Eggshells
596 W Main St, Lake Zurich, IL, 60047
Eggshells Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Lake Zurich for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Lake Zurich for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Lake Zurich for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
596 W Main St
Lake Zurich, IL, 60047 - Phone (847) 719-3447
- Website https://eggshellslz.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:00 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Gracie P.
Great food - had a club sandwich, outstanding! MY friend had a chopped salad which was also great. Love the Happy Hour idea from 1-3 when bagels and donuts are 12/$4 or 6/$2 !!! A little small and the floor is very slippery when it it raining out! Be careful!
(4)Dominick C.
Terrible service and undercooked pancakes for breakfast; I don't think so! A true hole in the wall.
(2)Dawn A.
Ordered Chris's Veggie. Menu states it's served on an english muffin, mine was served on a bagel. I understand it's called Eggshells, but I do not appreciate actual eggshells in my food. I ordered my meal with breakfast potatoes, I got fruit instead. I ordered a bagel with cream cheese, I got an onion bagel. Overall expirience was extremely dissapointing. Rude people behind the desk. This was a to-go order. The only positive were the donuts and I dont think they are even made there.
(1)Wayne Q.
I finally come out here. Small little hole in the wall but great food.fair service. Heather didn't greet us.just," coffee coffee????" Kept touching her hair.no eye contact. After she brought us the drinks she rushed our order.She seemed like the head server.pointed her finger down,"Here!" When we didn't know what the sides were. Gave us the bill 2 mins after our food.never checked on us when we received our food...we had a question about the food as to what was in it.we have a food allergy,"I don't know" and walked away. Constantly got knocked into and no excuses me or smiles from staff.this place is more of a takeout than dine in.
(2)Cary H.
Cozy little place with 20 tables off Rand rd. loved the donuts and breakfast. Try the ham and cheese omelette with a biscuit! You can watch them make the food from your table which is never a bad thing..
(5)Scott R.
The long wait for a table is just the start of the many issues here. I am still waiting for my decafe coffee. I would say go anywhere but here for breakfast.
(1)Hye C.
The food here is very good, but some of the staff seems decidedly unfriendly. I went to pick up an order and the woman at the counter was just horribly unpleasant. She was very short and almost combative in the way she spoke to me. If I want to be around people that hate me, I'll go hang out with my family.
(3)Jake B.
The food is good but ordering for delivery the staff is very unfriendly and condescending. They need to rehire the staff to some people that are actually friendly
(2)Morgan O.
The red velvet donut was amazing. !!! I had the scrambled eggs they were good. My mom didn't like the chicken noodle soup because it was watery.
(4)Kevin D.
Very small. Too small for me to enjoy. Good service and decent food. Reminds me of an old breakfast diner, but one-third the size.
(3)Jess H.
Had the burger here on brioche bun. Would compare the quality of meat to Brandts of Palatine. Great quality. I am not crazy about brioche bun at all. I would rather see other bread options. I will stick with coming to Brandts for the burgers for same price with better bread option. The fries was good. I tried a glazed donut while waiting and I am not a donut person but it was ok. I first came in to get breakfast but they did not have pineapples to make an hawaiian 5-0 omelette so decided on a burger. Alot patrons were enjoying their food. Pretty alot of them ate majority on their plate this morning while I was there. Service was stellar. Did not have to ask to get my drink refilled. Will I come back. Probably yes because they deliver and theyre local with quality stuff. Even the tomato on the burger was very fresh and perfect shade of red like it was picked out of someones garden.
(4)Steve P.
I was consulting in the area and stopped in for lunch. Burger and fries were awesome. Another day I had the breakfast. Their english muffins were insanely huge. Pancakes, scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes... unf! Very small but nice diner. It doesn't take many to fill the place up. By lunch time there are only a few donuts and pastries left for their 1-3 pastry sale. I made a special trip on my way out of town to grab a donut in the morning - and it was worth the trip. Oh - and my waitress I had was so friendly I felt like I knew her for years. Not talk-your-ears-off friendly, just... it was nice to have that on top of such excellent food! Next time I'm anywhere in the NW suburbs I will make the trip!
(5)Melissa H.
The husband has left a review for here, but I have yet to post one. I've been coming here for the last couple years and everything tastes amazing, and fresh. Food is served hot and their breads and bagels are fantastic! The husband and I saw they were packed today and the owner who was sitting at a table was kind enough to give up his table to us. We asked our server if they are still planning on moving to a bigger location, but unfortunately it fell through. That's ok though, it won't stop us from dining here. They served the doughnut holes today with a nice little touch of icing for dipping. Where we sat we could see the cooks making everything. It was pretty neat seeing what was going on back there My omelette and hash browns I ordered were hot, and filling . My husband ordered their comfort food special of chicken and waffles. I had a taste of his and it was awesome. Obviously, we will be returning again very soon!
(5)Peter A.
Quaint little place. Wounded up here because Walker Brothers had a 30 minute wait. Arrived with my family 2 adults & 2 kids. Food was good. Not great sat outside so it was a nice day. Their favorite word during ordering is extra. 75 cents for cheese on scramble eggs, 65 cents for cream cheese on a bagel, no refills on orange juice for kids. Service was beyond horrible. Took way too long for food arrive. When It finally did, it was plate by plate then 5 minutes then another plate and then literally 10 minutes after my 8 year old was served the last plate for my 6 year old was brought (which was a plain hamburger). Oh - and did I mention they forgot my side of bacon. The server was finally observant to the fact that I was pretty steamed and offered to give us the bacon for free. The only saving grace was a man made his way out to us and asked what had happened. I asked it he was the manager and said No I own the place. He cut the check in half and apologized. Also had the server bring us a box of donuts as a token of apology. In that respect I appreciate the offer and may return one more time - but anytime soon. Review would have been a 1 if this didn't happen.
(2)Bradley F.
Great food, yet the service is terrible. The young man tony who helped us got only about 60% of our order correct. The order was: scrambled eggs w feta, spinach, salsa, and avacado. Instead we got scrambled eggs with avacado. Asked for water, he forgot. 3 orders of toast were forgotten. Got a kids platter with sausage, but received bacon. On top of that, I heard the table next to us reminding the same server of forgotten items. Everyone has a bad day, but this level of service in inexcusable.
(2)Aaron O.
I've been wanting to try this place out for months and finally did the other day. First off, the donuts were amazing and the staff were very nice. It was really crowded, but that's a good sign and for good reason. I got a breakfast burrito and it was cooked to perfection. The prices aren't bad either and they cook the food pretty quickly. And if you're not into breakfast foods, they have soups and sandwiches too. Give it a try, you won't regret it. :)
(5)Blythe K.
One star for the amazing donuts, foods okay nothing special. TERRIBLE servers with the worst attitudes, because of them we will never go back!
(1)Anna B.
Very good breakfast food place! My fav is the breakfast Quesadilla! Also they have really good donuts! Plus they deliver or you can order on grubhub and pick it up.
(5)Mike C.
Love the food, but when you post that you are open till 3pm, then stay open till 3pm. We drive 30 minutes to come out and you shut your doors at 2:19, and tell us that you haven't been open till 3 for a while. Even your door says 3ish. Very disappointing, don't know if we will waste our time and make the drive again.
(2)Big B.
We just ate here for the first time today. Everyone loved what they ate and the portions were large. Service was great, as our server checked on us often and refilled drinks without asking. Nice little neighborhood cafe with outdoor seating in nice weather. Seating is tight, so leave the strollers in the car. High chairs are available. We'll be back!
(5)Alec D.
I would not recommend this restaurant. They use 'big catering orders' as an excuse for very poor service. I waited over 30 minutes for a simple breakfast burrito and wasn't notified the 'reason' for the wait until I received my food and complained. They have obviously out grown themselves in every way and are not doing anything about it. Their kitchen is most likely much too small for the amount of tables they have crammed into their space. Although they did offer free donuts as compensation, I didn't feel it counterbalanced the bad experience. I would definitely not return to this restaurant.
(1)Lynn W.
Tiny but tasty place. Went last weekend and had a great breakfast. Donut holes as a side? YES! Service was great too.
(4)Andrea T.
Really great place! Service was really good, waitress was really friendly and helpful. I had the Irish Benedict, best corned beef hash I've ever had. Homemade salsa was delicious with the breakfast burrito, great coffee!
(5)Diane P.
I'm giving it 2 stars as the food was very good. However, my friend and I won't ever return due to the rude waitress. We ordered crepes. Halfway through breakfast, the waitress said, "I can't believe you are eating so much of that". We were dumbfounded. We both finished our meals. The waitress came back and said, "I can't believe you ate it all". I told her she was rude. Her response "really"? I said yes and then she said "oh" and walked away. No apology. When we go out to eat, we prefer not being told we are "pigs".
(2)C. G.
4 stars. Server was making one excuse after the other about the fact she was only one there. Not a customers problem so quit whining. Food was excellent. Had Veggie Benedict and it was awesome! Server was nice enough to recommend another veggie when I mentioned I didn't want tomatoes. So thanks for that. Just quit whining. Nobody cares.
(4)Brittany B.
So let me start by saying the food here is GOOD! Especially the donuts. And it is super cheap. We came here today on a Friday for brunch, our second time here. The first time we came, the owner was extremely friendly and gave us a bunch of free stuff - muffins, bialys, and a discount on the donuts. He also chatted us up for a while, but overall we felt very welcomed. Today however, the service was horrible. Our waitress (the sturdy blond one) made us a little uncomfortable to start with, she was a little imposing about trying to get us to order right away. Well, first we ordered coffees and 2 waters. Coffees came, but no waters. Then I asked for a grapefruit juice. She didn't ask me what size I wanted, just brought me a large. When she brought it, I asked for waters again. Still no waters. We ordered a salad and some eggs. My fiancé asked again for waterS, but only one came. So we asked for another, eventually it did come, but when we finished our waters, getting a refill was another challenge. When our food came, the eggs were cold! :( . Whatever. We wanted a donut, but by now our waitress was nowhere to be found, so my fiancé just got up and grabbed himself the last one. It was a jelly donut, and let me tell you, I don't even like jelly donuts normally, but this one had some kind of crazy homemade jelly and it was amazing. We finished this donut in about 5 seconds, it was that good. So, overall, good, cheap food, great donuts, nice manager, but very bad service- at least today! Oh and I almost forgot- there was an old man at the table next to us (super old and super cute, he was with his daughter who was at least in her 60s so he had to be like 80), and towards the end of their meal he spilt his water, and tried to call the busboy over but no luck. Our waitress walked right past him twice and his waitress came and cleared a plate but made no mention of the water! I felt so bad for him it was painful to watch this. Eventually the manager sent the busboy over and he did clean up the water and assured the man that spills happen all the time but this was at least 5 minutes after he had spilt it. I felt so bad for him, it was so painful to watch everyone ignoring this sweet old man. So that happened.
(2)Lin S.
Truly the owner needs to take a close look at cleanliness!! We used to come often, but the servers are cleaning tables with buckets of filthy water and dirty rags they use over and over. The placements are frightening I can only imagine how dirty they are .. It was a great place!
(1)Paul G.
Great food!!!! Corn beef hash to die for!!! Donuts are the best in the area!!! Definitely coming back, can't wait!!
(5)Dallas T.
Absolutely the BEST breakfast you can get anywhere...! The place is crowded all the time and there's always a wait, but it's worth the waiting (perhaps if you're too tired, grouchy, and aggravated to wait for a table I suggest you find somewhere else to go... and come back another time when you're feeling better (that way people like me all excited, "craving" waiting with mouth-watering anticipation of the breakfast to be served...I'll get seated quicker if you follow my suggestion). Any way, it's pretty incredible, and you'll understand the experience I've had here, which I'm trying to communicate to you, that once you get your table and order, what you get is going to satisfy!!! Try the Eggs El Maxino, the corned beef hash (awesome), ham-off-the bone, the best bagels... And so on all delicious !
(5)Chris G.
Great cooks, great staff, great food, great experience. Honestly BEST breakfast in town, yes it is a small place but its something you need too look past because the food makes ups for it. They also deliver/cater breakfast or lunch. **Best Donuts and bagels in town** ***OVERALL -----if you can look past size, the food is delicious and very cost effective with big proportions. This place is a great place to try and enjoy.***
(5)Alyssa K.
This place is close to work so I have been here several times. Yes, this place is tiny and cramped. For lunch we usually try to arrive early or late so we avoid the "big" lunch rush. When the weather is nice you can get a table outside where there is more room. As many others have mentioned, the service leaves a little to be desired. One server in particular has very little patience and always seems to be irritated with the customers. The last few times I've been there I haven't seen this server and actually had pleasant experiences without server. The food is delicious. My favorite breakfast dish is the eggs el maxino-chorizo, hashbrowns, onions, peppers, and eggs. Seriously amazing. That special ketchup they put on top is great too and I don't even like ketchup! The club sandwich and the salads are also excellent. If you really want to solidify the clogging of your arteries get an order of tater tots. Crispy, fried goodness. I think the price is right for this place and you get a lot of food. One time the owner even game me a bunch of free donuts while I was leaving. They were also great.
(4)Lyndsay T.
Eggshells is awesome! We are too lazy to get out of bed on the weekends to go there.... So we get delivery. Breakfast delivery?! What a brilliant idea! They have delish food and deliver it quality containers...sturdy plastic (no joke). And it's fast, and we usually get a free donut or two! This place rocks... Check it out.
(5)Lynn B.
They deliver donuts and bagels to my workplace so I decided to give them a try and see how their menu measures up to their delicious donuts. We got there at around 9:00am on a Saturday and thank goodness there wasn't a wait. This is one of few times I was grateful we had crummy weather and people usually just sleep in; only because their waiting room is the tiny space by the door or outside! I did have to squeeze through people and tables before I got to my table. Our server was pretty friendly and attentive. They have a limited menu but I enjoyed their Breakfast Quesadilla. Overall, I love their donuts especially since they are always fresh. Their breakfast menu is ok. prices are good but I like my personal space when eating my meal. This place is a little too cozy on space. I saw a few people walk into Lover's Lane next door after breakfast, they must get good foot traffic especially if people are waiting in line.
(3)Harley P.
Great place for a quick breakfast. And of course, a dozen doughnuts for the office. Omelets are really the best. And the staff "gets it".. we're in a hurry. But, of course, the best option is the Eggs Benedict. On the weekend, Elizabeth is our favorite. We tip her 20% because she's worth it. I like starting my day with a happy face and she's bi-lingual; eng/spa..
(4)Shahnaz K.
The food that I've had there deserves five stars. The service - particularly today - does NOT. The service was okay the last time (last Wednesday), it seemed to take the waitress a few minutes to warm up and then she was attentive and polite. I didn't have to remind her for refills and she happily brought my daughter her free doughnut for cleaning her plate. My daughter's meal was well-done and my corned beef benedict was phenomenal. I wish more places did corned beef hash RIGHT - shredding the beef instead of using a food processor and giving you that lovely catfood texture. But the food was really so, so, so good that we were excited to return. Today, our waitress was beyond awful. It's a shame when your server is so freaking bad that it overwhelms delicious food. Everything we tried to order at first was something they were out of. Orange juice? no. Lemonade? no. Apple juice? no. Okay, why don't you tell my daughter what she CAN drink. Milk? Fine. I'll take the corned beef hash. Oh, you're out of that too. Great. I ordered the poached eggs with turkey sausage and a biscuit and they were delicious. Really well-cooked. My daughter ordered the kids' meal and asked for blueberries ON TOP knowing there would be an upcharge, which I was fine with. ON TOP. NOT IN. Sure enough, they came inside the batter and they were cooked and mushy and hot and kids can be picky.....so.....I had to flag down the waitress to get her to change them. I did immediately tell her that they shouldn't have been in the batter but she clearly didn't give a flip. I made my daughter try them and it was just a no-go. Life with kids. The waitress's attitude didn't start off great, so I can't even blame the rest of the service on that whole exchange. Accidents happen but when the customer is attempting to be kind and still have a meal their kid will actually eat, some grace in handling would be appreciated. Especially when I am certain that we ordered it correctly and you wrote it down incorrectly. I had to request more water twice - it never came. Still, even at the end. Asked her for water for my daughter since they don't do refills for milk - this is fine but asking for water with a meal shouldn't require so much begging and pleading. If you aren't going to stay on top of people's water, put a carafe on the table like everywhere else does. Finally, my daughter cleaned her plate and we got up because pointing it out to the waitress had not resulted in her free doughnut. I walked up to her while she was stocking drinks and asked if my daughter could have her free doughnut (lovely having to beg, but it's ultimately not fair to kids to not honor something printed on your menu). "Oh sure! I'll get it." She walks to the back of the restaurant and disappears. On her break. Yeah. I'm serious. 5 minutes go by and finally the chef takes pity on us and tells us to get it ourselves when I try approaching the other waitress since mine gave us the biggest eff-you she could muster. I can't believe I tipped 20% for that joke of a server. I wish I could have directed all of it to the kitchen.
(3)Kay B.
Delicious food, cheap prices. But they seriously need to expand to a new location, it's so tiny. But you can also do take out I think and they cater as well. It's only 4 stars due to the location, otherwise it's amazing!
(4)Steve P.
First of all they get their breads delivered from briola breads daily they are not made there. They are liars they do not make their breads there. None at all ..2nd this place is filthy I was in there eating when the health department came in there and cited them with numerous violations. Just look around the place is dirty and filthy. The waitress staff there is the worst I've ever seen anywhere they are rude and ignorant and barely speak English. Don't waste your time or money much better places to eat in the area.
(1)Gregg D.
Came in on a Sunday around 11am..Service was adequate, considering how busy it was. Food portions are rather large, and was ok for breakfast. Very warm and felt crowded in the restaurant. Nice to come here once in a while but not an every week thing
(4)Mike W.
They should've called this place: The Jail Cell, because It'z about as small as one. So, watchout... ya might get "shivved!" lol I joke... I joke!!
(4)Randy H.
If you go here, everything is AMAZING, & if you say otherwise, your taste buds are broken!
(5)Ben F.
I'm new to the area and I had family over this weekend and didn't feel like cooking Sunday morning. These guys delivered our meal and threw in some extra free donuts! The food was delicious. My family raved about the omelettes and the thick hand cut hash browns. I was a huge fan of the Irish eggs benedict with slabs of corned beef. I even had leftovers for work on Monday. Costumer service is top notch...the owner himself called to confirm the order. This place is my new "go to" for all things breakfast.
(5)Gregory B.
This time, we had the french toast. Best ever, check. And the pancakes. Best ever, check. And of course the cheese grits. You guessed it, check. If you'll smile and joke with her, the server is a delight. If not, okay then, pretend that you are in New York City and enjoy your food.
(5)Brittany V.
This place has amazing food and even better service. The homemade donuts are fantastic. The sandwiches are great. The soup is wonderful. And I can't put into words how amazing Craig is. He loves feeding people and he's very good at it. I highly recommend this place for all catered events, and even just for breakfast and lunch.
(5)Jack P.
Last time i will ever go here. Food is good however service is so awful that I would not recommend it any longer. No one greets you as you enter. You have to practically grab someone by the arm to get their attention. Once you sit down there is significant wait prior to ordering. I had a very poor experience today and it was not crowded at all. My wife ordered a hot tea and water was luke warm. We waited so long we had to get our food to go and they wanted me to put it in to go boxes myself, ridiculous. Honestly, there are plenty of places with superior service and i would included mcdonalds as an example. Will not be going back.
(1)Mike L.
Awesome Sausage Gravy!!!!!!!!! Great omelets!!!! Bagels tasty and portions are huge. Very reasonable prices for the amount of food you get. A bit crammed but worth it!!! Love breakfast like this!!!
(5)Sarah M.
Oh, Eggshells, I want to bathe in your gravy. Ok, not really but really. Eggshells is a totes adorb yet manly little cafe/diner located in a tiny and awkward strip mall, and adjacent to a Lover's Lane. The outside seating is balanced precariously on the narrow-ish sidewalk, and one of the tables is face to nip with one of the Lover's Lane womanniquens (I call her Elaine). Inside, it's asses to elbows and sometimes backs. A new definition of cozy. And I would eat here every single day if I could. They know how to do it, folks. From homemade bagels and donuts (insert Homer Simpson drool - oh, and did I mention his face is painted on the window, doing just that?) to FOUR EGG omelettes, Eggshells is ON POINT. I'd tell you my fav, but that's been EVERYTHING I've eaten there! So, I'll tell you about the first time they cracked my shell. Picture this. Homemade biscuit topped with Boar's Head sausage patty, topped with poached egg, nestled next to its twin brother and doused in sausage gravy. This ain't yo mama's gravy. There is none of that black-pepper mixed with too much flour leaving a yick flavor at the back of your throat thing happening here! No sir. No! Juicy bits of sausage frolic along the current of delicious tears-of-an-angel that you will ask for a straw, and maybe a towel. I am telling you this. To top it off, you get two sides with this massive feast. Go with potatoes and maybe some fruit. Heck, you could go with potatoes and yesterday's dishwater and be just as happy. All this for under 8 bucks. Big fan. Go to there. But keep in mind they are only open until 3-ish and get SUPER packed on the weekends. It's worth the wait. You're welcome.
(5)Melissa K.
So good! This place is super small seating wise but it's so delish! I had veggie eggs Benedict the hollandaise was prob the best I've ever had! My husband had the breakfast burrito and it was so good! I def recommend!!
(5)Kerrill B.
Ordered eggs benedict. Comes with 2 sides. Great! But we won't serve x, y, or z sides. And we are out of a and b sides. So they are basically mandating what sides to eat. Oh and by the way they are also out of hollandaise? That was the deciding factor to just go somewhere else instead.
(1)Julia M.
I finally tried this place and I loved it. The food is fresh and flavorful. The staff was nice and frequently checked on us. This is a great little restaurant. So happy I went.
(4)Heather M.
NOT very pleased with this place! Two days in a row of extremely bad customer service. Day 1-I called and asked to place an order for delivery (because they advertise that they deliver), the woman who answer the phone says 'sorry! We don't have a driver today'. Ok, well that's a bummer. Day 2-I called in the morning, around 6:45am and asked to place an order for pick up. The woman says 'We're not open until 7:30'! Oh really-because online it says you're open at 6am. She then says 'we are very busy'. So I said fine and hung up. I Then went over to White Alps in Lake Zurich and they were more than happy to take my order! Needless to say-i will NOT be ordering from Eggshells!!!
(1)Valerie W.
Had breakfast at Eggshells this morning trying to cure the BF's massive hangover. We found the restaurant quickly, and had no trouble getting a table, but if we'd walked in 5 minutes later, we'd have been waiting. The interior is cute, very small, a little too small to be deemed "cozy." Wait staff has to push their way past to get to tables. They do have a few tables outside for those who can handle the heat. C'mon, it was like, 80 at 9am, that shiz wasn't happening for me. We ordered beverages (intellegensia coffee bumped my original 3 star up to a 4, score.) and our server came back quickly to take our order. My friend asked how large the biscuits and gravy were (they are listed as a side) and the server went to the kitchen to check, and came back and said "we're out of biscuits right now." No apology, just basically "we don't have them." The food was very VERY good. I had the country benedict (on an english muffin, because, they were out of biscuits.) Their gravy is absolutely 100% freshly made, the sausage patty (Boar's Head, again, score.) was well seasoned, and the eggs were poached perfectly. The hash browns are also clearly freshly shredded. So, food, 5 stars. Service, left a lot to be desired, at a 2. Aside from the whole biscuit debacle, our server (who was wearing a shirt that said 'caution, I bite,' fitting) was rude and cold. She rolled her eyes at several customers, I heard her snapping at the table next to us when they were ready to take their order, and she told me that the B&G "taste really great" and then in the next breath told me she doesn't eat pork so she doesn't know what they taste like. Our lovely, charming server ended our encounter by telling us of a time that she got sh*t bombed on goldschlagger, and woke up in the back seat of her car, with the car half in and half out of the driveway. The kicker? "At least I was still wearing my panties, right?" Oh yes, ladies and gentlemen, that's how my meal at Eggshells ended. I'll go back, but if Ms. Biter with the Panties is serving, I'll wait for someone else.
(4)Mario P.
Amazing food and service. And did I mention the biscuit???? Yum!!!
(5)Ashley S.
Ok, so this place usually caters breakfast to us at least once a month, courtesy of the pharmaceutical reps. It's always been fantastic food, and I've dined in there on many occasions with great eggsperiences every time. That all changed today. We were told by the owner last time he was here to call anytime and he would deliver regardless of the order size. So this morning, with it being Friday and all, some of the girls and I decided we wanted some breakfast. We called, placed the order to the rude person on the phone....and he told me it would be about 30-45 minutes. An hour later I received a phone call from a girl, stating that they were running late and she would need an extra 30-40 minutes. We decided that we would just cancel our order and do something else. We were really upset because of the fact that we waited for almost an hour and a half for food and never ended up getting anything. Like I said before, I've always had such great things to say about this place, but today's service was really disappointing.
(3)Mercedes B.
I've eaten here a few times last summer and since I was back from school I decided to go back today. The food is awesome but the experience was not worth it at all. The owner is awesome when he's in the place. Super nice and always talking to people however the staff is just plain rude. When we walked, we stood in the entrance waiting to be seated, there was one table open, and one table being cleared. The waitress saw us, and literally looked me in the eye, and then walked away. We waited for about two minutes, and the waitress gave the check to the two tables next to us without even acknowledging that we were there. So we assumed that it was then a seat yourself place now, so we took the open table which was literally one inch away from the two in the middle. We sat and waited, and again the waiter walked past us. I turned to look at her to see people were waiting in the back hallway, and when I tried to stop the waitress to ask if that was the line for people waiting for a table or pick up (since it was right next to the pick up window) and she just ignored me. We immediately got up and left. I don't understand why they were giving us the cold shoulder, but nothing is worth being treated like crap. It's very strange that everyone was so rude to use, because the owner is such a nice man. I know this review probably doesn't matter, because so many people like this place, but seriously I've never been treated so poorly.
(2)Melissa G.
The food here is great! The only real downside is the small size of the restaurant and the fact that it is so loved that its always crowded.
(5)Alan G.
Wife and I decided to try a new place (new to us, they've been there 4 years) so we headed out to Eggshells for our Sunday brunch. I was a little nervous as I've read about how oddly this place is laid out. Man as specific as those reviews were, they just couldn't have prepared me for what I experienced. If go prepare to be bumped often. First experience as a newbie was pissing of the regulars while trying to be seated by talking to the person at the register. Apparently there is a specific place to wait for a table in the bathroom hallway. Joked about the soup episode from Seinfeld. We got there late so line and wait was short. Took a long time to get our coffee (weak for my taste) and refills, but other than that the complaints were minor. The issue was our server also had the tables outside. I really enjoyed my Omlette and bagel. I'd avoid the hashbrowns as they were the greasiest I've ever tasted in my life. My wife enjoyed her eggs and pancakes, but I'd have to say they looked like tiny crepes. However, they tasted good. This place is known for their donuts, so we joked that we'd like dessert. We split a cake and raised donut. Very good. Bagels that came with our brunch were also pretty good. Overall, we really liked the place, but I'd only go during off hours (unless you enjoy being packed in like sardines). Oh and the reviews about people being ignored is true. We sort of experienced it for the first few minutes. Even though the place had two or three open tables, we saw at least two couples leave in frustration after no staff acknowledgement. One couple sat at a table for ten minutes and finally gave up. The mgmt really needs to deal with this issue when it's busy.
(4)Nicole M.
I was at work and a bunch of us wanted breakfast and this place delivers! How amazing is getting breakfast delivered! I got the breakfast burrito and it was stuffed to the max and really good! They also make there own donuts and bagels. Which are also yummy!
(5)Robert H.
A lot has changed since my last review three years ago. All of my favorite waitresses have left and gone(Christy, Meghan, Judy, Elizabeth, etc.). The current waiter just can't seem to get with the program. He has zero personality and has to be constantly asked for items that shouldn't require prompts from the customer(cream for coffee, refills, etc.). I noticed that things weren't the same three months ago, but decided to give Eggshells another shot. The first thing I noticed was that there were no customers at all during my entire breakfast. Not long ago, you had to arrive early, if you wanted a table. Not anymore. I had the feeling that many of the loyal patrons had given up and found new breakfast destinations. Overall, the food was not up to past standards and the "vibe" just wasn't there like it used to be. What a shame.
(3)Heather C.
Unlike most restaurants cutting corners these days....everything is fresh. The only thing negative about eggshells is that it isn't closer to my house....or in my house num num num. I am also disappointed with myself for not thinking of creating a country benedict....absolutely delightful!
(5)Dave H.
Mmm... Good... Tasty.
(4)A J.
Check your bills, first time I thought was mistake , 2nd,3rd time, definitely on purpose. They tack on a dollar or 2 here and there on drinks and meals. Sneaky and obviously unethical. Food is ok, not great
(1)michael w.
Was in unfamiliar territory and stopped here on a whim to feed the fam before a show, eyeballed it from the road. Glad we did. Tip - VERY tight space, to some cozy, others down right claustrophobic, crawling on top of each other. I imagine this place is insane at prime time. Breakfast is the focus (duh!) But we were there for lunch. My wife and I split the turkey pastrami sandwhich. Tip - $3 plate share fee so don't be so forward with your intention to share, my advice is to keep it on the down low. The sandwhich was fantastic. Very yummy and satisfying. Boars head is used here and you can tell. On the side were some very good home made tater chips. My son got a hot dog with onions, cheese and ketchup. The dog came served on a pretzel dog and looked very good. Note to self to try next time. My daughter ordered a side of hash browns, which looked like hash browns to me, but she informed me that they were NOT as good as Waffle House (so there you go). I also treated each kid to a doughnut too, they make them fresh here and they look like it. Yummy. I did not indulge, but noted that they had homemade macaroons that looked yummy, maybe next time. If you can find a seat, they will wait on you. As we waited for our food, I made a point to observe the other orders that were coming out of the kitchen. EVERY dish looked like a winner, even the platters that were already at neighboring tables. We have not made it to Zurich much, but if I was in the area and needed a bite, I would return and do recommend.
(4)Tory w.
If you happen to be in Lake Zurich for some odd reason (like looking for loons at 6am on a frigid April Saturday), Eggshells is an excellent place to have breakfast. It's small and adorable and was jam-packed when we went, at about 9am. The food was delicious, service was super friendly and quick, prices were reasonable, and if you're looking for a local joint in the far far northern suburbs of Chicago, you can't get more local than this. Also, after a certain time of day they give away the leftover homemade baked goods for really cheap. Yum!
(5)Jennifer A.
So disappointed. We have been to eggshells many times, and have watched it go downhill. This morning we sat at a table near the kitchen, which provided a clear view of the FILTH in there. Additionally, the waitstaff was rude, and the absolute last straw was that we were SWARMED with fruit flies as we were served. Completely disgusting. We left without eating and won't be back.
(1)Samantha R.
Make your own breakfast, your kitchen is probably bigger than theirs. The only thing they have going for them is their pancakes, which are probably the best I've had at a restaurant. Otherwise, the service is terrible, the dining area is cramped and hot, and it didn't seem very clean to me. I asked for a glass of water and the waitress came back ten minutes later with a cup filled with water that might has well have been used to poach my eggs in, it was that warm! I was crammed in a corner with two friends and we might as well have been sitting on the laps of the people next to us! Food aside from the pancakes was very sub-par. I had Eggs Benedict with mushrooms and the mushrooms tasted awful and they barely put any hollandaise sauce on it. I know I am in the minority in saying this, but I had an awful experience and I will not be going back :(
(2)Ashley P.
So simple and so good. This is a great little nook of a breakfast place. everything is so fresh and they don't try and out-do themselves. Great prices, greats staff. I look foprward to dining here again very soon!
(5)Rohit S.
Pros : great food, great coffee, great staff, good service. Cons: little room. Tips: Try their eggs el maxina. It was delicious.
(4)Amy P.
What an awesome breakfast and the service was fantastic! Get there early (we were there at 8am and there were still plenty of tables)---it's a small place. The omelet was huge, coffee was plentiful, breads and donuts were fresh, and we were in and put in under 45 mins. Will def be back!!!
(5)Greg P.
Wow! Ordered through GrubHub. Got my food in like a half hour and it was REALLY good. Definitely going to eat at this place again. Even called my cell to ask me how everything was since I was a first time order. Pretty awesome.
(5)Tammy C.
Like their donuts and coffee. Service leaves a lot to be desired. They are definitely not friendly. Finding freshness on donuts and bagels is not up to their original standards which is too bad. Prices are a bit high
(3)Megan D.
Found EggShells after seeing their delivery car all about town and have really grown to like them quite a bit. Just like everyone else said, it is small but it adds to the charm. The owners are very friendly along with the waitstaff. Everyone knows everyone in here. The coffee is out of this world! While the menu itself is basic be sure to check out the specials as you can find some real gems on there. I've not been dissapointed with anything from there. It's very affordable too which is a plus! Also love they are BLACKHAWKS fans!!!
(4)Jennifer M.
It's worth overlooking that the place is a cluster pluck, the size of a chicken coop and chittter chatter abound! One of the owners was present this morning working... in a pair of egg yolk colored shorts... representative of the animated, warm and friendly environment. The menu is laminated and acts as a place mat. A lot of selections to choose from. Competitive prices. Today's breakfast choice: Short Stack Pancakes with a side of Applewood Smoked Bacon and Decaf Coffee. In a phrase: Refreshingly Delicious!
(4)Marshall S.
This compact, fast-paced diner caters to the local breakfast and lunch crowd. The chopped salads are a decent choice for lunch and the eggs come any way you'd like them. The price is right and the staff friendly. All told it was decent ... nothing bad but nothing really remarkable.
(3)Mary G.
Egg Shells has a very good selection of donuts they are very fresh & the same with their bagels is well, they are so cheap & made fresh everyday! I like coming to Eggs Shells for their farmers breakfast, its only $4.00 and you get 2 pancakes, 2 eggs, 2 sausage , 2 pieces of bacon & toast but I'm not sure ! The reason why I gave them 4 out of 5 stars is because Egg Shells is very very tiny, during the weekends it gets is so busy and personally I don't like being in such a small space with so many people it makes me feel so uncomfortable. If they opened up a bigger place with chairs that aren't so close together I would definitely come here more often!
(4)Kelly S.
I usually avoid this place because it is so popular and comes with a wait. I decided to visit on a Sunday morning with my daughter. The wait was, of course, long. I expected that, but also observed more than I wanted to. I'm guilty of watching way too many restaurant impossible episodes, and I usually cringe when they point out the filth in a restaurant. Let's just say that I noticed more than I wanted to while standing in line. The walls and floors are dirty. Not one day dirty. Caked on dirty. I also witnessed an employee sneeze 3 times, without covering their mouth, while carrying a pitcher of water. It sucks writing this, but I hope they read it and appreciate it so they can improve. The food was good. Our waitress was not attentive and dry. Food was good, as usual. Disappointing.
(3)Sherwin C.
Small but they pretty much cook every dish well. Like Egg Harbor they do get pretty crowded and use better ingredients in their food. You can clearly tell when you try hash browns made of Yukon Gold potatoes or taste their corned beef hash.
(5)Cathy G.
I was very excited when Eggshells opened in Lake Zurich since I am a big fan of breakfast and I loved the idea of an independent neighborhood restaurant I could support. However, after giving them a number of tries I have sadly decided to give up. Which is too bad because the place is cute and the food has been mostly very good with just a couple of misses. Unfortunately,I can't say the same for the service, which has run the gamut from decent on a rare occasion to downright rude and disdainful. In the interest of full disclosure, I generally have breakfast alone which is, I'm sure, not a restaurant's dream. I do, however, tend to go at off times so I'm not taking up a table for four, so I would think they would be happy to have one person at a table rather than zero. I guess that is not the case here. I would take it personally but I've read other reviews from lone diners that have gotten the same attitude. Anyway, after standing at the door this morning in a mostly empty restaurant while three employees looked up and then proceeded to completely ignore me, I said enough is enough and headed to Walker Brothers where I was seated, treated with respect and served a delicious breakfast. From now on, this will be my first choice which is too bad because, as I mentioned, I am a big fan of supporting local independent establishments.
(2)L S.
I'm appalled at the terrible service received at Eggshells, since the owner seems so personable...you'd think he would hire the same. The food is amazing and has always been....the service has always lacked - unless you are a regular. I use to visit every Sunday and had great service once I was "known" but only from one of their servers who is blonde (don't know her name) and does an amazing job! I am just beside myself at how the owner can ignore the multiple reviews that speak of the constant awful and rude staff. The service industry is not just about about service ....your tips are also based on your PERSONALITY!!! Besides the lack of care that the owner has for his rude staff that act like they'd rather be somewhere else - the filth in this place shows that the staff could care less. I wonder what's on the list of side work for this staff cause clearly it isn't much!
(1)Renee D.
Everything here is great. I had the best Eggsalad Sandwich ever with an order of their homemade chips. Never had a bad meal. A must try.
(5)Erin B.
I have to laugh that I was the first person to write a negative review and was screened out by the yelp algorithm since my review was so strongly worded. Now, over a year later, I am vindicated.
(1)Scotty J.
My parents love to go here when I'm back in town for breakfast. The seating is very limited and the line is in the back. The bread and donuts are always fresh and delicious. There are the standard vegetarian options usually offered for breakfast. I'm not sure but am assuming nothing is vegan. The last time I went I ordered the breakfast burrito. The portion was large but the flavor just wasn't enough. My father felt the same about his skillet. Next time I'd like to try the pancakes. The service is very friendly and the owners seem very passionate. This is a nice lower cost alternative to Egg Harbor.
(4)Todd L.
Alisha and I are always on the look out for a new breakfast place. The Chicagoland area has more amazing breakfast restaurants than any other part of the country I've been to. It seems like there are at least 1 or 2 amazing places in even the smallest of towns. Usually when a new place opens we go within a few weeks. In Egg Shells case though it took us a little longer. It happens to be in a small strip mall right next to Lovers Lane (a little awkward especially if you happen to be a minister in the community). Eventually though we bit the bullet and checked the place out. It was worth it. Everything is made fresh, including the donuts, bagels and bread. They also serve my favorite coffee Intelligentsia (if you haven't checked them out and like coffee at all, you need to). Their menu has the basics: stuffed French toast, eggs Benedict and pancakes as well as well as house specialties like the 'Lumberjack Burrito' and 'Eggs El Maxino' (what I had). Eggs El Maxino - Chorizo hash topped with 2 eggs prepared over medium, chipotle ketchup, avocado, cheddar cheese, and sour cream, served with toast. The Chorizo and chipotle ketchup is enough to make me happy! I will say that I order a lot of eggs with chorizo and rarely does it not overpower everything else on the plate. This dish however works well, not overpowering at all. It's refreshing to a locally owned small 'hole in the wall' (in the best possible sense) restaurant that makes amazing food, and all of it fresh. Check Egg Shells out!
(4)Jen R.
They would get a 5 star review from me if they moved into a better space. It's too cramped and the parking is horrendous. That being said, I have never had a bad meal there and I am obsessed with the pretzel bread. If the space was bigger we would eat there every weekend for breakfast!
(4)Bridget C.
Ate here for the second time today and was underwhelmed. I had the Tom's Automotive Breakfast Sandwich with a fried egg. It is sortof an egg mcmuffin but larger and hopefully made with better ingredients. I was suprised at how little flavor it had...even with cheddar cheese and a sausage patty. We make these at home a lot and with lots more flavor. The sausage patty did not taste good either...it is from Boar's Head so maybe that is how their sausage tastes. My husband ordered the Eggs Benedict and said it was good and had a nice thick piece of Canadian Bacon. I concur as the first time I went I had the spinach/tomato version. My husband got two sides and selected the hash browns and really wanted toast but was told he couldn't have toast because his breakfast contained bread and he had to select a non bread item which seemed odd. If you want toast you should get toast! We were told that one of the sides, fresh fruit was not available today either...which seems odd since you can buy fresh fruit anywhere, at any time of the year and citrus would have been a nice compliment. So he selected hash browns and cheese grits. Their hash browns are rather mushy and unevenly cut, therefore are not consistently cooked. He didn't eat them. The cheese grits were good and I ended up eating them since I didn't like my breakfast sandwich. It's a small place, and they might benefit by moving to one of the vacant places either on rte 22 or across the street at the corner of Rand and 22. It would be nice to have more space between the tables. We will probably try it again, but hope that next time will be better as we learn the menu order appropriately.
(2)Ali R.
Upgrading my rating to 4 stars. After 3 more visits, I'm upgrading my rating specifically because the server, Judy is great and attentive, and the food has continued to be solid. Everything is made fresh here. Boar Head meat makes for some great corned beef and the bakery items are all moist and tasty. The eggs are always cooked right and the menu is diverse. This spot is small, crowded, and busy - but aren't all great local spots? I also heard they don't own a microwave - I appreciate that. Support this little gem. It's worth it. They deliver and cater too.
(4)Peter S.
Well, my kids love it, and the food is pretty decent. I want to give them five stars. I really do but I can't. Why? Well it's too damn small! It's always crowded and even once you are seated you are rubbing elbows with other patrons (literally). I always have a hard time grading places because to do an honest job you would need to have a well established baseline or frame of reference. But how do you compare place like this to let's say Morton's? You can't. There should be different categories, right? So - in a category of tiny American breakfast places - they get five stars as the food is great, the owner is the nicest guy in the World, and well, I keep coming back even though it drives me nuts when I have to wait for my tiny table for fifteen minutes. But I am still in search for a perfect breakfast place here in Northwest suburbs. Ever since I went to Berlin and had breakfast on the rooftop of a Best Western Hotel on Kurfurstendamm on a sunny September morning - I cannot even come close. It's like here in America we do not know what breakfast is. Imagine two thirty feet long buffet tables loaded with breakfast food from all over the world - literally dozens of hams, sausages, yellow cheeses, tons of diary products, dozens of buns, rolls, breads, and it doesn't even scratch the surface. What about a dozen of coffees and teas to choose from, every fruit you can imagine... Oh hell, what am I writing here? Ah, yes - the reason is I would like to find a place like this here - but since I haven't yet - guess what - somehow I keep coming here - to this tiny little place. Why? Beats me. But I am here at least once a month. They must be doing something right.
(4)Michael O.
Ok, so i am sorry but this place blew it from the time we got there...There were two tables open when we arrived and we simply sat at the first one. Well the waitress didn't tell us that the reason the tables were open, was that the AC ducts in the ceiling were leaking and dripping water. The staff seemed unconcerned. That was of course until an employee got a ladder out and began to clean the ducts above our table while we sat there...unbelievable. The all but one of the staff seemed upset to be there, kind of like we were messing up their break time. The younger waitress (looks to be late HS or early College) was laughing and having a good time with her customers. Wish we had her for our table, we were not one of the fortunate ones. The meal took forever to get to us, maybe it was the dripping water that made us want to hurry up. The food was standard. Nothing great, nothing bad just kind of standard. Price was average too. Heres the deal, our breakfast was a real downer. An upleaseant staff and dirty conditions mean we will never go back.
(1)Megan F.
Great place for Breakfast/Brunch. Good food, and lots of it for the price! Overall great value. Only complaint is that this place is always busy and could easily support a shop with twice the square footage. Basically, this place is always packed and noisy. Worth it for the food, but don't go expecting quiet booths for a family style meal.
(4)James M.
The Pros: Food is excellent and lots of it. And don't let the name fool you, they have very good lunch meals as well. The price, although not cheap, is reasonable especially considering the quality and quantity. Everything is made from scratch and you can tell - very fresh. The Cons: It's small and have often walked out as I could not get a table. But, I understand they are expanding it. The service is hit or miss. The servers are often doing so many things, like making boxes, preparing catered items, and serving tables. I have had to request refills multiple times, which is a pain. My suggestion is when you have a full crowd, hold off on making boxes and put the guests eating first. Conclusion: Although it has a couple cons, it still deserves 4 stars. Give it a try, I think you Will like it.
(4)Nathan P.
The service in this place is horrendous! Our office has ordered carry out from this place at least once every other week and I have dined in more than a handful of times. I work in the service industry and understand that people have a bad day and sometimes stress gets the best of us, however, after a sample size of approximately 15 experiences I can safely say the negative outweigh the positive experiences two-fold. There are much better, quicker, and friendly places in the area. Food is not worth dealing with the service.
(1)Ian H.
The food is great, for starters. Everything we've had has been cooked perfectly. I am a big fan of the sides choices as well. I wouldn't skip the donut holes with my 3 eggs. Early bird special M-F 6-9am, 2 eggs, 2 bacon, 2 sausage and pancakes for 3.95$. Can't beat that! I'll be going back to try everything on the menu.
(5)Heather A.
An bohemian little place with an excellent selection of breakfast and lunch items. There are just the right number of items as to not be overwhelming. It's rather small and we happened to get lucky to get a table rather fast. I could see it being a long wait on the weekends. As it was quite crowded on a Friday midmorning. I had the country eggs Benedict which was served on a biscut with a sausage patty and sausage gravy. The breakfast comes with a choice of two sides so I had the cheese grits and tomato slices. With so much food, I wound up taking half home. My only issue with the place was the waitstaff. They were quick but not pleasant. A smile would be a vast improvement over the scowl when we ask for drink refills.
(4)Steven L.
Last few times I've been in, good luck getting service. Want some donuts/fritters? 10 minutes to get wrung up as the waitresses chat between each other or put bagels on the shelf. I had a living social coupon to use and so I tried to sit down and eat. Had to leave after 8 minutes of a waitress walking around cleaning crap off tables without so much as saying hello to me. When you are getting rung up, enjoy sniffing the stinking pile of dirty cups/dishes that get stacked up next to the register. They have good product but the execution is terrible.
(2)Alex H.
Best breakfast in LZ. Much better value than other places in town. Great coffee; they serve one of the intelligentsia house blends. It's small- but that's part of why it's such a local hot spot. Great service and amazing food! Try the donuts! Freshly made. Go in before 7 or 8 and they have an early bird special.
(5)Linda M.
Have worked across the street from this restaurant for 3 years, and finally went there today with Hubby and son. Usually go to Whitey Alps next door, but had always heard good things about EggShells. I found the service to be "lukewarm". There were a couple of empty tables, but a fairly busy time for them (1pm on a Saturday). Husband had 2 eggs with hashbrowns and sausage links, and coffee (said the coffee was very good) Son had French Toast, with a side order of bacon ($4 for 3 pieces of bacon!) and a glass of orange juice (another $4 extra). So son's breakfast cost $15! I had a 1/2 sandwich/ soup combo. $6.75. Tuna salad was good, but not very much of it on the 1/2 sandwich. I drank water. Total bill for us was $34 before tip. So, we got out of there for around $40. I didn't see anything outstanding, and would consider them to be overpriced. Don't think we'll be going back. Too many other breakfast/brunch places to choose from in the Lake Zurich / Barington area.
(2)Dave D.
My girlfriend and I would really like to give Shells a better star rating, but can't.. While over the past 2 years the service has been hit or miss, the last two experiences with their service has been simply awful. Their good food doesn't make-up for how lame their staff is. Rude and uncaring sums up the service. Lack of basic cleanliness would be the other complaint if we even cared to return--check out the nasty black drape at the entrance and in & around the soda machine if you care to visit this joint. We'll spend the thousand of dollars we spend eating-out at their competition after today.
(1)Mike W.
Only been once, but already hoping that Lover's Lane next door goes under so this guy can expand. My priorities are obviously getting warped as I get older. The Mrs. said I had to see/eat it...and I did...and Eggs El Maximo (or something like that) will be a Sunday tradition from now on. Owner's presence and personality is a bonus, as is the baking...donut holes as a side dish, anyone? Be sure to try the English muffin, too.
(5)Meredith F.
Eggshells has quickly become one of my family's favorite breakfast hangouts! The owner, Craig, is very involved and constantly around with new things to try. He gets to know his clients and makes sure the environment is warm and inviting. The food is fantastic, and include large portions. Some of my favorites: the Burgers (hint** ask for it on a pretzel roll), tater tots, breakfast burritos and don't forget the cheddar cheese grits. Make sure to check out the baked goods too. Everything is fresh daily and the donuts are SOOO good!!
(5)Jen H.
Love the baked potato hash browns. Like that you can get a homemade doughnut in lieu of toast. Seating is very limited, therefore the weekend wait is very long, which is the only reason I would consider not going back.
(4)Deanna S.
Just went here for the first time today and really liked it a lot! Pros - GREAT COFFEE! Courteous service; Judy, our waitress, was very friendly and made sure we had everything we needed. The owner, Craig, was around the entire time greeting customers, talking to tables, bagging up leftovers, and getting coffee for ppl. They give you coffee as you're waiting so even though you may not get a table right away they make sure to do what they can to keep you happy. Food was great and they had good prices. It's not a huge menu but it covers the basics for breakfast. I'm really glad there's a place around besides Walker Bros to go to now! Cons - A little small and not many places to stand while waiting. But aside from that it's a great place! This was the only reason I marked it down a star. :-( Wish you could give half stars here cuz it's 4.5 IMO. As I was getting ready to pay the owner came up and asked if I'd like a cup of coffee to go and I declined, then the cashier also asked! The owner also asked if I'd like a donut to go, but since we got donut holes I declined. He bagged up my leftover donut holes for me and to my surprise he threw a donut in there! LOL Just great friendly service you certainly wouldn't get just anywhere. We'll definitely be going back!!!
(4)Rick M.
Great little breakfast spot in a strip mall in LZ. Awesome breakfasts. If anything, more than you can eat. Fabulous breads. Great corned beef and eggs. Also good sandwiches. Super friendly service. Owner is always on site and seems to remember everyone. Endless pot of coffee! Only, negs would be small size, kind of tight quarters and sometimes a wait. But it's all because it's good!
(4)Louise S.
Eggshells is a awesome little place for breakfast. They have great food and the service is really good too, though I have only ever had one waitress there. I love how your meal is more customizable than most places. For most dishes, you pick a main item and then you get to pick 2 sides to go with it. The last itme I was there I split an omlette and the banana bread french toast (to die for!) with a friend. The server actually put it on 2 separate plates for us without us even asking. It was so thoughtful. Yes, it is on the small side and if you have to wait it is not exactly comfortable. However, that is part of its charm. If it was huge, the owner couldn't come and say "Hello" to you and chat with you about whatever. I definitely agree with one of the other reviews - the coffee is awesome!
(5)Lisa L.
We went to egg shells and it was not as busy as usual. (went on Monday at 11 30). A guy told us to sit down at a dirty table. We sat and waited while listening to new people walk in asking if they can sit Down. There is no sense of direction at all. Needless to say we waited over five minutes for someone to come and they finally did, but to the table next us that sat down way after us. So we left. Very disappointed.
(1)Scott M.
Was the first one in the door at 6:00 A.M. Ordered food by 6:05 A.M. And came to the table by 6:30 A.M. With no one else in the restaurant! Two customers came in for doughnuts and that's it. The waiter kept telling me the order is coming up and I asked him is it do to the chickens in the back room were on strike.
(1)Ryan B.
I'm all about supporting local businesses, so the wife and I decided to give Eggshells a shot. Not sure what to say, other than the floor and tables were dirty, the seating was incredibly cramped, the service was just okay and the food was poor. My wife ordered the potato pancakes and I can honestly say they were almost inedible. Potato pancakes are made with shredded potatoes and little bit of onion. Eggshells makes theirs with either mashed potatoes or instant potatoes. They were terrible. I had an egg dish that was supposed to be hash with eggs and chipotle sauce on top. It wasn't bad, but also wasn't good at all...very oily. People sitting next to us sent back a burger because it was still frozen in the middle. Unacceptable! This place has great potential and I want them to succeed, but it was bad enough that we won't go back. They should talk Robert Irvine into coming there and clean it up. They have the potential to be a breakfast restaurant powerhouse, but unfortunately they're a restaurant impossible. I would suggest new cooks using fresh ingredients, as well as cleaning the place up a little. Man, I want to love this place, but....
(1)Barry B.
We just moved to the area from the Loop and my wife is a professional bruncher. This place is phenomenal. The meals are all priced right, the food is delicious and filling, the waitstaff is very friendly and accommodating, and they are child-friendly. They have twists in the main-stay benedicts that don't over-do-it and hit the spot. What is even better is that Eggshell does both breakfast and lunch very well (which is hard to find). They have very large steak burgers and great deli sandwiches with Boars Head meats and the now ever needed pretzel buns. We have not yet tried the fresh made donuts (which line the wall and call your name as you eat), but certainly took a few to go. Upon leaving, the over Craig chatted us up about our meal and showed the true hallmark and great owner in wanting to know not only how everything was, but if we had any suggestions. As a true gentlemen, learning we were new in the area, also recommended other places to check out (with the solemn promise that we keep coming back). Don't worry Craig, look for us again next Saturday as well!
(5)Michelle D.
I just picked up an order on 12/17/12 and the prices have gone up substantially!! The Gina's sandwich went from 7.59 to 8.25. The steak burger fom 7.25 to 8.00, And on and on My pick up cost $12.00 ridiculous for a take out!
(1)Jennifer J.
so yummy - I would give it 4 stars except its so small and crowded that it takes away from enjoying the meal out of the house. but the donuts are worth the trip for carry-out.
(3)Michael L.
Came here a couple of times already, and have gotten great food every time. Aside from the usual breakfast fare, we have gotten several lunch entrees including the cobb and the chicken sandwich. Both of these were made with high quality ingredients and were very tasty. The space inside the restaurant is actually kind of small, which makes it feel very cramped on a weekend when there are many customers. There is some limited outdoor seating, which is a nice alternative when this happens, or you can also order take out or get delivery (and call ahead so its ready when you get there)
(5)Jenny R.
The Dr's office I work at gets lunch brought in by drug reps up to 3 days a week. We're always happy when they bring us food from Eggshells. We've had the sandwich spread-all made with fresh Boar's Head meats on amazing pretzel bread. I do not know where they get their pickle spears, but they're SO good! Add some homemade chips & donuts and that's a perfect lunch. Another time we were brought fruit cups with our sammies, and they were so refreshing-raspberries FTW! The soups always taste fresh & homemade-we esp like the tomato basil to dip the sandwiches in. Last week for Fat Tuesday we were brought huuuuge juicy burgers from Eggshells. I got the cheesy bacon variety on a big pretzel bun thinking I'd only eat half. 30 minutes later there was nothing on the plate but crumbs. Instead of ketchup I spread some of the southwest style salad dressing on the bun and OMG! Perfect match! I was full for the rest of the day. So far we've had nothing but delicious lunches from Eggshells-they even call up later on to make sure we were all happy with our meals. What a nice touch. When drug reps ask us what places we like lunch from, this place is def on the list! The home made donuts are awesome!
(4)Twinmommalz R.
It amazes me that with all of the nice dining options in Lake Zurich that this place is still in business. It is dirty, the wait staff is less then helpful and curtious. The dining is very cramped and my food was undercooked. I would not recommend this breakfast/lunch place, go a little further down Route 22 to Brunch Cafe or down Rt. 12 th Walker Brothers, where the staff is smiling and the food is hot.
(1)Luke S.
Fresh everything...the owner genuinely takes a personal interest in his customers to take sure they are happy.
(5)Bon J.
I gave it two months of thinking before posting this because, I really had to consider the impact and the livelyhood of a local owner before describing my experience. After considering, I'm sorry but I felt people had to hear about this. This place deserves a 0, but that's not an option. I went in with high hopes too. Love local joints, especially for breakfast. We walked in, looked like fresh bread and bagels on the wall, love to see it. Sat down, place was packed, check. Then things went downhill. Looked down and there's a cockroach walking along the floor. I looked over at my wife, and pointed down to it. I actually decided to IGNORE it. Shouldn't have. We ordered breakfast, I had two eggs, sunny side up, side toast and hashbrowns, wife got eggs benedict, daughter got french toast and fruit. Hashbrowns were horrible, the french toast was WAY undercooked (soupy on the inside), and the ham on the eggs benedict was honestly the most fatty piece of mystery meat I have ever poked. Totally disgusting. The wait staff was horrible, dropped the food off along with the coffee and it was never refilled, even after asking repeatedly. My toast was not even delivered so while I'm sitting there waiting for toast to eat my eggs, they're getting hard. I could go on and on, but basically felt disgusted walking out of this place and will never go back. Buyer beware.
(1)Laine K.
Oh brunch! How I love thee... Let me count the ways.. You are like breakfast but like lunch as well.. You nestle eggs into a sandwich and add salsa to things.. And I think I love thee the most because it means I get to drink coffee with my lunch without the questioning stares. But to the restaurant: I invited the family to brunch and picked what sounded like a great, cozy little place. I showed up with my cousin and we had to wait a little bit (5-10 mins) for a table. Then the other half of the party was running a little behind (sweating baseball-playing cousin had to change). Well this didn't seem the norm so I felt a bit bad but the server seemed pretty okay with it but didn't bother to ask either of us if we wanted anything to drink besides water. We waited and decided. Everybody arrived. And we ordered... Well she forgot my coffee... and I WANTED MY COFFEE. I had to wait for the food to show up before I could ask her again for my coffee. Then she acted like I hadn't ordered it. "Oh you want some coffee???" Yes.. I ordered it with my meal... And here I have my meal but no coffee... Coffee and cream. Always a necessity for breakfast. Well so-so service aside, we got our meal super fast for as crazy busy as the place was. I had the El Maxino.. Yum yum yum yum yum yum! That was a fantastic Mexican inspired hash! Fried potatoes sauteed with chorizo and peppers then topped with melty delicious cheddar cheese and crowned with two eggs your style (over-hard for me: eggs should be fully cooked and meat should be almost raw to please me) then the topper!! The whole mess is drizzled with chipotle ketchup and creamy (clearly full-fat which I so rarely indulge in) sour cream. It was like what heaven would be like if heaven we spicy, creamy, eggy, and potato-y (yes eggy and potato-y are words... check the dictionary! Wikipedia doesn't count!) mess on a plate that walks the textural line of creamy and crispy with bit fried cheese and magnificently cook chorizo. What could possibly make this any better??? Wait for it... wait for it... fresh slices of avocado on the side that are at the perfect level of ripeness, you know where they give under some pressure and blend but still hold their shape and provide burst of creamy richness. It was so good I can dedicate an entire paragraph to it. Spicy but not so bad that I couldn't eat it (I've gotten better but I'm still from the north so it's probably more mild for normal people). Now the rest of the fam had omelets and French toast.. We're related but they aren't really food thrill seekers like me The omelets looked and tasted great. The French toast was great and had little glossy streaks of white frosting. This made my super picky "I-don't-eat-much-other-than-bagels-and-GoldfishesÂ" cousin happy so I would say it's probably pretty darn good. All added up for four people, breakfast was about $40 with tip. Not bad.. not bad at all. I will have to got to brunch again very soon... I'll just have to ask for my coffee more strenuously as soon as I sit down. The food more than makes up for lackadaisical service. I just really like my coffee.
(4)Doug O.
Fun and friendly. Free basket of donut holes and garlic bagel. Food and service very good. Large portions, had breakfast leftovers for next day.
(4)Damian S.
Yummy cheddar cheese grits--need I say more? OK, if I must: The food was terrific. I had the 4 egg omelette with mushroom, sausage, and garlic (who makes bigger than a 3 egg omelette anymore without charging extra? Eggshells does!). This was about the same price as a 3-egger downtown, so a good deal. It did cost 75¢ more for the third ingredient, but there was plenty of everything enclosed in the eggy blanket. The cheese grits were a nice surprise on the menu, and were well worth the trip alone. I only wish they were open around an early dinner hour so I could get some on the way home from work--they'd make a great addition to any quick meal I could finish making at home. The one negative of the visit was I was with a party of four. Two of the meals were served at the same time, the third had a few minute delay, and my friend's meal of the 'sampler' breakfast (I forget the actual name, but it had a little bit of everything on it) arrived about 15 minutes after the last meal. The rest of us were almost finished with our lunches. My friend wasn't upset after finding out the reason (the waitress had sent it back, as something on the plate had looked more like a hockey puck than food. Nice to know she was looking at it, but nicer if she would've told us about the reason for the delay. This place was pretty busy at 11:30, and the seating is limited, so I'd advise going with smaller groups than 4 if you want a seat, and then things aren't guaranteed. A great place for breakfast, with friendly waitstaff and cheese grits. Eggshells is a fine establishment for breakfast-type goodness!
(4)Jen M.
Extremely good food but service is always a problem especially when ordering take out and/or trying to get someone to even help you. Always weighing the pros and cons or ordering from this place but usually opt out cause of slow service sometimes even rude.
(3)Aj B.
Small but friendly; I had an omelette and my wife had a poached egg special. While my omelette was average, my wife thoroughly enjoyed her meal. The portion were good sized and the pricing is fair. I would recommend and definitely go back.
(4)betsy z.
food is great waitresses are rude bordering on surly
(3)Deanna C.
Yeah...Walker Brothers needed some competition in LZ, and this is it! This place is ALWAYS jam packed, so just plan on waiting a little for a table...don't worry, its worth it! The bread is home made (including the donuts...OMG!) and the egg dishes are great. Personally, I'm a fan of the Eggs Benedict and their egg and bagel sandwich served with a thick slice of ham and cheese (YUMMM). Highly recommended. My only complaint is that the place needs to be twice as big.
(4)John K.
Just got back from eating a late breakfast here for the first time and I am shocked I have never been here in the past when it has been so close to me for so long. The amount of food you can get for 16 dollars is quite impressive, and it is good food too. For like 9 dollars I got a 4 egg omelet with sausage, bacon, cheddar cheese, and a nice (but very mild) homemade salsa. The omelet was good, no better or worse than any other omelet i've had. That isn't all you get though for those 9 dollars. It also came with a decent sized side of hash browns, but they weren't the typical shredded kind, they were more whole and cut potatoes. They were a little bland on their own but with a little bit of hot sauce they tasted good. The meal also came with a side of toast, grits (or cheese grits), or fresh fruit. I decided to get the grits, and this was my first time eating them. I was very pleased. I could tell they were fresh and weren't from a packet (they had a nice texture to them and I could see that they were made from corn). The grits also had a nice subtle sweetness to them that I liked. They gave you a big bowl of them enough to be a small meal in and of itself. I also decided to get their donut holes which were presented nicely, and very tasty. They were coated with cinnamon and sugar, and came with a small cup of frosting (which I didn't think was necessary because they were sweet enough). It was the first thing I have eaten today and it was a late lunch (around 11:30) and I still had food to bring home (about half of my donut holes (9)). The inside is nice, although a little cramped, and I love there logo thing (a chick that is still half in its egg with a dazed look in its face (donuts as eyes) and throwing up its guts (over easy eggs) haha). They do have two nice outdoor tables, which I wish I had sat at. The service was alright, my server was average but the other servers I heard around the place were above average I think. It is impressive how quickly they get your food out of such a tiny kitchen, especially when the place was full. My only real negative comment about the place is the OJ. When related to the prices and sizes of the other things I had, this was either too expensive or not big enough. Not a big deal but 3 dollars for a large that wasn't all that large, felt a little steep in a place that was otherwise very affordable for what you got. I will definitely be back!
(5)Napoleon B.
Like many other reviewers, I struggle with Eggshells because their food (when they actually get your order correct and don't undercooked it) is delicious. The problems start everywhere else...the inept servers, the dirty and cramped atmosphere, the inability to make food consistently, and a total breakdown when it comes to handling busy crowds. It is a shame because their menu is so promising and the fact that they are an independent business is appealing in such a chain-restaurant hellhole. But unless they figure out how to clean up their execution and stop acting like clueless yokels, they will remain mediocre to disappointing. UPDATED 8/2012: there appears to be a concerted effort by the owners and staff to really improve the service and friendliness. While the environment is still rough around the edges, you can tell this scrappy little diner is working on their weak spots. Raising rating from 1 star to 3 stars. Want to get 5 stars? Move out of this awful strip mall cubicle and into one of the MANY vacant spaces in LZ (Yogis, Omega, etc).
(3)J T.
Great place. Excellent egg white omelete, priced nicely, kind staff. So enjoyed breakfast. P.S. Best cinnamon roll on the planet.
(5)Picky C.
Let me first say, I want to like and support a local place like this very much. But when the older proprietor is too busy taking up a valuable space during rush hours, reading a paper and not really giving any kind of attention to the customers, then buses tables in a sloth-like, sloppy manner (he looked like he just got up and was walking around in grubby t-shirt and shorts) and not washing his hands (did I see you lick your finger to turn the page of your newspaper?! Ugh!), when grabbing your silverware...gross, negative points. Add to that, you can see the kitchen (very cool), but to watch the cooks not care and toss your order paper right onto your dish of hot food...isn't that a sanitation issue with the food department? While waiting for our main meal, we got served our donuts on wax paper squares while everyone else got served donuts on actual plates without an explanation. They were all with the frosting of the donut face down. Seriously? Huh?! We let the older owner, Max know about our food getting paper tossed onto it, since he wasn't really paying attention to what was going on in front of his face. He just kept telling me it was the food slip with our order. He didn't seem to understand I didn't want the order slip thrown *onto* my food. There was no reason for it. The kitchen and public counters were messy, dirty, sloppy. The open plastic bags/sleeves holding the bread for toast was also resting on my breakfast food. Wait staff grabbed bread to throw in the toaster...after handling money and touching gosh knows what else. Wondering what the health department has to say about this place? I understand mom and pop places and I want them to do well. I understand kitchens hide a lot of stuff they do to your food before it's presented. However, when customers can clearly see kitchen operations, try to at least make an effort to keep your kitchen clean and professional. If you're going to be present at your place of business to monitor, please monitor and at least be friendly to new customers. They've got a good idea and I hope they do well. But if the owner doesn't even bother to listen to their concerned wait staff about hygiene and customer feedback, I truly hope the Food Sanitation Department checks this review out. It might help them change a few things before someone gets massively sick. Maybe then, I'll go back. Until the service and sanitation gets better at this place, I don't recommend this place. I'll clog my arteries elsewhere. Walker Brothers and Egg Harbor are just too close and too good to bother with bad attitude and disgusting sanitation that early in the morning.
(2)Bob R.
Fantastic place for breakfast, brunch or lunch. Great fresh foods, Boats Head meats and homemade donuts and sweet rolls.
(5)Scott B.
First visit proved to be a welcome surprise. The Chorizo and Egg omelet was cooked to perfection without all that greasy oil on the plate from the Chorizo. The Cheese Grits were also terrific. My only problem was with a new waitress who was very slow to come back and keep the coffee topped off. She would occasionally come by and ask how we were doing, but never asked if we wanted more coffee. But for a noob she was sweet and still friendly. Be it known there is very little space here, and you might have a wait a bit but it was worth it. Great selection of Bagels and Doughnuts to eat in or take home also.
(4)Azam H.
Happened to be in Lake Zurich and needed a place for breakfast - this place exceeded all expectations. Price was low and portions were big - I ordered scrambled eggs, hash browns, and donut holes (made in the restaurant) and everything was delicious. The place was pretty crowded for a weekday morning, showing that it is popular with locals. Aside from the quality and quantity, two other things stood out: 1. attention to detail - every table had an amazing selection of condiments - I tried a few of the hot sauces with my eggs and found many that I had never tried before - extra things like this make a place stand out 2. Friendly service - even though the place was crowded, the owner himself asked how the food was and after a minute's conversation, he gave me a free bag of donuts and bagels (not the day olds, it was still 9am). During the meal itself, he also came to each table with free samples of items that will be on the menu in the future. This my friends, is how you take what could have been a nondescript breakfast in suburbia and turn it into something memorable. I was so impressed that I had to register with Yelp and make my first review.
(5)Tina A.
Let me begin by saying I've never been INSIDE the restaurant it's self. My office usually gets catered by pharmaceutical reps trying to schmooze the doctors I work for. Anyways, the first time we ordered from Eggshells they were almost a half an hour late on our delivery which is kind of a big deal considering we only have an allotted amount of time for lunch before we begin to see patients again. I honestly don't even remember what the food was like considering I only had about ten minutes to eat it. The owner (who delivered our order) was very sorry but to be quite frank that doesn't turn back time. The next day he did take time to drop off about half a dozen cupcakes to our office. They were organic cupcakes or something of that sort. Not my cup of tea. The cake part was ok but the frosting was a bit too sweet and way too thick. The other day we did have have the pleasure of trying them for a second time by way of another catered lunch. This time they were prompt and the food was awesome! The burgers were moist flavorful and the buns were delish. We all got a cup of chicken noodle soup which was pretty good a bit on the oily side (broth and the oils separted in the cups). The soup was still very good though. I'm glad that someone brought it in because truthfully I would have not given them a second chance on my own
(3)Mathew K.
This is a good "mom and pop" breakfast joint. We enjoy the food. The donuts are pretty good and we will go up their to specifically get the pretzel rolls. It is great to have a nice successful locally owned restaurant. The only reason that I don't give it a 5 is that it is regularly slammed (which is a good sign) and when that happens the services slips. Granted that is understandable. Ultimately, they need a bigger space but that shouldn't stop you from going in for a bite.
(4)Brenda L.
We were four people eating lunch there for the first time. The folks are nice that are serving. It's a little tight in there, but adds to the charm of the place. The menu is mostly eggs, hence the name. They also have really good burgers, which they call steak burgers. They also have salads and deli sandwiches along with fresh baked doughnuts, breads and bagels. They have my favorite pretzel rolls, yummy! We ate a late lunch and since it was almost time for them to close, the owner gave us some pasteries on the house. Which was a nice touch. My 10 oz patty melt was very good, large portion and on fresh thick bread. The kids had omlettes, which they enjoyed. Overall I was pleased with the food and service. I did feel it was a little pricy. My bill was $45 for four people and 5 pretzel rolls (at $1 each) plus tip. To me, it was a little steep because I had three kids with me. For my husband and I, it would be a cute little place to have lunch.
(4)Tiffany S.
Just ate at Eggshells yesterday for breakfast. The food was great and so was the service. I ordered an omelet and it was delicious. I also had the best chocolate cake donut ever. I can't wait to go back. If you want an awesome breakfast and fabulous donuts/pastries you have to try Eggshells. You will not be disappointed! I spoke to the owner Max about his donuts and he even takes special orders. Love this place!
(5)chris s.
Great food, wonderful service and the owner is fabulous! So happy to have this little gem in the neighborhood. You will not be disappointed. Very casual and can get crowded. Enjoy!
(5)David K.
This place is disgusting. The waitress carry mugs with their fingers inside the cup and them fingers ain't pretty. I went there because I picked up a couple of vouchers on Living Social. I'm throwing the 2nd one away.
(1)Kristi G.
The doughnuts are fantastic and the food is delicious. If you can stand the crowded wait on the weekends, it is worth it.
(4)John D.
This is about my first 2 trips to eggshells (the 2nd one being 10 minutes ago, the first being a month ago). The 1st trip I was with my wife. The service was fantastic and all the food was perfect except the grits. I was excited to find a southern favorite that's not normally found north of Springfield in suburban Chicagoland, but alas they were runny. Oh well, at least the biscuits and gravy were perfect, as were the signature dishes that we ordered (lumberjack burrito for me and the automotive sandwich for my wife). It was incredibly crowded, but at the time I attributed it to it being Sunday morning. The 2nd time I went (again, at this point about 15 MINUTES AGO) was much more mixed, which is why I can't give it 5 stars. I went by myself, ordering dine in for me and my wife's food to go. I would never have imagined that the place would have been practically at capacity at 10am on a Friday morning (aren't 90% of other young people with money for brunch at work then?!?), but there was only one table available for me. I also would have thought a $19 order for one person's breakfast (2 full meals plus a coffee) would make a waitress at least pay attention to me, but I was completely ignored until I started texting my wife on my cell phone. Suddenly the service was perfect about 10 seconds after I started texting! Wow... magic! I think at that point they realized I might be tweeting about the meal, an actual food critic, or at least a reviewer, so they instantly gave perfect service. I shudder to think what it would have been like had I still been a single person there with a large order and without a phone... I probably would still be waiting for my food. Thus, I can't recommend take out orders there. With that warning in mind, if you go, go in at least a small group, and try anything on the menu - most of the food is great, the service is average, the atmosphere is crowded and vibrant, and the prices are reasonable.
(4)Ryan N.
It is a new restaurant, with great customer service. The owner is doing the best that he can to make you feel welcome. I truly feel like he cares about my business. The burger is tied as my favorite burger in the area. The portions are big and the sides are great. Price is a little bit more expensive than some breakfast places but you get a a very tasty meal. The chicken noodle soup is very tasty, it has a nice spice to it. The cheesy gris are my favorite side. I will amend my review as I try more.
(5)