have to agree with others who have commented on the cinnamon glazed bacon - and I don't generally touch the stuff - it's the jam. Two great tastes that taste great together. We had a couple of versions of the eggs benedict (grilled veggie and crabcake), and I had the huevos rancheros, as I have to try them in every town I visit now (my favorite are still found at Meadowlark Dayton, OH - represent). They were good, and I cleaned my plate, but I'd like a little more imagination re: the sauce. Overall a cute place with pretty good food and pretty good service that I'd love to try again next time I'm in town. Officially a 3.5 star review at this time - Nice.
(4)Jims L.
If you've ever walked down Main St. regularly and never eaten at The Lucky Platter, all the name means to you is ten feet of windows lined with huge planters at the corner of an alley. But it is SO MUCH MORE. Make it a point to visit this place for breakfast/brunch/dinner! I have to say that I've only tried their benedict fidel and crab cakes, which came with an apricot cheese flaky, and their gazpacho but this single experience redefined what breakfast food has always been to me. I was never a breakfast food person, but if it means food like the dishes I had at The Lucky Platter I definitely now am. I like their cutesy decorations too. And they make their hollandaise in house and it's delicious.
(5)Allison P.
At first I was scared--big creepy bizzaro tin man statues hang above the front entrance, and other creepy creepsters can be found inside. Whether they be Salvador Dali-like paintings, way too many lined up in a row- or more tin statues or creepy scream-like figurines, they were weird to say the least. But--the food is AMAZING. The pumpkin soup is spicy and good. Pick your own scramble was yum-a-lum, even with eggs whites only. Get the flakey cheese apricot scone thing--unique and fresh, flakey...great mix of fruit and yum.
(4)foodie c.
Good food but restaurant is a bit dirty.
(3)Erika G.
Great, friendly place for brunch or lunch. Veggies and carnivores alike can find something to love. I've had delish food every time I've been here.
(3)J F.
Weak food, weak service, weird decor. If you live here, there are better options. While there are some good things on the menu, we are talking a few isolated things. Overall bland food and waiters that are slow and inattentive. I put in as much effort in this review, as Lucky Platter did in my experience there.
(2)amy h.
Cute decor, so much potential but I have been here 3 times and there is always something very wrong... *1st time: I tried their "new cappuccino" and they obviously didn't go through some sort of training because it was absolutely disgusting. I traded it in for regular coffee. *2nd time: The waiter was clearly annoyed that he had to wait tables. *3rd and final time (yesterday): My breakfast potatoes were dry and tasted like dish soap - how is that possible? Even worse, my cajun scramble was inedible because it was smothered in spicy mustard - so overpowering that I couldn't taste my eggs hiding underneath the mustard. When everyone at my table was finished and my plate was still full, the waitress asked if I wanted it wrapped up to go, as opposed to "Was everything okay with it?" One of my breakfast companions said his apple compote wasn't very good - how can you screw that up, too? The ONLY decent thing here is the gingered fruit. If you want a good breakfast in Evanston, head to Dixie Kitchen. The service is just okay there, but the breakfast is delicious.
(1)Sarah M.
Big ol' MEH. The decor is pretty fun. They reused a lot of materials and made fun animal shaped items and other little kitschy items. And they decorated the ceiling tiles with foil balls. Fun. Our waiter was very inattentive - I would like to say it's because they were busy, but I saw the other waiters going by and visiting other tables pretty often. I ordered a mojito - and I don't know why I tend to do this, because this place did not scream 'hey, good mojitos will come from here'... so skip it. For my meal, I ordered the large house salad (which comes with lots of fruit - raisins and apples!) with an orange vinagrette. The salad itself was good... dressing I think I just made the wrong pick. I also had a side of mac and cheese. Now I don't know about you, but for me, the quintissential mac and cheese is creamy and cheesy and tasty. This lacked all three items. Big disappointment. But yum, cornbread! It comes with almost every meal that is ordered, and comes in cute little cubes - tasty for sure. I like that they offered this as opposed to the usual bread basket that you get. The service isn't what makes this place meh to me... I just wasn't impressed with my food. I would give them two stars, but my parents, who ordered a lucky burger, and a bbq chicken sandwich, were both very pleased with their meals. Since I'm a vegetarian and cannot speak to that, I'll give LP another star for that.
(3)Dina D.
Yeah, he's lucky, I'M lucky, YOU'RE lucky, we're ALL LUCKY!!! ha hhahahhahahaaha!!! He is lucky because the Lucky Platter is clean and has interesting kitschy decor that keeps young children busy looking around at all the pretty shiny things... I'm lucky because the Lucky Platter serves lunch AND breakfast. You know I'm big on having the option of eating breakfast foods...also, there isn't anything wrong with their coffee. It's quite delicious...smooth and not bitter...mmm. The food is fresh and interesting and always good... You're lucky because the service at Lucky Platter is friendly, efficient and casual. Who wants an ass kisser? Not me! We're all lucky because of the apricot flakies. Oh man, these things are good... ALWAYS take one home with you! Let's all be lucky now, shall we..?
(5)Lillian M.
My roommate introduced me to this wonderful restaurant for brunch on a Sunday morning. It has a college-artsy feel with the aluminum balls on the ceiling, a large fake fish above the door, and a baseball pinball game hung on the wall. Friendly wait staff with good food! Although the crowd was mostly suburban folks (some with children), there were college students, rich hippie types, and a sprinkling of Rogers Parkers like my roommate and me. The portions were hearty but not obnoxiously large. My only regret is that they don't offer their homemade chai tea in the summer -- why? I would love to try it, maybe iced? I had a fantastic Mexican omelet with chorizo, black beans and avocado. (I'm a closet vegefisharian, but I just had to try this!) The potatoes that came with the omelet were excellent -- not overseasoned, not mushy or greasy. I decided not to get the flakey and opted instead for homemade wheat bread which was also good. My roommate did get the flakey, which is like a homemade danish except all the jelly stuff is inside, and said it was excellent. A welcome escape from Heartland Cafe, which is very close to where I live but has gone downhill a little bit, especially in the service area. I will still go to Heartland, but they could take a lesson from Lucky Platter in both food and service. If you're planning to go to brunch on Sundays in particular, go early -- it really gets busy after 10:30am, but they don't kick people out of their table or booth if they wish to linger over their coffee. Tables are cozy but not too closely spaced together. It's a small to medium-sized restaurant -- small enough to feel cozy and intimate, but not so small that it becomes quaint or cramped. I will definitely go back to Lucky Platter!
(4)Claudia P.
Love the portobello burger and sweet potato everything. Coffee and tea could be better. Homey atmosphere, and there is usually a wait for brunch and breakfast, but people do get seated democratically. Decor is slightly off-kilter in a good way. A neighborhood favorite.
(3)Virginia T.
We went on a Saturday morning (11:30 or so). The wait was short, the decor kitschy and cute. The food was excellent. The service.....not so much. It took forever to get our order taken, we only got refills when we asked, my toast came out a good 10 minutes after the rest of my meal (and so did the bacon, and it was sans the 3rd piece we ordered). The way I looked at it she was just saving us tip $. But the food was awesome. The sourdough pancakes were really, really good....the burger was good and cooked to order, the cinnamon glazed bacon was heaven itself, and the cajun scramble was pretty tasty. All in all, I would go back.
(4)Gianna O.
The burgers are fantastic, and I love that you can request avocados with anything. They bring you gigantic slices of fresh avocados. The atmosphere is great too...funky, college-town feel.
(4)Gillian R.
My mom lives down the street from this little joint so I've been going for years. Echoing another Yelpers sentiments about the service...I'm convinced the wait staff are told by management (or at least someone) to provide exceptionally bad service. I have never had a good server here, in fact, the last time I came I commented to my dining partner "wow, we got our waters in under 10 minutes". That being said, I keep returning because the food is sensational. I would come just for the corn bread or Caribbean Pumpkin Soup alone. Oh. My. God. The pumpkin soup. Two words: Yum and mee. I also feel it's (reasonably) well priced. The avocado salad is delish, especially with the toasted sesame dressing - they should bottle and sell that stuff! Parking is moderate and wait times for seating are short unless it's Sunday brunch. But again, be prepared for some of the best food and the worst service. Ever. Seriously.
(4)Jean C.
Brunch for 3 this sunday morning was great. Huevos Chirizo, Omelet Mumbai, and Omelet #1 were all wonderful. The raisin scone was best I have had....lovely taste. Also it was 10:20 am on Sunday am and we did not have a wait. It was crowded, so maybe we just hit it right.
(5)Josh E.
Yeah, totally not bad. I went for Saturday brunch with Karen G. and got the diced turkey hash. It had a ton of mozzarella, so if that's your thing then you'll be pleased. The raisin scone that came with was delectable as well. Karen got omelet #1. It has artichoke hearts, avocado, goat cheese, and roasted tomato sauce. She liked it, and said that it has a good liquidy consistency from the tomato sauce that makes it better than a standard "dry" omelet. However, the breakfast potatoes were a little flavorless. It was a cute place, and we got lucky with parking right outside. I'd say give it a go if you're in Evanston around brunchtime. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Steve T.
Food: excellent and interesting (cinnamon-glazed bacon, cinnamon-raisin French toast) Atmosphere: cool artwork and kitsch on the walls, lots of bizarre stuff to look at Service: average to good; waiter was friendly Coffee: average, not bad
(3)david h.
We had one of the best breakfast's ever at the Lucky Platter. Great food, fun ambiance, great service from interesting, interested funny servers. We had whole wheat buttermilk Banana pancakes, carmelized bacon (OMG delicious), and the Number 1 omellette with goat cheese artichoke, avocado and tomato aioli. Highly recommend this place if you are alive and have a mouth. if not, you should avoid it.
(5)Carolyn G.
We went out on a limb and decided to try this place and I am so glad we did! When we walked in, the first thing I noticed were the aluminum foil balls glued to the ceiling. Ok, weird. As I looked around, the rest of the decor was just as weird. I was a little worried. I shouldn't have been. The food was great! I had the Mexican omelet (yum!) and my husband had the smoked turkey hash. Both dishes were excellent, though I preferred mine. :) I will definitely be back!
(5)Marion P.
This place makes me happy! Quirky art on the walls, nice atmosphere, some unusual things on the menu, and pretty good food. We tried a few things today: - Pumpin Soup (SO GOOD!) - Mac & Cheese (yummy) - Cornbread (decent) - Avocado Salad (great dish to have on the menu, but it was a bit bland - but a large portion for the money!) - Sweet Potato Fries (apparently not the best everyone has eaten, although this was the first time I've had any and I thought they were pretty good). I definitely want to go back here, for brunch of course and to try more things on the menu. This seems like the kind of place where you can find some really excellent things among mediocre others. EDIT: We went for brunch, after all, and now I added two stars to my original review! We had omelettes, and they were so very tasty! Mine was a mexican omelette (spicy, with avocado, beans and cheese, yum!, and potatoes and a warm raisin scone on the side, yum again!) Seriously, brunch is the way to go at this place! The place was packed, and the food was positively amazing, and very affordably priced. I am so taking my friends here for brunch!
(5)Jake G.
Amazing food, Eggs Benedict, great, Pancakes, superb. Also cool scenery around the place. I mean they've got all these metal sculptures and cool paintings. the service is kind of slow though and thats the only drop back
(4)Nia B.
The service was very bad and I won't eat there again.
(1)Cinsou E.
This is a great place ! If you want to have a typical American breakfast, this is the place where you must go. I have been several time and I can say that the food quality is very good (the soup is great), people are super nice and the atmosphere is very casual. The decoration is very interesting and you can not see that somewhere else. On the top of that, prices are very reasonable. You can not be disappointed.
(5)Joseph L.
I have always loved this place... really original flavors and style.
(4)Adam S.
This place is Top-Notch! The measure of an enduring restaurant is not just the value and decency of it's food but also the quality and character of it's customers. I'm not just saying that because the owner is my brother...Well, maybe I am. Still, there are a lot of times I don't really like my brother but it's very rare I don't like his food or the people sitting next to me at his restaurant.
(5)Lindley E.
When I lived in Evanston and didn't want to go to Blind Faith Cafe (brunch spot #1) this was my brunch spot of choice. The food simply tastes better than Clarke's (or whatever it is called) and is served with a side of kitsch. Yes, the flakeys are good...maybe the best thing about Lucky Platter. I have never experienced poor or indifferent service - it has been, across the board, just fine. Dinner isn't much to write home about. Comfort food, executed in a bland, uncreative, moderately tasty way.
(3)Lee R.
I've never had a bad meal here and it's extremely reasonable for such well prepared food. I wanted to wait until I'd had breakfast before I reviewed and it's taken me forever but I finally made it! Everything on the dinner menu is amazing. I had the juevos rancheros w/ chorizo for breakfast, which is a dish open to wide interpretation. They did a great job with it -- delicious, fluffy eggs and an array of ingredients joined with a few tortillas. I had to fork up a significant amount off the plate afterward, having only gotten three tiny tortillas, but that's okay, I wasn't worried about appearances in the company of family :) Definitely will be going back to try a few other things on the breakfast menu!
(5)Lauren C.
Stopped here for breakfast to end a weekend of conferences at Northwestern. Good location, but that's where the good stopped. Weird decor inside, including tin can birds (one carrying a tin can dead fish), and paintings of misshapen people. Waitstaff was slow and not engaged at all -- the guy who took our order took about 20 minutes to fetch us an orange juice and iced chai, and seemed incredibly sad. Maybe he was sad to be working in such a place. The orange juice had cinnamon in it, but cost $3.75 for a large. Outrageous prices! The iced chai had no tea, just spices and milk. My associate wanted to order a Tamarind Lemonade, but apparently they don't make that anymore although it's on the menu. (The waiter was, apparently, quite sad about this too.) I ordered a make-your-own scramble with mushrooms and broccoli. It was very much just eggs, broccoli, and mushrooms tossed in a pan. Nothing special at all. It was also cold. The potatoes on the side were obviously reheated many times as they were dry, the skin crackled, and flavorless. I also had the apricot cheese flaky, which was good, but out of place with the meal and not any better than something I could have gotten at a coffee shop somewhere. My associate had eggs benedict, which is served over cornbread. To pull this off, you have to have some serious cornbread, and this was not serious. She was disappointed, as the cornbread was mushy and not toasted, and was not an adequate accompaniment to Hollandaise sauce. This was not worth the $14. I would have rather had the free adequate continental breakfast at our hotel.
(2)Lois A.
I'm sure at one time this was a great place to eat in Evanston. The food here tastes good - having honey on the table for the cornbread is awesome. But...man it is dirty in here. The word dingy comes to mind when you walk in because it feels like the lights are just streaming through dust. There is a lot of fun outsider art in here and that is great but actually looking closer at the print hanging on the wall next to our table I saw, yes, a lot of grime. Our server last night was nice but totally scatterbrained...bringing wrong things. Also, the ranch dressing for my salad was really warm which may be why I felt horrible after eating here and all evening long. Also, all of our food came out less than five minutes after we ordered which is not usually a good thing.
(2)Ellen M.
This place has very good food. I'll put up with it when I've got plenty of time to spend, necessary since it always seems to take an eternity to get seated. Also, the orders always seem to get lost or wildly inverted. Like, I order swedish pancakes with ligonberries, he orders eggs and bacon, they put the side of berries on the plate with the eggs, and I get my swedish pancakes and his toast. We manage to sort it all out. The service isn't bad, it's just confusing. They say puzzles are good for the mind, let's just say I'm a damn genius after dining here a few times. That said, the swedish pancakes are mighty fine. There's not another breakfast dish I seek more regularly than that one.
(3)James B.
After several visits, I finally got the experience that some other have received. Apparently, Juan Valdez's donkey broke down -It took over 10mins for our server to bring our coffee. When my Montana Hash arrived, it came with a surprise guest appearance - someone's lengthy hair. A sad day for The Lucky Platter
(2)Brian B.
After recently moving to the neighborhood my wife and I were down to find some new local eats. Lucky Platter will not be our "place" in fact I don't think we'll go again... I found the decor to be cute and homey but not restaurant quality. The service was prompt, but could have been more friendly. Then there's the food, concept wise it is spot on! Great dishes in CONCEPT. I ordered the skirt steak medium rare, it was very good and I was very pleased with the mushrooms and blue cheese on top, the mash potatoes were quite tasty-while the spinach was just okay and relatively bland. My wife ordered the classic burger adding bacon, cheddar and sun dried tomatoes, cooked medium. The burger had too many onions and lettuce while the cucumbers were a little odd in my eyes but otherwise the toppings were wonderful and portions are easily fixed. The first couple bites (which were very small) were good, but not great , and then it quickly became clear that the burger was rare, red and not very warm in the middle. We sent the burger back and fifteen minutes later, after my food was all gone, out came a piping hot fresh burger. The new burger was closer to well done than medium and was too hot to eat for another five minutes or so. After waiting so long after eating my wife wasn't hungry and after a few bites we began the wait for our bill. I was surprised we didn't receive much of an apology, a free dessert or a discount or anything of that nature- but it is a small business so maybe they don't do those things because they don't want to cut into the bottom line; overall it came off as bad service in my eyes and for that reason I don't plan on coming back.
(2)Marie B.
Four stars...for the cornbread!!! It was divine. I hesitate to write a review about the food because I didn't really order what I wanted. Thanks to Yelp, I had perused the menu before hand and decided on the crab cakes benedict...and being a Southern Girl, I wanted to try their Fried Green Tomatoes. Well the FGT are brought to the table...covered in green onion. Am horribly allergic so I had to send them back. Sigh. This started the dialogue, re: crab cakes and I learned they too contained onion. Since my friend's food was ready...and we were both starving, I quickly ordered an omellette. It was good...just not what I had a taste for. My friend had the Turkey Hash and he liked it. It looked a little odd to me...am addicted to the chicken hash at RL the Ralph Lauren restaurant. He also had the French Toast...which he totally loved. All in all, seems like a cool place....the burgers looked divine!!
(4)Drake W.
The menu was somewhat limited and had very specific food choices. Though I think this was a good thing as it forced me to try new things. I wasn't disappointed. The food was amazing. I had the salad with avocado with sun dried tomatoes. A delicious combination. For the main course I had the crab cakes. They weren't over-breaded or over-fried as you usually get with crab cakes at restaurants. It really brought out the taste of the crab meat. The dish also came with a coleslaw. Here's the thing: I have never liked coleslaw. But this was different. Instead of a mayonnaise base, they used a sweet base. I can't remember what it was exactly but I think it was described on the menu. Anyway, I thought it was delicious! To put a spin on a simple thing like coleslaw and completely change my perspective; I never had that happen before at a restaurant. There wasn't a complaint at my table about any of the other dishes either. The atmosphere was simple, yet eclectic with several portrait paintings on the walls. I hope to return very soon!
(5)Cathy B.
I'd come here again, if I were ever this far north of Chicago, and yet this far south of Evanston. I totally heart the spirit of the place -- the decor, the attitude of the waitstaff, the informality of seasonal changes to the menu. I heart all of that. I even heart some of the menu items, though ultimately I think the menu options were a bit sparse, and reliant on pretty interchangeable ingredients -- does every salad need the option of grilled chicken and/or portobellos? Don't some salad taste better without these add-ons? Should the consumer have all control over add-ons? Don't you, as a restauraneur want some input into how your finished items taste? But really, my food was just fine. And that's about all. Leaps and bounds above what a normal diner would serve -- healthier, veg-friendly, and with nice traditional hippy alternatives, like hibiscus tea, etc. But still, a bit predictable.
(4)Keiko S.
So this is what's called "Evanstonian" cuisine, and I think I kinda like it for its peculiarity. As already pointed out by my fellow yelpers, it's an interesting place - in terms of both decor (don't forget to check the ceiling when you're there) and menu. First came the mojita, which was fairly strong and refreshing. My tofu scramble was really tasty - it's basically blocks of tofu mixed with a bunch of feta cheese. The tandoori chicken salad was tasty, though a bit on the sweet side. Despite some mishaps (see John B's thorough review), I think everyone enjoyed the food and walked out full. In any case, this charming and somewhat eccentric restaurant will always have a special place in my heart...mostly for personal reasons, though. And Dee W and I still can't figure out why their mojita is spelled with an "A"... UPDATE: Thanks to Rocky B, we now know that "Mojita's are usually made with vodka as Mojito's are generally made with rum"!!
(4)E. W.
There is one reason to go to The Lucky Platter: Omelette No. 1. It is an omelette filled with artichokes, avocado, goat cheese, and roasted tomato sauce. It is served with breakfast potatoes and a pastry. My husband and I each order one. I get mine with the raisin scone. He gets his with the apricot cheese flakey. We smile at each other a lot while we eat. Ordinarily, I am one of those people who always wants to add this or substitute that at restaurants, but even I cannot improve on this dish. If you like the above ingredients, order the No. 1. It is perfection on a platter. It makes the wait worth it, and it enables appreciation of the crazy decor.
(4)Neha N.
I've eaten here a few times and find it pretty.... average? I do have to commend them on their portabella mushroom sandwich. The sauce they put on there is SO good! Vegetarians would appreciate this. Another time I came and got the eggplant sandwich... ick. The sweet potato fries are kind of soggy and the cornbread is kind of subpar. I do love the crazy weird decorations though! Also, the staff has always been nice, even when they are packed.
(3)Cecilia M.
The Lucky Platter had been a long time favorite since my sister in law introduced me to this place. They have some truly outstanding comfort food dishes (i.e. Fried green tomato Benedict, Gouda burger). Their only downfall is the service ranges form Okay to meh. Most of the time its Okay though so I can say its well worth your visit. And if you are picky about service i.e. like to have the waiter check on your a lot or are in a hurry etc maybe just let your waiter know your priorities and I am pretty sure they will accommodate.
(4)John B.
The Lucky Platter is never lucky for me. I stopped in with a friend just recently, jonesing for some breakfast food, only to find out that they stop serving breakfast at 2. I'm not docking any stars for that, but considering that LP's breakfast menu is far superior to their lunch or dinner menu, they really should serve it all day. My complaint, as ever, is the service. The hostess was great at getting us a table at what proved to be the end of the breakfast rush (dammit!), but the server couldn't really be bothered. Maybe it's just the laid back Evanston lifestyle, but he was definitely on a different schedule than we were. And listening to him complain to another worker about the tip another table left him didn't really impress us. I can see why people love this place, but it never seems to treat me right.
(3)Adrian D.
The gentleman seated us and brought out what I thought was bread. It sure was, some good cornbread. What! I was surprisingly satisfied. It was late, so I settled for a salad. The Mango chutney was especially great. I am now curious to see what else on the menu will meet the standards set. Since this was my first time, I gave Lucky Platter 3 stars, for now.
(3)John D.
The Lucky Platter is a "joint". That being said, what would any neighborhood be without one? I'm a HUGE fan of this neighborhood joint. The decor alone has such amusing flair that your eyes will wander throughout the entire meal. The food is fast and straightforward. I've never had a truly great nor truly bad meal there. The egg dishes w/potatoes will please breakfast fans, while the tandori chicken is always good for those seeking lunch fare. The crowd is an eclectic mix of young families, young people, and the elderly. The only caveat I would share is, be warned, they have some mean rush times where you could be waiting a while for a table. However, isn't that the result of any truly fun joint?
(4)Lauren C.
I've had a hit or miss relationship with The Lucky Platter food-wise, but there are some gems on the menu that keep me coming back. Must Have's: --Caribbean pumpkin soup. Good cold weather soup with a little bit of kick! It's definitely one of the stars of their menu --Sweet potato fries: Shoe string sweet potato fries! AMAZING! Can't beat em! --Gingered fruit: Unique fruity salsa-like side dish. It's not for everyone, but I adored the mixture of sweet and savory with a hint of cilantro. --Apricot cheese flakey: Really good accompaniment to their breakfast dishes! --Cornbread: Best sidekick for the pumpkin soup. Hands down! I like The Lucky Platter's motif; they're trying a little too hard with the foil balls on the ceiling, but check out the colander lamp shades! Waitstaff is slooow...i've always had to wait at least 5 minutes before i'm greeted by my waiter. They're not the friendliest bunch either Recommend to go orders when you're in a hurry. Food is always hot and the service is a hell of a lot faster to go! Decent food, just not sure if it's worth the hype.
(3)Susi D.
I used to live around the corner from the Lucky Platter. And I used to host a bunch of insane booze-filled parties that resulted in lots of pals sleeping over on my floor. So that equation turned into this: Hungover Friends + Need for Breakfast = Lucky Platter! The decor is great...all sorts of cool stuff to look at and see. Every available space is covered with something....retro-style pictures of mysterious ladies, mosaics, bottle caps, you name it. I always got an omelet and they were so tasty. I enjoyed mine with spinach, tomato & feta, yum yum yum! I remember the service being pretty good. We would all roll in...all shaggy and foggy-eyed and hungover and STARVING and before you knew it we'd have a table and would be gobbling up our food and coffee with gusto. Gotta love the Lucky Platter. I wish I still lived nearby. *sigh*
(5)Sean M.
my girlfriend and I visited this restaurant today. we were looking for a good lunch at a reasonable price. the girl that seated us asked if we wanted a booth or a table but didn't seem very happy that we were there. I have to agree with the other reviews that the place was downright dirty. I had a Philly cheese steak sandwich with pumpkin soup. my girlfriend had the salmon salad with balsamic dressing. there is no way this food was cooked to order by how fast it arrived at our table. the steak sandwich was average at best but thrown together and look like a pile of slop. upon arrival the salmon salad was also a mess. approximately three bites of salmon on top of a bed of dirty,wilted,mixed greens. one of .the tomatoes was still actually frozen. dressing was very low grade and had the consistency of tar. overall a high cost low quality meal. the only positives I can mention is the pumpkin soup and the waiter was pleasant and a gentleman. In closing the lucky platter is luckey to still be in business. we won't be returning.
(1)Cat W.
This is my favorite restaurant in the region. The menu is as interesting as the decor (and that's a feat). It's usually not quite as crowded as the raw food markets of Blind Faith and I prefer the quieter ambiance. I highly recommend the design-your-own pizzas, the cornbread and spiced pumpkin soup, and you absolutely cannot be allowed to leave the premises without trying their homemade cream soda. Absolutely the best I've ever had. I'm not sure about their gluten free menu, as I haven't been back recently (unfortunately) but I'm sure they have something for everyone.
(5)Gerardo A.
Evanston is a great college town. On Saturday, a friend and I took a tour of Northwestern University. Then, we headed off to the Lucky Platter to have lunch. We both had the tandoori chicken sandwich, which was absolutely delicious. It was mildly seasoned and it came with the most delicious fruit salad with a ginger glaze. It was also served with a yummy cornbread. I was so impressed with the Lucky Platter that we went back for dinner on Sunday. We both had the tandoori salmon, which was just as delicious as the chicken. We ordered the mac and cheese, which was divine. It had fresh tomato, which gave it a tang. I will definately be back for more!
(5)Ariel B.
UPDATED 7/7/2013 Where once I gave this really cute diner four stars, I am down to one. I have been coming here for years and the last time we went I thought things were off and it was a fluke. This time....HORRIBLE is the nicest thing I can say. When we were first seated and placed our order, everything seemed fine. Then we got our food. I asked for 2 easy poached eggs, potatoes, wheat toast and side of sausage. My potatoes were reheated (yes, went cold and were heated again) and were as hard as a rock. The sausage was terrible, it tasted off. The eggs were hard and the wheat toast was thick and tasteless. There was not one thing I could eat on my plate. Our server stopped by once to reheat our coffee and we never saw her again. The pace was empty and she was busy chatting in the corner with a coworker. We had to flag down two people to get her to come back to our table. She asked my friend if she was done with her plate (which was also terrible) and left. My plate is still full of food and she glanced at it and walked away. She came back with coffee, "Are you finished?" My plate was barely touched. I nicely explained that I wasn't happy with my meal and there was nothing that I ordered that was any good. "Oh, I'm sorry. The sausage is on me." Uh...ok. We both looked at each other and just shook our heads. I mean, come on! I worked in food service. Your customer said NOTHING tasted good and that's the best you can do? I didn't even eat anything! So we paid and left. It was the last time I'll ever go there. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * A friend of mine and I went for brunch on Saturday. She kept telling me how great the place was, so I finally trekked up north for the goods. I knew there was going to be a long wait, so I had brought in my Starbucks. When we were finally seated at a table, the first thing the server said to me, "There is a surcharge for outside beverages. This time you are ok, but next time we're going to charge you." Ok, fine, I can deal with that, I've dealt with it before. We had a wait and I needed something to drink, I said I was fine with a surcharge. But then the server kept repeating it. OK! FINE! I get it. I said I was fine with it, charge me. I don't care. We needed a few minutes to order and it seemed to be a problem. Was this all over my coffee? I even ordered another cup and I drank enough coffee from them to float the Titanic for goodness sakes. I felt like we kept getting attitude. The food was really good. I had the Crab Cakes (under the benedicts) and it was fantastic. It came on some kind of corn bread, delish. My friend had the cinnamon raisin french toast. Very good as well. We split the potatoes (which comes with carrots) and they were very tasty. AS WAS THE COFFEE. Sorry. Still bitter. Overall, I think the decor is great, the food is good, but I could do without the 'tude.
(1)Isabella P.
This is my favorite restaurant in Evanston. First of all, everything, and I mean everything, on the menu is delicious. The menu is very unique, sometimes putting a spin on some old favorites. I am a big fan of the homemade creme soda and my mother has been trying to figure out their delicious catfish recipe for years. You really can't go wrong. The atmosphere is very fun and funky combining vintage art with more modern style art and ideas in design. It is decently priced and definitely somewhere I would take guests visiting Evanston. A little gem of a restaurant!
(5)Curtis H.
Great food, very unique, as is the quirky style. Suggest BBQ chicken salad or pot roast for dinner. Can not go wrong.
(4)Patti B.
Thanks to Yelp, I've found another source of good food near my new place! I took food to go since I always feel weird eating in restaurants by myself, so I can't say much about the service, but I people-watched while I waited and everyone seated near the door seemed pretty happy with food moving around fast. Anyway, the tandoori chicken salad was very good with an interesting blend of flavors. Never one to like artichokes, I actually thought they were good in this dish. Even though I ordered a small salad, the portion was pretty big and the chicken was still warm when I opened it at home. The cornbread was a bit of a letdown - I've definitely had better in Berkeley, but at least it was piping hot. I'll definitely be back to try other dishes! ***UPDATE: 9/2/07*** The boyfriend and I came back for dinner this weekend and I take back what I said about the cornbread - with the whipped butter, it's quite good! I also tried the portobello dish and liked it, although it tasted somewhat similar to the tandoori chicken salad.
(4)Adam S.
Quirky place and a nice find away from what is quickly becoming "cosmopolitan" chain-ridden downtown Evanston. What is happening with Evanston anyway? Talking about building a 50-story tower in the middle of it? But I digress... I've been to Lucky Platter now several times for lunch and a couple times for dinner and have never been disappointed. Their salads are big and fresh and even the dressings are unique and tasty (not your typical thousand island / ranch choices.) My favorite thing on the menu is probably the tandoori chicken sandwich with a side of sweet potato fries. The spf's aren't as good as at Rockit which I consider to be the best sweet potato fries this side of...whatever...but they are still pretty good. Bottom line, everything seems to be good at this place and the vibe is very soothing and way laid back. I almost wish they would make it a little more comfortable; some cushions on the chairs, etc. but I guess they probably don't want people hanging out there all day - but that's definitely the kind of place it is...
(4)tony c.
a nice place for a brunch that's a little different from other joints. this place is right up the street from my mom's, so sometimes we default to The Lucky Platter when we're trying to think of something to break our routine. they've got a nice, homey, moderately healthy selection of meals that are usually a slightly different take on something standard. definitely good quality, and yes- the cornbread is pretty great, too. they can also mix a pretty mean bloody mary (granted, i usually order a double) when the mood strikes. lastly, the atmosphere is pretty cool. the eclectic decor always gives you something to look at when the company isn't very interesting. (no, not you, mom!)
(3)beno g.
The service was not all that good but not really bad. The food on the other hand is amazing. Not many dishes are quite what you expect. The flavor and those little things that make the dishes great are what I like here. You would never guess from reading the menu. This is real comfort food. The tomato bisque soup was the best I have ever had. Other than the kinda halfhearted service, the only downside is on the vegetarian options. There is a sandwich and an entry, typically. Both amazing but I thought there would be more options.
(3)ann s.
This place has been so wildly uneven for me, it's hard to pick out a star rating. Sometimes the service has been wonderful (like the time a server offered to let us sample a couple of soups to decide which we'd prefer), sometimes it's been awful (once it was so awful that I put the LP on my personal blacklist for a couple of years). There are a couple of things they make that I like, including their pumpkin soup, sweet potato fries and corn bread. I like their sides, but I'm generally not bowled over by their entrees. Oftentimes, I order things with some expectation of what they're going to taste like, only to find that they taste very different from what I was expecting. That can be fine or not fine, depending on your point of view. For instance, their jambalaya. I was expecting it to taste like something I'd get in New Orleans, or a place serving Cajun- or Creole-style food. What I got was rather tasty, but it barely resembled any jambalaya recipe I've ever had (and with not much in the way of spice). I've had some odd but perfectly fine cocktails as well. I don't like their breakfast menu much, but that has to do with my desire to have the option of ordering a cheap couple of eggs over easy with some good potatoes, diner-style, and leave it at that. Last I saw, everything was much more elaborate. The decor is funky and sort of cute. So I'll be back, but probably as some sort of dining-companion/convenience compromise.
(3)Kathryn R.
I usually go there for the salads. They are always delicious! I am not a corn bread fan, so I can't tell you about that. The wait staff has consistently been average. The prices are OK.
(3)Chris W.
I was here for lunch. I had a Greek omelet and my friend had the Mexican omelet. I enjoyed my Greek one more however the only way it really kicks in the mouth is to take a bite of the innards of the omelet and then stab it with a bite of potato and THERE YOU GO. Delicious breakfast/brunch meal in a very cute environment. Feels very indie inside. Like having brunch inside the LP of the Arcade Fire : Funeral.
(3)Quantas G.
MMMmmmm, good. The Caribbean pumpkin soup? Yes, very delicious. The kitschy decor complete with weird bulbs protruding from the ceiling? Yes, appreciated. The homey atmosphere? I likey. The tender pot roast? More, please.
(5)yefim k.
worst breakfast ever everything looked good like it was fresh but it all tasted like trash really the biggest disappointment ever after all the good stuff i heard about this place don't waste you time if your thier dixie kitchen is only minutes away
(1)Elif T.
I tried this place, because from outside it seems so nice and cool. Unfortunately, it is not... When you get into the restaurant, it smells really bad. It seems dirty, it might be because of the smell. I felt as if i am lost and the server was not so attentive at all. I would say, never again....
(1)Ashley H.
The great food, great prices, and great service will keep me coming back.
(4)Nick H.
I love eclectic places. It's one of the perks of living in this area. The Lucky Platter is one of the more eclectic places that can be found on the North Shore. We both enjoy the cozy atmosphere and the decor...wehre else can you see a scrap metal sculpture of a fish? The letters of the sign out front are made from old pot handles. How cool is that? The food here is decent. Their cornbread is the shit. The sweet potato fries are tasty and worth ordering a basket. Last summer, I had a tamarind lemonade that was very surprisingly flavorful and well balanced. For our most recent meal there I had the turkey meatballs with spaghetti (tasty, nothing too unusual) and my wife had the chili. Both were ideal on a cold and shitty evening. We like eating here and neither of us has gotten sick or had food poisoning.
(4)Jami K.
I've been here a couple times and it's generally pretty good but not absolutely terrific. They have a nice mix of vegetarian items along with stuff an omnivore would end. Definitely get their pumpkin soup...it's tasty and will warm you up. The first time I was here their sweet potato fries were good, but the last time they were dry and burnt...that was a bummer. The corn bread is good and comes with a lot of items, but you have to make sure you ask for it!
(3)Laura S.
I brought my mom and sister here for brunch yesterday for the first time, and my mom and I agreed that it was the best we've ever eaten. My sister, the very picky one, wasn't equally enthused, but clearly enjoyed herself. We passed this along to our waiter, who had the owner/chef come out, and we had a nice chat about the history of the place. I'm surprised to read about issues with the service, as we were seated promptly and our waiter was nothing but attentive, with perfect coffee refill timing. All of our food came out exactly as ordered: cinnamon raisin french toast for my mom, whole wheat french toast for my sister (had to swap out the bread for the picky one :P), Cajun scramble for me, with sides of bacon and sausage for the table. Beautiful food! The french toast was just sweet enough, and thick enough to hold up against the maple syrup and not become a gooey mess like others would. And I normally avoid ordering scrambled eggs, as most restaurants clearly use some kind of "egg product," but these were very clearly eggs, and the rest of my ingredients (broccoli, andouille sausage and pepper jack cheese) were fresh and delicious. The potatoes were also a treat, though perhaps just a smidge too garlicky. Skip the toast and order an apricot cheese flakey for an additional 25 cents, yummy! Bottom line, this is homemade fare, clearly made with love. And it will keep me coming back.
(5)Mike J.
Great place for traditional breakfast food. I have only been there once, but found the food choices more exquisite and interesting than in other breakfast places in Evanston. The Omelette No.1 with artichoke hearts, avocado and goat cheese was delicious, and so was the french toast with raisins and cinnamon. The waiter was also friendly and humorous.
(4)Little Tuna's Mom X.
Good, cheap food. Yummy.
(5)Daniel S.
When I lived in Evanston and had a morning free (or wanted to procrastinate in public), I would grab a Trib from the newsstand at Main and Chicago and walk over to the Lucky Platter for breakfast. So, back in town for winter break with a morning to myself, I thought I'd run through my old routine. Unfortunately, the LP didn't satisfy like it used to. In the "olden" days, I usually ended up at one of the two-top booths or a four-top in the back, but thanks to a larger weekday breakfast crowd, I was seated at a two-top right in the front between two other tables. Normally I don't care, but the tables were crammed in pretty tight - I was inclined to talk about psychology and computers with either group, but instead made the best of it and focused on the Trib. At first, service was great. First cup of coffee was on the table within 2 minutes, and my order was in fast. The food came relatively quickly. Unfortunately, here's where the LP began to fail. First, the portion was ridiculously small. I ordered a scramble with honey ham, sun-dried tomatoes, and sauteed spinach. The food tasted great - the ingredient combo is the same as their "Florentine Benedict", but I wanted toast and potatoes (and I had been scarred by a bad Benedict the day before - see my review on "Orange"). Anyway, it looked as if there were two medium-sized eggs in the scramble along with a small helping of each ingredient. For $8.25, I expected something closer to a 3-egg omelet, but I guess we all have to cut back in this economy. Potato portion was OK, but I only got one piece of toast. Apparently, bread is hard to come by these days... So, I could have overlooked some of these food faults if I hadn't been overlooked by the wait staff. I know that some people hate when the staff keeps filling their coffee mid-cup, ruining their cream/sugar balance. I drink my coffee black, so I expect one thing of my breakfast coffee: it never runs out. The staff had no clear service pattern - a waiter would bring a full pot of coffee to one table and then take it back to the service area without making a trip to his other tables. So, I put my coffee mug at the opposite end of the table, hoping he would notice. Finally, about 10 minutes later, I caught a different waiter's eye and got my refill, not to mention more water and a serving of jelly. The ketchup that I had also been wanting became a non-issue - in my coffee-less frustration, I ate my potatoes without the necessary condiment. I waited similarly long for the check - I had enough time to finish the crossword without interruption. I'll never know how much time I lost to the LP, but I do know that when I got back to my car, the 60 minutes I put on my meter had expired. It seems that, with no ticket on the windshield, the parking gods had smiled upon me even though the breakfast gods had forsaken my Lucky Platter experience.
(3)Ted K.
The Lucky Platter is a great place for breakfast. I recommend the Classic Eggs Benedict. The hollandaise sauce was fantastic and I liked that they garnished it with fresh scallions. What makes this dish stand out is that instead of using an englsih muffin, they serve it on toasted corn bread. The service was very attentive and the decor was unique.
(4)Rob L.
I've been going here for about 2 years, since before my wife and I got married. We enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner here. They have an eclectic menu and atmosphere. For the most part the service is pretty good, but can be spotty at times. We are big fans of the sweet potato fries and the roasted seasame salad dressing. It gets really busy on saturday and sunday mornings.
(4)Eric T.
When considering all the dining options in Evanston, The Lucky Platter is an absolute must at some point. It's unique, moderately priced, easy to get to (right off the L or Metra Main St stop), and the decor is a visual trip in itself. I've had good and great experiences here, never bad. The food is traditional American revisited with a twist of southern flair - you can get really good fried green tomatoes as an appetizer; their jambalaya is very tasty, and so are the Louisiana crab cakes over slaw ; cornbread comes with all entrees. But going beyond the southern flair you find some really solid comfort food like beef stroganoff; mashed sweet potatoes; roast acorn squash; sweet potato fries. Two favorites include horseradish crusted tilapia and their turkey meatballs marinara w/linguini. Plus they have a decent beer & cocktails selection. Dine-in or pickup only.
(4)John D.
One word: Montana Hash. I always get the Montana Hash when I go here. Its soo good. The decor is fun and strange and the wait staff are cool and laid back. But seriously, get the Montana Hash.
(4)Larz F.
The food is okay but the service acts like you're interferring with their day. The menu is strange - they'll have seven kinds of salmon which is great if you want salmon. Other choices seem pretty limited.
(2)Chrissy F.
I used to work at the Starbucks across the street from this place and I'd hear food poisoning stories from my fellow coworkers. But growing up with family members with fickle stomachs, I usually chalk that sort of thing up to individual circumstances. One Sunday morning one of my coworkers wanted breakfast, but didn't want anything from our store (all the food is way too sweet!) So he wanted to order out, but not alone. I, of course, offer to go in on it with him and he suggests we order from Lucky Platter. An alarm goes off in the back of my mind, but I couldn't put my finger on it...so I shrugged it off and ordered breakfast. I really don't feel the need to continue this story because I think everyone has a good idea of where I'm going with it... Needless to say, I got sick at work - an experience that I don't recommend to anyone... But like I said...fickle stomachs
(1)Ann Y.
I don't know if I went on a bad day, but I had a really awful experience. First our waiter just seemed as if he didn't want to be there at all. He was really slow in taking our order. Then I started with the pumpkin soup which was just mediocre and not really sweet at all. My husband had a burger which he said was just OK. I had a tuna melt which actually was pretty good. Here is where it got bad- we both ordered the side of mac and cheese. It was lukewarm, dry, hard and unflavorful. We exchanged it for the potatoes which weren't much better. They had drink refills, but our waiter disappeared. For $22 I will go somewhere else.
(2)Gfiddy F.
Pretty good.
(5)David B.
I love this funky american ecletic restaurant. Great for breakfast and lunch/dinner. Absolutely love the corn bread.
(4)Loryn R.
My boyfriend had been here once before and raved about it. We walked in and it looked like there was a little bit of a wait, my first thought is that this place has got to be good. The amount of people waiting was very misleading. Yes, you will be amused by all the decorations on the walls and ceiling but that does NOT make up for terrible service and sub par food. it didnt take us long to get sat and then look over the menu. they seem limited on usual breakfast items. I'm not one for eggs and that was pretty much all you could choose from. Our waiter eventually came over to take our order, my boyfriend had noticed that the table next to us had been sat a few minutes before but hadn't ordered yet. So he said to take their order first. Apparently this was too much for a waiter to handle, he walked away. He came back, took the other table's order and walked away again. FINALLY he came back for our order. when our food came, i was pretty disappointed. these 'fantastic' breakfast potatoes were overcooked with almost no flavor. I had ordered crab cake Benedict that was way sweet for my liking, and i am a big fan of sweet tea. i was up in the air about wanting coffee until i tried my boyfriends. I'm positive mud would have tasted better. it was obviously burnt and had been sitting around. we rarely saw our waiter and was not the 3 dollars we had left him. after we had left, my boyfriend asked what i thought about the place, i said it was so-so and he sternly said we were never coming back. I didn't really have a problem with that, but i let him finish his statement. He didn't want to alarm me since i get very jumpy around bugs, but he saw bugs crawling on the floor. i wanted to throw up my breakfast when he had said that. i did see a fly, flying around but ya know, a lot of restaurants have the occasional fly, but once i found out that there were other disgusting bugs crawling around, i will make a point to never visit this place again. If you really want an interesting breakfast, maybe you should check out the Orange restaurant in Glenview, it may not have as much to look at but at least the food is fantastic and the service is way better.
(1)George T.
Good service and outstanding breakfast. #1 omlette is stellar! Will be repeat customer.
(4)Ann G.
I've been here twice now, first time with friends and second time with my mother. Both times two thumbs up! The decor is awesome and the food is tasty. My mojito was definitely strong too! I'll be back again for take-out or maybe try breakfast...
(4)Melinda C.
I only come here for brunch and it is great every time. You can't go wrong with an omelette - I had a Mexican omelette today with chorizo, black beans, avocado, and pepperjack cheese. Yum! And wonderfully accompanied by an apricot cheese flakey (like a danish with mascarpone cheese) which is arguably the best part of any meal. The ambiance is comfortable and relaxed - great for a nice homey meal.
(4)sarah l.
Hmmm...I was a little confused about what this place was trying to be. It's like a diner, with an artistic flair. Yet the menu was very vegan friendly and more creative than typical diner food. I don't usually drink wine when I go out to eat at a diner either, so that kind of threw me off. I have to say I did like the food. It was good, fresh, and felt healthy. However, nothing was outstanding or really satisfying. The carribean pumpkin soup was probably the best thing on the menu that I tried. I would go back, but not out of my way to eat here.
(3)Sarah K.
I love, love , LOVE this place. The food is always delicious and fairly cheap. The atmosphere is funky and the staff is friendly. Who could ask for anything more?
(5)Paul C.
Sweet potato fries. Awesomeness. This is a great causal spot to bring your friends, and it's vegetarian friendly to boot (although I'm not vegetarian friendly so I don't know why I said that).
(4)Elizabeth A.
we go to the platter nearly once a week because the food is always outstanding and it is wicked inexpensive--and it's right down the block from us. however, one does need to be up for traditional food that is not 100% traditional; i.e., they serve very tasty but somewhat unusual fare. for example: the Caribbean pumpkin soup is made with jalapenos and bananas, but it is the best darn soup you will ever eat in your life. it is true the staff can be flaky, depending on your server. we have come to know each waiter/waitress and their respective personalities and this adds to the charm of the experience. while this can be irritating for a newbie platter diner, the food, the free cornbread and the low priced check more than compensate for the occasional cranky server.
(5)Sarah F.
"funkalicious superfood"-You can't have a bad meal at this place. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and every bite is wonderful. Breakfast items include apple ricotta blintzes, whole wheat pancakes, vegetarian benedict, and Greek omelettes. Lunch includes items, such as a Tandorri chicken salad, a grilled portabella sandwich, and key lime pie. Dinner includes items, such as Louisiana crab cakes, beef stroganoff, and horseradish crested tilapia. The setting is very homey, with lots of paintings and booth seating.
(5)David B.
Yummy in my tummy. Love the food here. Wait staff is really friendly also. Gourmet comfort food is what I would call this. Love the super eccentric decor also. expect a wait during prime hours though. Another plus is full liquor bar!
(4)Midori G.
For starters, I went here with a group of 7 including myself at a 11am on a Monday; it was not particularly crowded and so we had none of the food mix-ups or poor service that others noted. In fact my water was poured so frequently that I think I finished a pitcher all by myself. As for the food: corn bread and sweet potato fries equals pure deliciousness. I think the prices are very good; about $10 per person and I left very full having had the lunch special - tuna melt with a side dish (the fries). I cannot believe it took me four years before coming here and only wish I had discovered much earlier than 4 weeks before I leave! I think everyone should come here to check out the food and of course the decor; can we say Lobster Boy?!
(4)Caroline T.
I was impressed. Made it before 2 luckily so I could order the breakfast. I had a Greek Omlette that came with incredible breakfast potatoes and an apricot cheese flakey (the first time having one of those) all for $8.50.It was delicious. My friends got sides of bacon that looked amazing, with breakfast burrito type things and one friend had a steak salad that was delicious. The decor is really cool, funky,artsy deco, neighborhood Evanston restaurant. I think it is ideal for bfast and brunch not as many lunch choices about 5 sandwhich choices that all looked good and original. I feel like you get a lot for your dollar here, but food that is quality. I would definitely go back. Ideal Evanston diner, I reccomend.
(4)melissa g.
i work down the street from lucky platter, and for people that know the neighborhood, there's not that many food choices compared to downtown evanston. because of this, i have ordered from lucky platter numerous times and have been satisfied. their menu is a little quirky which can be irrating when you are not in the mood for "different" food. but overall, their menu has a selection for everyone. i have gotten take out more than eating in, but both have been pleasant experiences. its not expensive and the fun atmosphere makes for a entertaining time.
(4)Jen H.
The Lucky Platter came highly recommended to me by several Evanstonians as a good breakfast place, so I had to check it out. With an eclectic nouveau-southern cuisine, and vintage remix decor, it was definitely a great alternative to IHOP. With drinks including tamarind juice and hibiscus iced tea (which I have not seen outside of Austin), and a wide range of breakfast selections, both vegetarian and umm, carnivorous, this place hit the spot. I got the "pick your own" scramble with swiss cheese, onions, bacon and egg whites only (50 cents extra) with toast and delicious southern style hashbrowns (which included some sweet potatoes!). My fiance's omelette was stuffed with cheese and spinach, and came with a lovely apricot pastry. I have heard this place can get quite busy--we were fortunate enough to go around 8am on a Saturday, and almost had the place to ourselves.
(4)Gray K.
I can't speak to anything else on the menu, but their french toast is totally amazing--and completely undersold on the menu. Cinnamony, made crispy with corn flakes, and served with strawberries and apple cider syrup. So good. Also my server was kind and kept the coffee coming, so I have no complaints.
(5)Allen B.
A great eclectic original menu....... serving things prepared in unique but tasty ways. First taste delicious, but less satisfying as the meal goes on, maybe because of over-seasoning. Funky original kitschy decor. Wait staff kind of indifferent , not unpleasant but not particulary friendly either. This used to have what I called "the best breakfast in town" but the last couple times I went there, it was more on the greasy side. The general feeling of the place is that it is not very clean....makes me wonder how clean the kitchen is. The whole concept is just a little tired. One time, although this was quite some time ago, I saw that my fork at the place setting was greasy. When i called attention to it to the waiter, he said in a way that actually made me laugh: " Yeah, trying to find clean silverware in this place is like winning the lottery." He did bring me a clean fork though. Five years ago I would have given this place 4 stars, but after my last couple of visits, it's only 2, mainly because of the cleanliness factor.
(2)Jacob K.
Yuck, Yuck and Yuck. This place has to be one of the worst places I have eaten in my life. Aside from all the mediocre restaurants in Evanston this one is just bad. The pancakes are worse than anything made out of a mix, it was overpriced for what you got... but lets not forget ambiance. This is a dirty looking hole in the wall. The waitresses seemed more interested in chatting with each other than attending to customers. I wish there was a 0 rating or negative one.
(1)Jennifer H.
I can't believe I haven't written a review of Lucky Platter yet, because it's such a staple in my diet and my life! The best adjective for Lucky Platter is "reliable." I've never had anything bad here (although I can particularly recommend the tandoori chicken salad, the turkey meatballs and linguine and any pizza with their yummy cracker-thin crusts). However, I've also never had anything outstanding here. So, like I said, reliable. But it's fun dining in the kitschy dining room, with their colander sculptures and silly menus, and the service is always quick and with a smile. Lucky Platter's probably not worth a trip to Evanston, but if you live here, you should definitely make a stop.
(4)Jonathan K.
dont know why i didnt realize the diversity of the menu last time...this place is pretty off the hook. chorizo burger is PACKED with flavor and hits that spot so hard. cant wait to try the tandoori sandwich, they have jambalaya, jerk chicken...banana cream pie....
(5)Chris W.
Go for the ambience, if hipster kitsch is still your thing. The food is reasonably tasty but diminutive of portion for the price, and last time I was there, our waitress was adorably indie rock but seemed to want us dead.
(2)Linda D.
I would like to like this place. I've been there 4 times in about 4 years because some good friends live nearby and like the place. Last night we went and this time I think will be the last for a long time. I had the large avacado salad with portabella and if I'd wanted a jarred artichoke heart salad I would have been much more pleased. The choice of 3 vinagrette salad dressings and none other seems to be putting all your eggs in the vinagrette basket, and I don't really care for that. My husband had well cooked tilipia that was to have been horseradish encrusted. Maybe it's us, but that certainly implies spicy.. didn't deliver though. The 3rd member of our party ordered the same salad I did, but with chicken instead of portabello, but unfortunately the waiter didn't hear the order correctly and my friend had finished half his salad before 1/2 cup of chicken arrived. Our server was very busy, but tried his best to be attentive. 2 stars here is defined as "Meh, I've experienced better". That says it all..
(2)Joshua M.
I need a half star damnit, this is a 3.5 for sure. Quirky, interesting menu... not sure if I had the best of what they had to offer. The sweet potato fries were good, but I like a little saltier side with my burger.
(3)SaSa ..
I really like breakfast at Lucky Platter - the service is fast, the food is great, and the place has a fun kitschy atmosphere. I've only been for breakfast, and all the food has been great. The pancakes are huge - order one unless you have a huge appetite. The bacon is great, as are the scrambles and the wheat toast. The restaurant is always crowded, but they turn over the tables quickly, so the wait isn't horrible. This probably isn't the best place if you want to linger over a leisurely breakfast - food comes quickly, as does the check.
(4)bloopie s.
i had a friend visiting recently who is particular about what she likes to eat, but once she finds something favorable, she's destined to be a regular. for instance, when i lived in san francisco, i took her to try the gingerbread cake at chow. she liked it so much we had to go back to chow every single day so she could get the cake. (granted, it is VERY good) we had the same experience at lucky platter. fortunately, lucky platter has many delicious items to sample for breakfast, lunch, or dinner....not just dessert. their apricot flakey was what got her hooked and i have to admit, it is really good....especially when it is warm, with gooey cream cheese inside and sparkly sugar crystals all over the flakey crust. YUM. i am LUCKY that i live so close to here. and apparently i am very cheesy too...just like that amazing flakey.
(5)Joanna B.
I've eaten here on a number of occasions, and while the food is often very good, the wait staff and service leaves much to be desired. I usually am dining alone and a single top gets treated like a step-child. If you're not a friend of the hostess or wait staff, or recognized as a 'regular' you're treated worse than a step-child. I'm probably eating there again this morning because it's around the corner from where I get my car serviced, but this may be the last time if I don't notice a difference in the service.
(2)Sasha R.
I've been coming here fairly regularly for many years, most of the time it's good, although I can't say I've ever had exceptional service. A few of the waiters are really surly while some others appear to be extremely stressed/anxious. The last time I went to Lucky Platter was the worst experience I've had there. It was in the afternoon, after lunchtime and before dinner, there were maybe two tables with people in the place and we stood, waiting to be seated, for about five minutes before we decided to just seat ourselves. After 6 or 7 more minutes of sitting there and having none of the five people working there offer us drinks or even a menu, we got our own menus. After another 10 minutes, still nobody came to help us, even though they had clearly seen us waiting. I don't know what their problem was, maybe they just had attitudes because we didn't wait for their incompetent asses to seat us, but if I ever have a similar experience there I won't be giving them a third chance.
(3)Mopsie B.
Sorry, but I'm dying of laughter at Steve G.'s comments...Seriously, "the world's cutest little girl" wanted ONE scoop of ice cream? You weren't even going to have anything? Couldn't you just have ordered it to go when you walked in, rather than take a table and a waiter's time? I am really waiting for the day when parents stop thinking that the world revolves around them and their little darlings! If what you are describing is true, then I agree that the waiter could have been a little nicer but you seem to have no consideration or thought for others, either. (I'm sure you weren't planning on leaving a big tip, if at all)...I logged on here to say that I LOVE the Lucky Platter! The menu contains just about anything anyone could ever want and it's served up pretty quickly. My little nephew loves it, too. Most recently, I had the build-your-own scramble with a number of sides and extra toast- they didn't even charge us for the extra toast. They are really amenable to special orders and while it certainly is an unconventional place, I will return, because it's quirky and good.
(4)Joseph F.
The food here is great, the service is hot or not- I recently ate here and the waitress only came to take our food order and never refilled coffee or even asked how the food was. The apricot flaky for breakfast is great!
(3)Zack M.
The wait can be long for a big party, but I think the food is delicious. I had jerk chicken and mac/cheese though I tried all five other entrees at the table and everything was very good... Much better than Wishbone for comfort food.
(4)Tiffany T.
I used to live down the block from the old Lucky Platter, and used to go there quite a bit on weekends... the first time I got food poisioning I figured it was an oddity, then I take a friend from out of town for a nice lunch, and she gets food poisioning, which ruined her whole trip. Then I make the mistake of going back a third time much later and... yup - you guessed it. Third times the charm! Don't these people have health inspections? They're doing something wrong I think! Too bad, as I used to like the food when it wasn't making me barf for 24 hours afterward.
(1)Ellen D.
I love The Lucky Platter. I have lived down the street from it for the last 4 years and when I have people in to visit it's high on the list of places to go. They have an eclectic menu. I love breakfast there--the huevos rancheros and cheese flakies are delicious. And they have a mean cup of coffee. I often carry out the chopped salad with the toasted sesame dressing and it's a lot of salad for the price. And my go-to lunch/dinner item is the portabella sandwich with a side of mac and cheese. The goat cheese and crispy onions on the sandwich make it. I have tried several other things on the menu and have never been disappointed. While there is a wait for breakfast and lunch on the weekends, it usually isn't too long and it's well worth it.
(5)CE S.
Lucky Platter is my favorite, hands down. I can't even comment. Between the amazing pizza toppings and Don Knots lookalike art, I'm in heaven. Nom Nom Nom as the cats say in LOZL land.
(5)Philip A.
Lucky Platter has been around for quite some time now, and there is a reason. They seem to always be packed, at all times of the day. Great omelettes, also burgers with sweet potato fries that kick butt! This is like American food that's thinking outside the box.
(4)Lauren G.
I have been here a number of times and each time I go the service is not good. One time I stood at the front to wait for a hostess for 10 minutes on a busy Sunday morning. No one cared that there was a line out the door just to check in and people started seating themselves. The service at the table is slow and accompanied by so-so attitudes. BUT the food is excellent! The ham and cheese sandwich is the best sandwich I've eaten and the soups are flavorful. I enjoy ordering food when I know the ingredients are fresh and local. One last note, they are known for their cornbread, but each time I order it I like it less and less. I don't know if they changed the recipe but I won't be ordering it again. And the cornbread always manages to come out with the food I order. Wouldn't it make sense to serve the bread as an appetizer?
(3)dave s.
Decorated in crazy photos, painting and sculptures, this place is great for breakfast or lunch. You are bound to come across almost every variety of people that Evans ton has to offer. From artsy fartsy locals to NU students to old folks, this place caters to anyone and everyone. The food is average at best, but it is a good diversion from typical chain restaurants in the area. They do sport sweet potato fries , which is a plus.
(3)Tom S.
I love this quirky place. It serves southern-ish, comfort food with updated recipes. I love their skirt steak, burgers and the house salad (tossed greens full of feta cheese, raisins & apples served with a variety of house-made dressings--my favorite is the toasted sesame). The decor is pure kitsch with colander light fixtures, a variety of sculptures made from found metal utensils and the art display of paint-by-number and other not-quite professional quality artwork (you'll have Mellancamp's "little pink houses" running through your brain after seeing a 50's painting of somebody's proud pink ranch house). Monthly specials keep the menu fresh. Breakfasts are said to be fabulous.
(5)Katie M.
I don't understand places that expect the diner to get by on the decor. Love the decor! But Lucky Platter, for all it's hype and supposedly good food, consistently serves up the worst service. The service is terrible and often surly, no "bitchy". Since it's in the 'hood, I've visited 3 times at different times of the day since March and, stupidly, I thought I give it a go again today. The eternal optimist. But hey, if a customer can't get coffee for over 10 minutes and it takes 30 minutes to get the wrong, cold breakfast, there is something seriously wrong and it wasn't even busy yet. The table next to me wondered if the place was self-serve and another table got up and left. (1. bad service, 2. cold food, 3. wrong order - yer out!) I'd say it would be nice to actually eat the food there, but I won't be back. -Still hungry in Evanston, going home to make breakfast.
(2)Emma R.
I love this place! House salad with chicken and toasted sesame dressing - my favorite!
(5)Mary C.
Mmmmm....sweet potato fries. Need I say more? Ok, their menu is full of American comfort food options with emphasis on southern dishes like fried green tomatoes and pecan pie. Lucky Platter is certainly an original-looking establishment. Decor includes paint-by-numbers paintings, vintage games and strange aluminum sculptures. I wish the menu was better laid out and would include more items. Everything we had was very good including dessert. I didn't find the staff too friendly. They kept looking at us like they wanted our table and I hate that rushed feeling.
(4)Linda S.
The menu here is limited and the descriptions aren't too great, but everything you get here is really tasty. I got the barbeque chicken sandwich and it was unbelievable -- chicken cooked to perfection topped with thin crispy onion rings and a sweet bbq sauce. Portions here are large enough to take home for a second meal. Another great entree is the angel cake french toast with raspberry orange syrup. Yum! So light yet so rich! Decor here is really eccentric -- pay attention to the paintings and the aluminum ceiling.
(4)a w.
This is a great place to get some breakfast. They have all the usual breakfast dishes -- hash browns, french toast, and pancakes -- but everything has a unique twist to it, making it one of a kind. The decor here is a bit odd -- lots of aluminum, odd paintings, and weird lighting. But the service and food is excellent and you'll definitely want to come back here again.
(4)carmen f.
Omg, this places is a star place! Avoid it, food is greasy, the place is very dusty and servers are a little too casual...
(1)Tracey M.
I'm waiving between an 2 and 2.5. We were there on a Saturday afternoon (around 1pm). The place was packed. The women managing tables was kind of rude to my mom. Enough so that before we even ate a bite she told me we're never coming back here again. Our server was nice and told us to take our time despite being told by the hostess we needed to order immediately. The food was fine. I had sour dough pancakes and breakfast potatoes. The pancakes were okay, but I don't know why they are considered sour dough as they tasted like plain pancakes. The potatoes were cooked as I asked - "extra, extra, extra, extra crispy" - so they get points for that. They were also tasty. The other thing that made me enjoy my visit less was the fact that I was tracking time in the back of my mind because of the meter that was ticking away. I don't blame this on the restaurant, just the fact that I'm a suburbanite that isn't use to having to think about how much time is left on the meter. With that in mind, parking is a bit tough in that area, but not impossible like other places around the city. I may try Lucky Platter again, but I'm not racing back anytime soon.
(2)Kurt O.
It may be hidden, but this kitchy restaurant is not a secret. It's packed with a diverse crowd that love hefty comfort food. The walls are filled with original outsider artwork which sets a great tone. It's like a celebration of the common every-man. While waiting for my breakfast, I enjoyed seeing every-day people and every-day artwork. There was an attractive woman ready a book while she ate. Next to me was a table of philosophy graduate students debating about social norms. Another table had an older couple holding hands and drinking coffee. The service was friendly and attentive. The food is "old fashioned" wonderful. The Lucky Platter offers a warm friendly atmosphere and satisfying "opposite of fast food" meals.
(5)Kev A.
Unprofessional, unfriendly, unaccommodating They refused to cook my food without butter, even after I said it was not just a preference but an allergy. I was told that it was impossible for them to cook eggs without using butter on the grill. When we asked a second waiter to confirm that this was true, the waiter was yelled at from the kitchen, loud enough for us to hear it "No! It's impossible!" Ridiculous. Our waiter was one of the most sullen people I've ever encountered. I've heard he's famous for this. As for the food, I ended up having sausage and potatoes. The sausage was truly amazing. The potatoes were boring, flavorless and tough.
(1)Rob B.
First time here. Food was delicious and service was very good. Highly recommend the steel cut oatmeal and also the homemade sausage patties..
(4)Maki I.
This used to be my go to restaurant when I lived in Evanston. Quirky decor and unique breakfast dishes. Food is always delicious. It does get crowded on weekend for brunch/breakfast.
(5)Steve O.
The food is good but the service was crap. I had coffee while my girlfriend had a meal and I never got a refill for the entire time we were there.
(2)Sharee M.
I have visited this area of Evanston before and wanted to visit The Lucky Platter in the future. So I was excited to finally go to TLP. Yet, I was a little surprised by the ranking and information on Yelp. But hey, maybe I review would help them out. The atmosphere is invited with a theme that suggest they really care about family and the history of TLP. I am not sure how to explain the motif; lots of different artwork, aluminum balls on the ceiling...yeah, I don't know if there is a word other than unique. But not enough to overwhelm or scare you away. Sitting is plentiful and even though it was a busy Sunday, the wait was less than 3 minutes. The food was OK for me, and the hubby loved his food. I tried the 'famous' fried green tomatoes, fruit bowl (good fruit selection), wheat toast (nice and thick), and breakfast potatoes. Everything was very yummy, except for the fried green tomatoes that I only ate one serving of four. I am very familiar with the dish and what needed improvement for me was the sauce and garish that took the dish over. The hubby got pancakes (large portion), a egg Benedict, and breakfast potatoes that he really enjoyed. Service is also a place were improvement is needed at TLP. The waiter came to take for our orders. I asked if milk was in the Steel Oatmeal, due to diet restrictions. The waiter told me he would check and as I continued with the rest of my order, he walked away. To serve another table. Our wait time for our food after he returned with the answer for the oatmeal, took our order, and bought our food out was 30 minutes. The waiter never updated us on why the food was taking this long. We were not offered bread during our wait and the appetizer (fried green tomatoes) came out with the main dishes. Overall, our time at TLP, food wise, was good. The prices were really good for the amount of food and the atmosphere was interesting. However, we will not re-visit due to the service.
(2)Kathryn J.
Chicken on salad was either expired or had been exposed to cigarette smoke--not good. Hate to send food back but it was a stomachache waiting to happen. Waiter also forgot bacon and fruit sides and dispensed with any pleasantries such as "hello, good morning." Crusty dried food on edge of table. This place is a no.
(1)Melissa A.
One of my favorite places in Evanston. You go for the food and the experience. It's very low key and quirky but not pretentious. Hard to find that combo. My favorite decoration is the ceiling.
(4)Annn F.
Loved the metal sculptures and those foil balls on the ceiling. Also the apricot flakey and the spuds were really great. To me, he omelette mumbai was pretty gross, the egg part had gone cold and the insides-I don't even want to think about. The servers style move of pouring coffee by pulling the urn up in the air left a big splash of java on the table and I'm going to try and figure out why I think sloshed coffee denotes neglect-because maybe that's just me.
(2)Mark K.
A charming breakfast/lunch establishment that's worth checking out if you're in the area. First, the good: - Food. Everything is very tasty, in a home-made type of way. They are famous for the scrambles - customizable omelets that come with really great roasted potatoes and a great variety of fillings. You can either build your own or pick a pre-designed model. The individual pizzas are also great and reasonably priced, you can pick 3 toppings to start or more for extra charge. They also have eggs benedict which not every place has nowadays. For your coffee get the famous Flaky, you won't regret it. Their cream soda is also great. - Ambiance. The decor is very creative and unique. There are a bunch of sculptures cleverly made from household appliances. Some old-timey paintings. The crowds are a mix of Northwestern students and older Evanston intelligentsia. Now the slightly-less-good: - There might be a wait if you come on a weekend during lunchtime. They also wont seat you unless all your party is present. - The service is a bit surly. I wouldn't call it unfriendly, maybe just a bit impatient and not overly attentive. I guess this is understandable in a very busy place. - Not cheap. An average item will run you between $8-10. But the quality of the food is worth it. The detractors are minor, this place is definitely worth a visit.
(4)Jimmy G.
This place is bomb. Whenever I'm in Evanston I try to stop there, and I always try to convince my family to go. I think they're sick of it, but fuck them. It has a cool, kitschy decor and a slightly upscale diner fare with a great menu. Everything I've had is great. The gouda burger is simply amazing with smoked gouda, caramelized onions, cucumbers, red leaf lettuce, garlic alioli, and an amazing soft sourdough bun. So good! I want it every second of every day. Just to drown in a sea of burgers feeding on them like plankton as I float mouth open like a retarded whale drifting through the prehistoric soup in a semi-conscious state of culinary bliss, aware of nothing but the succulent taste of sweet sweet cheese melting into meat- my soul, my obsession, my animus. If only they delivered! The rest of the menu is nearly as good. Highlights include the mushroom quesadilla with red peppers, onions, and a spicy sauce, as well as the excellent crab cakes. I know some people used to complain about cleanliness, which I never noticed, but in the new rehab with new ownership it is no longer an issue. So dine on, people, and bon voyage!
(5)Janelle F.
I love going to Lucky Platter! It's very charming, and right in our neighborhood, so I have been there quite a few times. Their Bloody Mary is very good and the price is right, at $6.75. Almost every time I go, I order the Tandoori Chicken Salad. It's good-quality comfort food and very generous with ingredients. My husband thinks that the burgers are very good there.
(5)Jay S.
I found The Lucky Platter to be well more than okay, but not great. We got a Tandoori Chicken Sandwich and the Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict. The crab cakes on the Benedict were tasty, the eggs were poached perfectly, the cornbread used in stead of an english muffin I thought was a cool twist, but I didn't think the portion of the Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict was nearly large enough. It came only with the eggs benedict and no sides like hash browns or anything. The Tandoori Chicken Sandwich was quite good indeed, but I didn't think the portion for that was quite large enough either. One thing I did love about this place was the decor. It's kitschy and fun. There are paintings and weird photos and strange chandoliers. I dug it a lot. The service was good too. I'll probably be back, but I won't go when I'm quite so hungry.
(3)Colleen L.
First, they won't seat you unless every member of your party is present, no matter how many people are crammed into their tiny waiting area while plenty of tables sit empty and waiting in the dining area. Several reviewers mentioned the rudeness of the waitstaff. The reviews might be exaggerated, but they're certainly not wrong. The hostess seemed bothered that I was there, and our waitress wasn't exactly cold, but she wasn't very helpful either. She was smiling, but all questioned were answered with as few words as possible as she left as quickly as possible. I had the tandoori chicken salad, which was good and bad. The chicken was tasty, but calling it "tandoori" is a bit of a stretch. It's nothing like traditional tandoori and is instead covered in a tomato/apricot chutney that is very sweet; there's hardly a need for dressing. The bad thing about the salad greens are sandwiched between hot chicken and a super hot plate, so they never stood a chance. Super wilted. The best thing they offer is the hibiscus tea which is tart and sweet without being sweetened with sugar. As I understand it, though, it's only on the menu in the spring/summer.
(2)Laurence M.
In serious need of service improvements. I waited over fifteen minutes for my waitperson -- even though they were very slow at the time. When none came to my table, although three kept walking past it, each seemingly in a daze, I decided to leave. That's when a waiter saw me walking out. He asked where I was sitting and how long. When I informed him, he said, "Well, have a great day." And he clearly didn't care that I was leaving. So with no apologies for making me wait, there's no apologies for me writing this review.
(1)Ehow C.
This is the go-to restaurant for breakfast or brunch in Evanston. I'm a big fan of their omelettes and eggs benedict. And if you have the opportunity or just want to satisfy your sweet tooth, their apricot cheese flakeys are delicious. The decor may not be for everyone, but as my coworker said, he only cares about the food, and really enjoyed it when I recommended the place to him.
(4)Benjamin B.
This has become my new favorite. I love the feeling, the people, but most of all the food!!! I would highly recommend the Mac N Cheese and the Pot Pie. The pot pie might be the best I've ever had. The staff was extremely friendly and service was excellent. The decor is very kitchey DIY and I absolutely love it. It feels homey and is a place I would take someone I love.
(5)Cora P.
Absolutely my favorite restaurant in Evanston. Every item on the menu has a unique twist that makes it special, delicious, and worth going to Lucky for. All the breakfast items are fantastic, and my favorite sandwich is the tandoori chicken (oh my gosh. Perfection on a bun.) The atmosphere of the restaurant is also really interesting. They have weird, surreal art on the walls, interesting recycled sculptures, and locally-made lighting fixtures and figurines. The menus are kitchy-but-explanatory, and their waitstaff is incredibly nice. If you go there enough, they remember your name. Such a great place!
(5)Rick R.
I gave this place 2 stars because the service was friendly and efficient. The food however was pretty yucky. The sourdough pancakes were blah but the breakfast patties were pure nastiness---undercooked pork, greasy and too much chorizo fat. Yuck
(2)Weisun C.
Your first impression is that there is/are "artsy" people involved here. That's clearly evident from the quirky sculptural assemblage over the front, and the even more quirky pieces hanging on the walls inside. It's all with a touch of humor (note the colanders turned into overhead light fixtures). But they get down to business when serving you, though depending on when, it can be a bit spotty. Nothing to complain about with the food. None of it will really surprise you. What they offer for lunch and especially breakfast/brunch is homey and dependable; Diner stuff that's hard to get wrong. I've even had a nice meal here well after 4 PM. And the prices are not outrageous for this strip of Evanston. It has always felt warm and cozy inside the Lucky Platter too. Depending on the hour, even though there's plenty of metered street parking, you might be competing for a spot with denizens of the Starbucks almost directly across the street. A convenient source for the latest Reader, the venerable Main News, is just steps west on Chicago Ave.
(3)Michael D.
The Lucky Platter restaurant serves excellent, moderately priced food for breakfast, lunch, and diner and offers daily specials. The restaurant has a comfortable atmosphere with a novel and amusing décor. My wife and I have eaten many times at the Lucky Platter, mostly for breakfast. The food has always been fresh and delicious. Two of our favorites are the "Omelette No. 1" (filled with artichokes hearts, avocado and goat cheese) and the "Florentine" Benedict" (served on toasted cornbread topped with the usual ingredients plus sautéed spinach. Mouthwatering! Oh, if you go for breakfast make sure you include an apricot flakey with your meal. It's made on the premises and is light, crusty, buttery, and delectable. The overall service is usually good, although at times it can be slow and inattentive, especially when the restaurant is busy. On our most recent Sunday morning visit the service was excellent. One minor irritation is that this restaurant has a policy that won't allow seating unless the entire party is present. On the same recent visit, my wife entered the restaurant while I parked our car. Even though there were many open tables (unusual for a Sunday morning), my wife was refused seating until I got there. Now, I can understand adhering to this policy when the restaurant is busy, but it doesn't make for good customer relations when it isn't. Still and all, I highly recommend the Lucky Platter because the food is so good. I give it a rating of between four and one half and five stars.
(4)Joyce H.
While I was staying with some friends in Evanston, they suggested this breakfast/diner that was essentially located around the corner from them. It was fairly standard New American breakfast fare. I ordered the tofu scramble, which was hearty, tasty, but not mind-blowing. My friend ordered the crab cake egg benedict which looked pretty good. The atmosphere is definitely post-hippie with tattooed waitresses and painted walls. There were quite a lot of people who were there on New Years Day, and pretty packed with a lot of people from the surrounding area. It seemed like a popular place. If I lived in that neighborhood, I'd probably frequent it for a tasty breakfast.
(3)John L.
A Cajun Scramble with an apricot flaky, Coffee and a sour apple Jolly Rancher might just be heaven on earth. I go here at least twice a week and don't even have to order any more. The service is great!
(5)Brett M.
This venue punctuates Evanston dining. Quaint yet eclectic, hip but not trendy. The atmosphere is easily likable with its artistically littered walls, not overly bright lighting, and controlled sound. I had the roast beef, black bean soup, and sweet potatoe mash. Reasonably priced and delicious! I didn't feel overly unhealthy eating here either. The service was good although not fantastic. Not a place for a big selection by drink nor food, however, this really focuses On what lucky platter specializes. I recommend lucky platter as an Evanston must. Seriously, try it.
(4)Annette Q.
No reason not to give this 4 stars. Fun atmosphere & delicious REAL food made from scratch.
(4)Patricia D.
Overall it was a decent place. We sat down right away, and our good came out pretty quick. The waiter messed up my order. I decided not to say anything, and just eat it anyways. What he brought out was probably healthier for me anyways. Food was ok, and so was the atmosphere.
(3)Lindsay S.
My husband and I love trying out new restaurants. Tonight the three of us along with my 1 year old daughter checked this place out and it was great. We had great customer service and both of us had the fabulous portobello mushroom sandwich. Needless to say we will be back for more excellent food and service.
(5)Mac B.
Walked around Evanston one morning and stumbled upon this place. I figured, how can you screw up breakfast? Well they sure did. Slow, slow, slow service! Eggs were good. Bacon was cold and obviously cooked an hour ago at least and not reheated. Potatoes had a weird flavor to them. Just not my kind of breakfast. Maybe the french toast or pancakes were better, but I'd never go back..... Find somewhere else to pick up breakfast!
(1)Andy M.
Right, so I like this place, have been going for years and will keep coming back as I visit Chicago. That said, I do wish that they'd make an effort to source some of their food in a way that they could proudly advertise. I have the luxury of eating at restaurants with locally sourced, or at least proudly sourced ingredients on a regular bias and have gotten less patient with those that don't. Today I'll eat vegetarian options - but in the future this is likely one customer who'll start going elsewhere. I made the mistake of asking the waitress of she could tell me anything about where the beef comes from (feeling very Portlandian and knowing the answer already - as nothing is mentioned in the menu). I received a chuckling 'From a cow.' Which - I get. It seems petty. But know that more and more of your customers can quickly translate that to 'From Sysco,' from 'We don't care,' and from a 'hormone-injected antibiotic-laced CAFO-dwelling cow of unknown origin.' Know that for many that is less and less appetizing. And as alternatives pop up, to alternatives I'll go. Till then - the fried green tomato Benedict on cornbread is so good. And breakfast potatoes cannot be beat.
(3)Kevin B.
The Lucky Platter is an eclectic, very Evanstonish type restaurant. The art on the walls is a mixture of eccentric and something you'd find at a Salvation Army. I'm not sure I love the decor as it feels "weird-to-be-weird" but it's not a big deal either way. Their menu has a good selection and as long as you're not super picky, you'll find something you'll want to eat. I am a fan of their tuna melt which is on a corn bread and has some nice pieces of tomato on it. Most people I've talked to also are a fan of the tuna melt. Options on the sides are unknown to me because I always get the very good sweet potato fries. Add a bit of honey on top. That's a nice addition. Lucky Platter's biggest problem is its service. You may or may not get seated pretty quickly because it is often busy. I am not going to hold that against them. When I went today I waited 10 minutes before the waitress even took our drink order. We didn't get refills on coffee and getting the bill was quite slow. This isn't the first time I've had sub-par service. Despite the service, I'd still recommend going to Lucky Platter. Their food is good and unique.
(4)Victoria W.
Came here June 2012. Their whole wheat pancakes are unappetizing. I ordered a side of egg and it also was nothing great. The coffee we ordered looked like something i can get from my school cafeteria, they didn't even bother to put it in a nice cup or mug. It came in this small flimsy plastic cup. The waiter was alright, not super nice but not rude. He also had a bit of an issue being clear about the dishes. I had to ask him very specific questions to be sure. I also thought this place was a tad expensive for the food they sell. $6 for 2 pancakes? Wow? They are just pancakes!? They don't even serve it with any special maple syrup, sadly I think i can have a better experience at iHop. Another problem I have is that their marble tables are way too low. I am not even tall, 5'6 average height for female. The place is not particularly clean but not noticeably dirty. After my meal I walked down to Lee's beach a couple block east of the restaurant and had a much better experience than my breakfast.
(3)Bobby C.
This restaurant is a nice mix of quirky art, cozy atmosphere and good food. The walls and ceiling are covered with all kinds of artwork, portraits and old black and white photos. Looks like the sort of thing you would see walking around a local art fair and adds to the feeling that you're walking into your mom's really-really big kitchen. I had the tuna melt which was fantastic. The tuna isn't drowned in mayo and has a perfect mix of fish, chives and celery. The tuna was topped with cheddar, tomato chunks and avocado and served on ?!cornbread?!? Awesome! My friend got the chicken avocado salad which was also good. The chicken and veggies are fresh and the lettuce is legit. Our soup sides were just okay. I've been there when it's busy and can be a bit cramped, but today we went for a later lunch and the service was great. The prices are very reasonable and the portions aren't too big or too small for a mid-day brunch. No bar so if you are craving a bloody steer yourself to another saloon. But if you are in the mood for a tasty affordable brunch I highly recommend.
(4)Yanyao N.
IT'S BACK! The best thing in a bowl EVER aka Lucky Platter's beef stroganoff has returned! Bye bye warmer weather Jambalaya (good also, but not the best thing ever) and move over for the best saucy, meaty, egg noodley cold weather comfort food on Main Street. Hooray! Coming here today made me sad for 2 reasons: 1. I used to live 30 steps away. Now I do not. Sadface! 2. The perfect trifecta is when they have beef stroganoff, thai braised kale, and banana cream pie on the menu. This was pretty much my winter to-go order staple. Every time. But the banana cream pie is now only available on Mondays.... which means if I go again tomorrow, it would be threesome perfection! Anyway....LP is pretty much great. Lots of strange art pieces in there for you to gaze at if your dining companion is a snore. A pretty diverse menu - turkey meatballs, burgers, tandoori chicken sandwich (try it! you're welcome), pizza, fried greed tomatoes, soups, great salads (and dressings), pot roast, fish, etc. I'm pretty sure everyone will find something they like on the menu. The sides are amazing. Get the Thai braised kale if you see it on the menu as it is my favorite side. Closely followed by the gingered fruit - fruit? onions? ginger? what?! Trust me, it is works. They bring out corn bread cubes too. And I've only just started talking about lunch/dinner. Breakfast is not to be missed here either. The tofu scramble is packed full of goodness (tofu, spinach, garlic, shiitake mushrooms) and flavor. Choose the apricot cheese flakey on the side for a little sweetness. The best breakfast you can get on this street. They do a Benedict on cornbread, have some great omelets/scrambles. But come early on weekends, as it fills up. People really want those apricot cheese flakeys. I spent about 30/40 minutes walking here today in the cold and wind and am already planning my next few meals. I see a tandoori chicken sandwich and slice of banana cream pie calling my name.
(5)Robyn K.
Really liked this place! Came here on recommendation from a local. The corn bread is to die for!!! Ask for it. I had grilled salmon and it was really tasty. The only puzzling thing is that you can easily walk past it and not know it is there. They need to invest in decor and more attractive signage!
(5)Eric K.
After This place was on the Hungry Hound on ABC I decided to add it to our Sunday brunch plans. The atmosphere is very fun with crazy pictures, statues and fun things to look at everywhere. The food - I had eggs benedict and my friends had pancakes. (one regular and one sourdough). The portions we got were ok but we added an order of potatoes for the table to share. (mine SHOULD have come with some if you ask me). They were heavy handed on the hollendaise sauce which was fine with me but I wasn't overly impressed. Either were my friends with their food. The WORST part was the service. Our waitress was extremely rude every time she dealt with us. Not friendly, not inviting, and we did not feel welcomed at all. We even told her it was our first visit there - didn't help. She may have been busy but common courtesy would be nice. We will NOT be back. Restaurant owners need to learn that they can lose customers by bad staffing.
(2)Stefan B.
Lucky Platter is one of my favorite restaurants. This is an eclectic American restaurant that offers a wide variety of choices. I find them to be one of the real choice places for Lucky Burgers. Their burgers aren't exactly traditional, but definitely a tasty alternative to what you could get anywhere else. I love that whenever I have ordered a burger here, they can prepare it exactly how I want it. Whether I want it medium rare, or well done, or anything in between, they have been spot on. I think I have tried everything on the menu at least once, and I have never found a dish I didn't like. I still recommend the burgers and the pizzas above all else. The staff has always been hit an miss, but mostly hit. There is one gentleman, who I forgot his name, that has been one of the most outstanding servers I have ever met. Even on my most complex orders, and changing my order mid service, he never missed a beat. I make sure to tip him big every time I see him. Some of the staff has not been as pleasant, but I've only had one real problem once in the many years I have been attending. There was one time when I ordered fresh, 8 piece cornbread, and received microwaved, 6 piece cornbread. I should have said something right away, but I let it slide too easily. I won't do that again. This is one of the few places I go for the scenery. Some may find it distracting, but I love the eclectic mix of folk art and vintage graphics. Sometimes it's just relaxing to sit back and take in the view. If you need any reason to try it once, just go for the exotic scenery. The only one problem I have with Lucky Platter is one of the best problems for a restaurant to have. That is, it is always packed solid on the weekends for brunch. At around 11am on a Sunday, expect a 30 minute wait. Expect it to be even longer on Mother's Day. To make it fair, they don't take reservations, and they expect your entire party to be there to be seated. Most people will resent this, but I prefer it because it prevents people from abusing the system. I only find it to be a dilemma for me, because I have to think hard if I really want to suffer the wait. Outside of the peak time, I haven't ever had to wait to be seated. All in all, I love the Lucky Platter. It is a great place for comfort food, and caters to the adventurous too. I've been going here for years, and never think I'll stop.
(4)