Eric S.

Jeremy D.

Valerie S.

Thomas B.

JG S.

Shelly S.

Steve O.

Michael W.

Dan C.

EJ H.

Chris K.

Scott H.

Scott R.

Ash H.

Rich A.

John R.

Renato P.

Pamela O.

Renato P.

Corey M.

Freds diner has the best breakfast in the area, and huge portions. Everything is great but I always get the 1/2 and 1/2 which is eggs potatoes and biscuits and gravy. The waitstaff is amazing, totally local, they remember everyone and treat everyone like family. We love this place.

Dan C.

Tried it several times and it got worse as time went on. The Waitresses are crabby and foul mouth. The Bathroom is disgusting and the deal killer was when I walked out of the bathroom and saw a 15 lb. pile of cooked Bacon, sitting on a box at knee height... that "was" going to be part of my Breakfast. This place should be shut down by the Health Dept. Eat at your own risk!

C B.

Found Fred's on Yelp, read the reviews, was very excited to try their food. First attempt was after 2pm and they were closed. Second attempt was successful and I ordered a half order of Biscuits and Gravy with two eggs over medium. The Biscuits were only ok, doubt they are home made. The gravy was average at best, I've had better and had worse. The eggs were served over hard, which was disappointing to say the least. They were not busy, so no excuses there! Fred's has a lot of great reviews, the place has character. My guess is that most reviewers either have really low standards or just haven't had really good cooking. BTW- my background includes extensive culinary and hospitality training and experience and I have won several awards and competitions. I will give them another chance, they do have really reasonably prices but I'm dubious about the quality!

Anthony M.

EARLY MORNING FUN My wife has been picking out amazing restaurants in the burbs and after I made a list for her on Yelp. She has been feeling the pressure. So she handed me this gem for breakfast. After a 4am run to O'Hare, the little one and I headed here because it opens at 4:30am. We rolled up at 5:30am. At first I thought there was a police station nearby. There were about 5 police cars parked out front, in fact parking was hard to find. This place opens at 4:30am and people come. No where down the street does anyone have this much business at this hour. When I walked in there were 5 officers trying to pay there bill. One of the locals said to the officer...don't tip you'll make the rest of us look bad. I thought that was funny. My wife told me that this place would be a show. Apparently she read that there are some great verbal fights that go on here. I was so looking forward to this but I was a little let down. Joyce our waitress started a little, when my kid asked for water. Joyce said, "Sorry kids can't have water here!" My little one thought it was so funny. She asked "pretty please" and broke Joyce down. It was really cute. I even saw Joyce smile. We ordered a kids breakfast which was so cheap and a ton of food. I thought I was getting one egg with bacon for the little one but it also came with hash browns and toast. That was a ton of food. Also my little one who wants her own Yelp account gives this place 5 stars for food and fun. Look at that two reviews in one. Cool! I ordered the ham and cheese omelette. I just wanted a real traditional breakfast that was cooked perfectly and it was. I asked for my hashbrowns crispy and Joyce said, "You want onions in your hashbrowns?" I said, "How much extra is it?" Joyce looked at me and said, "I don't run that kind of place. There's no charge for that!" Can I be honest and say that I like Joyce and her business sense. I also got an English Muffin too. I will say that the hashbrowns were cooked perfectly and the sweetness of the onions on top were amazing. I am so glad Joyce offered that as a suggestion. The breakfast here was old school. Eggs for breakfast just done normal. So many breakfast menus have forgotten the world of a basic breakfast Food. I would not call this a fancy breakfast but I will call it an amazing find. You're not gonna find belly fat swimming in pulled pork over a hand poached egg covered in romesco sauce. You will find omelettes, eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, pancakes &, French toast. There's something refreshing about a simple menu and I loved it. As I sat here I kept waiting for the fighting and nothing happen! I was thinking my wife read the wrong reviews. As the morning progressed I noticed Joyce warmed up. At 6:25am Joyce started throwing some comments out. Here is a list of things I heard Joyce say in about 10 minutes. I was so sad my breakfast was over and we were about to leave. Joyce "You can't comisurate with me you're retiring. I need to still work!" Joyce "oh no the evil child's back" Joyce "I'm working here damnit!" Joyce "You look confused!" Customer "I do?" Joyce "More than usual." Annoying customer Cell phone rings out loud in the restaurant. Joyce yells "that's a 5 dollar charge!" Two customers come in looking confused. Joyce "sit down! Are you waiting for an education? But pick a clean table. If you pick a dirty one you clean it yourself!" Joyce "is that your money laying there? Half of its yours & half of its mine!" In fact, when I paid my bill I told Joyce I was let down with the level of rudeness. I told her I was expecting more. Joyce admitted to me she was being nice to us because it was our first visit there. I told her she was gonna have to take it up a notch for me to come back. She promised. I also told her she was too nice before 6:25am. I asked if she just had her coffee. Everyone at the counter laughed. This place is small & was close to capacity from 5:30 to 6:30 am. That is amazing. It's a breakfast joint and not a Starbucks. This place has loyal customers who keep coming back. It has built in security with the police eating here. There is a little comedy if you listen to Joyce's comments to customers. I think this is part of the diner attitude rule. The food is simple and good. Also the staff worked there butts off. There were 4 guys in a tiny little space. Each doing there jobs perfectly. One was washing dishes, one was prepping food, one sous cook and one cook. And let's not forget Joyce. She may act tough with her little comments but she is a softy. She is also really good at her job. She was literally taking everyone's orders, delivering orders, filling coffee, picking up dirty dishes and running the register. I asked if she was the owner & she told me yes. She has a great little business. It is a total institution on the block. So if you're looking for a fun breakfast joint with simple & good food, then this is the place. My wife picked another winner!

Sergey R.

These guys are freaking awesome. They are hilariously disorganized. The food is very good _ good old fashioned diner

N W.

Always have the best breakfast here. Just love all the waitresses. Been coming for years and it is always great!!

Cesar A.

My favorite mom and pop breakfast place with great prices and great food. Have never been disappointed been coming for years love the waitresses I always have a good time!!!

George G.

This is by far one of the best breakfast joints in the area. The food is great, the service is excellent, and the prices are very reasonable. Mind you - this is definitely not a gourmet restaurant. If you're looking for some kind of foo-foo crepes or Michelin rated fare - this is not the place. But - it is a great place to get a filling meal and a halfway decent cup of coffee. My only issue - at times you may need to wait 10 minutes for a table (it's quite often packed) - and I would not suggest bringing a party of 6. However - the 10 minutes are easily filled listening to Joyce and her "friendly" banter with the customers.

Mark F.

Come with cash, an appetite, and a sense of humor and you'll enjoy yourself. Straight from a period in time when places didn't accept credit/debit cards, this little breakfast nook is an easy-eating, affordable, sarcastic diner that't not meant for the easily offended. Though a lot of the decor hasn't been updated in years, you can still sense a lot of care that goes into the place. You're not coming here for gourmet breakfast. You're coming here to be well fed and get a heavy dose of enjoyable sarcasm to help start your day off right.

Chrystine Marie M.

Decided to come here, because my boyfriend and I saw the pictures of the food on Yelp and thought, "This place is perfect! Let's go!" And boy did it exceed our expectations. The owners and waitstaff have a great, sarcastic sense of humor and I love it. Very lively atmosphere. There seem to be lots of regulars and the conversations between the waitstaff and the regulars are hilarious. My boyfriend and I came here on April 18th at around 5 in the morning and the place was almost completely packed. We were lucky that a table was available right when we walked in. The place is completely decked out in University flags, photos of school teams that they sponsor, etc. Very old-school, "hometown-y", and comfortable. The food is portioned perfectly and tasted soooo yummy. Plenty of food for the price! We were actually shocked by how much food we got for the cost. I ordered a vegetable omelette and my boyfriend ordered Eggs Benedict (which is a special that is not normally on their main menu.) Mine came with toast and hash browns. We both loved it and were super well-fed after. Hands down best breakfast food I've ever had. We are dying to come back and hoping that we can become regulars someday. (Unfortunately, due to our busy schedules, we've only gone once.) Also, make sure you get onions with your hash browns = 10/10. I'd say the only downside is that it's cash only, but the whole experience and food is definitely worth it. Yum yum! Go go!

Chris T.

The best in Grayslake. Waitstaff are fyn, cute and very accommodating. Not to mention great food and fun atmosphere

Pamela B.

Full order of Biscuits&Gravy, hash browns with more gravy, 2 soft scrambled on top with more gravy. I've been trying to duplicate the gravy for 20 years now. I've come close. Perhaps adding a few tablespoons of atmosphere, hustle & bustle and comedic sarcasm is what I'm missing in perfecting this gravy!

Fred M.

This tiny little diner in downtown Grayslake is woven into the fabric of America. They serve-up generous portions of tasty food and good natured ribbing at reasonable prices. I don't know how old this place is but it predates my time in G-Lake (I moved my family here 13 years ago (almost to the day)). Today I had two eggs over easy, with corned beef hash, toast and hash browns. I'm very picky about corned beef hash, and it is excellent here. It has good flavor and is served crispy (my pet peeve is undercooked corned beef hash). If you order hash browns they will ask you if you want onions...SAY YES. The diced onions really enhance the flavor. Their slogan is very accurate: "Where A Hard Time Isn't On The Menu, But It's Served With Every Meal! The ladies frequently engage in friendly and good natured banter with the customers. The interaction is often very entertaining, and embodies all that is Fred's. But be warned: don't disrespect them. I remember about a year ago some D-Bag walked in and sat down with coffee he purchased at Starbucks, and thought nothing of it. Joyce took him to task (and rightly so). This is a must visit for anyone passing through Grayslake. Come early, as it is small and gets very busy. But even if there's a wait - it's never very long, and well worth it.

Mike S.

Another Saturday, another perfect breakfast at Fred's Diner. Corned beef hash and eggs with fruit and wheat toast. Superb!

Susan S.

Great.nice portions ate half of my veg egg white omelette and it was wonderful. The waitress was excellent a little sassy in a good way. And very attentive. Next time I will try to sit at the counter and see the of the kitchen!!

Rufus V.

Best biscuits and gravy in the area!

W C.

Hitting the Grayslake antique show today, we decided to find a place not too far from the fairgrounds for a bite of breakfast first. A Yelp search turned up this GEM of a place!!! A tiny place in downtown Grayslake, it was all hustle and bustle when we arrived at 8:00 but luckily got the last little 2- person booth at the very back. Instantly a menu and coffee appeared and after ordering, almost instantly breakfast arrived! The food we got (basic 2 egg breakfast with sausage and hash browns) was cooked to perfection. I like my eggs over hard (no runny stuff allowed !) and it's amazing to me how often I get eggs with the yolk not cooked through. My husband loves his eggs over easy and usually his are way too done---each of our eggs were cooked perfectly! The massive pile of hashbrowns we got (yes, they'll add yummy sweet onions and a LOT of them at no additional charge!) were delish. When asked if we could have them done crispy, they actually were, whereas most breakfasts we get out, this request is simply ignored! We were told we could have pancakes instead of toast and were so happy we did as they were really great, too. The coffee refills just kept coming and the whole staff really seem to work well as a team to keep everyone very satisfied! This place is going to be a weekend habit, I'm afraid. So nice to know there is still a place out there where you can get a truly great breakfast done right and for such a reasonable price! Can't wait to try some of their lunch menu, too, based on some of comments.

Teresa T.

Absolutely one amazing place to go out this way! Even if you're not exactly out this far from the highway, take the extra 5 or 10 minutes... it's worth it. The staff here is one that you will not forget! Great food and service and both the aforementioned are always consistent as well. Biscuits and gravy are seriously as good as all the previous reviews mention.

Stephen M.

We walked in and knew we were in the right place for an All American breakfast. The menu has no surprises. It's a diner and has the items you expect. You can spend some time just reading the various signs posted or take a look at the little league teams Fred's has supported. One order was for ham and eggs. The other for waffles and bacon. No fuss--order taken and coffee delivered. The waffle could have been a little crisper--a small tick. Coffee came and the cup stayed filled due to the experienced waitress (I opted for some milk, not the thimbles of some wannabe creamer). As we sat enjoying our meal, others dined, some leaving, some coming in. Regulars and first timers. All pieces of a pleasant jigsaw puzzle, fitting perfectly together.

Christina S.

Their food is delicious! Great if you're looking for a yummy casual morning breakfast run.

Alyssa M.

This place is absolutely DELICIOUS!!! My husband and I only get a chance to go out to breakfast once in a while- and we ALWAYS choose Fred's! The food is DELICIOUS! I love their skillets!

Smitty J.

Great breakfast place with wonderful and simple food. Excellent friendly service and the food arrives fast. My son, wife and I are all big eaters and are bill only came to $26 with tax. We had 2 OJ's, 1 tom juice, side order of hash browns, 2 pancakes w/ eggs and bacon, steak and eggs with toast and hashbrowns, side order of 2 pancakes, corn beef hash w/ 2 eggs, hashbrowns and an english muffin. All was fantastic. Remember to hit the ATM before you go as it is cash only. Free street parking. I am very critical of breakfast food and this is some of the best I have had in a long time. It was nice to find a great place for breakfast that is local.

John A.

Best breakfast joint in the county. Mayberry Esque. The folks working there are the best and the food is pretty darn good.

Deborah C.

The food is great and fast and inexpensive. Bring cash; they don't take cards. They've got the whole sassy wait staff with attitude thing happening, which has never appealed to me. I've never cared for a side helping of hard time with my food. Would have given a fifth star if not for that.

Casey R.

Alyssa R.

Jennifer C.

If you're looking for a culinary adventure where new twists on old favorites are done, this is NOT the place for you. You won't find any deconstructed Eggs Benedict with duck bacon and poached quail eggs, or truffle biscuits cooked in beef tallow, or any of the other new twists that seem to be all the food world can talk about these days. What you will find is delicious, hearty classic diner dishes. You WILL find an atmosphere that is so homey you'll think you're at a family picnic instead of a restaurant. You WILL find a waitstaff that gives you great service while sassing you like you're favorite aunt or your older sister. You don't use words like "culinary", "umami", "fusion" or "innovative" when you're describing the cooking at Fred's Diner. You use those good old-fashioned phrases that actually count when all the food fads fade: "classic", "delicious", "hearty", "good". While there is a lunch menu I've barely looked at it as I'm all about the breakfast. And if you ask me, breakfast trumps everything else. A Fred's breakfast has all the classics, a selection of omelettes, steak and eggs, corned beef hash, pancakes (with the option for a tried and true toppings), french toast, breakfast sandwiches and all the best sides (eggs, sausage, bacon, etc). You can do any combination of it all if you like. My husband's go-to dish is the biscuits and gravy with a side of over-easy eggs. The biscuits are thick and buttery; sturdy enough to stand up to that thick and creamy gravy. This dish is hefty and awesome. I prefer Fred's sweeter side. Their pancakes are fluffy enough to trick you into eating the whole stack, but firm enough that they don't fall apart under the weight of syrup. The thick French toast is my favorite though. Six pieces of thick eggy bread, fried up nice and crispy (but still rich in the middle). Slather each slice with plenty of butter, drizzle it all with syrup, and then eat every bite with a piece of sausage. This is the stuff that real breakfasts are made of. It's the foundation for which all the fancy stuff (that will be out of style next year) was built on. This is basics done right. Give Fred's a try and I promise you'll be more than satisfied. Just be warned... Fred's is super old-school: CASH ONLY

Tony D.

A-ok

George G.

This is by far one of the best breakfast joints in the area. The food is great, the service is excellent, and the prices are very reasonable. Mind you - this is definitely not a gourmet restaurant. If you're looking for some kind of foo-foo crepes or Michelin rated fare - this is not the place. But - it is a great place to get a filling meal and a halfway decent cup of coffee. My only issue - at times you may need to wait 10 minutes for a table (it's quite often packed) - and I would not suggest bringing a party of 6. However - the 10 minutes are easily filled listening to Joyce and her "friendly" banter with the customers.

Chrystine Marie M.

Decided to come here, because my boyfriend and I saw the pictures of the food on Yelp and thought, "This place is perfect! Let's go!" And boy did it exceed our expectations. The owners and waitstaff have a great, sarcastic sense of humor and I love it. Very lively atmosphere. There seem to be lots of regulars and the conversations between the waitstaff and the regulars are hilarious. My boyfriend and I came here on April 18th at around 5 in the morning and the place was almost completely packed. We were lucky that a table was available right when we walked in. The place is completely decked out in University flags, photos of school teams that they sponsor, etc. Very old-school, "hometown-y", and comfortable. The food is portioned perfectly and tasted soooo yummy. Plenty of food for the price! We were actually shocked by how much food we got for the cost. I ordered a vegetable omelette and my boyfriend ordered Eggs Benedict (which is a special that is not normally on their main menu.) Mine came with toast and hash browns. We both loved it and were super well-fed after. Hands down best breakfast food I've ever had. We are dying to come back and hoping that we can become regulars someday. (Unfortunately, due to our busy schedules, we've only gone once.) Also, make sure you get onions with your hash browns = 10/10. I'd say the only downside is that it's cash only, but the whole experience and food is definitely worth it. Yum yum! Go go!

Fred M.

This tiny little diner in downtown Grayslake is woven into the fabric of America. They serve-up generous portions of tasty food and good natured ribbing at reasonable prices. I don't know how old this place is but it predates my time in G-Lake (I moved my family here 13 years ago (almost to the day)). Today I had two eggs over easy, with corned beef hash, toast and hash browns. I'm very picky about corned beef hash, and it is excellent here. It has good flavor and is served crispy (my pet peeve is undercooked corned beef hash). If you order hash browns they will ask you if you want onions...SAY YES. The diced onions really enhance the flavor. Their slogan is very accurate: "Where A Hard Time Isn't On The Menu, But It's Served With Every Meal! The ladies frequently engage in friendly and good natured banter with the customers. The interaction is often very entertaining, and embodies all that is Fred's. But be warned: don't disrespect them. I remember about a year ago some D-Bag walked in and sat down with coffee he purchased at Starbucks, and thought nothing of it. Joyce took him to task (and rightly so). This is a must visit for anyone passing through Grayslake. Come early, as it is small and gets very busy. But even if there's a wait - it's never very long, and well worth it.

Mike S.

Another Saturday, another perfect breakfast at Fred's Diner. Corned beef hash and eggs with fruit and wheat toast. Superb!

Susan S.

Great.nice portions ate half of my veg egg white omelette and it was wonderful. The waitress was excellent a little sassy in a good way. And very attentive. Next time I will try to sit at the counter and see the of the kitchen!!

Rufus V.

Best biscuits and gravy in the area!

Mark F.

Come with cash, an appetite, and a sense of humor and you'll enjoy yourself. Straight from a period in time when places didn't accept credit/debit cards, this little breakfast nook is an easy-eating, affordable, sarcastic diner that't not meant for the easily offended. Though a lot of the decor hasn't been updated in years, you can still sense a lot of care that goes into the place. You're not coming here for gourmet breakfast. You're coming here to be well fed and get a heavy dose of enjoyable sarcasm to help start your day off right.

N W.

Always have the best breakfast here. Just love all the waitresses. Been coming for years and it is always great!!

C B.

Found Fred's on Yelp, read the reviews, was very excited to try their food. First attempt was after 2pm and they were closed. Second attempt was successful and I ordered a half order of Biscuits and Gravy with two eggs over medium. The Biscuits were only ok, doubt they are home made. The gravy was average at best, I've had better and had worse. The eggs were served over hard, which was disappointing to say the least. They were not busy, so no excuses there! Fred's has a lot of great reviews, the place has character. My guess is that most reviewers either have really low standards or just haven't had really good cooking. BTW- my background includes extensive culinary and hospitality training and experience and I have won several awards and competitions. I will give them another chance, they do have really reasonably prices but I'm dubious about the quality!

Corey M.

Freds diner has the best breakfast in the area, and huge portions. Everything is great but I always get the 1/2 and 1/2 which is eggs potatoes and biscuits and gravy. The waitstaff is amazing, totally local, they remember everyone and treat everyone like family. We love this place.

Anthony M.

EARLY MORNING FUN My wife has been picking out amazing restaurants in the burbs and after I made a list for her on Yelp. She has been feeling the pressure. So she handed me this gem for breakfast. After a 4am run to O'Hare, the little one and I headed here because it opens at 4:30am. We rolled up at 5:30am. At first I thought there was a police station nearby. There were about 5 police cars parked out front, in fact parking was hard to find. This place opens at 4:30am and people come. No where down the street does anyone have this much business at this hour. When I walked in there were 5 officers trying to pay there bill. One of the locals said to the officer...don't tip you'll make the rest of us look bad. I thought that was funny. My wife told me that this place would be a show. Apparently she read that there are some great verbal fights that go on here. I was so looking forward to this but I was a little let down. Joyce our waitress started a little, when my kid asked for water. Joyce said, "Sorry kids can't have water here!" My little one thought it was so funny. She asked "pretty please" and broke Joyce down. It was really cute. I even saw Joyce smile. We ordered a kids breakfast which was so cheap and a ton of food. I thought I was getting one egg with bacon for the little one but it also came with hash browns and toast. That was a ton of food. Also my little one who wants her own Yelp account gives this place 5 stars for food and fun. Look at that two reviews in one. Cool! I ordered the ham and cheese omelette. I just wanted a real traditional breakfast that was cooked perfectly and it was. I asked for my hashbrowns crispy and Joyce said, "You want onions in your hashbrowns?" I said, "How much extra is it?" Joyce looked at me and said, "I don't run that kind of place. There's no charge for that!" Can I be honest and say that I like Joyce and her business sense. I also got an English Muffin too. I will say that the hashbrowns were cooked perfectly and the sweetness of the onions on top were amazing. I am so glad Joyce offered that as a suggestion. The breakfast here was old school. Eggs for breakfast just done normal. So many breakfast menus have forgotten the world of a basic breakfast Food. I would not call this a fancy breakfast but I will call it an amazing find. You're not gonna find belly fat swimming in pulled pork over a hand poached egg covered in romesco sauce. You will find omelettes, eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, pancakes &, French toast. There's something refreshing about a simple menu and I loved it. As I sat here I kept waiting for the fighting and nothing happen! I was thinking my wife read the wrong reviews. As the morning progressed I noticed Joyce warmed up. At 6:25am Joyce started throwing some comments out. Here is a list of things I heard Joyce say in about 10 minutes. I was so sad my breakfast was over and we were about to leave. Joyce "You can't comisurate with me you're retiring. I need to still work!" Joyce "oh no the evil child's back" Joyce "I'm working here damnit!" Joyce "You look confused!" Customer "I do?" Joyce "More than usual." Annoying customer Cell phone rings out loud in the restaurant. Joyce yells "that's a 5 dollar charge!" Two customers come in looking confused. Joyce "sit down! Are you waiting for an education? But pick a clean table. If you pick a dirty one you clean it yourself!" Joyce "is that your money laying there? Half of its yours & half of its mine!" In fact, when I paid my bill I told Joyce I was let down with the level of rudeness. I told her I was expecting more. Joyce admitted to me she was being nice to us because it was our first visit there. I told her she was gonna have to take it up a notch for me to come back. She promised. I also told her she was too nice before 6:25am. I asked if she just had her coffee. Everyone at the counter laughed. This place is small & was close to capacity from 5:30 to 6:30 am. That is amazing. It's a breakfast joint and not a Starbucks. This place has loyal customers who keep coming back. It has built in security with the police eating here. There is a little comedy if you listen to Joyce's comments to customers. I think this is part of the diner attitude rule. The food is simple and good. Also the staff worked there butts off. There were 4 guys in a tiny little space. Each doing there jobs perfectly. One was washing dishes, one was prepping food, one sous cook and one cook. And let's not forget Joyce. She may act tough with her little comments but she is a softy. She is also really good at her job. She was literally taking everyone's orders, delivering orders, filling coffee, picking up dirty dishes and running the register. I asked if she was the owner & she told me yes. She has a great little business. It is a total institution on the block. So if you're looking for a fun breakfast joint with simple & good food, then this is the place. My wife picked another winner!

Sergey R.

These guys are freaking awesome. They are hilariously disorganized. The food is very good _ good old fashioned diner

John A.

Best breakfast joint in the county. Mayberry Esque. The folks working there are the best and the food is pretty darn good.

Deborah C.

The food is great and fast and inexpensive. Bring cash; they don't take cards. They've got the whole sassy wait staff with attitude thing happening, which has never appealed to me. I've never cared for a side helping of hard time with my food. Would have given a fifth star if not for that.

Alyssa M.

This place is absolutely DELICIOUS!!! My husband and I only get a chance to go out to breakfast once in a while- and we ALWAYS choose Fred's! The food is DELICIOUS! I love their skillets!

Smitty J.

Great breakfast place with wonderful and simple food. Excellent friendly service and the food arrives fast. My son, wife and I are all big eaters and are bill only came to $26 with tax. We had 2 OJ's, 1 tom juice, side order of hash browns, 2 pancakes w/ eggs and bacon, steak and eggs with toast and hashbrowns, side order of 2 pancakes, corn beef hash w/ 2 eggs, hashbrowns and an english muffin. All was fantastic. Remember to hit the ATM before you go as it is cash only. Free street parking. I am very critical of breakfast food and this is some of the best I have had in a long time. It was nice to find a great place for breakfast that is local.

W C.

Hitting the Grayslake antique show today, we decided to find a place not too far from the fairgrounds for a bite of breakfast first. A Yelp search turned up this GEM of a place!!! A tiny place in downtown Grayslake, it was all hustle and bustle when we arrived at 8:00 but luckily got the last little 2- person booth at the very back. Instantly a menu and coffee appeared and after ordering, almost instantly breakfast arrived! The food we got (basic 2 egg breakfast with sausage and hash browns) was cooked to perfection. I like my eggs over hard (no runny stuff allowed !) and it's amazing to me how often I get eggs with the yolk not cooked through. My husband loves his eggs over easy and usually his are way too done---each of our eggs were cooked perfectly! The massive pile of hashbrowns we got (yes, they'll add yummy sweet onions and a LOT of them at no additional charge!) were delish. When asked if we could have them done crispy, they actually were, whereas most breakfasts we get out, this request is simply ignored! We were told we could have pancakes instead of toast and were so happy we did as they were really great, too. The coffee refills just kept coming and the whole staff really seem to work well as a team to keep everyone very satisfied! This place is going to be a weekend habit, I'm afraid. So nice to know there is still a place out there where you can get a truly great breakfast done right and for such a reasonable price! Can't wait to try some of their lunch menu, too, based on some of comments.

Chris T.

The best in Grayslake. Waitstaff are fyn, cute and very accommodating. Not to mention great food and fun atmosphere

Pamela B.

Full order of Biscuits&Gravy, hash browns with more gravy, 2 soft scrambled on top with more gravy. I've been trying to duplicate the gravy for 20 years now. I've come close. Perhaps adding a few tablespoons of atmosphere, hustle & bustle and comedic sarcasm is what I'm missing in perfecting this gravy!

Teresa T.

Absolutely one amazing place to go out this way! Even if you're not exactly out this far from the highway, take the extra 5 or 10 minutes... it's worth it. The staff here is one that you will not forget! Great food and service and both the aforementioned are always consistent as well. Biscuits and gravy are seriously as good as all the previous reviews mention.

Stephen M.

We walked in and knew we were in the right place for an All American breakfast. The menu has no surprises. It's a diner and has the items you expect. You can spend some time just reading the various signs posted or take a look at the little league teams Fred's has supported. One order was for ham and eggs. The other for waffles and bacon. No fuss--order taken and coffee delivered. The waffle could have been a little crisper--a small tick. Coffee came and the cup stayed filled due to the experienced waitress (I opted for some milk, not the thimbles of some wannabe creamer). As we sat enjoying our meal, others dined, some leaving, some coming in. Regulars and first timers. All pieces of a pleasant jigsaw puzzle, fitting perfectly together.

Christina S.

Their food is delicious! Great if you're looking for a yummy casual morning breakfast run.

Ben N.

Fred's Diner is the best. As the current Duke of Fred's, I was horrified to see the recent addition of a 1 star review of my beloved Fred's and it is my duty to respond to the utter nonsense I that review. 1. "Horribly slow service" and "30 minutes to cook food" - I have been to Fred's at least 30 times (please note my more than a dozen 'check ins') and it has never taken more than 15 minutes from order to completion of eating. 2. "Stuff floating in water" - I have been served upwards of 100 waters and never had an issue. Guess what people sometimes freak occurrences happen and a little harmless particle ends up in a glass of water, for goodness sakes, what do you do when something comes out of your faucet at home, call the city and complain? Ask for a new one and get over it. 3. "The coffee was absolutely disgusting" - I see that the reviewer gave 5 stars to Starbucks, which is considered by all coffee aficionados to have the absolutely terrible coffee. 4. "Waitress never checked back" "extra napkins" "fresh coffee would have been nice" - You have got to be joking. Did you ask for extra napkins? Maybe I am crazy, but I don't expect people to be mind readers. I have never had my coffee level fall below 3/4 full and I know at least one other reviewer mentioned barely taking 2 sips before getting a refill. 5. "Sat and waited for the bill" "lost bill" "price was blah blah blah" - I assume you placed your order after consulting the menu, where the prices are listed, why is the bill necessary unless you needed it for reimbursement. Odds are whatever "blah blah blah" was it was less than it would have been for the same food at any other nearby establishment. 6. "Weren't even busy" - 90% of the time I am at Fred's between 4:30 and 6:00 AM and it is relatively not busy, but any other time of the morning I have walked into a nearly full restaurant and Saturday mornings there has been a line to get a table. This statement leads me to believe that the reviewer wasn't ever at Fred's. Do yourself a favor and go to Fred's, get some great food for a very reasonable price, and have an exchange of sass with the staff and regulars.

Bob Z.

One of those authentic diners that are hard to find. Great service and great food. The type of place where everyone know your name, even if it's your first time there. A must for breakfast.

David G.

Excellent western omelet smooth cup of coffee not over cooked or harsh. Kitchy decor the regulars are on a first name basis with the waitress. Will definitely come again.

Jackie W.

I love freds!!! I have been coming here sometimes a week and they know what I like and they are fast about bringing you your seat. There breakfast is to die for including their biscuits and gravy are amazing!! All food is fresh and home made! Just what I call good! Not that fast food crap.

Jonathan K.

It's a "nothing special, no BS, but great food" kind of place. Don't expect anything fancy, but expect to love what you get. Cash only.

Steve B.

Went here for breakfast for the first time this morning. As someone who is not a big breakfast fan, I am sold. This place is great. We sat at the counter, and got immediate service. I had coffee and my wife stuck with water, the coffee was good. It was constantly fresh, and they were churning through the pots like crazy. I ordered a pecan roll, which they slice and toast on the flat top. It could have been a touch warmer, but the toasting on the flat top still adds a delicious crunch to it. As far as actual food goes, I got simple bacon and eggs with hash browns and my wife ordered a Denver omelette. Both were very good. The waitress did ask if I wanted my bacon more done, and at first I though it would be good, but as I dug in it was a little too rubbery...she took that off our bill without even asking. My wife also ate about half her breakfast, and she told us that next time, we just need to order the half size omelette. As a whole, it was a great experience, and a lot of fun watching the cooks bust their butts back there. The waitresses busted butt too, because for a small place, it's really busy. We will definitely be back.

Eric L.

I'm moving soon and I must say I'm really going to miss this place. I've been a regular for the 5 years I've been in the Grayslake area and never been disappointed at Fred's. Great experience every time. Love the service, love the atmosphere and small town diner feel. It always reminds me of places I'd go for breakfast with my grandpa. Thank you for the good food and good times to all the people who work at Fred's.

Maggie D.

The 5-star review is entirely for the full order of biscuits and gravy with 3 scrambled eggs on top. Oh my GOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD! So good. I've lived here for 4 years and am moving in 4 months and just found this place. It's like a race against time to see how much of this food I can cram in my face before I live too far away to have it again. There is just something different about the food here (my significant other confirms it re: the skillet with everything in it). It just tastes like real food. I have no idea if it actually is - I'm pretty sure everything coming out of most of the diners around here comes out of a plastic bag - but it sure tastes like it. No gastric repercussions after the meal, either. A major bonus after years of destroying my body with a diet of sheer gluttony.

Brian F.

I guess this is a family run place as the family, "mother and daughter", were having a good-natured, though strangely projected, argument in front of everyone. No one batted an eye, though. Almost like we were hanging out in the family kitchen. The coffee is superb but the food was inconsistent. My eggs and corned beef hash were great but my wife didn't like her omelet and our bacon was fried to a crisp. I would definitely come back for the coffee, hash, and the family show.

Cassie T.

Fred's Diner is awesome. I love the cramped hole in the wall feeling this place gives. The waitresses are hilarious and the French Toast is OUT OF THIS WORLD. Fred's diner makes you feel like a part of the crew. It's like nothing else out there.

Katy H.

I go to this diner every week. It has great food for breakfast and lunch, plus a fun, family atmosphere.

Cesar A.

My favorite mom and pop breakfast place with great prices and great food. Have never been disappointed been coming for years love the waitresses I always have a good time!!!

Dan C.

Tried it several times and it got worse as time went on. The Waitresses are crabby and foul mouth. The Bathroom is disgusting and the deal killer was when I walked out of the bathroom and saw a 15 lb. pile of cooked Bacon, sitting on a box at knee height... that "was" going to be part of my Breakfast. This place should be shut down by the Health Dept. Eat at your own risk!

Valerie S.

Thomas B.

Bill M.

Rich A.

John R.

Jeff L.

Breakfast at its best. Nothing fancy. Just good. Waitresses like to tease so don't take it seriously. Ask for the home made Salsa with your eggs.

Jim W.

It has been over ten years since I was last here. This had always been a favorite place for biscuits and gravy. This trip did not disappoint.The food, coffee, and service was perfect. It is so nice that a place maintains their quality for so many years.

Jennifer C.

If you're looking for a culinary adventure where new twists on old favorites are done, this is NOT the place for you. You won't find any deconstructed Eggs Benedict with duck bacon and poached quail eggs, or truffle biscuits cooked in beef tallow, or any of the other new twists that seem to be all the food world can talk about these days. What you will find is delicious, hearty classic diner dishes. You WILL find an atmosphere that is so homey you'll think you're at a family picnic instead of a restaurant. You WILL find a waitstaff that gives you great service while sassing you like you're favorite aunt or your older sister. You don't use words like "culinary", "umami", "fusion" or "innovative" when you're describing the cooking at Fred's Diner. You use those good old-fashioned phrases that actually count when all the food fads fade: "classic", "delicious", "hearty", "good". While there is a lunch menu I've barely looked at it as I'm all about the breakfast. And if you ask me, breakfast trumps everything else. A Fred's breakfast has all the classics, a selection of omelettes, steak and eggs, corned beef hash, pancakes (with the option for a tried and true toppings), french toast, breakfast sandwiches and all the best sides (eggs, sausage, bacon, etc). You can do any combination of it all if you like. My husband's go-to dish is the biscuits and gravy with a side of over-easy eggs. The biscuits are thick and buttery; sturdy enough to stand up to that thick and creamy gravy. This dish is hefty and awesome. I prefer Fred's sweeter side. Their pancakes are fluffy enough to trick you into eating the whole stack, but firm enough that they don't fall apart under the weight of syrup. The thick French toast is my favorite though. Six pieces of thick eggy bread, fried up nice and crispy (but still rich in the middle). Slather each slice with plenty of butter, drizzle it all with syrup, and then eat every bite with a piece of sausage. This is the stuff that real breakfasts are made of. It's the foundation for which all the fancy stuff (that will be out of style next year) was built on. This is basics done right. Give Fred's a try and I promise you'll be more than satisfied. Just be warned... Fred's is super old-school: CASH ONLY

Tony D.

A-ok

Ben N.

Fred's Diner is the best. As the current Duke of Fred's, I was horrified to see the recent addition of a 1 star review of my beloved Fred's and it is my duty to respond to the utter nonsense I that review. 1. "Horribly slow service" and "30 minutes to cook food" - I have been to Fred's at least 30 times (please note my more than a dozen 'check ins') and it has never taken more than 15 minutes from order to completion of eating. 2. "Stuff floating in water" - I have been served upwards of 100 waters and never had an issue. Guess what people sometimes freak occurrences happen and a little harmless particle ends up in a glass of water, for goodness sakes, what do you do when something comes out of your faucet at home, call the city and complain? Ask for a new one and get over it. 3. "The coffee was absolutely disgusting" - I see that the reviewer gave 5 stars to Starbucks, which is considered by all coffee aficionados to have the absolutely terrible coffee. 4. "Waitress never checked back" "extra napkins" "fresh coffee would have been nice" - You have got to be joking. Did you ask for extra napkins? Maybe I am crazy, but I don't expect people to be mind readers. I have never had my coffee level fall below 3/4 full and I know at least one other reviewer mentioned barely taking 2 sips before getting a refill. 5. "Sat and waited for the bill" "lost bill" "price was blah blah blah" - I assume you placed your order after consulting the menu, where the prices are listed, why is the bill necessary unless you needed it for reimbursement. Odds are whatever "blah blah blah" was it was less than it would have been for the same food at any other nearby establishment. 6. "Weren't even busy" - 90% of the time I am at Fred's between 4:30 and 6:00 AM and it is relatively not busy, but any other time of the morning I have walked into a nearly full restaurant and Saturday mornings there has been a line to get a table. This statement leads me to believe that the reviewer wasn't ever at Fred's. Do yourself a favor and go to Fred's, get some great food for a very reasonable price, and have an exchange of sass with the staff and regulars.

Bob Z.

One of those authentic diners that are hard to find. Great service and great food. The type of place where everyone know your name, even if it's your first time there. A must for breakfast.

David G.

Excellent western omelet smooth cup of coffee not over cooked or harsh. Kitchy decor the regulars are on a first name basis with the waitress. Will definitely come again.

Jackie W.

I love freds!!! I have been coming here sometimes a week and they know what I like and they are fast about bringing you your seat. There breakfast is to die for including their biscuits and gravy are amazing!! All food is fresh and home made! Just what I call good! Not that fast food crap.

Jonathan K.

It's a "nothing special, no BS, but great food" kind of place. Don't expect anything fancy, but expect to love what you get. Cash only.

Steve B.

Went here for breakfast for the first time this morning. As someone who is not a big breakfast fan, I am sold. This place is great. We sat at the counter, and got immediate service. I had coffee and my wife stuck with water, the coffee was good. It was constantly fresh, and they were churning through the pots like crazy. I ordered a pecan roll, which they slice and toast on the flat top. It could have been a touch warmer, but the toasting on the flat top still adds a delicious crunch to it. As far as actual food goes, I got simple bacon and eggs with hash browns and my wife ordered a Denver omelette. Both were very good. The waitress did ask if I wanted my bacon more done, and at first I though it would be good, but as I dug in it was a little too rubbery...she took that off our bill without even asking. My wife also ate about half her breakfast, and she told us that next time, we just need to order the half size omelette. As a whole, it was a great experience, and a lot of fun watching the cooks bust their butts back there. The waitresses busted butt too, because for a small place, it's really busy. We will definitely be back.

Eric L.

I'm moving soon and I must say I'm really going to miss this place. I've been a regular for the 5 years I've been in the Grayslake area and never been disappointed at Fred's. Great experience every time. Love the service, love the atmosphere and small town diner feel. It always reminds me of places I'd go for breakfast with my grandpa. Thank you for the good food and good times to all the people who work at Fred's.

Maggie D.

The 5-star review is entirely for the full order of biscuits and gravy with 3 scrambled eggs on top. Oh my GOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD! So good. I've lived here for 4 years and am moving in 4 months and just found this place. It's like a race against time to see how much of this food I can cram in my face before I live too far away to have it again. There is just something different about the food here (my significant other confirms it re: the skillet with everything in it). It just tastes like real food. I have no idea if it actually is - I'm pretty sure everything coming out of most of the diners around here comes out of a plastic bag - but it sure tastes like it. No gastric repercussions after the meal, either. A major bonus after years of destroying my body with a diet of sheer gluttony.

Brian F.

I guess this is a family run place as the family, "mother and daughter", were having a good-natured, though strangely projected, argument in front of everyone. No one batted an eye, though. Almost like we were hanging out in the family kitchen. The coffee is superb but the food was inconsistent. My eggs and corned beef hash were great but my wife didn't like her omelet and our bacon was fried to a crisp. I would definitely come back for the coffee, hash, and the family show.

Cassie T.

Fred's Diner is awesome. I love the cramped hole in the wall feeling this place gives. The waitresses are hilarious and the French Toast is OUT OF THIS WORLD. Fred's diner makes you feel like a part of the crew. It's like nothing else out there.

Katy H.

I go to this diner every week. It has great food for breakfast and lunch, plus a fun, family atmosphere.

Christina S.

Came here for breakfast with a couple girlfriends one weekday morning. The limited seating is no joke. There are maybe 4 or 5 booth 4-tops, and the rest are either 2-seaters or at the counter. We waited a few minutes at the counter for a booth to open and luckily it did. I would definitely not recommend this diner for groups, but the food was yummy diner food, and the sassy servers were a lot of fun-- even if they threatened to put our pictures on the wall for being troublemakers! Ha! Such fun! We had it coming. ;) and the biscuits and gravy were quite good that day.

Pamela O.

Scott R.

Eric D.

Eric S.

Evan H.

Patti H.

J N.

Carl F.

Jim S.

Evan H.

Scott H.

Patti H.

J N.

Carl F.

Jim S.

Steve O.

Kristin J.

Kerri L.

Kerri L.

Dan C.

EJ H.

JG S.

Shelly S.

Michael W.

Bill M.

Eric D.