Teresa T.

Great service with even greater food! Daily off-menu specials are always a huge hit.
(4)
Brian P.

I've been to Brunch Cafe many times. The service is excellent and the staff is very friendly. The managers remember the regulars by name and always greet us warmly. The food is pretty good. I'd be lying if I said it was the best, but it is definitely above average. I love how quickly you get served too. Typically, we are in and out within a half hour. I work in the area too, and we have used their catering many times. They always set up an excellent spread for our office, and it's definitely a highlight when Brunch Cafe caters for us!
(4)
Ken K.

Signed up to Yelp just to write this review....started to go to this place because, well....it was close. Never had better service in any restaurant ! After 2nd visit chatted briefly with owner - couldn't be a nicer guy - 3rd visit, came in with my in-laws..he was busy, but he made it a point to say hello to my wife, myself, and the in-laws. The next weekend, even with some politician in the restaurant and being recorded for a town hall meeting, he made it a point to come over and shake my hand and re-asked for my name (sadly, I forgot his). Then, the waitress was super attentive - noticed I took the only flavored cream in the container for my coffee, then brought me a whole container of just flavored creams. In an era where we all too often feel like just a number being processed in and out of establishments....it was refreshing to be treated so well. Brunch Cafe....you've got a new regular..... PS - Great omelets, and red velvet french toast is out of this world !
(5)
Sarah S.

Amazing service! Excellent food! The potato skin Bennie was delicious.
(5)
Liz S.

First time here and it's my new breakfast favorite! Why didn't I try this place sooner? Everything coming out of that kitchen looked fantastic and the California Crepes that I ordered were scrumptious! Will have to come here regularly to work my way through the menu as there are so many yummy sounding options. Service was very friendly and quick. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Jeanie P.

Traveled 2 1/2 hours to meet a friend here for lunch. AWESOME! Wonderful attentive service, large-no-huge selection on the menu, very quick delivery of order. I had the turkey cranberry wrap and HOMEMADE chips. Portions so large I brought half my meal home for supper. My friend had a skillet that looked very yummy. Owner/manager was very pleasant and talkative. Told us future plans to open another cafe and asked us for our input. Yes, it was a long drive but very well worth it, was not disappointed in any way. Will definitely go again!
(5)
Krystle M.

Delicious food at fantastic prices!! The service was wonderful, and I've always had very good experiences.They have delicious breakfast, as well as sandwiches and other yummy delights! Highly recommend!
(5)
Sharon H.

No butter on the bread...awesome! Im health conscience and this place makes me happy. Whipped egg white med omlette that I made changes to. Nothing was done wrong and the food was great! Substitutes for cottage chz or fruit instead of potatoes. Can't wait to come back home to eat here again!
(5)
R I C K Y B O B B Y.

Nice breakfast at a reasonable price. I had the breakfast burrito and a half order of biscuits and gravy. Hands down the biggest burrito I have had for breakfast........ever. And it was good! The biscuits and gravy were solid too! I don't travel up in that area much, but when I do get back there, I know where I will be having breakfast!
(4)
Jennifer G.

This is THE place in McHenry to get your breakfast on. We went here as a last minute change from our normal breakfast place...now, it IS our normal breakfast place. The restaurant itself has kind of a warehouse-ish feel, it has super high ceilings and lots of room - you will definitely not be cramped here. Did I mention it's clean? And that it's bright? And the staff is friendly? And that the service was great? And... The menu! They have something for everyone. And not just the usual something for everyone, a more eclectic and fantastic version of something for everyone. Even the kids menu is just a bit different than what you find elsewhere. I had something completely non-interesting, eggs n bacon...which came with potatoes and pancakes. Who cares about pancakes? I'll tell you who, apparently they do, because they were really good and I don't usually dig on pancakes. My husband had a skillet, which was divine. How do I know? Well, I'm pregs so naturally, when the huge portion of food he received was too much for him to finish, I kindly offered to help. Then there was the coffee. It gets it's own paragraph because it was really good and, unless, like my husband, you think coffee from the gas station is good, then you'll agree. Another coffee success here is that they give you a huge mug (which I'm sure is to be convenient to the servers.) As a customer, this is nice because there isn't someone constantly coming by to refill your cup and mess up your whole cream to sugar ratio. Yes, I take my coffee seriously. haha We usually drive into Algonquin to go to a similar style restaurant and wait for anywhere up to an hour for a sticky table and mediocre service, but no more! Brunch Cafe, I love you...and until someone gets wise and opens one in Lake in the Hills or Crystal Lake (they would make a killing,) McHenry it is.
(5)
Pokher A.

Came in after church around 11a. We were seated almost immediately. The restaurant was busy so the noise level was loud. I ordered the butcher shop omelet, my son had the steak skillet, my daughter had the 3 cheese omelet and my wife orders the California crepe. We all had a side of pancakes (choice of pancakes or toast). My omelet was very good and so were the diced potatoes, very flavorful and fresh. I even got a side of red salsa on the side which was also very good. Every one enjoyed the food. Would come back again.
(4)
Jennie R.

We're new to the area and were looking for brunch on a Sunday morning. This came highly rated on Yelp, and we were right down the street, so why not? Very happy we stopped in. We had to wait about 20 minutes for a table, but it was noon on a weekend, so not surprised. The menu is huge and everything sounds good. I wanted to try it all (especially the French toast), but wound up going with the Mardi Gras scrambler. My husband got the South Beach scrambler, and the kids got eggs, sausage, and pancakes. The scramblers were huge and really good. My husband and I ate every bite even though they were enormous. The kids meals were very large--maybe even too large. I'd always prefer to spend less on less food than to let a lot go to waste. Our waitress was ridiculously friendly (but genuine). This is definitely the kind of place we'll take visitors.
(4)
Erin D.

A wonderful addition to McHenry!!!! AND we get LOU!!! I went here for the first time yesterday after hearing my friends brag about it, I finally dove in and we went. This is one of those places that you are kicking yourself for not coming here earlier. Trust me. Everything that I had heard about the place is true. You won't be disappointed. Go now! The food was fantastic. I had a chicken panini with the chips, my friend had the something chicken salad and they were outstanding. The decor is fresh, clean -- you aren't on top of other tables, its an open airy kinda place. Everyone is nice, the service for lunch time was fast and friendly. The prices were very reasonable. If you go tell Lou I said Hi!
(5)
Sandee L.

I've never had a bad meal here. Service is good, free wifi, coffee is excellent, food comes out so fast you'll think they're bringing you the wrong order! Love everything about this place.
(5)
N W.

Great place and excellent service. I was sold when the host pulled out my chair but it got better. Waitress was on point not to overbearing but very professional. The food A+ I had the lobster omelet which was great and the red velvet french toast excellent. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this place u hve to see for yourself
(5)
George B.

An awesome breakfast place in McHenry! Great food, great service, great coffee! Well worth the drive, and beats the pants off of Richard Walker's in Crystal Lake. Making things even better is Lou. Lou makes sure everything runs perfectly and that you have your coffee.
(5)
Cathy P.

Brunch Cafe has become one of my favorite places for early morning breakfast with friends or with my kids and grandkids. Lou is attentive and remembers who likes what as far as drinks. The selection of fun teas, chais and coffee keeps any and everyone I bring happy. The food is first class and I have yet to find something I do not like. My 20 month old grandson highly recommends ANY of the pancakes or waffles with extra avocado! See you in the morning, Lou!!!
(5)
L. F.

Could not be more grateful to finally have a nice breakfast/lunch place to go in McHenry. Brunch cafe is very clean and the waitstaff are very friendly. You are greeted right away and they are very welcoming. When we got there, they were very busy. We only had to wait about five minutes. I had the tuna melt for lunch - very fresh and delicious. It comes with sweet potato fries (yum) and a pickle - no, not a flimsy pickle, but a whole pickle! Others had the walnut salad with grilled chicken - they loved it! Another had the 'south of the border' - he could not say enough about how tasty it was. All in all, it was a wonderful dining experience. You may want to call ahead and check to see if you need a reservation, as they can get fairly busy. I hope they don't change or change owners. They are onto something good!!!!
(4)
Kat S.

i have written a review on here before and it was a good one but this visit that we had today well not so good! when we got there there was a 20 min and we put our name on the list and it was for a party of 4, me and my step dad were there but not the other two they were coming shortly after since there was a wait, when our name was called he asked if everyone was here and i told him shortly they'd be here, he then rudely i may say told us would "WOULD NOT BE SEATED IF OUR WHOLE PARTY WASN'T HERE CAUSE THEY WERE TO BUSY TO SEAT A PARTY THAT WASN'T FULLY THERE" we come in pretty frequently and i love the food and usually have good service but to be called and then not taken cause they were TO BUSY what is that how unprofessional is that to do. guess our business is not good enough to keep.
(1)
Shannon P.

Popular place but worth the wait. Great food and nice atmosphere.
(4)
Jim T.

Always wanted to try this place and was not disappointing at all. I went on a Sunday morning... Big rush time. The place was packed and had a line to get in but they were turning table quickly so the wait was not long.
(4)
Robin B.

My friend and I enjoyed a light breakfast and coffee, plus good conversation. We needed to go home and the waitress gave us two cups of coffee to go, no additional charge. It was the icing on the cake. Excellent customer service!
(5)
Kyle F.

Great selection, and awesome weekend specials!! Loved the chocolate bread french toast, and consistently have the banana bread french toast as well! My absolute favorite is the California crepe, with eggs, avocado, bacon wrapped in a crepe times 2!!!! Add a little hollindaise sauce and it is oh so scrumptious. They also have there own coffee. It is very tasty as well!!
(5)
Jennifer R.

Wonderful breakfast, wonderful service! I love the owner, he's always cool, calm and very attentive, whether there's a 20 minute wait or a 60 minute wait. Food is fantastic for the price. I always get the special so I never have the same thing twice nor could I because everything on the menu makes my mouth water. I've had the lemon poppy seed crepes, delicious delicate and sweet. The carrot cake pancakes, mmmm! Southwest Skillet, cinnamon roll french toast, beach skillet, etc etc etc. All very tasty. The service has always been good, drinks are always full, most of the servers are great despite the occasional newbie but I'm cool with newbies! Ambiance is light bright colors, perfect for the morning wake up. Lots of natural light coming in through all the windows. I've been to many breakfast restaurants where I want to fall asleep because of the dark dingy decor. I would recommend for almost any occasion!
(5)
David L.

Fresh and flavorful food, friendly service
(5)
Betty H.

Food was very good and quite a variety to choose from. Had strawberry cream cheese filled crepes with strawberries and blueberries on top. Very tasty and creative. I will be back again to try some of the other tempting choices. Staff kept our coffee cups filled and were friendly. We WILL be back.
(4)
Pete F.

Food is decent. But they charge a lot for small things. If you want an extra tortilla it will cost a couple dollars, when really it should have been included in the skillet. The waffles are very good, and the salsas are good, the overall options are really good. But the service is hit or miss. I rarely see the same waitress twice and most look to be about 17-20 years old. So turnover is huge it seems. Lou will recognize you if you have been there a couple times and remember your name. He is very friendly but he is always looking to seat people and make sure tables are opened and cleaned right away, so don't take it personal if he doesn't catch you on the way out.. If I ever owned a place, this is the guy I would want to run it. Nothing escapes his attention. Some of the wait staff are either too busy ( this place is always packed ) or just not friendly to begin with. Once you get your food, good luck flagging someone else down if you need something. Its almost a joke because I order similar things each time, and ALWAYS ask for an extra tortilla or an extra egg and I ALWAYS have to send the waitress back to retrieve it because I have never once had it arrive as ordered when adding to the menu item. For breakfast expect to spend at least 11-13 dollars before tip. If you want a breakfast steak expect a few more bucks. They always have a setup when you walk in of the specials but NEVER the prices. If you order, ask first or the sticker shock may ruin a decent breakfast. Also, the NY Strip steak on the show plate is always much thicker and larger than the small piece that ends up on your plate when it arrives. As a previous commenter said, the Hollandaise is bland. So its a love/hate thing. Great menu with some very out of ordinary concoctions, and the food is better than average when compared to a local family restaurant. But also pricier by a few bucks. It is very easy to spend 16-18 dollars on breakfast after all is said and done for 1 person. Our average runs about 14 dollars per head with a skillet and coffee and tip. Even though this place gets packed, the time for the food to arrive is decent. It has now become a once a month breakfast vs. the weekly or bi-weekly. It is a good place to take out of town visitors though to impress them with the massive menu choices and cleanliness when compared to other area restaurants. If I could rate it individually I would rate food quality as 5, choices as 5, service as 2.5, cost as 3, and cleanliness as 5, but with the place always being packed the time to wait for a table at times and being very crowded makes it harder to have conversation at times, I would rate comfort as 3.5
(3)
Molly K.

I love Brunch Cafe! Its one of those places where everything looks so good you have a hard time deciding. All the staff was very friendly and the food was delicious. I will be back soon!
(5)
Frank F.

Original, tasteful specials are a delight. Quality and quantity in perfect harmony with the price. Clean and spacious atmosphere. Superb management is obvious.
(5)
Susanne C.

Excellent service. Great French toast. Pleasant surroundings.
(4)
Jason G.

EGGcellent filling omelets larger than anywhere around. Fresh ingredients, generous portions and great friendly service, not a single solitary reason not to give this place a try.
(5)
Mark R.

If you are a breakfast pervert this place with have you creeping in. Everything is pretty much fresh and raised the bar on crummy breakfast diners. I almost exclusively order the Berry Explosion Waffle due the the fresh berries and drizzle.
(4)
Anastasia B.

Service was so great! We had a group of 8 and it only took 10 minutes to seat us. The food was yummy with rave reviews all around the table. The food was medium to large portions so be prepared for some left overs. My dish was a little on the bland side but I would go back and try something different next time. We went during a peek time on a Sunday and the waiting area was standing room only, we ended up waiting outside witch is fine in fair weather.
(4)
Blake C.

It's hard to believe that I haven't left a review for Brunch yet. Prior to moving up to Illinois, it was a must that we eat at Brunch Cafe a time or two when here on vacation. Brunch is a small little Cafe that can be hard to find if you don't know where to look. But when you've found it, you'll quickly realize that it's a wonderful little slice of breakfast heaven. I'm not entirely sure why you'd order anything outside of breakfast here. Don't waste the opportunity that you've already presented your taste buds. If I had to define the establishment in one term, I'd use the word: Fresh. Everything tastes so fresh. The fruit trays. The orange juice. Even the meat and potato skillets taste ever so fresh. Speaking of the meat and potato skillet, that's my recommendation every time. Don't get me wrong, I've had a lot of different food items here and I loved every one of them. So you can't really do wrong, regardless of what you order. But their skillets are the best that I've ever had. It's a little pricier than your typical breakfast spot but I'd be hard pressed to say that I've ever visited a restaurant that gives you the bang for your buck that you get with brunch. I never leave hungry and I never leave disappointed. If you're looking for a wonderful morning pick-me-up, this is THE place to go.
(5)
Andrew D.

Go nowhere else for breakfast and you will be happy for the rest of your life. This place has it all and high quality great taste in every bite. They have a ton of whole leaf teas and drinks to complement your meal open til like 2:00 PM only so get there early. Avoid when ever possible going there on Sundays because its a hour wait or more weekdays are perfect to try it out daily Lunch and breakfast specials.
(5)
Alice S.

Fantastic! Can't say enough good about this place! It was packed for Sunday brunch but only had a 10 minute wait. I was tempted to get the luscious looking berry and cream cheese stuffed waffle but I refrained and got the garden omelet. A 4 egg omelet to be exact! So good with spinach, asparagus, mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers and onions. Also included perfectly done brunch potatoes. Hubby had the breakfast burrito which had chorizo, potatoes, eggs, jalapeÃ±os, green onions, and cheese. It had some super good salsa, as well as, black beans and diced tomatoes on the side. He loved it! Huge helpings so we get to have it again tomorrow! Customer service was great too!
(5)
Alan A.

Stuffed potato pancakes. Need I say more? A lot of interesting menu items and specials. High quality ingredients. You can ask for actual maple syrup which is a plus. Great wait staff. They are all in Cubs tee shirts, today.
(4)
Robert C.

My wife and I were regulars here for about a year. We would come in for breakfast 2 or 3 times a month. Always great food. It gets busy and sometimes there's a wait. Ordinarily not a problem until I once asked the owner how long the wait would be and he responded with "how am I supposed to know?!" Maybe you don't know but you sure could find out without talking to your customers like that. Since then we've made Kim & Patty's our dinner of choice in McHenry. Never a wait, they treat you with respect, and the food is just as good!
(2)
Cheryl V.

Love Brunch Restaurant just had the Raspberry salad. Unbelievable. The wait staff and the rest of the crew were terrific. Highly recommend them!
(5)
Elaine P.

The only downside I see to Brunch CafÃ© is finding it ,,, it is tucked away at the back of a strip mall. As out-of-staters, we have only had two visits to Brunch CafÃ©. The first time was in the fall of 2014. We needed a spot in the Wonder Lake/McHenry area on a Monday for a lunch for 9 people. Made the arrangements by phone and found the Brunch CafÃ© more than accommodating. In fact, they did not hurry our party even though we lingered quite awhile after closing time. Everyone in our party seemed to enjoy their meals, whether it was a breakfast or lunch item. On a return visit in the summer of 2015, DH and I were very pleased. We were offered a large booth and soon were ready to dig in to some delicious food. DH had his first ever "stuffed potato pancakes." I had one of my "best ever" breakfasts: a waffle with fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. A slice of "bone in ham" was delicious. It reminded me why the best pork comes from the Midwest! Coffee was nothing to rave about but more than adequate, Our waitress, Maddi (spelling?) was delightful. (She even gave us a good shopping tip to look for tote bags at TJ Maxx at the other end of McHenry.) If we lived in the area, we would be frequent visitors to Brunch CafÃ©. Will certainly recommend it to family and friends in the area for breakfast or lunch.
(5)
Jessica N.

Wonderful food and waitresses. Can not say enough good things about Brunch Cafe! Grab lunch from there atleast once a week!
(5)
Keith M.

I love this place! Great food, no matter what you order, and you will never leave hungry or broke. Food arrives quick and if you do need to wait, it's worth every bit.
(5)
Kaelynn O.

I loved the pancake stack, sausage, and bacon from here! It is so heavenly! If you are a person who loves breakfast, eating here is a definite must have! Pancakes were perfectly golden colored, with the perfect taste that would make you want to eat one million of them! Bacon, so perfectly colored and crisp! The sausage is a perfect brown color, tasting so good! I'm coming tomorrow
(5)
SamKat P.

LOVE LOVE LOVE Brunch Cafe. If only we could afford to eat here more often. I tend to judge a breakfast place first on its coffee. Their coffee is excellent, but the food is even better. Whenever we visit, it's next to impossible trying to decide what we're going to eat. So many great options!
(5)
Heather B.

Had a very happy world eggs day! Mom stayed with the absolutely fabulous red velvet french toast. If you have never had it, it is a MUST! But today I decided to go with an egg dish. I had the portobenny. A take on eggs Benedict, but this was two perfectly poached eggs on asparagus on goat cheese sitting atop portobello mushroom caps. Smoothed in a delicious hollandaise. I ordered some hash-browns on the side for some potato goodness. YUM! The goat cheese just adds this special tart kick. Plus they have diet coke and I never want for refills. The nectar is free-flowing .
(5)
Brad W.

Amazing food. Great breakfasts! Always busy, great service, will go back again and again!
(5)
Kristopher K.

This place is great! Perfection is included with every plate. We try to come AT LEAST once per month. Great food and a great value.
(5)
RaeAnn L.

This was SO worth the 40 minute drive. Out of all the breakfast places I have ever been to in my 16 years, this had to be the best. From the food, to the service, I was very pleased with this restaurant. My boyfriend and I went on a Wednesday morning and were seated immediately. We had a friendly waitress named Kelsey. I ordered the cinnamon roll French toast and my boyfriend ordered the classic brunch French toast. It was amazing! Didn't even need to use syrup it was so delicious. I also recommend the strawberry orange juice to drink... It sounds like it wouldn't be the best combination, but there is only a slight hint of strawberry in the juice. Other than the price of the juice ($4.99) and the price of a side of bacon ($3.99) which is expected in most breakfast spots, I don't have anything to complain about. I will be going back to this restaurant and would recommend to a friend.
(5)
Misha P.

Super yummy! Boyfriend and I came here as our "try someplace new" dine out. Score!! Food is fabulous with great flavors, textures, and piping hot. The service is quick, friendly, and honest. Ambiance is casual and comfortable. They display their specials for the day, making them extra tempting. The cost is on the low end of the $$ spectrum making this place an excellent value for a higher end quality meal experience. We'll definitely be eating here again; and soon!
(5)
R S.

Been back to this location once since they let Lou go. Food was OK - cold - like it had been sitting at the pass for too long - but still decent. Coffee service was slow and they "ran away" before I could ask for more cream for my coffee. Food is still decent overall and the slower service was probably due to how busy they were.
(3)
Philip L.

Visited for brunch on a Saturday at 10 AM. Great service but with a full house and people waiting for tables, the timing of the cooking was off. Pancakes were not hot, potatoes undercooked. I've had this happen before during brunch times on weekends when they are at their busiest. My recommendation is midweek dining as I have very rarely been disappointed with the service or the food during the week.
(4)
Alexander Z.

I come here frequently, everything on the menu is exceptional! Some very good servers as well as staff
(5)
Trisha H.

I adore this place! I have recommended it to family and friends who have checked it out since, and they rave about it too! Used to frequent Brunch Cafe first thing in the morning after working night shift with fellow nurses, and the manager always greeted us with a smile and remembered us. Wait staff is attentive and friendly, never received bad service here. I have never had to wait more than 5 minutes to get a seat, usually we walk right in. Menu has so many breakfast or lunch items to choose from, all of which look amazing. From Chocolate bacon pancakes, to California Crepes, or the skillets - I try something different every time I go and have never been disappointed. Big portions and food comes out quickly. Mimosas or Bloody Marys available as alcohol options (a must after a long daunting night shift!). Decent prices too. I definitely recommend Brunch Cafe as it is by far my favorite joint to visit for breakfast!
(5)
Steve M.

BRUNCH 101 Breakfast + Lunch = Brunch CafÃ© Merriam-Webster says that brunch is a meal usually taken late in the morning that combines a late breakfast and an early lunch and that the phrase was first used in 1896. Breakfast + Lunch. CafÃ© is a usually small and informal establishment serving various refreshments and it was first used in 1802. So in 2008 Brunch CafÃ© in McHenry opened up their doors to service this nice little community and anyone that is willing to venture out their way. So my wife and I decided one Saturday that we would try some new places instead of going to our usual ones. She had read a review from one of our yelp friends(Christina S) about Brunch CafÃ© so this was the first new place that we tried and we were not disappointed. From the moment I stepped out of my car I knew that I was going to like this place because I smelled the bacon in the air which I told my wife, "If the food is as good as the smell, this will be awesome". I actually said that. So we walked in and the person at the counter welcomed us to the Brunch CafÃ©. He also went over the specials of the day which were located on a table in the front. He walked us to our booth where Sara our server welcomed us to the Brunch CafÃ© and then went over all of the specials again. All of the specials sounded really good but I already had my mind set on having a Spartan omelet with toast (instead of pancakes) and a side of bacon of course. When Sara brought me my coffee and creamer I noticed that they also have flavored creamer as well. The coffee was fresh and my cup was never empty as Sara or some other staff member was always filling it up. Without going through the play by play action of how I ate my omelet, bacon and toast I have to tell you that it was very, very good. Sara was very attentive and informative. We were not disappointed at all and will definitely come back for breakfast as well as lunch or should I say Brunch?
(4)
Luna M.

My Yelp friend Christina S convinced me to check out this breakfast place. From the minute my husband & I were walking in the parking lot to the door, I smelled bacon & maple syrup. Wow, I was hoping that this would be a start to a great experience. When we walked in, someone explained the specials which they had displayed by the door. We sat in a huge booth & knew that if we ever brought the whole family, my muscular step sons would sit comfortably in these seating arrangements. Our server was Sara (not Sarah) & she was great to us Newbies. She was informative & always checked on us. She even asked how everything was & wanted us to come back. I ordered my basic --- Buttermilk Pancakes & they were great. Next time, I will try their French Toast. They are opened for breakfast & lunch, so I would not mind coming back for lunch either. I'm glad we have another breakfast spot to go to.
(5)
Andre B.

In on tour with my band from San Diego, and I think this is my favorite breakfast place. The coffee is excellent! If you like dark, smoky and sweet, you must try a cup. I don't recommend the house French toast. It's thick and a bit soggy in the middle... Not what I like in French toast. The blueberry pancakes are amazing. You can either get the ones on the menu, or ask for regular pancakes with added blueberries. My garden omelette was great. I had samples of my friends' broccoli soup, scramble, potatoes, etc... Everything was great!
(5)
Chelsey K.

What can I say this place is a staple for my yearly visits back home. Everything I have tried is delicious, fresh, and creative. I particularly enjoy the specials are highlighted by actually plating the food verses reading the description on a chalkboard. Red Velvet crepes and the stuffed portobello mushroom was a great sweet and savory combination to share with my sister. Oh and my nephews love there berry berry crepes and fruity pebbles pancakes. Makes every smile appear when we leave. The staff and service are outstanding, quick, and attentive.
(5)
Danielle S.

Finally, I have found a breakfast place that I think is most definitely worth 5 stars! We came on a Saturday morning (a little after the breakfast rush) and we were seated right away. The first thing I noticed was their menu - full of different twists on typical breakfast items. Everything sounded amazing!! We stared off with coffee that came out right away. They made sure to come by a few times to see if we needed refills. We also go mimosas, which were huge and some of the best I have ever had. We decided to share the stuffed potato pancakes and the lemon poppy seed crepes. Oh. My. Gosh. Both were awesome. The stuffed potato pancakes have a nice crisp on them, and are basically stuffed with an omelette. The lemon poppy seed crepes were a nice sweet balance and were served with kiwi, blackberries, and a light glaze. Holy cow. I would eat those every day of my life. The service was great - she was timely, friendly, made sure to bring out the creamers we asked for and even coffee to go. Plates were cleared, drinks were refilled. I was a happy camper. The best part? SUPER cheap for how good everything was. Normally places like this are $10-$15 for what we got. Each meal was only $8. For the quality, it is definitely worth it! Brunch Cafe....you win.
(5)
Joseph P.

Went in on a BUSY Sun morning and saw Masses of people waiting. The Manager said 25 to 30 on wait. 25 minutes later we were being seated. That's just one of the great things about this restaurant. They get you in and out quickly. The other thing about this restaurant is the ridiculously good food. This isn't another Chicago Greek owned average place. Their kitchen is amazing. The food is fresh and delicious every time. I don't write reviews often but this place deserves it. Excellent job again! We go once a month. We travel 40 minutes one way and it's extremely worth it. Best breakfast place in northern Illinois hands down!
(5)
Neal R.

So far off the bat on a Sunday at 0930, it's a 25 minute wait. It's a a busy place, but the food coming out the kitchen all look good. Lots of big parties here too, now for a big size party I would definitely recommend a reservation. The coffee isn't that special, but it taste like restaurant coffee, just as suspected, no brainer there. Alright, I had the california crepes expectations. It was amazing, and that hollandaise sauce is on point. Go here, enough said!
(5)
Jason G.

Excellent food with tons of options and fantastic service! Get there early, cause there is always a wait. They do take reservations and I would highly recommend. A must have is their Bloody Mary!
(5)
Sue S.

After our second visit here I am now convinced that this is the best brunch place in the area and wishing it were closer to where I live. This time around, I went right for the biscuits and gravy and had to again refrain from ditching my fork and just licking my plate. I think that if I had the appetite for it, I would go full pig and just get two orders. It is THAT good. That is all....
(5)
Matthew O.

Great little brunch restaurant in an out-of-the way part of McHenry. HUGE menu with something for everyone and daily specials as well. Came in a few times on a recent visit home and had a couple of their basic breakfasts. Service was fast and friendly, and the food didn't disappoint. Hash browns were my favorite even though I was hoping for a traditional BLT on the menu. If you want to do breakfast, go here.
(4)
Corey J.

My brother and I came here by ourselves, after recommendation of a friend, and a prior visit, a few WEEKS prior. We are big guys, possibly memorable, mostly not, I'd like to think. The host remembered us, what we did for a living, and our seating preference, and points us to our seats. Impressed!! Here comes our waitress...water, and menus in hand, smile on her face, and a very warm,"Good morning, guys!" Seats us, takes drink order, and promptly returns with our drinks, tells us about their specials, AND asks if we are done being on the road for awhile. (Another impressive moment, that SHE even remembered us!) We made small talk with her while we scanned the menus, but the best was yet to come. Their stuffed potato pancakes are to kill for! We no sooner told her what we had come for, and she rattled off both our orders, and what we both order extra with our meals! This lady has a memory like a steel trap! Even though the prices are very reasonable, and their food, out of this world, this place feels very modern for what I've come to expect from a Bfast restaurant, but as long as they keep the service as great as it is, and the food as tasty as it is, they have a customer in us for a long time!
(5)
Frank N.

I came here for lunch after a class in the area and ordered the Apple Gouda Melt. The sandwich just caught me eye perusing the menu. I have never had anything like it. The sandwich was nestled between an apple bread that was really sweet. Sliced ham, Gouda cheese, and a cranberry mayo just made this thing perfect. I have to admit that I was reluctant to see these things mixed together but found it to be the most outrageous mix of ingredients. Not much more to add here but the menu is vast and the service was top notch!
(4)
Ryan T.

Truly love this place, and recommend it to people often. Every time I go to brunch cafe I attempt to try a new entrÃ©e. It's a good sized menu, but it's hard to choose because everything looks, and sounds delicious. Whether you order breakfast or lunch you will not be disappointed. The service is a solid four stars, and I have high standards for service working in the industry myself. The wait staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and quick. Th food is always brought out very quickly, and the presentation is above average. They always use fresh ingredients, it's almost hard to believe how quickly they put orders together. I have always wanted to peak back there and see their operation during a busy Saturday rush. Price is reasonable. You won't break the bank eating at brunch, but for the portion size you do end up with a nice bang for your buck. Overall rating: 4.5 stars Thanks for reading...Safe Eating!
(5)
Gerry A.

We love to drive North on clear Fall mornings and check out some leaf color, so we followed Steve M's great review on the Brunch Cafe and headed up on Route 12 & 176. Larger than we expected with a lot of floor to ceiling glass that really brightens up the warm space full of small booths, large booths and lots of tables. Mallory was our perfect server as she totally got our desire to try some of their best "a little different" dishes, and we went with both of her recommendations. Two HUGE California crepes filled with avacado and smokey slightly sweet bacon with a light hollandaise, and a Sweet Potato skillet with ham, cheese and apple bits. Way better than average coffee and friendly attentive service. We reluctantly finally left with substantial leftovers. Certainly as good as breakfast gets in our new culinary brunch capital McHenry, the very rare 5 star review on a first visit. The lunch menu looked interesting too. PS. We almost never eat at a peak time like Noon on Sunday, but we called ahead and made a reservation and only had to wait 5 or 10 minutes for our table to vacate. There were probably 15 or 20 other people without reservations and double that wait. Despite being THAT busy our service was perfectly calm and not frantic. Mallory was very patient with our many foodie questions, we'd like to franchise HER. FYI it had cleared up substantially by 1:30. Lots of parking. Do it.
(5)
Jon P.

Service, speed, great food, generous servings, friendly staff, clean eating areas and washrooms, this has it all.
(5)
Love2 R.

By far, mine and my husband's most favorite breakfast place. My favorite, the Southbeach Scrambler. I sware, the food comes out quicker than a McDonald's drive-thru. And it's absolutely delicious! The service, probably the most friendly, ever. They are all happy, smiling and know us by name. And the owner, Patrick, awesome guy! Great personality and always aims to please the customer.
(5)
Sarajenie S.

Great service and food!
(5)
Craig H.

I have been coming here for over two years and the quality, service, atmosphere have always stayed consistently great. I love this place and recommend it to anyone. Be warned there will be a wait on weekends but it's worth it.
(5)
Becky K.

Our favorite place to have brunch in McHenry. Generous portions, great bloody Mary's, fast service and attentive staff.
(5)
Jennifer Y.

Good food, good prices and big portions. I'm not a fan of their breakfast potatoes, otherwise they would get 5 stars. Staff is always happy to accommodate special requests. Definitely try the butcher block skillet!
(4)
Ryan T.

Specials are always a hit and everything is always cooked to perfection and fresh ingredients too!
(5)
Tim W.

I go here every Wednesday with friends for Breakfast. I also go with my wife to the Fox River Grove location almost weekly. It's the BEST place for Breakfast in McHenry County - HANDS DOWN. Fresh, Fast, Friendly. You'll enjoy it.
(5)
Jody S.

Super friendly staff. I had a fantastic omelet. Prices very reasonable too. I will definitely be back
(5)
Mike M.

Fantastic menu. Mouth was watering seeing the different options. Can't wait to try the bananarama- Grahm cracker crust pancakes with bananas and all the toppings, great specials you do to find at every breakfast place.
(5)
David G.

I loved this place! The atmosphere was lovely and the food was delicious! I ordered a skillet it came out fresh and tasty. The host was very friendly and the service was fast and friendly. Definitely a recommend for breakfast I will be back.
(5)
Bethany G.

I absolutely love this place. Been going here for about two years and have never been disappointed. Everything from their skillets to their sandwiches is delicious. Cannot go wrong here!
(5)
Rosa C.

Came here for my birthday. The breakfast specials were unique and I absolutely loved my breakfast. I ordered the sweet potato skillet. It consisted of sweet potato tator tots, chopped apples and gueyere cheese underneath two eggs. It was the BEST breakfast I've EVER had..the combination of sweet and savory won me over. It was so good, decided to go again the next week and try out their crepes...Again, I loved it! Can't go wrong going here...It's by far the best breakfast place in McHenry with unique and thought out dishes. Service was also excellent
(5)
C M.

This place was so good. Great menu selection. Great environment. Great service. Great for kids, couples and family's. So glad it found this place on Yelp.
(5)
Doug G.

First time eating here and I ordered take-out. I had the breakfast burrito and I have to admit, this is the best breakfast burrito I've ever had. The portion is huge and they do not skimp on ingredients. It has chorizo in it and my previous experience with this protein is that it is usually very greasy. Not the case here. My favorite part about this was they use fresh jalapeÃ±os. This is the first non-Mexican restaurant in the area I've been to that doesn't use canned jalapeÃ±os. This shows me they care about the quality of their ingredients and their food. I will definitely be returning!
(4)
Adam L.

Very nice place in McHenry to get yourself some good breakfast food. Service was excellent and the food was perfect. I would definitely recommend this place if you're in the area and hungry.
(5)
Sharon W.

The food is outstanding. I recommend trying one of each, but you may want start slow and pace yourself.
(5)
A B.

Brunch Cafe is my go-to when I want to go out for breakfast. There are so many things to choose from and everything always tastes fresh and flavorful. We love their specials, which are displayed for you right when you walk in. It is a little pricey for breakfast, but the portion sizes and quality of ingredients keep you coming back for more. Service is always good, too!
(4)
Michelle F.

Oh, Brunch Cafe, you do me right!! I have a Brunch Cafe right down the street from me, but it wasn't my choice of where to go for our ladies breakfast this month, and so we made a trek all the way out to McHenry. It was worth it. Great service, fabulous food, and we got seated right away. Bonus all around! I ordered the veggie skillet with the eggs on the side, and they were delightful! The potatoes were just how I like them and well-seasoned. The vegetables were fresh, and I like when everything tastes like it's supposed to!! I also sampled the cinnamon roll french toast that my friend ordered, and it was amazing as well! It's like dessert for breakfast! :) Our waitress was really good, and she was patient with us when some of the people in our party were a few minutes late! She also asked us if we wanted separate checks right off the bat--nice touch!! Cheers to you, Brunch Cafe, for providing 5 girls a place to catch up and talk without making us feel rushed!
(5)
Adam R.

On the most recent trip the cinnamon roll French toast was dry. The three stars are because I've eaten here before and had a better experience. I don't want to judge them based on today's meal because I believe it wasn't their best effort. I believe I had an omelet last time, more than likely the one including chorizo and jalapeÃ±os, maybe it's called the southwest or Santa Fe. I never remember because each breakfast place calls it something different. Overall it's a decent breakfast/brunch place but nothing special. If you're willing to make a little drive check out Richard Walker's in Crystal Lake.
(3)
Dan C.

Great place, friendly staff and the food is fantastic!
(5)
Caroline P.

McHenry is not what one would call a culinary hub. If you are gluten free, then your choices are even more limited. Visiting my family for the holidays, my brother recommended Brunch. Brunch is clean, efficient, and has very friendly staff. When I asked about their gluten fee pancakes I was sad to learn they were cooked on the same griddle as wheat pancakes. It is very dangerous to call something gluten free that will intentionally be contaminated. They are not the only breakfast place that claims gluten free pancakes that are not gluten free. I hope they reconsider having gluten free dedicated pans or dropping the gluten free label. There are many options for GF meals if you can work with your server. Instead I opted for the Mediterranean omelet, which was delicious. I let my waitress know about how to safely prepare it and she was able to answer my questions so e could ensure my meal was as safe as possible. Her patience was greatly appreciated!
(4)
Walter J.

I just ate here for breakfast this morning. I had never gone there because of the strange location. I must say the food was excellent. Our waitress (I didn't catch her name) was super friendly and extremely attentive. Our coffee cups never went lower than 1/4 full. I had the chorizo skillet, excellent. My friend had the red velvet french toast, excellent. Huge portions, creative dishes not available anywhere else, and a very clean, inviting atmosphere. Needless to say, being the first time there, We will be back.
(5)
Jim G.

Best breakfast ever ! I have been to their other locations and this one is just as good. Great menu choices, great service and prices not bad
(5)
emily h.

This was a really good find. They take reservations which was really nice and rare for a breakfast spot. They didn't have our table ready right when we got there, but we probably only waited about 10 minutes past our reservation time. It was 10:30 on a Sunday morning and they were really busy so I didn't think that was a very big deal. I met my friend and her baby there and she was really impressed by how clean their highchairs were. Not something I normally consider or notice but it was obvious that they really go to a conserted effort to clean and sanitize the highchairs between babies. The food was good. They had a pretty extensive menu of breakfast and lunch options. Our server was Sara and she was helpful and plesant. She arrived right away with coffee and made sure all of our needs were met through our entire meal.
(4)
Paul L.

Love, love, loooooove this place. Was so happy that they opened a location here in McHenry after eating at the one in Fox River Grove. Best breakfast place in town by far! Staff is always friendly and I haven't ordered something I didn't like! My go to is the nacho scrambler for Breakfast and the coffee is ground in house so it's better than most places you go to. If I had the income, I would eat breakfast here everyday.
(5)
Brian F.

We were traveling through a part of McHenry that we didn't know and stumbled upon the Brunch Cafe. The parking lot was full on a Sunday afternoon and there was a short 20 minute which gave me time to talk to some of the locals. The people I talked to absolutely love this place and had nothing but praise for their favorite dishes. One loved the savory crepes and another the Potato Skin Bennie. Service was efficient and friendly. My family chose the breakfast skillet, the stuffed waffle, and the daily "special" Caprese Benedict (can't remember what the actual names of the dishes were). Out of the three dishes the stuffed waffle was by far the best. The SUPER crispy Belgian waffle was stuffed with strawberry cream cheese and fresh fruit. This is a good dish. The skillet, on the other hand, was poor and not fully cooked. Some of the potatoes were well-undercooked. Finally, and most-disappointingly, the Caprese Benedict was awful. The Benedict was supposed to be foccacia bread with tomato, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, poached egg and Hollandaise sauce. The worst part of the whole mess was the Hollandaise which had no body, was runny, and way over-lemony. I asked the waitress what that nastiness was and she said that they buy their Hollandaise already made and then "tweek" it. Yuck! The rest of it was all good ingredients but had ZERO taste. The chef must have completely forgotten to season the food and after adding salt and pepper I actually found myself adding some of the awful sauce to the dish just to give it some kind of taste. Oh yeah, and there was no basil on my plate. Breakfast restaurants please hear my plea. Hollandaise sauce uses basic and inexpensive ingredients (egg yolk, butter, salt/pepper, lemon) and it is easy to make this delicious but delicate sauce (once you get the hang of it). You are spending huge amounts of money having someone else make the sauce for you, the result sucks, and customers, who have any idea what a real Hollandaise sauce tastes like, will order the cheaper stuff on the menu and/or not come back. I would return to this place for the waffles and pancakes but will avoid any item that contains the Hollandaise sauce. Blah!
(2)
Chelsea L.

Chose to break from our usual breakfast spot to try this place based on a strong recommendation from a friend and we didn't regret it. This is a great place to go for a wide variety of well-made traditional breakfast foods with little extra flair. They had a good selection and variety, and daily specials. We were very pleased with our meals and the quantity of food was pretty typical for a family-style restaurant. The "brunch potatoes" are fab - much better than the bland julienne potatoes most places have. We were AMAZED at how fast everything came out of the kitchen, but when we dug in, it all seemed fresh and hot, so I don't think any of it was pre-made. The place could be a little hard to find - it's in the back of a strip mall, but they have a big sign hanging off the side of the building that helps. Well worth the trip northward. We'll definitely wind up here again.
(4)
Mike U.

Delicious but always very crowded. I would recommend going very early if you do not want to wait an hour and a half.
(5)
Lyndsay K.

So glad I found this place on Yelp when I was looking for a lunch spot in McHenry this week. The food and service were both fantastic! The menu is extensive and it must have taken me at least 15 minutes to make a decision because so many things sounded good. Looking around the dining room only made it worse because the plates of the other diners in the place were all making me drool. I had an egg white omelet (I eat a lot of these) and it was ridiculously large. That was the only downfall - I almost felt defeated just looking at it! But it was delicious. If I lived in the area I'd be here for breakfast and lunch frequently.
(5)
Malissa B.

This is my favorite place to have breakfast! i dont make it often since i live in wisconsin now, but their food and service is amazing!
(5)
Adam B.

This is, by far, my favorite breakfast / brunch restaurant that I have ever been to in my life. Trust me, I've been to a lot. My girlfriend and I have been here about four times now. After only one visit, the hostess remembered our names and hasn't forgotten since. The food has been delicious every single time. They are always willing to substitute or change menu items to suit our desires and the prices are more than fair. If either my pocket book, or my waistline could afford it, I would eat here three times per day. The owner came and introduced himself to us after our first visit. It's always clean, and if it's during a really busy time, just call ahead, they take reservations! I can't stress enough what an amazing dining experience this is. My only complaint... I wish they served dinner too! Five stars, hands down.
(5)
Amanda G.

Amazeballs! So so so good! Fantastic servers and management at the McHenry location. Second time we went they even remembered our names! I love going here and I don't typically like breakfast foods. If you go once, you will be returning for sure to try more of their unique, tasty, filling choices! I love the California Crepes and my Mr. Loves their skillets.
(5)
Denise S.

Delicious! 5 ladies lunching & everyone very happy with their meals. Very fresh ingredients, the plating is very eye appealing. Service was friendly & efficient. I had the Veggie Panini & was very happy with it. I wish they provided other options with sandwiches than just fries or chips though. Will definitely be back.
(4)
John J.

Waited 20 Minutes to be told it would be another 20 mminutes at least before I could be seated for breakfast! They also let too many people gather inside waiting to be seated.
(2)
Christina S.

So happy there is now a Brunch Cafe near me! :) Went here this past Saturday at just past eleven without a wait. Coffee was well above average. Loved my ham and Swiss crepes, as usual. Several people in our party of five ordered omelets and were quite satisfied. My friend ordered the stuffed potato pancakes which looked awesome (see photo) tasted good, but she preferred the Signature Belgian Waffles she had previously. My husband ordered an orange/strawberry juice twice so he obviously loved that. There was an error with one of our entrees which was quickly rectified and then removed from the check. Our server, Tracy, was great, friendly and efficient. Bring a group of family and friends here. They'll leave happy and satisfied!
(4)
Amanda E.

Great food and service! We went today for our first time after reading the good reviews. They have a great brunch menu which includes strawberry mimosas! I had a waffle which was light and crisp and brunch potatoes that were also crisp and delicious. My boyfriend had the prime rib and thought it was very good. The coffee was also great. We will be back for sure!
(5)
Lisa S.

My only option for brunch! So glad they opened 3 mins away from me! As the other locations are a distance. Never had a bad meal from here! My fav go to!
(5)
Dagwood S.

This is the perfect breakfast place with a huge menu. I had the Ay Caramba! skillet and it was awesome. We received great food and really fast. I will definitely be back! This is a true 5-Star brunch place.
(5)
Melissa W.

My husband pick out this place this past weekend. I have to say I was not disappointed at all. My Mediterranean omelet was very good. I topped it with some salsa which was spicy but not too spicy. My husband order the pancakes & I ordered the sourdough bread. The pancakes tasted very good but weren't very fluffy. The sourdough was ok I've had better. When I go back I will definitely be ordering the side of pancakes. We will definitely be going back. My husband says there are several different meals on the menu he would like to try.
(4)
Joe D.

I love this place.... The menu is awesome and different, and the portions are just the right size. U don't want to overeat for breakfast, only do that for dinner! The staff there is fantastic and friendly. The food comes out well prepared and fast and there is rarely anything left on any plates at my table! They really do a great job of changing up your selections. The daily specials they prepare are very original and creative. I have been there probably over 50 times and will continue to keep this as my go to breakfast joint!
(5)
H S.

My Husband really enjoyed his omelette, mine was OKAY. eggs weren't fully cooked. But the service is AMAZING! our waitress was super nice and asked me she can get me somehting else. Good place with great customer service!
(4)
Jake M.

This place is great. I got turned on to their grove location before the mchenry one existed. The food is excellent, price is good and the food is always prepared fast. Big shout out to Ashley and Lou. Keep on rocking in the free world.
(5)
Blake C.

It's hard to believe that I haven't left a review for Brunch yet. Prior to moving up to Illinois, it was a must that we eat at Brunch Cafe a time or two when here on vacation. Brunch is a small little Cafe that can be hard to find if you don't know where to look. But when you've found it, you'll quickly realize that it's a wonderful little slice of breakfast heaven. I'm not entirely sure why you'd order anything outside of breakfast here. Don't waste the opportunity that you've already presented your taste buds. If I had to define the establishment in one term, I'd use the word: Fresh. Everything tastes so fresh. The fruit trays. The orange juice. Even the meat and potato skillets taste ever so fresh. Speaking of the meat and potato skillet, that's my recommendation every time. Don't get me wrong, I've had a lot of different food items here and I loved every one of them. So you can't really do wrong, regardless of what you order. But their skillets are the best that I've ever had. It's a little pricier than your typical breakfast spot but I'd be hard pressed to say that I've ever visited a restaurant that gives you the bang for your buck that you get with brunch. I never leave hungry and I never leave disappointed. If you're looking for a wonderful morning pick-me-up, this is THE place to go.
(5)
Andrew D.

Go nowhere else for breakfast and you will be happy for the rest of your life. This place has it all and high quality great taste in every bite. They have a ton of whole leaf teas and drinks to complement your meal open til like 2:00 PM only so get there early. Avoid when ever possible going there on Sundays because its a hour wait or more weekdays are perfect to try it out daily Lunch and breakfast specials.
(5)
Alice S.

Fantastic! Can't say enough good about this place! It was packed for Sunday brunch but only had a 10 minute wait. I was tempted to get the luscious looking berry and cream cheese stuffed waffle but I refrained and got the garden omelet. A 4 egg omelet to be exact! So good with spinach, asparagus, mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers and onions. Also included perfectly done brunch potatoes. Hubby had the breakfast burrito which had chorizo, potatoes, eggs, jalapeÃ±os, green onions, and cheese. It had some super good salsa, as well as, black beans and diced tomatoes on the side. He loved it! Huge helpings so we get to have it again tomorrow! Customer service was great too!
(5)
Alan A.

Stuffed potato pancakes. Need I say more? A lot of interesting menu items and specials. High quality ingredients. You can ask for actual maple syrup which is a plus. Great wait staff. They are all in Cubs tee shirts, today.
(4)
Elaine P.

The only downside I see to Brunch CafÃ© is finding it ,,, it is tucked away at the back of a strip mall. As out-of-staters, we have only had two visits to Brunch CafÃ©. The first time was in the fall of 2014. We needed a spot in the Wonder Lake/McHenry area on a Monday for a lunch for 9 people. Made the arrangements by phone and found the Brunch CafÃ© more than accommodating. In fact, they did not hurry our party even though we lingered quite awhile after closing time. Everyone in our party seemed to enjoy their meals, whether it was a breakfast or lunch item. On a return visit in the summer of 2015, DH and I were very pleased. We were offered a large booth and soon were ready to dig in to some delicious food. DH had his first ever "stuffed potato pancakes." I had one of my "best ever" breakfasts: a waffle with fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. A slice of "bone in ham" was delicious. It reminded me why the best pork comes from the Midwest! Coffee was nothing to rave about but more than adequate, Our waitress, Maddi (spelling?) was delightful. (She even gave us a good shopping tip to look for tote bags at TJ Maxx at the other end of McHenry.) If we lived in the area, we would be frequent visitors to Brunch CafÃ©. Will certainly recommend it to family and friends in the area for breakfast or lunch.
(5)
Jessica N.

Wonderful food and waitresses. Can not say enough good things about Brunch Cafe! Grab lunch from there atleast once a week!
(5)
Keith M.

I love this place! Great food, no matter what you order, and you will never leave hungry or broke. Food arrives quick and if you do need to wait, it's worth every bit.
(5)
SamKat P.

LOVE LOVE LOVE Brunch Cafe. If only we could afford to eat here more often. I tend to judge a breakfast place first on its coffee. Their coffee is excellent, but the food is even better. Whenever we visit, it's next to impossible trying to decide what we're going to eat. So many great options!
(5)
Heather B.

Had a very happy world eggs day! Mom stayed with the absolutely fabulous red velvet french toast. If you have never had it, it is a MUST! But today I decided to go with an egg dish. I had the portobenny. A take on eggs Benedict, but this was two perfectly poached eggs on asparagus on goat cheese sitting atop portobello mushroom caps. Smoothed in a delicious hollandaise. I ordered some hash-browns on the side for some potato goodness. YUM! The goat cheese just adds this special tart kick. Plus they have diet coke and I never want for refills. The nectar is free-flowing .
(5)
RaeAnn L.

This was SO worth the 40 minute drive. Out of all the breakfast places I have ever been to in my 16 years, this had to be the best. From the food, to the service, I was very pleased with this restaurant. My boyfriend and I went on a Wednesday morning and were seated immediately. We had a friendly waitress named Kelsey. I ordered the cinnamon roll French toast and my boyfriend ordered the classic brunch French toast. It was amazing! Didn't even need to use syrup it was so delicious. I also recommend the strawberry orange juice to drink... It sounds like it wouldn't be the best combination, but there is only a slight hint of strawberry in the juice. Other than the price of the juice ($4.99) and the price of a side of bacon ($3.99) which is expected in most breakfast spots, I don't have anything to complain about. I will be going back to this restaurant and would recommend to a friend.
(5)
Misha P.

Super yummy! Boyfriend and I came here as our "try someplace new" dine out. Score!! Food is fabulous with great flavors, textures, and piping hot. The service is quick, friendly, and honest. Ambiance is casual and comfortable. They display their specials for the day, making them extra tempting. The cost is on the low end of the $$ spectrum making this place an excellent value for a higher end quality meal experience. We'll definitely be eating here again; and soon!
(5)
R S.

Been back to this location once since they let Lou go. Food was OK - cold - like it had been sitting at the pass for too long - but still decent. Coffee service was slow and they "ran away" before I could ask for more cream for my coffee. Food is still decent overall and the slower service was probably due to how busy they were.
(3)
Philip L.

Visited for brunch on a Saturday at 10 AM. Great service but with a full house and people waiting for tables, the timing of the cooking was off. Pancakes were not hot, potatoes undercooked. I've had this happen before during brunch times on weekends when they are at their busiest. My recommendation is midweek dining as I have very rarely been disappointed with the service or the food during the week.
(4)
Alexander Z.

I come here frequently, everything on the menu is exceptional! Some very good servers as well as staff
(5)
Trisha H.

I adore this place! I have recommended it to family and friends who have checked it out since, and they rave about it too! Used to frequent Brunch Cafe first thing in the morning after working night shift with fellow nurses, and the manager always greeted us with a smile and remembered us. Wait staff is attentive and friendly, never received bad service here. I have never had to wait more than 5 minutes to get a seat, usually we walk right in. Menu has so many breakfast or lunch items to choose from, all of which look amazing. From Chocolate bacon pancakes, to California Crepes, or the skillets - I try something different every time I go and have never been disappointed. Big portions and food comes out quickly. Mimosas or Bloody Marys available as alcohol options (a must after a long daunting night shift!). Decent prices too. I definitely recommend Brunch Cafe as it is by far my favorite joint to visit for breakfast!
(5)
Steve M.

BRUNCH 101 Breakfast + Lunch = Brunch CafÃ© Merriam-Webster says that brunch is a meal usually taken late in the morning that combines a late breakfast and an early lunch and that the phrase was first used in 1896. Breakfast + Lunch. CafÃ© is a usually small and informal establishment serving various refreshments and it was first used in 1802. So in 2008 Brunch CafÃ© in McHenry opened up their doors to service this nice little community and anyone that is willing to venture out their way. So my wife and I decided one Saturday that we would try some new places instead of going to our usual ones. She had read a review from one of our yelp friends(Christina S) about Brunch CafÃ© so this was the first new place that we tried and we were not disappointed. From the moment I stepped out of my car I knew that I was going to like this place because I smelled the bacon in the air which I told my wife, "If the food is as good as the smell, this will be awesome". I actually said that. So we walked in and the person at the counter welcomed us to the Brunch CafÃ©. He also went over the specials of the day which were located on a table in the front. He walked us to our booth where Sara our server welcomed us to the Brunch CafÃ© and then went over all of the specials again. All of the specials sounded really good but I already had my mind set on having a Spartan omelet with toast (instead of pancakes) and a side of bacon of course. When Sara brought me my coffee and creamer I noticed that they also have flavored creamer as well. The coffee was fresh and my cup was never empty as Sara or some other staff member was always filling it up. Without going through the play by play action of how I ate my omelet, bacon and toast I have to tell you that it was very, very good. Sara was very attentive and informative. We were not disappointed at all and will definitely come back for breakfast as well as lunch or should I say Brunch?
(4)
Luna M.

My Yelp friend Christina S convinced me to check out this breakfast place. From the minute my husband & I were walking in the parking lot to the door, I smelled bacon & maple syrup. Wow, I was hoping that this would be a start to a great experience. When we walked in, someone explained the specials which they had displayed by the door. We sat in a huge booth & knew that if we ever brought the whole family, my muscular step sons would sit comfortably in these seating arrangements. Our server was Sara (not Sarah) & she was great to us Newbies. She was informative & always checked on us. She even asked how everything was & wanted us to come back. I ordered my basic --- Buttermilk Pancakes & they were great. Next time, I will try their French Toast. They are opened for breakfast & lunch, so I would not mind coming back for lunch either. I'm glad we have another breakfast spot to go to.
(5)
Andre B.

In on tour with my band from San Diego, and I think this is my favorite breakfast place. The coffee is excellent! If you like dark, smoky and sweet, you must try a cup. I don't recommend the house French toast. It's thick and a bit soggy in the middle... Not what I like in French toast. The blueberry pancakes are amazing. You can either get the ones on the menu, or ask for regular pancakes with added blueberries. My garden omelette was great. I had samples of my friends' broccoli soup, scramble, potatoes, etc... Everything was great!
(5)
Mark R.

If you are a breakfast pervert this place with have you creeping in. Everything is pretty much fresh and raised the bar on crummy breakfast diners. I almost exclusively order the Berry Explosion Waffle due the the fresh berries and drizzle.
(4)
Anastasia B.

Service was so great! We had a group of 8 and it only took 10 minutes to seat us. The food was yummy with rave reviews all around the table. The food was medium to large portions so be prepared for some left overs. My dish was a little on the bland side but I would go back and try something different next time. We went during a peek time on a Sunday and the waiting area was standing room only, we ended up waiting outside witch is fine in fair weather.
(4)
Robert C.

My wife and I were regulars here for about a year. We would come in for breakfast 2 or 3 times a month. Always great food. It gets busy and sometimes there's a wait. Ordinarily not a problem until I once asked the owner how long the wait would be and he responded with "how am I supposed to know?!" Maybe you don't know but you sure could find out without talking to your customers like that. Since then we've made Kim & Patty's our dinner of choice in McHenry. Never a wait, they treat you with respect, and the food is just as good!
(2)
Cheryl V.

Love Brunch Restaurant just had the Raspberry salad. Unbelievable. The wait staff and the rest of the crew were terrific. Highly recommend them!
(5)
Brad W.

Amazing food. Great breakfasts! Always busy, great service, will go back again and again!
(5)
Kristopher K.

This place is great! Perfection is included with every plate. We try to come AT LEAST once per month. Great food and a great value.
(5)
Teresa T.

Great service with even greater food! Daily off-menu specials are always a huge hit.
(4)
Chelsey K.

What can I say this place is a staple for my yearly visits back home. Everything I have tried is delicious, fresh, and creative. I particularly enjoy the specials are highlighted by actually plating the food verses reading the description on a chalkboard. Red Velvet crepes and the stuffed portobello mushroom was a great sweet and savory combination to share with my sister. Oh and my nephews love there berry berry crepes and fruity pebbles pancakes. Makes every smile appear when we leave. The staff and service are outstanding, quick, and attentive.
(5)
Matthew O.

Great little brunch restaurant in an out-of-the way part of McHenry. HUGE menu with something for everyone and daily specials as well. Came in a few times on a recent visit home and had a couple of their basic breakfasts. Service was fast and friendly, and the food didn't disappoint. Hash browns were my favorite even though I was hoping for a traditional BLT on the menu. If you want to do breakfast, go here.
(4)
Danielle S.

Finally, I have found a breakfast place that I think is most definitely worth 5 stars! We came on a Saturday morning (a little after the breakfast rush) and we were seated right away. The first thing I noticed was their menu - full of different twists on typical breakfast items. Everything sounded amazing!! We stared off with coffee that came out right away. They made sure to come by a few times to see if we needed refills. We also go mimosas, which were huge and some of the best I have ever had. We decided to share the stuffed potato pancakes and the lemon poppy seed crepes. Oh. My. Gosh. Both were awesome. The stuffed potato pancakes have a nice crisp on them, and are basically stuffed with an omelette. The lemon poppy seed crepes were a nice sweet balance and were served with kiwi, blackberries, and a light glaze. Holy cow. I would eat those every day of my life. The service was great - she was timely, friendly, made sure to bring out the creamers we asked for and even coffee to go. Plates were cleared, drinks were refilled. I was a happy camper. The best part? SUPER cheap for how good everything was. Normally places like this are $10-$15 for what we got. Each meal was only $8. For the quality, it is definitely worth it! Brunch Cafe....you win.
(5)
Joseph P.

Went in on a BUSY Sun morning and saw Masses of people waiting. The Manager said 25 to 30 on wait. 25 minutes later we were being seated. That's just one of the great things about this restaurant. They get you in and out quickly. The other thing about this restaurant is the ridiculously good food. This isn't another Chicago Greek owned average place. Their kitchen is amazing. The food is fresh and delicious every time. I don't write reviews often but this place deserves it. Excellent job again! We go once a month. We travel 40 minutes one way and it's extremely worth it. Best breakfast place in northern Illinois hands down!
(5)
Neal R.

So far off the bat on a Sunday at 0930, it's a 25 minute wait. It's a a busy place, but the food coming out the kitchen all look good. Lots of big parties here too, now for a big size party I would definitely recommend a reservation. The coffee isn't that special, but it taste like restaurant coffee, just as suspected, no brainer there. Alright, I had the california crepes expectations. It was amazing, and that hollandaise sauce is on point. Go here, enough said!
(5)
Jason G.

Excellent food with tons of options and fantastic service! Get there early, cause there is always a wait. They do take reservations and I would highly recommend. A must have is their Bloody Mary!
(5)
Sue S.

After our second visit here I am now convinced that this is the best brunch place in the area and wishing it were closer to where I live. This time around, I went right for the biscuits and gravy and had to again refrain from ditching my fork and just licking my plate. I think that if I had the appetite for it, I would go full pig and just get two orders. It is THAT good. That is all....
(5)
Corey J.

My brother and I came here by ourselves, after recommendation of a friend, and a prior visit, a few WEEKS prior. We are big guys, possibly memorable, mostly not, I'd like to think. The host remembered us, what we did for a living, and our seating preference, and points us to our seats. Impressed!! Here comes our waitress...water, and menus in hand, smile on her face, and a very warm,"Good morning, guys!" Seats us, takes drink order, and promptly returns with our drinks, tells us about their specials, AND asks if we are done being on the road for awhile. (Another impressive moment, that SHE even remembered us!) We made small talk with her while we scanned the menus, but the best was yet to come. Their stuffed potato pancakes are to kill for! We no sooner told her what we had come for, and she rattled off both our orders, and what we both order extra with our meals! This lady has a memory like a steel trap! Even though the prices are very reasonable, and their food, out of this world, this place feels very modern for what I've come to expect from a Bfast restaurant, but as long as they keep the service as great as it is, and the food as tasty as it is, they have a customer in us for a long time!
(5)
Frank N.

I came here for lunch after a class in the area and ordered the Apple Gouda Melt. The sandwich just caught me eye perusing the menu. I have never had anything like it. The sandwich was nestled between an apple bread that was really sweet. Sliced ham, Gouda cheese, and a cranberry mayo just made this thing perfect. I have to admit that I was reluctant to see these things mixed together but found it to be the most outrageous mix of ingredients. Not much more to add here but the menu is vast and the service was top notch!
(4)
Ryan T.

Truly love this place, and recommend it to people often. Every time I go to brunch cafe I attempt to try a new entrÃ©e. It's a good sized menu, but it's hard to choose because everything looks, and sounds delicious. Whether you order breakfast or lunch you will not be disappointed. The service is a solid four stars, and I have high standards for service working in the industry myself. The wait staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and quick. Th food is always brought out very quickly, and the presentation is above average. They always use fresh ingredients, it's almost hard to believe how quickly they put orders together. I have always wanted to peak back there and see their operation during a busy Saturday rush. Price is reasonable. You won't break the bank eating at brunch, but for the portion size you do end up with a nice bang for your buck. Overall rating: 4.5 stars Thanks for reading...Safe Eating!
(5)
Jody S.

Super friendly staff. I had a fantastic omelet. Prices very reasonable too. I will definitely be back
(5)
Mike M.

Fantastic menu. Mouth was watering seeing the different options. Can't wait to try the bananarama- Grahm cracker crust pancakes with bananas and all the toppings, great specials you do to find at every breakfast place.
(5)
David G.

I loved this place! The atmosphere was lovely and the food was delicious! I ordered a skillet it came out fresh and tasty. The host was very friendly and the service was fast and friendly. Definitely a recommend for breakfast I will be back.
(5)
Gerry A.

We love to drive North on clear Fall mornings and check out some leaf color, so we followed Steve M's great review on the Brunch Cafe and headed up on Route 12 & 176. Larger than we expected with a lot of floor to ceiling glass that really brightens up the warm space full of small booths, large booths and lots of tables. Mallory was our perfect server as she totally got our desire to try some of their best "a little different" dishes, and we went with both of her recommendations. Two HUGE California crepes filled with avacado and smokey slightly sweet bacon with a light hollandaise, and a Sweet Potato skillet with ham, cheese and apple bits. Way better than average coffee and friendly attentive service. We reluctantly finally left with substantial leftovers. Certainly as good as breakfast gets in our new culinary brunch capital McHenry, the very rare 5 star review on a first visit. The lunch menu looked interesting too. PS. We almost never eat at a peak time like Noon on Sunday, but we called ahead and made a reservation and only had to wait 5 or 10 minutes for our table to vacate. There were probably 15 or 20 other people without reservations and double that wait. Despite being THAT busy our service was perfectly calm and not frantic. Mallory was very patient with our many foodie questions, we'd like to franchise HER. FYI it had cleared up substantially by 1:30. Lots of parking. Do it.
(5)
Jon P.

Service, speed, great food, generous servings, friendly staff, clean eating areas and washrooms, this has it all.
(5)
Sarajenie S.

Great service and food!
(5)
Love2 R.

By far, mine and my husband's most favorite breakfast place. My favorite, the Southbeach Scrambler. I sware, the food comes out quicker than a McDonald's drive-thru. And it's absolutely delicious! The service, probably the most friendly, ever. They are all happy, smiling and know us by name. And the owner, Patrick, awesome guy! Great personality and always aims to please the customer.
(5)
Craig H.

I have been coming here for over two years and the quality, service, atmosphere have always stayed consistently great. I love this place and recommend it to anyone. Be warned there will be a wait on weekends but it's worth it.
(5)
Becky K.

Our favorite place to have brunch in McHenry. Generous portions, great bloody Mary's, fast service and attentive staff.
(5)
Jennifer Y.

Good food, good prices and big portions. I'm not a fan of their breakfast potatoes, otherwise they would get 5 stars. Staff is always happy to accommodate special requests. Definitely try the butcher block skillet!
(4)
Tim W.

I go here every Wednesday with friends for Breakfast. I also go with my wife to the Fox River Grove location almost weekly. It's the BEST place for Breakfast in McHenry County - HANDS DOWN. Fresh, Fast, Friendly. You'll enjoy it.
(5)
Ryan T.

Specials are always a hit and everything is always cooked to perfection and fresh ingredients too!
(5)
Rosa C.

Came here for my birthday. The breakfast specials were unique and I absolutely loved my breakfast. I ordered the sweet potato skillet. It consisted of sweet potato tator tots, chopped apples and gueyere cheese underneath two eggs. It was the BEST breakfast I've EVER had..the combination of sweet and savory won me over. It was so good, decided to go again the next week and try out their crepes...Again, I loved it! Can't go wrong going here...It's by far the best breakfast place in McHenry with unique and thought out dishes. Service was also excellent
(5)
Bethany G.

I absolutely love this place. Been going here for about two years and have never been disappointed. Everything from their skillets to their sandwiches is delicious. Cannot go wrong here!
(5)
C M.

This place was so good. Great menu selection. Great environment. Great service. Great for kids, couples and family's. So glad it found this place on Yelp.
(5)
Doug G.

First time eating here and I ordered take-out. I had the breakfast burrito and I have to admit, this is the best breakfast burrito I've ever had. The portion is huge and they do not skimp on ingredients. It has chorizo in it and my previous experience with this protein is that it is usually very greasy. Not the case here. My favorite part about this was they use fresh jalapeÃ±os. This is the first non-Mexican restaurant in the area I've been to that doesn't use canned jalapeÃ±os. This shows me they care about the quality of their ingredients and their food. I will definitely be returning!
(4)
Adam L.

Very nice place in McHenry to get yourself some good breakfast food. Service was excellent and the food was perfect. I would definitely recommend this place if you're in the area and hungry.
(5)
Sharon W.

The food is outstanding. I recommend trying one of each, but you may want start slow and pace yourself.
(5)
A B.

Brunch Cafe is my go-to when I want to go out for breakfast. There are so many things to choose from and everything always tastes fresh and flavorful. We love their specials, which are displayed for you right when you walk in. It is a little pricey for breakfast, but the portion sizes and quality of ingredients keep you coming back for more. Service is always good, too!
(4)
Denise S.

Delicious! 5 ladies lunching & everyone very happy with their meals. Very fresh ingredients, the plating is very eye appealing. Service was friendly & efficient. I had the Veggie Panini & was very happy with it. I wish they provided other options with sandwiches than just fries or chips though. Will definitely be back.
(4)
John J.

Waited 20 Minutes to be told it would be another 20 mminutes at least before I could be seated for breakfast! They also let too many people gather inside waiting to be seated.
(2)
Michelle F.

Oh, Brunch Cafe, you do me right!! I have a Brunch Cafe right down the street from me, but it wasn't my choice of where to go for our ladies breakfast this month, and so we made a trek all the way out to McHenry. It was worth it. Great service, fabulous food, and we got seated right away. Bonus all around! I ordered the veggie skillet with the eggs on the side, and they were delightful! The potatoes were just how I like them and well-seasoned. The vegetables were fresh, and I like when everything tastes like it's supposed to!! I also sampled the cinnamon roll french toast that my friend ordered, and it was amazing as well! It's like dessert for breakfast! :) Our waitress was really good, and she was patient with us when some of the people in our party were a few minutes late! She also asked us if we wanted separate checks right off the bat--nice touch!! Cheers to you, Brunch Cafe, for providing 5 girls a place to catch up and talk without making us feel rushed!
(5)
Adam R.

On the most recent trip the cinnamon roll French toast was dry. The three stars are because I've eaten here before and had a better experience. I don't want to judge them based on today's meal because I believe it wasn't their best effort. I believe I had an omelet last time, more than likely the one including chorizo and jalapeÃ±os, maybe it's called the southwest or Santa Fe. I never remember because each breakfast place calls it something different. Overall it's a decent breakfast/brunch place but nothing special. If you're willing to make a little drive check out Richard Walker's in Crystal Lake.
(3)
Caroline P.

McHenry is not what one would call a culinary hub. If you are gluten free, then your choices are even more limited. Visiting my family for the holidays, my brother recommended Brunch. Brunch is clean, efficient, and has very friendly staff. When I asked about their gluten fee pancakes I was sad to learn they were cooked on the same griddle as wheat pancakes. It is very dangerous to call something gluten free that will intentionally be contaminated. They are not the only breakfast place that claims gluten free pancakes that are not gluten free. I hope they reconsider having gluten free dedicated pans or dropping the gluten free label. There are many options for GF meals if you can work with your server. Instead I opted for the Mediterranean omelet, which was delicious. I let my waitress know about how to safely prepare it and she was able to answer my questions so e could ensure my meal was as safe as possible. Her patience was greatly appreciated!
(4)
Dan C.

Great place, friendly staff and the food is fantastic!
(5)
Walter J.

I just ate here for breakfast this morning. I had never gone there because of the strange location. I must say the food was excellent. Our waitress (I didn't catch her name) was super friendly and extremely attentive. Our coffee cups never went lower than 1/4 full. I had the chorizo skillet, excellent. My friend had the red velvet french toast, excellent. Huge portions, creative dishes not available anywhere else, and a very clean, inviting atmosphere. Needless to say, being the first time there, We will be back.
(5)
Jim G.

Best breakfast ever ! I have been to their other locations and this one is just as good. Great menu choices, great service and prices not bad
(5)
emily h.

This was a really good find. They take reservations which was really nice and rare for a breakfast spot. They didn't have our table ready right when we got there, but we probably only waited about 10 minutes past our reservation time. It was 10:30 on a Sunday morning and they were really busy so I didn't think that was a very big deal. I met my friend and her baby there and she was really impressed by how clean their highchairs were. Not something I normally consider or notice but it was obvious that they really go to a conserted effort to clean and sanitize the highchairs between babies. The food was good. They had a pretty extensive menu of breakfast and lunch options. Our server was Sara and she was helpful and plesant. She arrived right away with coffee and made sure all of our needs were met through our entire meal.
(4)
Paul L.

Love, love, loooooove this place. Was so happy that they opened a location here in McHenry after eating at the one in Fox River Grove. Best breakfast place in town by far! Staff is always friendly and I haven't ordered something I didn't like! My go to is the nacho scrambler for Breakfast and the coffee is ground in house so it's better than most places you go to. If I had the income, I would eat breakfast here everyday.
(5)
Brian F.

We were traveling through a part of McHenry that we didn't know and stumbled upon the Brunch Cafe. The parking lot was full on a Sunday afternoon and there was a short 20 minute which gave me time to talk to some of the locals. The people I talked to absolutely love this place and had nothing but praise for their favorite dishes. One loved the savory crepes and another the Potato Skin Bennie. Service was efficient and friendly. My family chose the breakfast skillet, the stuffed waffle, and the daily "special" Caprese Benedict (can't remember what the actual names of the dishes were). Out of the three dishes the stuffed waffle was by far the best. The SUPER crispy Belgian waffle was stuffed with strawberry cream cheese and fresh fruit. This is a good dish. The skillet, on the other hand, was poor and not fully cooked. Some of the potatoes were well-undercooked. Finally, and most-disappointingly, the Caprese Benedict was awful. The Benedict was supposed to be foccacia bread with tomato, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, poached egg and Hollandaise sauce. The worst part of the whole mess was the Hollandaise which had no body, was runny, and way over-lemony. I asked the waitress what that nastiness was and she said that they buy their Hollandaise already made and then "tweek" it. Yuck! The rest of it was all good ingredients but had ZERO taste. The chef must have completely forgotten to season the food and after adding salt and pepper I actually found myself adding some of the awful sauce to the dish just to give it some kind of taste. Oh yeah, and there was no basil on my plate. Breakfast restaurants please hear my plea. Hollandaise sauce uses basic and inexpensive ingredients (egg yolk, butter, salt/pepper, lemon) and it is easy to make this delicious but delicate sauce (once you get the hang of it). You are spending huge amounts of money having someone else make the sauce for you, the result sucks, and customers, who have any idea what a real Hollandaise sauce tastes like, will order the cheaper stuff on the menu and/or not come back. I would return to this place for the waffles and pancakes but will avoid any item that contains the Hollandaise sauce. Blah!
(2)
Chelsea L.

Chose to break from our usual breakfast spot to try this place based on a strong recommendation from a friend and we didn't regret it. This is a great place to go for a wide variety of well-made traditional breakfast foods with little extra flair. They had a good selection and variety, and daily specials. We were very pleased with our meals and the quantity of food was pretty typical for a family-style restaurant. The "brunch potatoes" are fab - much better than the bland julienne potatoes most places have. We were AMAZED at how fast everything came out of the kitchen, but when we dug in, it all seemed fresh and hot, so I don't think any of it was pre-made. The place could be a little hard to find - it's in the back of a strip mall, but they have a big sign hanging off the side of the building that helps. Well worth the trip northward. We'll definitely wind up here again.
(4)
Mike U.

Delicious but always very crowded. I would recommend going very early if you do not want to wait an hour and a half.
(5)
Lyndsay K.

So glad I found this place on Yelp when I was looking for a lunch spot in McHenry this week. The food and service were both fantastic! The menu is extensive and it must have taken me at least 15 minutes to make a decision because so many things sounded good. Looking around the dining room only made it worse because the plates of the other diners in the place were all making me drool. I had an egg white omelet (I eat a lot of these) and it was ridiculously large. That was the only downfall - I almost felt defeated just looking at it! But it was delicious. If I lived in the area I'd be here for breakfast and lunch frequently.
(5)
Adam B.

This is, by far, my favorite breakfast / brunch restaurant that I have ever been to in my life. Trust me, I've been to a lot. My girlfriend and I have been here about four times now. After only one visit, the hostess remembered our names and hasn't forgotten since. The food has been delicious every single time. They are always willing to substitute or change menu items to suit our desires and the prices are more than fair. If either my pocket book, or my waistline could afford it, I would eat here three times per day. The owner came and introduced himself to us after our first visit. It's always clean, and if it's during a really busy time, just call ahead, they take reservations! I can't stress enough what an amazing dining experience this is. My only complaint... I wish they served dinner too! Five stars, hands down.
(5)
Malissa B.

This is my favorite place to have breakfast! i dont make it often since i live in wisconsin now, but their food and service is amazing!
(5)
Amanda G.

Amazeballs! So so so good! Fantastic servers and management at the McHenry location. Second time we went they even remembered our names! I love going here and I don't typically like breakfast foods. If you go once, you will be returning for sure to try more of their unique, tasty, filling choices! I love the California Crepes and my Mr. Loves their skillets.
(5)
Christina S.

So happy there is now a Brunch Cafe near me! :) Went here this past Saturday at just past eleven without a wait. Coffee was well above average. Loved my ham and Swiss crepes, as usual. Several people in our party of five ordered omelets and were quite satisfied. My friend ordered the stuffed potato pancakes which looked awesome (see photo) tasted good, but she preferred the Signature Belgian Waffles she had previously. My husband ordered an orange/strawberry juice twice so he obviously loved that. There was an error with one of our entrees which was quickly rectified and then removed from the check. Our server, Tracy, was great, friendly and efficient. Bring a group of family and friends here. They'll leave happy and satisfied!
(4)
Amanda E.

Great food and service! We went today for our first time after reading the good reviews. They have a great brunch menu which includes strawberry mimosas! I had a waffle which was light and crisp and brunch potatoes that were also crisp and delicious. My boyfriend had the prime rib and thought it was very good. The coffee was also great. We will be back for sure!
(5)
Lisa S.

My only option for brunch! So glad they opened 3 mins away from me! As the other locations are a distance. Never had a bad meal from here! My fav go to!
(5)
Dagwood S.

This is the perfect breakfast place with a huge menu. I had the Ay Caramba! skillet and it was awesome. We received great food and really fast. I will definitely be back! This is a true 5-Star brunch place.
(5)
Melissa W.

My husband pick out this place this past weekend. I have to say I was not disappointed at all. My Mediterranean omelet was very good. I topped it with some salsa which was spicy but not too spicy. My husband order the pancakes & I ordered the sourdough bread. The pancakes tasted very good but weren't very fluffy. The sourdough was ok I've had better. When I go back I will definitely be ordering the side of pancakes. We will definitely be going back. My husband says there are several different meals on the menu he would like to try.
(4)
Joe D.

I love this place.... The menu is awesome and different, and the portions are just the right size. U don't want to overeat for breakfast, only do that for dinner! The staff there is fantastic and friendly. The food comes out well prepared and fast and there is rarely anything left on any plates at my table! They really do a great job of changing up your selections. The daily specials they prepare are very original and creative. I have been there probably over 50 times and will continue to keep this as my go to breakfast joint!
(5)
H S.

My Husband really enjoyed his omelette, mine was OKAY. eggs weren't fully cooked. But the service is AMAZING! our waitress was super nice and asked me she can get me somehting else. Good place with great customer service!
(4)
Jake M.

This place is great. I got turned on to their grove location before the mchenry one existed. The food is excellent, price is good and the food is always prepared fast. Big shout out to Ashley and Lou. Keep on rocking in the free world.
(5)
Ken K.

Signed up to Yelp just to write this review....started to go to this place because, well....it was close. Never had better service in any restaurant ! After 2nd visit chatted briefly with owner - couldn't be a nicer guy - 3rd visit, came in with my in-laws..he was busy, but he made it a point to say hello to my wife, myself, and the in-laws. The next weekend, even with some politician in the restaurant and being recorded for a town hall meeting, he made it a point to come over and shake my hand and re-asked for my name (sadly, I forgot his). Then, the waitress was super attentive - noticed I took the only flavored cream in the container for my coffee, then brought me a whole container of just flavored creams. In an era where we all too often feel like just a number being processed in and out of establishments....it was refreshing to be treated so well. Brunch Cafe....you've got a new regular..... PS - Great omelets, and red velvet french toast is out of this world !
(5)
Sarah S.

Amazing service! Excellent food! The potato skin Bennie was delicious.
(5)
Liz S.

First time here and it's my new breakfast favorite! Why didn't I try this place sooner? Everything coming out of that kitchen looked fantastic and the California Crepes that I ordered were scrumptious! Will have to come here regularly to work my way through the menu as there are so many yummy sounding options. Service was very friendly and quick. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Krystle M.

Delicious food at fantastic prices!! The service was wonderful, and I've always had very good experiences.They have delicious breakfast, as well as sandwiches and other yummy delights! Highly recommend!
(5)
Jeanie P.

Traveled 2 1/2 hours to meet a friend here for lunch. AWESOME! Wonderful attentive service, large-no-huge selection on the menu, very quick delivery of order. I had the turkey cranberry wrap and HOMEMADE chips. Portions so large I brought half my meal home for supper. My friend had a skillet that looked very yummy. Owner/manager was very pleasant and talkative. Told us future plans to open another cafe and asked us for our input. Yes, it was a long drive but very well worth it, was not disappointed in any way. Will definitely go again!
(5)
Brian P.

I've been to Brunch Cafe many times. The service is excellent and the staff is very friendly. The managers remember the regulars by name and always greet us warmly. The food is pretty good. I'd be lying if I said it was the best, but it is definitely above average. I love how quickly you get served too. Typically, we are in and out within a half hour. I work in the area too, and we have used their catering many times. They always set up an excellent spread for our office, and it's definitely a highlight when Brunch Cafe caters for us!
(4)
Sharon H.

No butter on the bread...awesome! Im health conscience and this place makes me happy. Whipped egg white med omlette that I made changes to. Nothing was done wrong and the food was great! Substitutes for cottage chz or fruit instead of potatoes. Can't wait to come back home to eat here again!
(5)
Jennifer G.

This is THE place in McHenry to get your breakfast on. We went here as a last minute change from our normal breakfast place...now, it IS our normal breakfast place. The restaurant itself has kind of a warehouse-ish feel, it has super high ceilings and lots of room - you will definitely not be cramped here. Did I mention it's clean? And that it's bright? And the staff is friendly? And that the service was great? And... The menu! They have something for everyone. And not just the usual something for everyone, a more eclectic and fantastic version of something for everyone. Even the kids menu is just a bit different than what you find elsewhere. I had something completely non-interesting, eggs n bacon...which came with potatoes and pancakes. Who cares about pancakes? I'll tell you who, apparently they do, because they were really good and I don't usually dig on pancakes. My husband had a skillet, which was divine. How do I know? Well, I'm pregs so naturally, when the huge portion of food he received was too much for him to finish, I kindly offered to help. Then there was the coffee. It gets it's own paragraph because it was really good and, unless, like my husband, you think coffee from the gas station is good, then you'll agree. Another coffee success here is that they give you a huge mug (which I'm sure is to be convenient to the servers.) As a customer, this is nice because there isn't someone constantly coming by to refill your cup and mess up your whole cream to sugar ratio. Yes, I take my coffee seriously. haha We usually drive into Algonquin to go to a similar style restaurant and wait for anywhere up to an hour for a sticky table and mediocre service, but no more! Brunch Cafe, I love you...and until someone gets wise and opens one in Lake in the Hills or Crystal Lake (they would make a killing,) McHenry it is.
(5)
Pokher A.

Came in after church around 11a. We were seated almost immediately. The restaurant was busy so the noise level was loud. I ordered the butcher shop omelet, my son had the steak skillet, my daughter had the 3 cheese omelet and my wife orders the California crepe. We all had a side of pancakes (choice of pancakes or toast). My omelet was very good and so were the diced potatoes, very flavorful and fresh. I even got a side of red salsa on the side which was also very good. Every one enjoyed the food. Would come back again.
(4)
Jennie R.

We're new to the area and were looking for brunch on a Sunday morning. This came highly rated on Yelp, and we were right down the street, so why not? Very happy we stopped in. We had to wait about 20 minutes for a table, but it was noon on a weekend, so not surprised. The menu is huge and everything sounds good. I wanted to try it all (especially the French toast), but wound up going with the Mardi Gras scrambler. My husband got the South Beach scrambler, and the kids got eggs, sausage, and pancakes. The scramblers were huge and really good. My husband and I ate every bite even though they were enormous. The kids meals were very large--maybe even too large. I'd always prefer to spend less on less food than to let a lot go to waste. Our waitress was ridiculously friendly (but genuine). This is definitely the kind of place we'll take visitors.
(4)
Erin D.

A wonderful addition to McHenry!!!! AND we get LOU!!! I went here for the first time yesterday after hearing my friends brag about it, I finally dove in and we went. This is one of those places that you are kicking yourself for not coming here earlier. Trust me. Everything that I had heard about the place is true. You won't be disappointed. Go now! The food was fantastic. I had a chicken panini with the chips, my friend had the something chicken salad and they were outstanding. The decor is fresh, clean -- you aren't on top of other tables, its an open airy kinda place. Everyone is nice, the service for lunch time was fast and friendly. The prices were very reasonable. If you go tell Lou I said Hi!
(5)
R I C K Y B O B B Y.

Nice breakfast at a reasonable price. I had the breakfast burrito and a half order of biscuits and gravy. Hands down the biggest burrito I have had for breakfast........ever. And it was good! The biscuits and gravy were solid too! I don't travel up in that area much, but when I do get back there, I know where I will be having breakfast!
(4)
Sandee L.

I've never had a bad meal here. Service is good, free wifi, coffee is excellent, food comes out so fast you'll think they're bringing you the wrong order! Love everything about this place.
(5)
N W.

Great place and excellent service. I was sold when the host pulled out my chair but it got better. Waitress was on point not to overbearing but very professional. The food A+ I had the lobster omelet which was great and the red velvet french toast excellent. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about this place u hve to see for yourself
(5)
George B.

An awesome breakfast place in McHenry! Great food, great service, great coffee! Well worth the drive, and beats the pants off of Richard Walker's in Crystal Lake. Making things even better is Lou. Lou makes sure everything runs perfectly and that you have your coffee.
(5)
Cathy P.

Brunch Cafe has become one of my favorite places for early morning breakfast with friends or with my kids and grandkids. Lou is attentive and remembers who likes what as far as drinks. The selection of fun teas, chais and coffee keeps any and everyone I bring happy. The food is first class and I have yet to find something I do not like. My 20 month old grandson highly recommends ANY of the pancakes or waffles with extra avocado! See you in the morning, Lou!!!
(5)
L. F.

Could not be more grateful to finally have a nice breakfast/lunch place to go in McHenry. Brunch cafe is very clean and the waitstaff are very friendly. You are greeted right away and they are very welcoming. When we got there, they were very busy. We only had to wait about five minutes. I had the tuna melt for lunch - very fresh and delicious. It comes with sweet potato fries (yum) and a pickle - no, not a flimsy pickle, but a whole pickle! Others had the walnut salad with grilled chicken - they loved it! Another had the 'south of the border' - he could not say enough about how tasty it was. All in all, it was a wonderful dining experience. You may want to call ahead and check to see if you need a reservation, as they can get fairly busy. I hope they don't change or change owners. They are onto something good!!!!
(4)
Kat S.

i have written a review on here before and it was a good one but this visit that we had today well not so good! when we got there there was a 20 min and we put our name on the list and it was for a party of 4, me and my step dad were there but not the other two they were coming shortly after since there was a wait, when our name was called he asked if everyone was here and i told him shortly they'd be here, he then rudely i may say told us would "WOULD NOT BE SEATED IF OUR WHOLE PARTY WASN'T HERE CAUSE THEY WERE TO BUSY TO SEAT A PARTY THAT WASN'T FULLY THERE" we come in pretty frequently and i love the food and usually have good service but to be called and then not taken cause they were TO BUSY what is that how unprofessional is that to do. guess our business is not good enough to keep.
(1)
Shannon P.

Popular place but worth the wait. Great food and nice atmosphere.
(4)
Jim T.

Always wanted to try this place and was not disappointing at all. I went on a Sunday morning... Big rush time. The place was packed and had a line to get in but they were turning table quickly so the wait was not long.
(4)
Robin B.

My friend and I enjoyed a light breakfast and coffee, plus good conversation. We needed to go home and the waitress gave us two cups of coffee to go, no additional charge. It was the icing on the cake. Excellent customer service!
(5)
Kyle F.

Great selection, and awesome weekend specials!! Loved the chocolate bread french toast, and consistently have the banana bread french toast as well! My absolute favorite is the California crepe, with eggs, avocado, bacon wrapped in a crepe times 2!!!! Add a little hollindaise sauce and it is oh so scrumptious. They also have there own coffee. It is very tasty as well!!
(5)
Jennifer R.

Wonderful breakfast, wonderful service! I love the owner, he's always cool, calm and very attentive, whether there's a 20 minute wait or a 60 minute wait. Food is fantastic for the price. I always get the special so I never have the same thing twice nor could I because everything on the menu makes my mouth water. I've had the lemon poppy seed crepes, delicious delicate and sweet. The carrot cake pancakes, mmmm! Southwest Skillet, cinnamon roll french toast, beach skillet, etc etc etc. All very tasty. The service has always been good, drinks are always full, most of the servers are great despite the occasional newbie but I'm cool with newbies! Ambiance is light bright colors, perfect for the morning wake up. Lots of natural light coming in through all the windows. I've been to many breakfast restaurants where I want to fall asleep because of the dark dingy decor. I would recommend for almost any occasion!
(5)
David L.

Fresh and flavorful food, friendly service
(5)
Betty H.

Food was very good and quite a variety to choose from. Had strawberry cream cheese filled crepes with strawberries and blueberries on top. Very tasty and creative. I will be back again to try some of the other tempting choices. Staff kept our coffee cups filled and were friendly. We WILL be back.
(4)
Pete F.

Food is decent. But they charge a lot for small things. If you want an extra tortilla it will cost a couple dollars, when really it should have been included in the skillet. The waffles are very good, and the salsas are good, the overall options are really good. But the service is hit or miss. I rarely see the same waitress twice and most look to be about 17-20 years old. So turnover is huge it seems. Lou will recognize you if you have been there a couple times and remember your name. He is very friendly but he is always looking to seat people and make sure tables are opened and cleaned right away, so don't take it personal if he doesn't catch you on the way out.. If I ever owned a place, this is the guy I would want to run it. Nothing escapes his attention. Some of the wait staff are either too busy ( this place is always packed ) or just not friendly to begin with. Once you get your food, good luck flagging someone else down if you need something. Its almost a joke because I order similar things each time, and ALWAYS ask for an extra tortilla or an extra egg and I ALWAYS have to send the waitress back to retrieve it because I have never once had it arrive as ordered when adding to the menu item. For breakfast expect to spend at least 11-13 dollars before tip. If you want a breakfast steak expect a few more bucks. They always have a setup when you walk in of the specials but NEVER the prices. If you order, ask first or the sticker shock may ruin a decent breakfast. Also, the NY Strip steak on the show plate is always much thicker and larger than the small piece that ends up on your plate when it arrives. As a previous commenter said, the Hollandaise is bland. So its a love/hate thing. Great menu with some very out of ordinary concoctions, and the food is better than average when compared to a local family restaurant. But also pricier by a few bucks. It is very easy to spend 16-18 dollars on breakfast after all is said and done for 1 person. Our average runs about 14 dollars per head with a skillet and coffee and tip. Even though this place gets packed, the time for the food to arrive is decent. It has now become a once a month breakfast vs. the weekly or bi-weekly. It is a good place to take out of town visitors though to impress them with the massive menu choices and cleanliness when compared to other area restaurants. If I could rate it individually I would rate food quality as 5, choices as 5, service as 2.5, cost as 3, and cleanliness as 5, but with the place always being packed the time to wait for a table at times and being very crowded makes it harder to have conversation at times, I would rate comfort as 3.5
(3)
Molly K.

I love Brunch Cafe! Its one of those places where everything looks so good you have a hard time deciding. All the staff was very friendly and the food was delicious. I will be back soon!
(5)
Frank F.

Original, tasteful specials are a delight. Quality and quantity in perfect harmony with the price. Clean and spacious atmosphere. Superb management is obvious.
(5)
Susanne C.

Excellent service. Great French toast. Pleasant surroundings.
(4)
Jason G.

EGGcellent filling omelets larger than anywhere around. Fresh ingredients, generous portions and great friendly service, not a single solitary reason not to give this place a try.
(5)

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Address : 414 S Il Rte 31
McHenry, IL, 60050
Phone (815) 344-4055
Website https://www.brunchcafe.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast, Brunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Brunch Cafe

414 S Il Rte 31, McHenry, IL, 60050

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