Over the years I have been to Harner's dozens of times. Most of the time I am there for breakfast on weekends. If your timing is off on Saturday or Sunday expect to wait for a while for a seat. But the wait is just a testament to the excellent food to come. Their biscuits and gravy often graces my plate. It is very good. I also enjoy their omelets and make sure to order the wonderful raisin toast. The two slice order with breakfast is large enough to take a slice home for the next day. One of the best things about Harner's is the price. Everything is very reasonable. My wife and I usually get out of there for south of $20.00.
(4)
Andrea B.
Harners has some of the best coffee cakes and donuts we have ever had! The pecan coffee cake is outstanding. In the fall, Harners has apple cider donuts & a wonderful selection of cookies, cakes and pies. Everything is delicious! The restaurant is clean and the service and food is consistently great.
(5)
Jojo F.
Definitely a local gem. When visiting the in-laws in the daytime hours, Harner's is the place to go. Yes, the wait can be long, but really, they offer complimentary bakery cookies as you walk in, so grab one and shut up. Once you're seated, you'll find the decor to have been once in style, out of style, in style and out of style again. Slightly 1970's, but please enjoy the jackalope and stuffed ducks on the wall. Creepy charm. I am a huge fan of their buckwheat pancakes, both for their flavor and function, if you catch my drift. Wonderful. And I tasted my husband's raisin toast with jam and it was like dessert. Just plant yourself down and wait for the good stuff. Harner's is worth a visit when in these neck of the woods.
(4)
Mark B.
The food is very good, Plenty of it and the prices are reasonable. The Bakery is exceptional.The pork dishes are of the best quality. Wait staff freindly. Weekend parking can be difficult. The inside is old school and not art deco.
(4)
Carolyn C.
I was born and raised in the mid-west, and many of these food items to me would be considered no frills, comfort, mid-west food. The type of food served at Harner's would be something that my no frills grandmother would make. You will not find impressive plating here or particularly innovative menu options. I will agree that the bakery is the this place's golden child. This place captures the home made, rustic taste of someone in an apron making a fresh strawberry rhubarb pie and letting it cool in the window sill. Items nostalgic of an era when you would bake cookies for your neighbor because you could not go to a store. We do not eat there often because the food, while delicious, is a bit heavy for me. It is a safe bet for simple, rustic, comfort food. :) If you want a down home pot roast, meatloaf fare, give it a try and throw caution to the wind. Do not skip dessert or the bread basket.
(4)
Wesley Z.
Harner's was great we meet all family members and had breakfast. I really don't know what people expect. Three things there was plenty of food, the taste was great and the service and price are not out of this world. I ate breakfast in several areas around Geneva this is one to write about. Oh did I mention the view of the Fox river. I would give it 5 stars for the value, Location, and amount the taste is 4.5 stars. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. We also purchase items from the bakery
(4)
Christopher B.
I love Harner's. I absolutely love it. Best breakfast foods in town. My 8 year old daughter and I go to this establishment for either breakfast or brunch at least once a month. The bakery is a national treasure. I'm not so hot on the cakes....but the apple fritters, cinammon rolls and the coffee cakes are the best I've EVER had. I mean the apple fritters are INCREDIBLE.... It goes without saying that you probably shouldn't eat here if you have a dietary restriction...... My love goes out to this place. It is one of my favorites.
(4)
Jess G.
Highly recommend! I've always made occasional visits for to-go bakery goods. One of these days I will need to dine here. It doesn't get much better than Harners!
(5)
Frankie D.
If you're going on the weekend, expect a 20-30min wait for a table. All baked goods are fresh, made in house. Breakfast was good. Average. I had traditional breakfast: 2 eggs over easy with rye toast. Eggs were more like over medium. Rye toast was tasty but the slices were small. Coffee was warm, I prefer it hot. The donut I bought on the way out made me give this place 4 stars, based on the breakfast alone it would've been 3 stars.
(4)
Jessica D.
A taxi driver told me about this place ages ago and I FINALLY made it in yesterday. It's a little family restaurant with delicious down home offerings. I had the beef and cheddar sandwich on delicious bread, with a side of tater tots (whee!). My plate came with complimentary pie, so I picked dutch apple since it was on my mind. The hot chocolate came in homey brown mug with about 2" of whipped cream MMM perfect on a cold winter's day. I noticed they had a little salad bar section on the North side of the dining room, and a bakery section near the entrance at the West side of the building. I would totally come here again for one of their breakfast specials, which are served all day long. If you're lucky enough to get seated by the windows you'll have a lovely view of the Fox River and some ducks and geese.
(4)
Osiris V.
I have never actually been IN this place. I have only had their baked goodies a few times. So I can't tell you how their customer service is or what else they offer. I've had their donuts and danishe's aka empty calories lol, but who cares if it's ONCE in a while right, or if you eat 5 of them in one sitting! HA I've had donuts from here that have sat out for a day or two and they remain soft. Plus I can't even begin to describe the aroma. If I am ever in the Aurora area I would definetly make a trip in there.
(5)
Beth P.
Love this place! Their baked goods and house-made sausage gravy are to die for! Don't come here if you are on a diet, there are WAY too many temptations. My husbands family has been coming here since he was a little boy. We continue to stop in whenever we are in the area, even if its just to buy one of their yummy donuts from the bakery counter.
(5)
Jeff Z.
Food is basic breakfast fare, nothing flashy. Toasted biscuits and gravy are a must. Good stuff. The waits can kinda suck hence why I took a star off.
(4)
Rachel J.
The donuts! Ohhhhh the donuts! Always fresh, and imaginative. The cake is fresh, and the toppings are sweet. Neatly boxed, and filling the office air with an aroma even the strongest cannot resist.
(5)
Christopher K.
For years Harner's cookies, donuts, and pastries have shown up at every place that I have worked. I have never tried their cakes, but they are certainly first class with all of their other bakery items. The restaurant part of the operation is pretty good. It is fairly inexpensive and pretty good, but not notably better than other family style places in the area. I had the sausage biscuits, extremely large portion but it was brought out warm and not hot. The potatoes had little by way of seasoning. Of course I will be back there again, but mostly likely drawn there by work mates.
(3)
Jim B.
went there several weeks ago must of been a bad day for the cook ,got a steak and the salad bar ,I don't know where they got the steak but it must of been a skinny cow I asked for med rare got well it was not what I order and it must of been a whole 1/4 inch thick ,and the soup guest they made it with what was left from the day before who ever heard of broccoli in vegetable soup , and the people sitting near by well the man was not happy with the prime rib
(1)
Tricia T.
I'm really disappointed in Harner's. I called thinking I could get a custom cake, but was told this is something they've never done before and can't do. My request was to have the inside colored either pink or blue, which in my mind requires adding food coloring. They were willing to dye the inside filling that color, but not the actual cake. Seems odd that a bakery couldn't do something like this. (I guess that's what I get for watching too many cake shows on Food Network and seeing all of the personalization that are possible!) So... I'm forced to take my business elsewhere, which is disappointing because they really have great cakes. I had their red velvet cupcakes at my wedding shower and they were SO delicious. I was hoping to have a local bakery where I could continue to go for future parties - especially as my family is now expanding - birthdays, holidays, etc..., but unfortunately that won't be happening.
(1)
Brian C.
3.5 stars. It's a good donut. The cake donut has a crust that would be classified as the common thick-enough-but-not-crunchy variety. Sweet dough. Tasty, but not exciting. The ace of the cake donuts are the variety of toppings available. Flavored glazes, (which are sweet, flavorful and not slathered on in a cupcake-thick manner like so many places have the habit of doing,) toppings, chocolate crumble, maple walnut, sprinkles and probably more. The yeast donut is a delicate eat. You can't go to town on these- you have to eat them slowly to truly appreciate the flavors and textures. On the grand scale of donuts, this is middle-of-the-road. As far as bakery donuts, they are solid.
(3)
Diane C.
I've always thought of Harner's as the place to go for a good, filling, traditional breakfast menu, but until yesterday, I hadn't been there for dinner. Guess I was missing something, because last night I had a very good roast beef dinner with homemade mashed potatoes, that was perfect for a chilly March night. I don't eat many baked goods, but I have to say that the zucchini bread was very good. I will definitely add Harner's to my list of places to eat on those evenings when I don't feel like cooking.
(4)
Jared R.
Discovered Harner's after we moved into our house just a couple miles away. Ended up being a great find. They are packed in the morning because of their great bakery. We've also gone to lunch a couple times & they always have a good crowd. We haven't had to wait too long for a seat & the place really reminds me of home-grown diners from my small hometown. Yes it's outdated on the inside but the "home cooking" makes up for it at good prices.
(4)
Kevin B.
I went to Harner's on a Friday morning to meet a friend for breakfast. I had never heard of Harner's so I had no expectations. What I found was a parking lot that was full. OK, that's one good sign. Walking inside there is a bakery and a smaller looking dining area. OK, it's a bakery. No, wait, there is a back room full of tables and a complete breakfast menu. The decore is dated, which to me means it's a well established family business, and that is what it is. The food was good, the service good and the prices reasonable. It's worth stopping by.
(4)
An S.
We love this restaurant the food is fabulous and the service is incredible ! The chocolate chip cookies are out of this world my whole family loves them! It is by far our family's favorite restaurant and bakery.
(5)
Cristina T.
I ate my first donut in about 8 years today. It was from Harner's. Wow. Tried pieces of some of them and here is my breakdown: -Chocolate glazed omg the chocolate. Beautiful. -Sprinkled donut. A classic. Well done and delicious. -Coconut. Not too prominent of flavor but still solid. -Plain. If you are a donut purist, this should be your choice. I am sold on donuts and Harner's is the best in this area.
(5)
Nanc W.
Love this place!!! Great food and staff! The donuts and cookies are amazing ! Love the cherry danish and coffee cake! Wish they wouldn't run out of donuts so early!!!
(5)
Tina E.
Great fish specials for Lent. Had the beer battered cod-perfect w/ fries & homeade tartar sauce. Ordered biscuits & gravy for breakfast over the weekend. For just under $3.00 you get 2 huge fluffy bisquits covered in sausage gravy. They call that a 1/2 order. Picked up some of their Easter egg cakes & I'm out the door under $20.00!
(4)
Josh N.
The Butter Pecan Coffee Cake will literally make you weep tears of joy. This is what coffee cake should always taste like.
(4)
Jeff B.
First time. Great service. Good food. Simple family atmosphere. Maybe a bit overpriced, but great experience.
(4)
Sue H.
We came with another couple and our eyes popped out of our heads when we saw the bakery and the huge assortment they had at 6:30 pm. The restaurant also showed promise with a cute homey atmosphere and large menu. My friend and I both ordered the prime rib, while the guys ordered the meatloaf stack. The waitress was very nice, funny and patient as we changed our order several times. The salad bar was ok, soup good. The meal itself though was not as good as we hoped. Food was served warm, not hot. The Prime Rib was fatty and torn up in the middle. We both felt that maybe they used a meat mallet to try to flatten it to cook faster. The guys were not thrilled with the unflavorful meatloaf and the mashed potatoes either. Maybe because their own wives are such good cooks..ha ha ! On the way out we did stop and purchase the butter pecan coffee cake, donuts, taffy apples and candies. They were all delicious ! We will definitely be back for the bakery, but will pass on the restaurant.
(3)
Elizabeth W.
Move over cracker barrel, Harners has all the country cooking you need, plus awesome BBQ and a bakery! Every time I have visited Harner's, it has been with a large group of family members and they have always been able to accommodate us with excellent service. Everything I try, I love. I have had the country fried steak, the pulled pork sandwich, fish, and much more. The soup/salad bar is excellent, and this last visit they had a cream of turkey soup that was out of this world, just amazing. Even the bread basket that comes with your meal is awesome. It was hard not to fill up on their bread alone. During the week, they have daily specials, and I am dying to try their pig roast they have once a month. Do your self a favor and come try this place! When you get here, I am sure you will find it as hard as I do to decide what to eat next. Of course, before you leave, stop at the bakery for some dessert! We are still finishing the apple pie we bought.
(5)
Mike R.
I go to harners once a week or so. Food is very good I always get breakfast no matter what time it is. Decor needs an update bad but service is always friendly.
(4)
Maggie M.
Had breakfast with family on Sunday morning. Always good service. Only bad thing was that my breakfast was not very hot. The ready of the family had no issues. I got biscuits and gravy. That is something that needs to be hot. I know they are good, it is my favorite place to get this. Totally homemade.
(4)
Kerri H.
Had a late breakfast with my daughter here on saturday and it was good. My daughter had the biscuits and gravy which she said was very good with hashbrowns. Hashbrowns were undercooked. I had a breakfast special that had 1 egg, a homemade muffin (blueberry), a cup of fruit and 2 pieces of bacon. for $6.95. I did not eat the egg as I am not a fan but everything else was good. Fruit was fresh and the muffin was still warm and fresh. They did not have skillets on the menu but asked them to make one to go. The only complaint I have is the skillet was very small and the hashbrowns were undercooked for the price of $8.35. I checked out the salad bar and at 11 am everything looked kind of wilted and not too fresh so i would skip that. We ventured into the bakery after breakfast and bought 2 big sugar cookies and then a 1/4 pound of the smaller sugar cookies. Also bought 6 chocolate donut holes (they were out of chocolate donuts) and a loaf of rye bread. Total was about $9.50 with tax. Everything tasted fresh.
(4)
Honey B.
What? You want to gain some weight you say? Go here!! Eat some homeade jam. Bring home some homeade bakery items. Oh this place is fantastic. Watch out for the Sunday church crowd. It was a long wait for a table!
(5)
Kai R.
Great food. You would think with all the "silver hairs" the food would be terrible or tasteless. No, it was great! My wife says the desserts are some of the best she has ever had!
(5)
Dan T.
Yeah, this place is a treasure on Fox River...especially in the winter time when the fireplace is on...we always come her for breakfast. My wife had the eggs benedict once and she thought she died and went to heaven, it was delicious. I get the Hobo omlette, and the ingredients are always fresh...the tomato in it is excellent. The kids meals for breakfast are a bit pricey, but for a good, HOT, breakfast and a down home feel goodness to it, this place is great. Oh yeah, the jam for the toast gets a nod, good stuff.
(5)
Joy S.
I've never eaten at the restaurant, so I can't comment on waitstaff customer service. The people behind the counter haven't WOWed me. However, the baked goods and the low prices make it worth the repeated trips! My co-workers and I frequently pick up breakfast for the office here.
(4)
Ellen M.
It's got a great reputation but I find it merely average or pretty good. They are known for their cinnamon rolls, and I've got to admit, they go down pretty nice, but the breakfast is nothing to get really excited over. The waits can be very long - a local tradition.
(3)
Katrina G.
There is an old school charm at Harner's. I like the bisquits and gravy, I've heard the corn beef hash is unbelievable, still have yet to try that. The homemade cherry/strawberry jam gets a nod as well.
(3)
Greg W.
As a byproduct of Aurora, I have been devouring Harner's donuts ever since I was a wee little boy. To this day, Harner's chocolate donuts are the best donuts I have ever had in my life...ever.
(5)
George A.
Great family restaurant and bakery!!!
(4)
Richie D.
A less touristy (more local business) Illinois Apple Holler, without the the apple orchards but with all the holler. Let's begin with the "wow"-ing comment of my picky mother-in-law's comment of, "This is my new favorite place" being stated after her first step into the place. The bakery allows for jaw dropping reactions. I personally love the fresh "Sams Club feeling" with free sampler plates along the entire bakery selection counter. I loved the chocolate/caramel/nut covered pretzels...and just about anything. Just be sure not to fill yourself up on sweets prior to your meal...I know, there's lots of self pressure! Eat your heart out with excellent, low prices...then walk it off with a long walk on the neighboring beautiful Fox River trail. I loved my Corned Beef Hash breakfast. Their homemade fruit marmalade/jam is sooo tasty to spread over your baked buscuits, toast, muffins or simply anything on your plate. Lastly, another great part is their friendly service and outback farm ambiance. I'd love to go back! They're great to serve and seat large groups (you may just want to have a bit of patience).
(5)
Bridget K.
My husband and I went in for a meal in the early summer. We never ordered. We walked out disgusted. The second room was filled with flies. Not a few, close to Amityville Horror status.
(1)
Matthew W.
Excellent bakery, can't beat a family run bakery today.....and it is SO GOOD. We order things here whenever we have a special occasion and they always deliver exactly what we ordered and its OUTSTANDING!!! They always over deliver. The food is also great. We stop in for breakfast sometimes on Sundays and its hard to wait (you usually stand in the bakery) with kids that just want to eat donuts....but its so worth it. Dining room is dated, but I like to sit at the counter. Service is great, food is excellent, and its a great value....crowd tends to be older so you know its GOOD and CHEAP. Do yourself a favor and stop in........
(5)
Eric E.
Wednesday Special = chicken pot pie is stellar! Donuts are great too.
(4)
Robert P.
Harner's is the best! All of their food is freshly homemade and the salad bar is incredible. The Prime rib on Friday and Saturday night is outstanding and a great deal. Needless to say the baked goods are out of this world also. If you are near here and hungry do yourself a favor and stop in.
(5)
A A.
Great meals- especially breakfasts. Excellent bakery- fantastic cookies and pies we come back for. The best bakery close to the southwest suburbs.
(5)
kevin c.
Was here for breakfast this weekend. Had a omelet with potatoes and the biscuits. The biscuits are great! So is the cinnamon raisin bread. It is cut so thick it is like four slices when you get two. The cookies were good as well. Good place with good food. Nothing fancy, just great where it matters.
(4)
Sherill M.
This Place Sucks! I had a tast for fresh donuts and was directed to Harner's. What a joke. Isn't part of the appeal of a small diner the service? Service was terrible and the woman had the nerve to be rude. I am treated better a Dunkin Donuts. The donut was not fresh and nothing looked fresh. They didn't even have chocolate cake donuts. WTF? What kind of bakery doesn't have a chocolate donut. Go elsewhere.
(1)
Tamatha K.
We have driven by this place many times and finally today we decided to give it a go. This place is old school, if you want to go back in time this is the place to go. Very clean and friendly staff. Only disappointment was I wish the fireplace was not going and I want a window view on the next visit. I ordered the corned beef hash (very good), 2 eggs over easy with wheat toast and a side of bacon. All I have to say is yummy. It's was plenty of food for me, 2 meals. The extra surprise was the jelly/jam they served in a plastic cup (looked homemade) it was delish! My friend orderd the strawberry pankcakes (3) and a side of sausage links. Needless to say he was impressed and he couldn't finish it. We are planning to go back to try lunch and dinner. Good home cooked food is on the menu and how can you go wrong being in business over 50 years!!!
(4)
Kenneth G.
I use to go here for breakfast every other Sunday, always a great meal. Reminds me of a Wisconsin supper club, good home cookin'. That's when I was introduced to their Butter Pecan coffee cake, it is awesome. I bring the coffee to cake for birthdays for my teammates. I didn't bring it for the last birthday and got yelled at. Best coffeecake.
(5)
Sarah C.
I have always loved a good greasy spoon and Harner's is the reason why. I grew up in Aurora (Yes, it's Wayne's World. I'm aware) and had breakfast here at least three times a month for most of my formative years. There's nothing better than a hobo omelet with some of the best homemade sausage ever and greasy yet crunchy hash browns. The raspberry jelly on wheat bread is stellar as well. The piece de resistance though is the bakery. Their pecan coffee cake is a thing of beauty-- perfectly moist without being overly gooey. Their chocolate cake doughnuts are also superb. This is one of the few places that I insist on visiting if I venture out to see my family and every single one of my boyfriends have had to pass the Harner's test at some point. Lucky for the reigning boyfriend, he passed--- and might even fight me over the last piece of coffee cake. The best part-- $36 including tip for 4 people. FOUR. ;) After all the pricey Chicago brunches I've been indulging in, it was worth the train trip out. :)
(5)
Shondra M.
Harner's is the best breakfast place around! The biscuits and gravy are awesome. If you get something else, then ask for biscuits on the side instead of toast. Comes with jam, you won't regret it! You can't really go wrong with anything on the menu. Be prepared to wait though, there's usually quite a crowd.
(5)
Tiffany K.
What can you say? You can't go wrong! Their food is homemade comfort food!! The bakery is AMAZING!! If you're coming for breakfast on Sunday expect to wait, but it's WORTH IT!! Again BAKERY? AMAZING!!
(5)
Jen R.
The brownies. My God. The brownies. I consider myself a pretty damn good baker but I seriously can't even when it comes to their brownies. They're so dense and fudgy, moist and chocolate-y... it's pretty much the food equivalent of ogling hot dudes with their shirts off. Be sure to get there early because these do sell out quickly. Or you can be a real boss and order a tray to go, and pretend like you're not gonna eat them all. Yeah, I know your angle. I won't tell if you share some with me. Their non-bakery food is just okay. I've mostly had their catering whenever they give us free lunch at work. It's decent, but not the best I've had. Just stick with the baked goods.
(4)
Misty S.
Once upon a time, I had a craving for prime rib (which is a rare occasion). [Get it, rare...I didn't even catch that the first time around.] "Yelp, yelp, on the internet, who is the prime ribest of them all?" Harner's may not be the prime ribest of them all, but Yelp told me this place had prime rib for $20 and I drove right over. I arrived an hour prior to closing and there was only 1 other table of customers. The place was huge and I was a little concerned that it wasn't more filled up. The waitress didn't seem that friendly at first, but seemed to be the happiest after I asked if they still had prime rib (available Fridays and Saturdays). The regular cut is $19.50 and queen cut is $16.75. After I ordered my prime rib rare, the waitress told me it came with the salad bar and to help myself. Wow, bonus! It doesn't even say that on the menu. Their salad bar is actually pretty good. I especially enjoyed the beets, soup and pistachio pudding. They also had fresh mix greens, pasta salad, coleslaw, potato salad, broccoli salad, and a couple of soups. The prime rib was juicy and tasty! It also comes with 2 sides. How am I supposed to eat all this? Guess what, it was also good as left overs. For dessert, I order their bread pudding. BEST BREAD PUDDING! How is this place not filled up?
(5)
Greg J.
Not much to say about my meal. I had Fish & Chips. It was Ok, nothing spectacular. Server was fine. Large bakery section, with many sweets. Even at dinner time it seemed to be a popular place to pick up bakery treats.
(3)
Caroline M.
Harper's is a local hotspot. Everything is made in house and is always delicious. I have seriously never had a bad meal at Harner's. All of the baked goods are definitely worth a try as well. I had the classic one egg omelette and that with some raisin toast and hashbrowns was more than enough for me (though the glutton in me wanted like a 10 egg omelette). I would have given them 5 stars, but service can be a little slow. Last time we went, I had to ask for refills on my coffee. For a large group of coffee drinkers, a coffee pot should just be left at the table in my opinion. It's an old family restaurant so the decor isn't terribly updated.
(4)
Kristina U.
The food here is absolutely disgusting. I came here with my mom and grandma and we all agreed that everything was bland, they don't use any spice, salt or any fresh ingredients. It's like the aging customers they mainly serve only want bland gruel on their plates. Drowning everything in Tabasco is the only way to get through this "food". Overall, it's painfully " old school", emphasis on old, American "food". Oh, and the bakery sucks, their take on eclairs was worse than the eclairs at Walmart.
(1)
Mike B.
Best for bakery. Donuts were very good. Breakfast was standard diner fare. Not bad, but not incredible either. We all left feeling satisfied and will grab some from bakery on way out.
(4)
Paul L.
Love it here! Best place in the western suburbs for a tasty, inexpensive breakfast. Don't leave without trying the coffee cake!!!
(5)
Damon B.
Harner's N. Aurora is well known for their delectable sweet pastries. Donuts, cinnamon twists, apple fritters... all melt in your mouth wonderful. Even the hole in the donut seems to have a great flavor! The prices are, dare I say, almost too reasonable. I went here after work to pick up a couple of donuts. Needless to say, I left with a dozen. After leaving, I stopped at the gas station and noticed that the donuts there were MORE than the freshly baked Harners variety. Get out! I do believe Harner's supplies some local convenience stores with donuts, but these weren't them. Harpers has a distinct look about them, and better taste. Anyway, aside from the goodies, the restaurant is wonderful as well. All home cooked fresh style food, just like their donuts. They have daily specials and a soup and salad bar. Their corned beef is as tender as a the day is long. But this is just to name one of their enticing eats. One last note.. donuts are half price after 6pm during the week. A deal even harder to beat!
(4)
Bob M.
Unfortunately the quality is up and down here. It seems that a few shortcuts are being taken. Food items such as the broiled cod and meatloaf were more than a little dry. I suspect they're using chef "mic" to reheat more than a few items. Days past the food was fresher than my recent visits. The decor and bakery need a facelift. Seems the owners are growing tired.
(2)
Tami B.
I love Harner's! Seriously, their food in the restaurant is great comfort food and the pastries in the bakery are the best. I have come in for breakfast, lunch, to get some donuts, and have ordered a custom birthday cake. You can't go wrong with anything! Just remember to get there really early if you want popular bakery items. The cinnamon twists and the cinnamon rolls go fast on the weekends!
(5)
Kevin M.
It's a good old school place for breakfast. Their bakery section is really good as well.
(4)
M D.
The restaurant, the bakery and the staff are all top notch at Harners. We just moved to North Aurora and Harners is dangerously close to our house. It's hard to get away from this place, I drop in almost every week. And always leave satisfied.
(5)
Joe E.
I haven't been to the bakery. I've always wanted to go. My review is for Pazcki day, though! My Uncle, who lives in Aurora, has been raving about Harner's for years. I had heard through the grapevine that Harner's was the go to bakery in the far West suburbs. The only way to judge this is of course by sampling the goods! Pazcki day is one of my favorite days of the year. The only time I've missed it was when I was a Freshman in college. I just didn't know where to find a bakery in my college town (pre-yelp days). Although I could have gone to the local grocer, I ended up being busy or something. NEVER AGAIN. My Uncle put in an order for 3 Poonchkys for me. Chocolate Creme with Chocolate frosting, Apple with Cinnamon, and Cream Cheese with Chocolate frosting. I'm usually a huge chocolate fan, but my favorite out of the 3 was the apple! It was filled with fried apples. Not overly stuffed, but perfectly filled. As for the chocolate creme (their spelling, not mine. I hate it spelled like that), it was very good. I'll be honest, the chocolate creme was not as filled as the apple. As for the cream cheese, it was my least favorite, but that's not to say it wasn't good. I was very pleased that for 3.75 I was apple (able; it's a joke) to purchase these. I know I will definitely be back next year. I'm hoping to go to the bakery/restaurant well before that, though! Highly recommended!
(5)
Melissa D.
Came here because we wanted donuts, and it was breakfast time. The breakfast was lovely. The donuts, however, were a mixed bag. The custard in the Boston creams was lumpy, and the chocolate chocolate tastes like they were from yesterday. My rule would be, stick to the coffee cakes as that seems to be the specialty here. Happy pastries!
(3)
Rachael Z.
Last year, my mother said that the cake donuts with chocolate frosting at Harner's were her absolute favorite. And for that year, I kept that comment close to heart, vowing I'd make a stop whenever I was near North Aurora. That I did, several weeks ago. It was lunchtime, and I was surprised to see how busy it was. Harner's is not just a bakery! It's a great location for the start (or end) of a long bike ride, and my guess is that many had that same thought. I walked in for sweets only...walking out with more than I expected, for less than I expected! Under $1/item, and some very large and gourmet-esque. I'll be back to dine at some point - but most certainly for the sweets! Delish!
(5)
Jean P.
love love this place!! and the bakery..OH LAA LAA..AND best Fat Tuesday donuts EVER!!! Never had anything bad..ever.
(5)
Mark P.
The food and service are great and the cost is relatively low compared to similar places. They also have a delicious bakery too. Ask for a seat with a view of the river if possible. I deducted one star because the orange juice tastes more like bottled than freshly squeezed. I guess I will have to keep going to Butterfield's for that.
(4)
T T.
Went there with a friend who is black man. Poor service took a long time to get our food. Felt the waitress didn't want to serve us because he is black. Won't go back or recommend to anyone.
(1)
Katrina S.
I wish I lived closer!! The food is outstanding. Those biscuits and gravy - to die for. The pancakes - so fluffy and tasty. Then we hit the bakery and I was in heaven. Every bite was amazing. Great diner atmosphere, wonderful people, and prices that can't be beat!
(5)
Patrick H.
Can I be honest with you? Ok, I don't get it. I'm sorry to be a Debbie downer, but this place is average at best. All the locals from around here love this place. They put it in such high regard. But it's no more then a family restaurant that has mildly good food. I've gone here at least a half dozen times, thinking that I must be the one that is wrong. But, besides having a good bakery they are mediocre. Portion sizes seem to be OK, but they don't blow you away. The food seems alright, but can't see them winning some prize for it (I'm sure they have now that I said that, but I wouldn't have given it to them.). Just Average. Prices are even a little higher then average. The services isn't even all that good. I just don't get it.
(3)
Rachel A.
Harners has been a family favorite restaurant for decades. Good food and service. Huge selection of baked treats to take home. Your mouth will be watering before you sit down to eat.
(4)
Christa F.
I'm always on the hunt for new places, especially for breakfast! On a random search this morning I found Harner's! We typically go out for breakfast when my parents are leaving to go back to Indy after a visit. I decided that this was the place! I had the Country fried steak, 2 eggs, toast & hash browns for $8.25. The breading on the steak was nicely seasoned and light. It wasn't heavy or oily at all. I was pleased and I love places with great sausage gravy. Theirs isn't on the "great" side, but it was definitely on the "good" list! Dad had the Homemade corned beef hash, 2 eggs and toast for $7.25. Not many places make their own corned beef hash! This was a really great homemade version! Dad was please and I will definitely be going back for it! Mom had the Vegetarian 1 egg omelet with hash browns and one blueberry pancake for $5.95. Mom was impressed with the fact that they make 1 egg omelets! She eats like a bird and refuses to eat leftovers like Dad and I love to do! She was quite pleased with the blueberry syrup for her blueberry pancake too! The smells from the bakery alone probably added 10#s it all looked so amazing! Overall, this place is a win! I have leftovers for tomorrow morning's breakfast too!
(4)
Jenni E.
I am a sucker for a good bakery, and this one came highly recommended. I came here with a co-worker when we were in the same area and wanted to grab a quick bite. This place doesn't look like much from the outside, and even when you initially walk in I wondered how this was going to be. I saw a lot of older people, not really much in the way of decor - I was thinking that this was going to be a senior special kind of place. However, our friendly waitress sat us by a window that had a great view of the river. I was happy to see that they had both daily specials as well as a list of monthly specials to choose from. I went with a Ruben sandwich. The food was pretty good and I'd come here again to eat. Being a fantastic bakery, we had to order a couple of things for dessert. We went with a french lace cookie and a strawberry and cheese pastry. Both were fantastic and I'd come back here for those baked goods again and again. Waitress was very friendly, made good suggestions and service was quick.
(4)
Bob G.
We just moved into the neighborhood and a friend told me that "you have GOT to try Harner's!" So we did. My son's birthday came up a couple weeks ago and so I took him here for his birthday breakfast. WOW!! My buddy was right!! My son ordered their pancakes with a side of bacon and fruit. I ordered their blueberry pancakes, side of bacon, and then their french toast so we can try it and share it. I LOVE how they use real blueberries in the pancakes and don't put that compote crap on top of them. Everything was soooo good and I now have to go back with my wife so she can try. Don't have to twist my arm!! I heard they have the best donuts. Guess I will have to put that to the test. :)
(5)
Amy D.
I'm in the process of a donut crawl around the suburbs this year, and knew I had to try this place based on the reviews. I had a doctors appointment on the area, so I dropped in yesterday. I got a glazed yeast ring, a chocolate-frosted cake donut, and an apple fritter (don't worry, I didn't eat them all - just sampled each with a bite or two). :-) These donuts are slightly above average. They are fresh, definitely homemade, and overall pretty good. But they aren't great - they're a bit sickening sweet, and the apple fritter was not like most fritters I've had (they were lightly fried/barely brown, quite doughy and lacking apples). It's a step up from Dunkin Donuts, or even the average grocery chain - but there are definitely better options out there. Busy Bee (Downers Grove) or Webers (near Midway) would be a good alternative to this place.
(3)
Carla S.
I live in Aurora. There is not one good restaurant in this town. We only go to Harner's for breakfast. It's all homemade and great every time. Best blueberry pancakes ever.
(5)
Karma K.
I love me some Harner's! Them new fangled donut places popping up all over should be schooled by Harner's. This place has been in the bakery and donut business for decades. This is the real deal folks. Home made and delish. At breakast, make sure to either get your biscuits grilled or get any of their made in house breads, hand sliced and toasted. Comfort food at it's best. This ain't no fancy schmancy dining place. This is downhome cooking. Think of a Wisconsin Supper Club and you pretty much have Harner's, right down to the cheesy salad bar. Love it! Try to snag a table by the window so you have a pretty view of the river anytime of the year. After you stuff yourself silly, swing by the bakery counter to bring home some goodies for the pour souls that didn't get to eat here. ;-)
(5)
Melissa S.
This place is a family favorite! We always go here for Mother's Day! The food is always good and the staff is very helpful and friendly. Both my kids agree on eating here and not just because they get an awesome doughnut, cookie or fudge! Don't forget to try their homemade jelly.
(4)
Susan G.
First visit..can't believe this hidden gem is only 15 minutes from us! Feels like a place you would find on a road trip. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
David H.
WOW! My wife and I hadn't been back since our son left school out in Aurora 15 years ago. You know how our memories tend to embellish things? Not in this case. We had fantasized about the butter pecan coffee cake for years and it was fabulous. None of those odd after tastes you get with store-bought baked goods. (We normally eat a very healthy diet, but this was worth it!) Oh, yeah, the meals we had were very good as well! She had a basic Swiss-burger and I had the fried shrimp. Very basic in preparation, but well done. The shrimp had a very nice crunchy crust served with a slightly zingy cocktail sauce. The staff is very friendly and accessible without being up in your face. For basic, inexpensive, high-quality American food this is a great spot!
(5)
Paul C.
There is a charm to an old fashioned bakery/diner that literally looks like it was once a barn - I live in NYC now, so at times, I felt like a fish out of water (a. i was the only minority customer b. people dress comfortably, first of all god bless illinois for the amount of cold and snow they have had to endure this winter. people in Illinois tend to dress in hoodies/flannel and sweats/jeans on the weekend, with skiing/chicago bears jackets...me with my cole haan snow boots, banana republic peacoat, and warby parker glasses - but here, a feeling that captures some of the best parts of America's heartland and heartbeat. I will not go so far as to say that the coffee cake made me weep tears of joy - though poetic - it was fantastic, if a little indulgent, but what the hell, it's the weekend and you probably deserve it. It was extremely rich and decadent, with generous portions, and if you can stomach liberal "paula deen" amounts of butter and sugar - well as t.s. elliott states, "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." totally appropriate use of a meaningful quote on a food review... The coffee is not great - it does kind of taste like airline coffee, but maybe I'm just a stuck up snob who forgot that some of us came from humble beginnings and that sometimes, coffee that doesn't cost $3-5 a cup is okay. It's good. It's enough. Especially when you have the luxury of not needing the caffeine high to get through a crazy day...and can slow down, even for a moment. The strength of my experience here was the amazing service. The warm smiles. The coffee never half full before being refilled. The genuine desire to make sure my friend and I had everything that we needed. Midwestern warmth. The biscuits and gravy were good. I got the half order, so a little disproprotionate ratio of gravy to biscuits (my bad), the eggs were nothing to write home about, just...eggs. The pancakes were great. Don't quote me on this, even though it's now written down, but the butter was fresh - My imagination is that it was churned in the backroom, like how we used to do during field trips to Naper Settlement, I digress - anyways, am I the only one who hates those butter packages with the gold peel off lids where the butter is almost frozen and its impossible to spread on anything, especially pancakes, and just starts tearing away at the fluffiness like a rock on rye *end rant* anyways, they were wonderful, not too rich, not too bland, and just enough uncooked batter to remind you that this was homemade, son. my only regret is that I was so full after this meal that I had no room for donuts afterwards, which I hear are great - and looked great. The meal was incredibly affordable as well. I think it was less than $15 for everything, which is unbelievable for the amount of food I ordered. Anyways, thank you.
(4)
Gerry A.
Newly upholstered booths, the two soups are back more frequently, Handcut raisin bread and HOMEMADE Hash! The Fifth star is back. As good as it gets in the Fox Valley, particularly for the price and view of the Mighty FOX.
(5)
Shari P.
I really do like Harner's Bakery - they serve all your favorite food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They are solid and consistent, the kind of neighborhood place we all want nearby. And their bakery products are so good, you will want to bring home one of everything. My only complaint - hence the 4 stars - is the cleanliness and decor. I've seen dust and cobwebs on light fixtures and window treatments. Some booths have ripped upholstery. The decor is tired, dated, and frumpy. Yes, appearances do matter: Harner's takes care to create good food and present it well, and their cake designers create beautiful cakes that look as good as they taste. We eat with our eyes, or so they say. Whenever I'm there, I feel uncomfortable and a little depressed. It doesn't have to be glamorous decor, but perhaps it's time for an update? Even so, the food is good so Harner's is worth a visit.
(4)
Margaux D.
I stopped in at Harner's yesterday before work to get a coffee. The staff was super friendly and the whole place smelled like grandma's homemade baking. I ended up getting two coffees and a pastry and thinking it would be around $5, I was shocked that it was something like $2.35. As someone used to the Starbucks culture of day old pastries and $4 coffees, I was super pleased with everything about my Harner's experience.
(4)
Ken W.
Great little out of the way place. Food is obviously freshly made. ... NOT chain chow! Great Buckwheat pancakes and Corned beef hash obviously made from scratch by a real down home cook! This place is small town comfort food Americana. .. Genuine real deal cafe and bakery. Ambience is a bit tired but homey and shabby-quaint. The kind of place where the waitresses unaffectedly call you honey! :-)
A few weeks ago my brother & sister in law took me to Harner's restaurant & bakery, they live in Naperville, Il however, out of all the restaurants in their neighborhood they love Harner's, now I know why. We went there for breakfast & I was in food/bakery heaven!!!! I ordered raisin French toast, veggie omelette, and a side of sausage links. The breakfast was fresh & delicious. The bakery is "bakery heaven" I took home a delicious fresh coffee cake, chocolate donuts, and apple fritters!!! I had tons of leftover breakfast!!! I have been dreaming about the food & bakery;). I live very far from this restaurant but my husband enjoyed the fresh baked goods & my left over breakfast so much, that we are willing to drive 45 miles and pay a toll fee just to dine there!! The prices are very inexpensive compared to the expensive restaurants in our neighborhood. Please dine at Harner's soon & load up on the fresh delicious baked goods. Enjoy the delicious, bakery & the ride to Aurora, Il
(5)
Rachel M.
Homemade comfort food with a friendly staff. Remember to stop by the bakery too!
(4)
Gina B.
Great food, home town feel...Like eating at a diner in Mayberry. Never had a bad experience. Decor could use some serious updating...would love to see it decorated in a cute and quaint cottage style.
(5)
Liz L.
This is just for the Bakery...I took a stroll near the restaurant part and let me put it this way I would never eat at the restaurant portion (it looks just gross and icky) just a very dated cafeteria type looking place... The bakery however was a different story. There is nothing fancy about the way the place looked but they had treats. I went into looking for an apple fritter...I didn't find any but they had an assortment of other goodies. I ended up ordering a caramel cinnamon roll with Carmel spread all across the top (Imagine a traditional roll but with a caramel topping). I was going to eat them after my bike ride. I ordered 2 thinking that they would be small....uhm no the 2 pieces that the nice lady cut me were ginormous. I barely got through one of them after my ride where normally I am pretty ravenous. The caramel topping was delicious and the insides were nice soft with just the right amount of spices. I will be coming back here through the fall for teat and yumminess... The woman who helped me wasn't overly fake helpful but just enough without feeling rushed. The parking is kind of a nightmare...I wish they had a place just for bakery customers as trying to get parking for less than 10 minute trip is a little ridiculous here ( I came around noon which is probably not the best time n a Sunday...still dedicated parking to the bakery would be nice. Regardless I will be back for more goodies.
(4)
Dan M.
This place is A-OK. I don't know about bakery side but I am writing a review for dining side. We have pork roast and a hamburger for lunch. There were OIK. Decoration is plain, foods lack of flavor, service is so so. The price is acceptable leaning to expensive side. Nothing impress me from this restaurant.
(3)
Mike O.
We ordered a Wedding cake and the value is a 5. Great cake and icing at a reasonable price. We also ordered a couple of dozen cookies, which were good, but no one type of cookie stood out.
(4)
Esther A.
Delicious food and very nice staff! Thank you to our waitress for the piece of cake, and the customers who sang me happy birthday, definitely made my birthday a little brighter :') I kindly appreciate it!
(5)
Caron C.
Always great for that quick stop on the way to the show, the bread basket is the best, last night it had a date walnut bread in it that I could have made a meal out of. I wouldn't think the burgers would have been great, but between the homemade bun and the house ground meat, it was very good. Hubs had country style ham which I begged a bite of and it melted in my mouth. sooo good. Wish we would have had room for a dessert or do-nut on the way, but the portions were large enough that we were stuffed! A little gem in North Aurora to be sure! Would have been 5 stars except for the fact the seating is tired and a bit uncomfortable...
(4)
Tim H.
Still the only spot I've found that serves a smaller one egg omelet with the good stuff, a large fruit dish for under $5. I just have to have half an almond sweet roll warmed, half now and half later. If you've never done the pig roast or the fried perch special on Friday, you're missing out. The salad bar is straight out of a Wisconsin lodge, but has the key items. Their fresh homemade salads make a great meal, along with two great soups. I challenge you not to take the plate of pulled pork home, the first Friday of each month. One of these days I will try their prime rib. They have a special everyday and sure... it's a huge senior hang out, as they open everyday at 5:30 am. They have a great long counter and the bakery items will be screaming for you as you leave. Feel free to walk in and ask for your sweets before you sit down and remember ... "Life is uncertain, eat desert first." Save time to take a short walk down to the dam on the Fox River. On my way out I saw the sign for the Tuesday cook out is back. Pork chops and chicken the third Tuesday of the month. It comes with German potato salad and baked beans. This is a summer event I must try.
(5)
DEALS D.
My favorite breakfast place. Corned beef with eggs and hash browns. Home made. Need I day more. Biscuits and gravy also perfect. Have to stop by for a pig roast and the fish fry. I'm sure they are perfect too. Haven't found a more consistent place for breakfast. Always perfect. And the staff are great. Always super friendly.
(5)
Dennis S.
Still fabulous for a solid country breakfast or lunch. I love their biscuits and gravy, their great pork sausage, their omelets. Anything with pork or from their bakery is fabulous. They have a large bakery area up front. We always take a coffee cake home. Just don't plan on a big selection mid-afternoon. They sell out on a lot of the bakery products by lunchtime.
(4)
Lydia B.
The prices are amazing! Very affordable, however the food isnt to die for. What you get is nothing extraordinary but still good and again affordable. The pastries though are delicious! Only had the cookies so far but definitely will be coming back to try more of their bakery. Staff was alright, our waitress was a tad rude but we figured due to how busy they were.
(4)
Miss C.
This restaurant is great. The salad bar is so fresh and delicious, the lettuce so crisp, freshly shaved cheddar, great pasta salad, homemade croutons, etc. And Every dish I've ordered has been just great. Love it! Oh and with the bakery right there. You have to stop after dinner and get a dessert :) Really good restaurant. You won't be disappointed.
Best home made food around, I'm in town from San Antonio, been here twice in one day. Going back to enjoy it tomorrow, no need to try a different resturant. Best place in aurora.
(5)
Alex A.
I love me a BIG BREAKFAST. Homemade sausage gravy and biscuits, buttery buttermilk pancakes, fluffy omelettes topped with homemade hot sauce...need I say more? Within this heaven on toast, lies a bumper of a bakery with an endless selection of delicious delectables. Don't forget to sample away! To boot, a fine place to take the family. Check it like it's hot (sauce).
(4)
Carolina B.
Great southern style breakfast place! Nothing crazy on the menu, just the basics and at this place it's definitely enough because they do what they do well! Simple omelettes, biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash and homemade sausage! The wait was long the Saturday after Thanksgiving and I bet they are busy every Saturday, but my friends and I sat immediately at the counter, otherwise it would have been a 25 minute wait. I ordered a spinach, tomato, onion and ham skillet, with cheddar cheese of course! It was delicious. One thing I LOVED is that they give you a choice for how many eggs you want in your omelette you can do 3 or 1! This is great for people like me who like to share and try different things. Needless to say I ordered a side of corn beef hash, one of the best I've ever had! I would recommend this place to anyone who wants a good ol breakfast. In terms of lunch they had a lot of choices, plus a soup and salad bar! See you there, I'll be the one sitting at the counter with a giant plate of corned beef hash and a large sprite.
(4)
Shirl T.
Thanks to my gf I am such a fan of this place! Love the bakery. Cookie samples on the counter is a great touch. Cakes doughnuts are awesome. Breakfast are the bomb esp w raisin toast! Love the view of the river.
(4)
M D.
Just moved into the area, so we wanted to try it! Husband had skillet. Good but no hashbrowns which was different. I had chicken Kiev. Amazing! So good, buttery on the inside. Mouth watering. Bathroom clean, service was decent. I would visit again! However when we asked the bakery about "peanut allergies" the girl told us everything gets cross contaminated in the kitchen-scary. so if you have an allergy, beware of the bakery!
(4)
Jillian A.
I have to tell ya. I'm a breakfast food person. This place makes me crazy with excitement whenever I walk in there. The fresh baked goods and the complimentary cookies while you wait for a table are enough to get you begging for food. Every now and then after we eat our brunch we'll buy a pecan crunch coffee cake. The coffee cake is so rich and dense that you'd think it was Kim Kardashian. I'm pretty old fashioned with my cookies so I'm a big fan of the shortbread cookies with the cherry cordial on top. It reminds me of my child hood when my mother used to buy buckets of those Maurice Lennell cookies (if you're from Chicago, you BETTER know what those are). We enjoy eating at the restaurant as well and being able to look out the window to the Fox River (a perk that I think most people take for granted). They are a farm restaurant where everything is made fresh from scratch EXCEPT English Muffins and Bagels. The essential breakfast ham, sausage and bacon they serve is exceptional. I personally love nothing more than an order of biscuits and gravy with that spicy breakfast sausage. Not to mention you have a choice between a 1 or 3 egg omelet which I love. The 1 egg omelet is perfect for me and you can't get those kind of portions anywhere else. Make sure no matter what you order you get the raisin toast at least once. It's pretty much like a dessert covered in frosted glory and it's too much food but it just tastes SO DAMN GOOD. The homemade jelly they serve with every breakfast meal is pretty much my favorite EVER. However I have not tried anything other than breakfast because I'm pretty much a breakfast freak. I can't give an honest 5 stars if I haven't tried a good portion of the menu.
(4)
JP P.
As said previously, the Bakery is OK...not the restaurant! Here's the deal. Harner's is located on a street that has a bridge to cross over the Fox River. I use this route on occasion to get to work in the morning. I had a "Twilight Zone" moment as I slowly turned into the parking lot with the intent to grab some donuts for a job site crew meeting. The "Bakery" is OK....not the restaurant! I will give a 3-star review for the "Bakery" only. After I received my order, I strolled through the restaurant side...a few cafeteria customers seated at the counter only. The east exposure of the building is window friendly to observe nature. The view of the Fox River is hard to see through leaf clad trees. The bike trail parking lot is decorated with vehicle headlights and rear end bumpers. Your eye will immediately focus on the ever present bird feeder that is monopolized by obese squirrels gorging themselves as Canadian Geese crap the lawn. Just an observation on a clear summer morning.
(3)
Alex I.
I always enjoy my breakfast at Harners! Great food, quick service and even pastry to go!
(5)
Kara C.
$3 for a Chocolate Donut, A Danish and 2 Cinnamon Rolls? Am I in empty calorie heaven? I must have died and gone to Harner's. The cinnamon rolls are out of this world good! The staff at night is kind of on the snobby side, so go in the morning, or they will be out of rolls and customer service!
(3)
John S.
I live right down the street from the Galena store and have found the pastery very good. But today I called about a birthday cake and was told they would not put a big rainbow on the cake. I believe because the decorator didn't want to color the icing. I had to go elsewhere.
(1)
Barbara Y.
Yes, the wait can be long, but there's always a platter of free cookies at the register. I've never gone for lunch or supper, only breakfast, so I can't say anything about other meals, but we like their whole-grain pancakes and egg dishes. I find the sausage patties too spicy, though. There are always freshly baked treats (I think it was zucchini bread last time) in the bread basket, and the homemade jam is outstanding. My only complaint is that the smoking section is right behind the waiting and bakery area. I can't wait until January when I don't have to put up with smoking and can sit at the counter. Parking can get a bit crowded, so try the adjacent municipal lot.
(4)
Jennifer G.
I had my first Harner's Bakery breakfast experience today. YUM! I ordered eggs with corned beef hash. I asked if they made the corned beef hash and they said they did. From the taste and consistency, it was definitely made fresh. I had poached eggs that were perfect. My husband had a veggie omelet. We both left happy - a must try for breakfast!
(4)
Rory M.
I eat breakfast here a couple of times every week. The RAISIN TOAST is homemade and amazing. Give it a try and I promise you won't be disappointed. The corned beef hash is excellent, as are the sausage omelettes. Coffee is good and they do have flavored cream, but you must ask for it. The bakery has the best cookies, donuts, and pastries ever!
(5)
Allan M.
It's a small time feel diner pulled into the heart of Aurora. For most from Chicago, this is a bit far away, however, if your driving west on I-88 from the city it's well worth a stop for breakfast. Why stop by? Well, your hard pressed to find a hearty meal at a lower price then Harner's. Add that they have a bakery and they make use of it. While your mulling over the menu they bring a small basket of pastries for you to nibble on along with your water. Why not 5 stars? Well, it's a dumpy building with limited parking and there menu outside the breakfast and pastry fair is rather limited. Plus, expect a long wait if your headed there during normal breakfast times as it's an extended local favorite. Best to hit the place for brunch if your driving through. All in all this is a great find. If you want to eat like a lumber jack yet give your girlfriend an opportunity to exercise her sweet tooth, you have your spot. For me, it reminds me of eating back home. Happy Eating! :-)
(4)
Nabeel A.
Good food and great service. Delicious baked goods for an amazing price.
(5)
Kevin A.
After years of raving from family and friends, my wife and I finally had the opportunity to try this place this morning. Very conveniently located along the Fox River Trail, it's nice to know that there is a way to work off what you ate because, damn, their food is spectacular and you feel very guilty after eating it. We ordered one of their "world famous" coffee cakes and split it amongst four people. I've never tasted a better coffee cake in my life and don't think I can go back to any of the premade ones you buy in grocery stores. Plus it was double the size of the Entenmann's coffee cakes you buy in grocery stores and was only $7.75. The bakery itself is immense and with the rapid decline in independent bakeries, it's nice to have something so nice available. Plus they give full-size samples of some cookies and doughnut holes. I like it. I will go back. And I won't wait so long.
(4)
Rebecca H.
Harner's is just perfect for what it does. A bakery with home cooking. I love Harner's and have for many years. The bakery treats never fail to impress, and the reuben sandwich is stellar.
(5)
Kaylea S.
Very good! We came for breakfast. I ordered the veggie omelette's husband ordered the special, and our son had blueberry pancakes. Everything was delicious. My only complaint was the canned mushrooms used in my omelet. I hate canned veggies. The homemade jam is excellent. We also came back a few days later and ordered some baked goods. They were EXCELLENT and the prices were very cheap. We will definitely be back here. :)
(4)
Hank S.
Harner's is by far the best country style restaurant (and bakery) that I have found. My wife had the roasted pig and I had the broiled salmon. Both were delicious and came with salad bar. The portions were large so save some room for dessert. The bread basket filled with cranberry scones and date nut bread were great. If you need to wait for a table, take a walk to the dam a block away. You will need the exercise with all the food you will be eating. Great bang for the buck.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast 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 : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Rich A.
Over the years I have been to Harner's dozens of times. Most of the time I am there for breakfast on weekends. If your timing is off on Saturday or Sunday expect to wait for a while for a seat. But the wait is just a testament to the excellent food to come. Their biscuits and gravy often graces my plate. It is very good. I also enjoy their omelets and make sure to order the wonderful raisin toast. The two slice order with breakfast is large enough to take a slice home for the next day. One of the best things about Harner's is the price. Everything is very reasonable. My wife and I usually get out of there for south of $20.00.
(4)Andrea B.
Harners has some of the best coffee cakes and donuts we have ever had! The pecan coffee cake is outstanding. In the fall, Harners has apple cider donuts & a wonderful selection of cookies, cakes and pies. Everything is delicious! The restaurant is clean and the service and food is consistently great.
(5)Jojo F.
Definitely a local gem. When visiting the in-laws in the daytime hours, Harner's is the place to go. Yes, the wait can be long, but really, they offer complimentary bakery cookies as you walk in, so grab one and shut up. Once you're seated, you'll find the decor to have been once in style, out of style, in style and out of style again. Slightly 1970's, but please enjoy the jackalope and stuffed ducks on the wall. Creepy charm. I am a huge fan of their buckwheat pancakes, both for their flavor and function, if you catch my drift. Wonderful. And I tasted my husband's raisin toast with jam and it was like dessert. Just plant yourself down and wait for the good stuff. Harner's is worth a visit when in these neck of the woods.
(4)Mark B.
The food is very good, Plenty of it and the prices are reasonable. The Bakery is exceptional.The pork dishes are of the best quality. Wait staff freindly. Weekend parking can be difficult. The inside is old school and not art deco.
(4)Carolyn C.
I was born and raised in the mid-west, and many of these food items to me would be considered no frills, comfort, mid-west food. The type of food served at Harner's would be something that my no frills grandmother would make. You will not find impressive plating here or particularly innovative menu options. I will agree that the bakery is the this place's golden child. This place captures the home made, rustic taste of someone in an apron making a fresh strawberry rhubarb pie and letting it cool in the window sill. Items nostalgic of an era when you would bake cookies for your neighbor because you could not go to a store. We do not eat there often because the food, while delicious, is a bit heavy for me. It is a safe bet for simple, rustic, comfort food. :) If you want a down home pot roast, meatloaf fare, give it a try and throw caution to the wind. Do not skip dessert or the bread basket.
(4)Wesley Z.
Harner's was great we meet all family members and had breakfast. I really don't know what people expect. Three things there was plenty of food, the taste was great and the service and price are not out of this world. I ate breakfast in several areas around Geneva this is one to write about. Oh did I mention the view of the Fox river. I would give it 5 stars for the value, Location, and amount the taste is 4.5 stars. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. We also purchase items from the bakery
(4)Christopher B.
I love Harner's. I absolutely love it. Best breakfast foods in town. My 8 year old daughter and I go to this establishment for either breakfast or brunch at least once a month. The bakery is a national treasure. I'm not so hot on the cakes....but the apple fritters, cinammon rolls and the coffee cakes are the best I've EVER had. I mean the apple fritters are INCREDIBLE.... It goes without saying that you probably shouldn't eat here if you have a dietary restriction...... My love goes out to this place. It is one of my favorites.
(4)Jess G.
Highly recommend! I've always made occasional visits for to-go bakery goods. One of these days I will need to dine here. It doesn't get much better than Harners!
(5)Frankie D.
If you're going on the weekend, expect a 20-30min wait for a table. All baked goods are fresh, made in house. Breakfast was good. Average. I had traditional breakfast: 2 eggs over easy with rye toast. Eggs were more like over medium. Rye toast was tasty but the slices were small. Coffee was warm, I prefer it hot. The donut I bought on the way out made me give this place 4 stars, based on the breakfast alone it would've been 3 stars.
(4)Jessica D.
A taxi driver told me about this place ages ago and I FINALLY made it in yesterday. It's a little family restaurant with delicious down home offerings. I had the beef and cheddar sandwich on delicious bread, with a side of tater tots (whee!). My plate came with complimentary pie, so I picked dutch apple since it was on my mind. The hot chocolate came in homey brown mug with about 2" of whipped cream MMM perfect on a cold winter's day. I noticed they had a little salad bar section on the North side of the dining room, and a bakery section near the entrance at the West side of the building. I would totally come here again for one of their breakfast specials, which are served all day long. If you're lucky enough to get seated by the windows you'll have a lovely view of the Fox River and some ducks and geese.
(4)Osiris V.
I have never actually been IN this place. I have only had their baked goodies a few times. So I can't tell you how their customer service is or what else they offer. I've had their donuts and danishe's aka empty calories lol, but who cares if it's ONCE in a while right, or if you eat 5 of them in one sitting! HA I've had donuts from here that have sat out for a day or two and they remain soft. Plus I can't even begin to describe the aroma. If I am ever in the Aurora area I would definetly make a trip in there.
(5)Beth P.
Love this place! Their baked goods and house-made sausage gravy are to die for! Don't come here if you are on a diet, there are WAY too many temptations. My husbands family has been coming here since he was a little boy. We continue to stop in whenever we are in the area, even if its just to buy one of their yummy donuts from the bakery counter.
(5)Jeff Z.
Food is basic breakfast fare, nothing flashy. Toasted biscuits and gravy are a must. Good stuff. The waits can kinda suck hence why I took a star off.
(4)Rachel J.
The donuts! Ohhhhh the donuts! Always fresh, and imaginative. The cake is fresh, and the toppings are sweet. Neatly boxed, and filling the office air with an aroma even the strongest cannot resist.
(5)Christopher K.
For years Harner's cookies, donuts, and pastries have shown up at every place that I have worked. I have never tried their cakes, but they are certainly first class with all of their other bakery items. The restaurant part of the operation is pretty good. It is fairly inexpensive and pretty good, but not notably better than other family style places in the area. I had the sausage biscuits, extremely large portion but it was brought out warm and not hot. The potatoes had little by way of seasoning. Of course I will be back there again, but mostly likely drawn there by work mates.
(3)Jim B.
went there several weeks ago must of been a bad day for the cook ,got a steak and the salad bar ,I don't know where they got the steak but it must of been a skinny cow I asked for med rare got well it was not what I order and it must of been a whole 1/4 inch thick ,and the soup guest they made it with what was left from the day before who ever heard of broccoli in vegetable soup , and the people sitting near by well the man was not happy with the prime rib
(1)Tricia T.
I'm really disappointed in Harner's. I called thinking I could get a custom cake, but was told this is something they've never done before and can't do. My request was to have the inside colored either pink or blue, which in my mind requires adding food coloring. They were willing to dye the inside filling that color, but not the actual cake. Seems odd that a bakery couldn't do something like this. (I guess that's what I get for watching too many cake shows on Food Network and seeing all of the personalization that are possible!) So... I'm forced to take my business elsewhere, which is disappointing because they really have great cakes. I had their red velvet cupcakes at my wedding shower and they were SO delicious. I was hoping to have a local bakery where I could continue to go for future parties - especially as my family is now expanding - birthdays, holidays, etc..., but unfortunately that won't be happening.
(1)Brian C.
3.5 stars. It's a good donut. The cake donut has a crust that would be classified as the common thick-enough-but-not-crunchy variety. Sweet dough. Tasty, but not exciting. The ace of the cake donuts are the variety of toppings available. Flavored glazes, (which are sweet, flavorful and not slathered on in a cupcake-thick manner like so many places have the habit of doing,) toppings, chocolate crumble, maple walnut, sprinkles and probably more. The yeast donut is a delicate eat. You can't go to town on these- you have to eat them slowly to truly appreciate the flavors and textures. On the grand scale of donuts, this is middle-of-the-road. As far as bakery donuts, they are solid.
(3)Diane C.
I've always thought of Harner's as the place to go for a good, filling, traditional breakfast menu, but until yesterday, I hadn't been there for dinner. Guess I was missing something, because last night I had a very good roast beef dinner with homemade mashed potatoes, that was perfect for a chilly March night. I don't eat many baked goods, but I have to say that the zucchini bread was very good. I will definitely add Harner's to my list of places to eat on those evenings when I don't feel like cooking.
(4)Jared R.
Discovered Harner's after we moved into our house just a couple miles away. Ended up being a great find. They are packed in the morning because of their great bakery. We've also gone to lunch a couple times & they always have a good crowd. We haven't had to wait too long for a seat & the place really reminds me of home-grown diners from my small hometown. Yes it's outdated on the inside but the "home cooking" makes up for it at good prices.
(4)Kevin B.
I went to Harner's on a Friday morning to meet a friend for breakfast. I had never heard of Harner's so I had no expectations. What I found was a parking lot that was full. OK, that's one good sign. Walking inside there is a bakery and a smaller looking dining area. OK, it's a bakery. No, wait, there is a back room full of tables and a complete breakfast menu. The decore is dated, which to me means it's a well established family business, and that is what it is. The food was good, the service good and the prices reasonable. It's worth stopping by.
(4)An S.
We love this restaurant the food is fabulous and the service is incredible ! The chocolate chip cookies are out of this world my whole family loves them! It is by far our family's favorite restaurant and bakery.
(5)Cristina T.
I ate my first donut in about 8 years today. It was from Harner's. Wow. Tried pieces of some of them and here is my breakdown: -Chocolate glazed omg the chocolate. Beautiful. -Sprinkled donut. A classic. Well done and delicious. -Coconut. Not too prominent of flavor but still solid. -Plain. If you are a donut purist, this should be your choice. I am sold on donuts and Harner's is the best in this area.
(5)Nanc W.
Love this place!!! Great food and staff! The donuts and cookies are amazing ! Love the cherry danish and coffee cake! Wish they wouldn't run out of donuts so early!!!
(5)Tina E.
Great fish specials for Lent. Had the beer battered cod-perfect w/ fries & homeade tartar sauce. Ordered biscuits & gravy for breakfast over the weekend. For just under $3.00 you get 2 huge fluffy bisquits covered in sausage gravy. They call that a 1/2 order. Picked up some of their Easter egg cakes & I'm out the door under $20.00!
(4)Josh N.
The Butter Pecan Coffee Cake will literally make you weep tears of joy. This is what coffee cake should always taste like.
(4)Jeff B.
First time. Great service. Good food. Simple family atmosphere. Maybe a bit overpriced, but great experience.
(4)Sue H.
We came with another couple and our eyes popped out of our heads when we saw the bakery and the huge assortment they had at 6:30 pm. The restaurant also showed promise with a cute homey atmosphere and large menu. My friend and I both ordered the prime rib, while the guys ordered the meatloaf stack. The waitress was very nice, funny and patient as we changed our order several times. The salad bar was ok, soup good. The meal itself though was not as good as we hoped. Food was served warm, not hot. The Prime Rib was fatty and torn up in the middle. We both felt that maybe they used a meat mallet to try to flatten it to cook faster. The guys were not thrilled with the unflavorful meatloaf and the mashed potatoes either. Maybe because their own wives are such good cooks..ha ha ! On the way out we did stop and purchase the butter pecan coffee cake, donuts, taffy apples and candies. They were all delicious ! We will definitely be back for the bakery, but will pass on the restaurant.
(3)Elizabeth W.
Move over cracker barrel, Harners has all the country cooking you need, plus awesome BBQ and a bakery! Every time I have visited Harner's, it has been with a large group of family members and they have always been able to accommodate us with excellent service. Everything I try, I love. I have had the country fried steak, the pulled pork sandwich, fish, and much more. The soup/salad bar is excellent, and this last visit they had a cream of turkey soup that was out of this world, just amazing. Even the bread basket that comes with your meal is awesome. It was hard not to fill up on their bread alone. During the week, they have daily specials, and I am dying to try their pig roast they have once a month. Do your self a favor and come try this place! When you get here, I am sure you will find it as hard as I do to decide what to eat next. Of course, before you leave, stop at the bakery for some dessert! We are still finishing the apple pie we bought.
(5)Mike R.
I go to harners once a week or so. Food is very good I always get breakfast no matter what time it is. Decor needs an update bad but service is always friendly.
(4)Maggie M.
Had breakfast with family on Sunday morning. Always good service. Only bad thing was that my breakfast was not very hot. The ready of the family had no issues. I got biscuits and gravy. That is something that needs to be hot. I know they are good, it is my favorite place to get this. Totally homemade.
(4)Kerri H.
Had a late breakfast with my daughter here on saturday and it was good. My daughter had the biscuits and gravy which she said was very good with hashbrowns. Hashbrowns were undercooked. I had a breakfast special that had 1 egg, a homemade muffin (blueberry), a cup of fruit and 2 pieces of bacon. for $6.95. I did not eat the egg as I am not a fan but everything else was good. Fruit was fresh and the muffin was still warm and fresh. They did not have skillets on the menu but asked them to make one to go. The only complaint I have is the skillet was very small and the hashbrowns were undercooked for the price of $8.35. I checked out the salad bar and at 11 am everything looked kind of wilted and not too fresh so i would skip that. We ventured into the bakery after breakfast and bought 2 big sugar cookies and then a 1/4 pound of the smaller sugar cookies. Also bought 6 chocolate donut holes (they were out of chocolate donuts) and a loaf of rye bread. Total was about $9.50 with tax. Everything tasted fresh.
(4)Honey B.
What? You want to gain some weight you say? Go here!! Eat some homeade jam. Bring home some homeade bakery items. Oh this place is fantastic. Watch out for the Sunday church crowd. It was a long wait for a table!
(5)Kai R.
Great food. You would think with all the "silver hairs" the food would be terrible or tasteless. No, it was great! My wife says the desserts are some of the best she has ever had!
(5)Dan T.
Yeah, this place is a treasure on Fox River...especially in the winter time when the fireplace is on...we always come her for breakfast. My wife had the eggs benedict once and she thought she died and went to heaven, it was delicious. I get the Hobo omlette, and the ingredients are always fresh...the tomato in it is excellent. The kids meals for breakfast are a bit pricey, but for a good, HOT, breakfast and a down home feel goodness to it, this place is great. Oh yeah, the jam for the toast gets a nod, good stuff.
(5)Joy S.
I've never eaten at the restaurant, so I can't comment on waitstaff customer service. The people behind the counter haven't WOWed me. However, the baked goods and the low prices make it worth the repeated trips! My co-workers and I frequently pick up breakfast for the office here.
(4)Ellen M.
It's got a great reputation but I find it merely average or pretty good. They are known for their cinnamon rolls, and I've got to admit, they go down pretty nice, but the breakfast is nothing to get really excited over. The waits can be very long - a local tradition.
(3)Katrina G.
There is an old school charm at Harner's. I like the bisquits and gravy, I've heard the corn beef hash is unbelievable, still have yet to try that. The homemade cherry/strawberry jam gets a nod as well.
(3)Greg W.
As a byproduct of Aurora, I have been devouring Harner's donuts ever since I was a wee little boy. To this day, Harner's chocolate donuts are the best donuts I have ever had in my life...ever.
(5)George A.
Great family restaurant and bakery!!!
(4)Richie D.
A less touristy (more local business) Illinois Apple Holler, without the the apple orchards but with all the holler. Let's begin with the "wow"-ing comment of my picky mother-in-law's comment of, "This is my new favorite place" being stated after her first step into the place. The bakery allows for jaw dropping reactions. I personally love the fresh "Sams Club feeling" with free sampler plates along the entire bakery selection counter. I loved the chocolate/caramel/nut covered pretzels...and just about anything. Just be sure not to fill yourself up on sweets prior to your meal...I know, there's lots of self pressure! Eat your heart out with excellent, low prices...then walk it off with a long walk on the neighboring beautiful Fox River trail. I loved my Corned Beef Hash breakfast. Their homemade fruit marmalade/jam is sooo tasty to spread over your baked buscuits, toast, muffins or simply anything on your plate. Lastly, another great part is their friendly service and outback farm ambiance. I'd love to go back! They're great to serve and seat large groups (you may just want to have a bit of patience).
(5)Bridget K.
My husband and I went in for a meal in the early summer. We never ordered. We walked out disgusted. The second room was filled with flies. Not a few, close to Amityville Horror status.
(1)Matthew W.
Excellent bakery, can't beat a family run bakery today.....and it is SO GOOD. We order things here whenever we have a special occasion and they always deliver exactly what we ordered and its OUTSTANDING!!! They always over deliver. The food is also great. We stop in for breakfast sometimes on Sundays and its hard to wait (you usually stand in the bakery) with kids that just want to eat donuts....but its so worth it. Dining room is dated, but I like to sit at the counter. Service is great, food is excellent, and its a great value....crowd tends to be older so you know its GOOD and CHEAP. Do yourself a favor and stop in........
(5)Eric E.
Wednesday Special = chicken pot pie is stellar! Donuts are great too.
(4)Robert P.
Harner's is the best! All of their food is freshly homemade and the salad bar is incredible. The Prime rib on Friday and Saturday night is outstanding and a great deal. Needless to say the baked goods are out of this world also. If you are near here and hungry do yourself a favor and stop in.
(5)A A.
Great meals- especially breakfasts. Excellent bakery- fantastic cookies and pies we come back for. The best bakery close to the southwest suburbs.
(5)kevin c.
Was here for breakfast this weekend. Had a omelet with potatoes and the biscuits. The biscuits are great! So is the cinnamon raisin bread. It is cut so thick it is like four slices when you get two. The cookies were good as well. Good place with good food. Nothing fancy, just great where it matters.
(4)Sherill M.
This Place Sucks! I had a tast for fresh donuts and was directed to Harner's. What a joke. Isn't part of the appeal of a small diner the service? Service was terrible and the woman had the nerve to be rude. I am treated better a Dunkin Donuts. The donut was not fresh and nothing looked fresh. They didn't even have chocolate cake donuts. WTF? What kind of bakery doesn't have a chocolate donut. Go elsewhere.
(1)Tamatha K.
We have driven by this place many times and finally today we decided to give it a go. This place is old school, if you want to go back in time this is the place to go. Very clean and friendly staff. Only disappointment was I wish the fireplace was not going and I want a window view on the next visit. I ordered the corned beef hash (very good), 2 eggs over easy with wheat toast and a side of bacon. All I have to say is yummy. It's was plenty of food for me, 2 meals. The extra surprise was the jelly/jam they served in a plastic cup (looked homemade) it was delish! My friend orderd the strawberry pankcakes (3) and a side of sausage links. Needless to say he was impressed and he couldn't finish it. We are planning to go back to try lunch and dinner. Good home cooked food is on the menu and how can you go wrong being in business over 50 years!!!
(4)Kenneth G.
I use to go here for breakfast every other Sunday, always a great meal. Reminds me of a Wisconsin supper club, good home cookin'. That's when I was introduced to their Butter Pecan coffee cake, it is awesome. I bring the coffee to cake for birthdays for my teammates. I didn't bring it for the last birthday and got yelled at. Best coffeecake.
(5)Sarah C.
I have always loved a good greasy spoon and Harner's is the reason why. I grew up in Aurora (Yes, it's Wayne's World. I'm aware) and had breakfast here at least three times a month for most of my formative years. There's nothing better than a hobo omelet with some of the best homemade sausage ever and greasy yet crunchy hash browns. The raspberry jelly on wheat bread is stellar as well. The piece de resistance though is the bakery. Their pecan coffee cake is a thing of beauty-- perfectly moist without being overly gooey. Their chocolate cake doughnuts are also superb. This is one of the few places that I insist on visiting if I venture out to see my family and every single one of my boyfriends have had to pass the Harner's test at some point. Lucky for the reigning boyfriend, he passed--- and might even fight me over the last piece of coffee cake. The best part-- $36 including tip for 4 people. FOUR. ;) After all the pricey Chicago brunches I've been indulging in, it was worth the train trip out. :)
(5)Shondra M.
Harner's is the best breakfast place around! The biscuits and gravy are awesome. If you get something else, then ask for biscuits on the side instead of toast. Comes with jam, you won't regret it! You can't really go wrong with anything on the menu. Be prepared to wait though, there's usually quite a crowd.
(5)Tiffany K.
What can you say? You can't go wrong! Their food is homemade comfort food!! The bakery is AMAZING!! If you're coming for breakfast on Sunday expect to wait, but it's WORTH IT!! Again BAKERY? AMAZING!!
(5)Jen R.
The brownies. My God. The brownies. I consider myself a pretty damn good baker but I seriously can't even when it comes to their brownies. They're so dense and fudgy, moist and chocolate-y... it's pretty much the food equivalent of ogling hot dudes with their shirts off. Be sure to get there early because these do sell out quickly. Or you can be a real boss and order a tray to go, and pretend like you're not gonna eat them all. Yeah, I know your angle. I won't tell if you share some with me. Their non-bakery food is just okay. I've mostly had their catering whenever they give us free lunch at work. It's decent, but not the best I've had. Just stick with the baked goods.
(4)Misty S.
Once upon a time, I had a craving for prime rib (which is a rare occasion). [Get it, rare...I didn't even catch that the first time around.] "Yelp, yelp, on the internet, who is the prime ribest of them all?" Harner's may not be the prime ribest of them all, but Yelp told me this place had prime rib for $20 and I drove right over. I arrived an hour prior to closing and there was only 1 other table of customers. The place was huge and I was a little concerned that it wasn't more filled up. The waitress didn't seem that friendly at first, but seemed to be the happiest after I asked if they still had prime rib (available Fridays and Saturdays). The regular cut is $19.50 and queen cut is $16.75. After I ordered my prime rib rare, the waitress told me it came with the salad bar and to help myself. Wow, bonus! It doesn't even say that on the menu. Their salad bar is actually pretty good. I especially enjoyed the beets, soup and pistachio pudding. They also had fresh mix greens, pasta salad, coleslaw, potato salad, broccoli salad, and a couple of soups. The prime rib was juicy and tasty! It also comes with 2 sides. How am I supposed to eat all this? Guess what, it was also good as left overs. For dessert, I order their bread pudding. BEST BREAD PUDDING! How is this place not filled up?
(5)Greg J.
Not much to say about my meal. I had Fish & Chips. It was Ok, nothing spectacular. Server was fine. Large bakery section, with many sweets. Even at dinner time it seemed to be a popular place to pick up bakery treats.
(3)Caroline M.
Harper's is a local hotspot. Everything is made in house and is always delicious. I have seriously never had a bad meal at Harner's. All of the baked goods are definitely worth a try as well. I had the classic one egg omelette and that with some raisin toast and hashbrowns was more than enough for me (though the glutton in me wanted like a 10 egg omelette). I would have given them 5 stars, but service can be a little slow. Last time we went, I had to ask for refills on my coffee. For a large group of coffee drinkers, a coffee pot should just be left at the table in my opinion. It's an old family restaurant so the decor isn't terribly updated.
(4)Kristina U.
The food here is absolutely disgusting. I came here with my mom and grandma and we all agreed that everything was bland, they don't use any spice, salt or any fresh ingredients. It's like the aging customers they mainly serve only want bland gruel on their plates. Drowning everything in Tabasco is the only way to get through this "food". Overall, it's painfully " old school", emphasis on old, American "food". Oh, and the bakery sucks, their take on eclairs was worse than the eclairs at Walmart.
(1)Mike B.
Best for bakery. Donuts were very good. Breakfast was standard diner fare. Not bad, but not incredible either. We all left feeling satisfied and will grab some from bakery on way out.
(4)Paul L.
Love it here! Best place in the western suburbs for a tasty, inexpensive breakfast. Don't leave without trying the coffee cake!!!
(5)Damon B.
Harner's N. Aurora is well known for their delectable sweet pastries. Donuts, cinnamon twists, apple fritters... all melt in your mouth wonderful. Even the hole in the donut seems to have a great flavor! The prices are, dare I say, almost too reasonable. I went here after work to pick up a couple of donuts. Needless to say, I left with a dozen. After leaving, I stopped at the gas station and noticed that the donuts there were MORE than the freshly baked Harners variety. Get out! I do believe Harner's supplies some local convenience stores with donuts, but these weren't them. Harpers has a distinct look about them, and better taste. Anyway, aside from the goodies, the restaurant is wonderful as well. All home cooked fresh style food, just like their donuts. They have daily specials and a soup and salad bar. Their corned beef is as tender as a the day is long. But this is just to name one of their enticing eats. One last note.. donuts are half price after 6pm during the week. A deal even harder to beat!
(4)Bob M.
Unfortunately the quality is up and down here. It seems that a few shortcuts are being taken. Food items such as the broiled cod and meatloaf were more than a little dry. I suspect they're using chef "mic" to reheat more than a few items. Days past the food was fresher than my recent visits. The decor and bakery need a facelift. Seems the owners are growing tired.
(2)Tami B.
I love Harner's! Seriously, their food in the restaurant is great comfort food and the pastries in the bakery are the best. I have come in for breakfast, lunch, to get some donuts, and have ordered a custom birthday cake. You can't go wrong with anything! Just remember to get there really early if you want popular bakery items. The cinnamon twists and the cinnamon rolls go fast on the weekends!
(5)Kevin M.
It's a good old school place for breakfast. Their bakery section is really good as well.
(4)M D.
The restaurant, the bakery and the staff are all top notch at Harners. We just moved to North Aurora and Harners is dangerously close to our house. It's hard to get away from this place, I drop in almost every week. And always leave satisfied.
(5)Joe E.
I haven't been to the bakery. I've always wanted to go. My review is for Pazcki day, though! My Uncle, who lives in Aurora, has been raving about Harner's for years. I had heard through the grapevine that Harner's was the go to bakery in the far West suburbs. The only way to judge this is of course by sampling the goods! Pazcki day is one of my favorite days of the year. The only time I've missed it was when I was a Freshman in college. I just didn't know where to find a bakery in my college town (pre-yelp days). Although I could have gone to the local grocer, I ended up being busy or something. NEVER AGAIN. My Uncle put in an order for 3 Poonchkys for me. Chocolate Creme with Chocolate frosting, Apple with Cinnamon, and Cream Cheese with Chocolate frosting. I'm usually a huge chocolate fan, but my favorite out of the 3 was the apple! It was filled with fried apples. Not overly stuffed, but perfectly filled. As for the chocolate creme (their spelling, not mine. I hate it spelled like that), it was very good. I'll be honest, the chocolate creme was not as filled as the apple. As for the cream cheese, it was my least favorite, but that's not to say it wasn't good. I was very pleased that for 3.75 I was apple (able; it's a joke) to purchase these. I know I will definitely be back next year. I'm hoping to go to the bakery/restaurant well before that, though! Highly recommended!
(5)Melissa D.
Came here because we wanted donuts, and it was breakfast time. The breakfast was lovely. The donuts, however, were a mixed bag. The custard in the Boston creams was lumpy, and the chocolate chocolate tastes like they were from yesterday. My rule would be, stick to the coffee cakes as that seems to be the specialty here. Happy pastries!
(3)Rachael Z.
Last year, my mother said that the cake donuts with chocolate frosting at Harner's were her absolute favorite. And for that year, I kept that comment close to heart, vowing I'd make a stop whenever I was near North Aurora. That I did, several weeks ago. It was lunchtime, and I was surprised to see how busy it was. Harner's is not just a bakery! It's a great location for the start (or end) of a long bike ride, and my guess is that many had that same thought. I walked in for sweets only...walking out with more than I expected, for less than I expected! Under $1/item, and some very large and gourmet-esque. I'll be back to dine at some point - but most certainly for the sweets! Delish!
(5)Jean P.
love love this place!! and the bakery..OH LAA LAA..AND best Fat Tuesday donuts EVER!!! Never had anything bad..ever.
(5)Mark P.
The food and service are great and the cost is relatively low compared to similar places. They also have a delicious bakery too. Ask for a seat with a view of the river if possible. I deducted one star because the orange juice tastes more like bottled than freshly squeezed. I guess I will have to keep going to Butterfield's for that.
(4)T T.
Went there with a friend who is black man. Poor service took a long time to get our food. Felt the waitress didn't want to serve us because he is black. Won't go back or recommend to anyone.
(1)Katrina S.
I wish I lived closer!! The food is outstanding. Those biscuits and gravy - to die for. The pancakes - so fluffy and tasty. Then we hit the bakery and I was in heaven. Every bite was amazing. Great diner atmosphere, wonderful people, and prices that can't be beat!
(5)Patrick H.
Can I be honest with you? Ok, I don't get it. I'm sorry to be a Debbie downer, but this place is average at best. All the locals from around here love this place. They put it in such high regard. But it's no more then a family restaurant that has mildly good food. I've gone here at least a half dozen times, thinking that I must be the one that is wrong. But, besides having a good bakery they are mediocre. Portion sizes seem to be OK, but they don't blow you away. The food seems alright, but can't see them winning some prize for it (I'm sure they have now that I said that, but I wouldn't have given it to them.). Just Average. Prices are even a little higher then average. The services isn't even all that good. I just don't get it.
(3)Rachel A.
Harners has been a family favorite restaurant for decades. Good food and service. Huge selection of baked treats to take home. Your mouth will be watering before you sit down to eat.
(4)Christa F.
I'm always on the hunt for new places, especially for breakfast! On a random search this morning I found Harner's! We typically go out for breakfast when my parents are leaving to go back to Indy after a visit. I decided that this was the place! I had the Country fried steak, 2 eggs, toast & hash browns for $8.25. The breading on the steak was nicely seasoned and light. It wasn't heavy or oily at all. I was pleased and I love places with great sausage gravy. Theirs isn't on the "great" side, but it was definitely on the "good" list! Dad had the Homemade corned beef hash, 2 eggs and toast for $7.25. Not many places make their own corned beef hash! This was a really great homemade version! Dad was please and I will definitely be going back for it! Mom had the Vegetarian 1 egg omelet with hash browns and one blueberry pancake for $5.95. Mom was impressed with the fact that they make 1 egg omelets! She eats like a bird and refuses to eat leftovers like Dad and I love to do! She was quite pleased with the blueberry syrup for her blueberry pancake too! The smells from the bakery alone probably added 10#s it all looked so amazing! Overall, this place is a win! I have leftovers for tomorrow morning's breakfast too!
(4)Jenni E.
I am a sucker for a good bakery, and this one came highly recommended. I came here with a co-worker when we were in the same area and wanted to grab a quick bite. This place doesn't look like much from the outside, and even when you initially walk in I wondered how this was going to be. I saw a lot of older people, not really much in the way of decor - I was thinking that this was going to be a senior special kind of place. However, our friendly waitress sat us by a window that had a great view of the river. I was happy to see that they had both daily specials as well as a list of monthly specials to choose from. I went with a Ruben sandwich. The food was pretty good and I'd come here again to eat. Being a fantastic bakery, we had to order a couple of things for dessert. We went with a french lace cookie and a strawberry and cheese pastry. Both were fantastic and I'd come back here for those baked goods again and again. Waitress was very friendly, made good suggestions and service was quick.
(4)Bob G.
We just moved into the neighborhood and a friend told me that "you have GOT to try Harner's!" So we did. My son's birthday came up a couple weeks ago and so I took him here for his birthday breakfast. WOW!! My buddy was right!! My son ordered their pancakes with a side of bacon and fruit. I ordered their blueberry pancakes, side of bacon, and then their french toast so we can try it and share it. I LOVE how they use real blueberries in the pancakes and don't put that compote crap on top of them. Everything was soooo good and I now have to go back with my wife so she can try. Don't have to twist my arm!! I heard they have the best donuts. Guess I will have to put that to the test. :)
(5)Amy D.
I'm in the process of a donut crawl around the suburbs this year, and knew I had to try this place based on the reviews. I had a doctors appointment on the area, so I dropped in yesterday. I got a glazed yeast ring, a chocolate-frosted cake donut, and an apple fritter (don't worry, I didn't eat them all - just sampled each with a bite or two). :-) These donuts are slightly above average. They are fresh, definitely homemade, and overall pretty good. But they aren't great - they're a bit sickening sweet, and the apple fritter was not like most fritters I've had (they were lightly fried/barely brown, quite doughy and lacking apples). It's a step up from Dunkin Donuts, or even the average grocery chain - but there are definitely better options out there. Busy Bee (Downers Grove) or Webers (near Midway) would be a good alternative to this place.
(3)Carla S.
I live in Aurora. There is not one good restaurant in this town. We only go to Harner's for breakfast. It's all homemade and great every time. Best blueberry pancakes ever.
(5)Karma K.
I love me some Harner's! Them new fangled donut places popping up all over should be schooled by Harner's. This place has been in the bakery and donut business for decades. This is the real deal folks. Home made and delish. At breakast, make sure to either get your biscuits grilled or get any of their made in house breads, hand sliced and toasted. Comfort food at it's best. This ain't no fancy schmancy dining place. This is downhome cooking. Think of a Wisconsin Supper Club and you pretty much have Harner's, right down to the cheesy salad bar. Love it! Try to snag a table by the window so you have a pretty view of the river anytime of the year. After you stuff yourself silly, swing by the bakery counter to bring home some goodies for the pour souls that didn't get to eat here. ;-)
(5)Melissa S.
This place is a family favorite! We always go here for Mother's Day! The food is always good and the staff is very helpful and friendly. Both my kids agree on eating here and not just because they get an awesome doughnut, cookie or fudge! Don't forget to try their homemade jelly.
(4)Susan G.
First visit..can't believe this hidden gem is only 15 minutes from us! Feels like a place you would find on a road trip. Can't wait to go back!
(5)David H.
WOW! My wife and I hadn't been back since our son left school out in Aurora 15 years ago. You know how our memories tend to embellish things? Not in this case. We had fantasized about the butter pecan coffee cake for years and it was fabulous. None of those odd after tastes you get with store-bought baked goods. (We normally eat a very healthy diet, but this was worth it!) Oh, yeah, the meals we had were very good as well! She had a basic Swiss-burger and I had the fried shrimp. Very basic in preparation, but well done. The shrimp had a very nice crunchy crust served with a slightly zingy cocktail sauce. The staff is very friendly and accessible without being up in your face. For basic, inexpensive, high-quality American food this is a great spot!
(5)Paul C.
There is a charm to an old fashioned bakery/diner that literally looks like it was once a barn - I live in NYC now, so at times, I felt like a fish out of water (a. i was the only minority customer b. people dress comfortably, first of all god bless illinois for the amount of cold and snow they have had to endure this winter. people in Illinois tend to dress in hoodies/flannel and sweats/jeans on the weekend, with skiing/chicago bears jackets...me with my cole haan snow boots, banana republic peacoat, and warby parker glasses - but here, a feeling that captures some of the best parts of America's heartland and heartbeat. I will not go so far as to say that the coffee cake made me weep tears of joy - though poetic - it was fantastic, if a little indulgent, but what the hell, it's the weekend and you probably deserve it. It was extremely rich and decadent, with generous portions, and if you can stomach liberal "paula deen" amounts of butter and sugar - well as t.s. elliott states, "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." totally appropriate use of a meaningful quote on a food review... The coffee is not great - it does kind of taste like airline coffee, but maybe I'm just a stuck up snob who forgot that some of us came from humble beginnings and that sometimes, coffee that doesn't cost $3-5 a cup is okay. It's good. It's enough. Especially when you have the luxury of not needing the caffeine high to get through a crazy day...and can slow down, even for a moment. The strength of my experience here was the amazing service. The warm smiles. The coffee never half full before being refilled. The genuine desire to make sure my friend and I had everything that we needed. Midwestern warmth. The biscuits and gravy were good. I got the half order, so a little disproprotionate ratio of gravy to biscuits (my bad), the eggs were nothing to write home about, just...eggs. The pancakes were great. Don't quote me on this, even though it's now written down, but the butter was fresh - My imagination is that it was churned in the backroom, like how we used to do during field trips to Naper Settlement, I digress - anyways, am I the only one who hates those butter packages with the gold peel off lids where the butter is almost frozen and its impossible to spread on anything, especially pancakes, and just starts tearing away at the fluffiness like a rock on rye *end rant* anyways, they were wonderful, not too rich, not too bland, and just enough uncooked batter to remind you that this was homemade, son. my only regret is that I was so full after this meal that I had no room for donuts afterwards, which I hear are great - and looked great. The meal was incredibly affordable as well. I think it was less than $15 for everything, which is unbelievable for the amount of food I ordered. Anyways, thank you.
(4)Gerry A.
Newly upholstered booths, the two soups are back more frequently, Handcut raisin bread and HOMEMADE Hash! The Fifth star is back. As good as it gets in the Fox Valley, particularly for the price and view of the Mighty FOX.
(5)Shari P.
I really do like Harner's Bakery - they serve all your favorite food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They are solid and consistent, the kind of neighborhood place we all want nearby. And their bakery products are so good, you will want to bring home one of everything. My only complaint - hence the 4 stars - is the cleanliness and decor. I've seen dust and cobwebs on light fixtures and window treatments. Some booths have ripped upholstery. The decor is tired, dated, and frumpy. Yes, appearances do matter: Harner's takes care to create good food and present it well, and their cake designers create beautiful cakes that look as good as they taste. We eat with our eyes, or so they say. Whenever I'm there, I feel uncomfortable and a little depressed. It doesn't have to be glamorous decor, but perhaps it's time for an update? Even so, the food is good so Harner's is worth a visit.
(4)Margaux D.
I stopped in at Harner's yesterday before work to get a coffee. The staff was super friendly and the whole place smelled like grandma's homemade baking. I ended up getting two coffees and a pastry and thinking it would be around $5, I was shocked that it was something like $2.35. As someone used to the Starbucks culture of day old pastries and $4 coffees, I was super pleased with everything about my Harner's experience.
(4)Ken W.
Great little out of the way place. Food is obviously freshly made. ... NOT chain chow! Great Buckwheat pancakes and Corned beef hash obviously made from scratch by a real down home cook! This place is small town comfort food Americana. .. Genuine real deal cafe and bakery. Ambience is a bit tired but homey and shabby-quaint. The kind of place where the waitresses unaffectedly call you honey! :-)
(5)Terry A.
butter pecan coffee cake, butter pecan coffee cake, butter pecan coffee cake, butter pecan coffee cake, butter pecan coffee cake, butter pecan coffee cake, butter pecan coffee cake, butter pecan coffee cake.
(5)Cindy L.
A few weeks ago my brother & sister in law took me to Harner's restaurant & bakery, they live in Naperville, Il however, out of all the restaurants in their neighborhood they love Harner's, now I know why. We went there for breakfast & I was in food/bakery heaven!!!! I ordered raisin French toast, veggie omelette, and a side of sausage links. The breakfast was fresh & delicious. The bakery is "bakery heaven" I took home a delicious fresh coffee cake, chocolate donuts, and apple fritters!!! I had tons of leftover breakfast!!! I have been dreaming about the food & bakery;). I live very far from this restaurant but my husband enjoyed the fresh baked goods & my left over breakfast so much, that we are willing to drive 45 miles and pay a toll fee just to dine there!! The prices are very inexpensive compared to the expensive restaurants in our neighborhood. Please dine at Harner's soon & load up on the fresh delicious baked goods. Enjoy the delicious, bakery & the ride to Aurora, Il
(5)Rachel M.
Homemade comfort food with a friendly staff. Remember to stop by the bakery too!
(4)Gina B.
Great food, home town feel...Like eating at a diner in Mayberry. Never had a bad experience. Decor could use some serious updating...would love to see it decorated in a cute and quaint cottage style.
(5)Liz L.
This is just for the Bakery...I took a stroll near the restaurant part and let me put it this way I would never eat at the restaurant portion (it looks just gross and icky) just a very dated cafeteria type looking place... The bakery however was a different story. There is nothing fancy about the way the place looked but they had treats. I went into looking for an apple fritter...I didn't find any but they had an assortment of other goodies. I ended up ordering a caramel cinnamon roll with Carmel spread all across the top (Imagine a traditional roll but with a caramel topping). I was going to eat them after my bike ride. I ordered 2 thinking that they would be small....uhm no the 2 pieces that the nice lady cut me were ginormous. I barely got through one of them after my ride where normally I am pretty ravenous. The caramel topping was delicious and the insides were nice soft with just the right amount of spices. I will be coming back here through the fall for teat and yumminess... The woman who helped me wasn't overly fake helpful but just enough without feeling rushed. The parking is kind of a nightmare...I wish they had a place just for bakery customers as trying to get parking for less than 10 minute trip is a little ridiculous here ( I came around noon which is probably not the best time n a Sunday...still dedicated parking to the bakery would be nice. Regardless I will be back for more goodies.
(4)Dan M.
This place is A-OK. I don't know about bakery side but I am writing a review for dining side. We have pork roast and a hamburger for lunch. There were OIK. Decoration is plain, foods lack of flavor, service is so so. The price is acceptable leaning to expensive side. Nothing impress me from this restaurant.
(3)Mike O.
We ordered a Wedding cake and the value is a 5. Great cake and icing at a reasonable price. We also ordered a couple of dozen cookies, which were good, but no one type of cookie stood out.
(4)Esther A.
Delicious food and very nice staff! Thank you to our waitress for the piece of cake, and the customers who sang me happy birthday, definitely made my birthday a little brighter :') I kindly appreciate it!
(5)Caron C.
Always great for that quick stop on the way to the show, the bread basket is the best, last night it had a date walnut bread in it that I could have made a meal out of. I wouldn't think the burgers would have been great, but between the homemade bun and the house ground meat, it was very good. Hubs had country style ham which I begged a bite of and it melted in my mouth. sooo good. Wish we would have had room for a dessert or do-nut on the way, but the portions were large enough that we were stuffed! A little gem in North Aurora to be sure! Would have been 5 stars except for the fact the seating is tired and a bit uncomfortable...
(4)Tim H.
Still the only spot I've found that serves a smaller one egg omelet with the good stuff, a large fruit dish for under $5. I just have to have half an almond sweet roll warmed, half now and half later. If you've never done the pig roast or the fried perch special on Friday, you're missing out. The salad bar is straight out of a Wisconsin lodge, but has the key items. Their fresh homemade salads make a great meal, along with two great soups. I challenge you not to take the plate of pulled pork home, the first Friday of each month. One of these days I will try their prime rib. They have a special everyday and sure... it's a huge senior hang out, as they open everyday at 5:30 am. They have a great long counter and the bakery items will be screaming for you as you leave. Feel free to walk in and ask for your sweets before you sit down and remember ... "Life is uncertain, eat desert first." Save time to take a short walk down to the dam on the Fox River. On my way out I saw the sign for the Tuesday cook out is back. Pork chops and chicken the third Tuesday of the month. It comes with German potato salad and baked beans. This is a summer event I must try.
(5)DEALS D.
My favorite breakfast place. Corned beef with eggs and hash browns. Home made. Need I day more. Biscuits and gravy also perfect. Have to stop by for a pig roast and the fish fry. I'm sure they are perfect too. Haven't found a more consistent place for breakfast. Always perfect. And the staff are great. Always super friendly.
(5)Dennis S.
Still fabulous for a solid country breakfast or lunch. I love their biscuits and gravy, their great pork sausage, their omelets. Anything with pork or from their bakery is fabulous. They have a large bakery area up front. We always take a coffee cake home. Just don't plan on a big selection mid-afternoon. They sell out on a lot of the bakery products by lunchtime.
(4)Lydia B.
The prices are amazing! Very affordable, however the food isnt to die for. What you get is nothing extraordinary but still good and again affordable. The pastries though are delicious! Only had the cookies so far but definitely will be coming back to try more of their bakery. Staff was alright, our waitress was a tad rude but we figured due to how busy they were.
(4)Miss C.
This restaurant is great. The salad bar is so fresh and delicious, the lettuce so crisp, freshly shaved cheddar, great pasta salad, homemade croutons, etc. And Every dish I've ordered has been just great. Love it! Oh and with the bakery right there. You have to stop after dinner and get a dessert :) Really good restaurant. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Chelsey R.
Today I went to Harner's for the second time, as recommended by my fiance's parents. My fiancé and I both ordered omelets. We waited roughly 30 minutes for our food even though they weren't busy. Our waitress was slow and seemed disinterested in her tables. Throughout the meal I felt random splashes of something on my back and at one point I felt a drop of water roll down my back. I looked up and realized there was a leak In the ceiling dripping onto me and my food. After we paid I asked the manager if she was aware that her ceiling was leaking. She replied that she was aware in very curt tone. After having worked in both retail and food service, my question is this: how are you seating customers at tables that you know are underneath ceiling tile leaks? Especially when you're slow and have plenty of other open tables? The manager didn't even apologize to me, which is astonishing seeing as she is blatantly violating the health code. I have given Harner's more than a fair opportunity to impress me. The service is slow, management does not care about their customers and their food is sub par. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(1)Ruben G.
Best home made food around, I'm in town from San Antonio, been here twice in one day. Going back to enjoy it tomorrow, no need to try a different resturant. Best place in aurora.
(5)Alex A.
I love me a BIG BREAKFAST. Homemade sausage gravy and biscuits, buttery buttermilk pancakes, fluffy omelettes topped with homemade hot sauce...need I say more? Within this heaven on toast, lies a bumper of a bakery with an endless selection of delicious delectables. Don't forget to sample away! To boot, a fine place to take the family. Check it like it's hot (sauce).
(4)Carolina B.
Great southern style breakfast place! Nothing crazy on the menu, just the basics and at this place it's definitely enough because they do what they do well! Simple omelettes, biscuits and gravy, corned beef hash and homemade sausage! The wait was long the Saturday after Thanksgiving and I bet they are busy every Saturday, but my friends and I sat immediately at the counter, otherwise it would have been a 25 minute wait. I ordered a spinach, tomato, onion and ham skillet, with cheddar cheese of course! It was delicious. One thing I LOVED is that they give you a choice for how many eggs you want in your omelette you can do 3 or 1! This is great for people like me who like to share and try different things. Needless to say I ordered a side of corn beef hash, one of the best I've ever had! I would recommend this place to anyone who wants a good ol breakfast. In terms of lunch they had a lot of choices, plus a soup and salad bar! See you there, I'll be the one sitting at the counter with a giant plate of corned beef hash and a large sprite.
(4)Shirl T.
Thanks to my gf I am such a fan of this place! Love the bakery. Cookie samples on the counter is a great touch. Cakes doughnuts are awesome. Breakfast are the bomb esp w raisin toast! Love the view of the river.
(4)M D.
Just moved into the area, so we wanted to try it! Husband had skillet. Good but no hashbrowns which was different. I had chicken Kiev. Amazing! So good, buttery on the inside. Mouth watering. Bathroom clean, service was decent. I would visit again! However when we asked the bakery about "peanut allergies" the girl told us everything gets cross contaminated in the kitchen-scary. so if you have an allergy, beware of the bakery!
(4)Jillian A.
I have to tell ya. I'm a breakfast food person. This place makes me crazy with excitement whenever I walk in there. The fresh baked goods and the complimentary cookies while you wait for a table are enough to get you begging for food. Every now and then after we eat our brunch we'll buy a pecan crunch coffee cake. The coffee cake is so rich and dense that you'd think it was Kim Kardashian. I'm pretty old fashioned with my cookies so I'm a big fan of the shortbread cookies with the cherry cordial on top. It reminds me of my child hood when my mother used to buy buckets of those Maurice Lennell cookies (if you're from Chicago, you BETTER know what those are). We enjoy eating at the restaurant as well and being able to look out the window to the Fox River (a perk that I think most people take for granted). They are a farm restaurant where everything is made fresh from scratch EXCEPT English Muffins and Bagels. The essential breakfast ham, sausage and bacon they serve is exceptional. I personally love nothing more than an order of biscuits and gravy with that spicy breakfast sausage. Not to mention you have a choice between a 1 or 3 egg omelet which I love. The 1 egg omelet is perfect for me and you can't get those kind of portions anywhere else. Make sure no matter what you order you get the raisin toast at least once. It's pretty much like a dessert covered in frosted glory and it's too much food but it just tastes SO DAMN GOOD. The homemade jelly they serve with every breakfast meal is pretty much my favorite EVER. However I have not tried anything other than breakfast because I'm pretty much a breakfast freak. I can't give an honest 5 stars if I haven't tried a good portion of the menu.
(4)JP P.
As said previously, the Bakery is OK...not the restaurant! Here's the deal. Harner's is located on a street that has a bridge to cross over the Fox River. I use this route on occasion to get to work in the morning. I had a "Twilight Zone" moment as I slowly turned into the parking lot with the intent to grab some donuts for a job site crew meeting. The "Bakery" is OK....not the restaurant! I will give a 3-star review for the "Bakery" only. After I received my order, I strolled through the restaurant side...a few cafeteria customers seated at the counter only. The east exposure of the building is window friendly to observe nature. The view of the Fox River is hard to see through leaf clad trees. The bike trail parking lot is decorated with vehicle headlights and rear end bumpers. Your eye will immediately focus on the ever present bird feeder that is monopolized by obese squirrels gorging themselves as Canadian Geese crap the lawn. Just an observation on a clear summer morning.
(3)Alex I.
I always enjoy my breakfast at Harners! Great food, quick service and even pastry to go!
(5)Kara C.
$3 for a Chocolate Donut, A Danish and 2 Cinnamon Rolls? Am I in empty calorie heaven? I must have died and gone to Harner's. The cinnamon rolls are out of this world good! The staff at night is kind of on the snobby side, so go in the morning, or they will be out of rolls and customer service!
(3)John S.
I live right down the street from the Galena store and have found the pastery very good. But today I called about a birthday cake and was told they would not put a big rainbow on the cake. I believe because the decorator didn't want to color the icing. I had to go elsewhere.
(1)Barbara Y.
Yes, the wait can be long, but there's always a platter of free cookies at the register. I've never gone for lunch or supper, only breakfast, so I can't say anything about other meals, but we like their whole-grain pancakes and egg dishes. I find the sausage patties too spicy, though. There are always freshly baked treats (I think it was zucchini bread last time) in the bread basket, and the homemade jam is outstanding. My only complaint is that the smoking section is right behind the waiting and bakery area. I can't wait until January when I don't have to put up with smoking and can sit at the counter. Parking can get a bit crowded, so try the adjacent municipal lot.
(4)Jennifer G.
I had my first Harner's Bakery breakfast experience today. YUM! I ordered eggs with corned beef hash. I asked if they made the corned beef hash and they said they did. From the taste and consistency, it was definitely made fresh. I had poached eggs that were perfect. My husband had a veggie omelet. We both left happy - a must try for breakfast!
(4)Rory M.
I eat breakfast here a couple of times every week. The RAISIN TOAST is homemade and amazing. Give it a try and I promise you won't be disappointed. The corned beef hash is excellent, as are the sausage omelettes. Coffee is good and they do have flavored cream, but you must ask for it. The bakery has the best cookies, donuts, and pastries ever!
(5)Allan M.
It's a small time feel diner pulled into the heart of Aurora. For most from Chicago, this is a bit far away, however, if your driving west on I-88 from the city it's well worth a stop for breakfast. Why stop by? Well, your hard pressed to find a hearty meal at a lower price then Harner's. Add that they have a bakery and they make use of it. While your mulling over the menu they bring a small basket of pastries for you to nibble on along with your water. Why not 5 stars? Well, it's a dumpy building with limited parking and there menu outside the breakfast and pastry fair is rather limited. Plus, expect a long wait if your headed there during normal breakfast times as it's an extended local favorite. Best to hit the place for brunch if your driving through. All in all this is a great find. If you want to eat like a lumber jack yet give your girlfriend an opportunity to exercise her sweet tooth, you have your spot. For me, it reminds me of eating back home. Happy Eating! :-)
(4)Nabeel A.
Good food and great service. Delicious baked goods for an amazing price.
(5)Kevin A.
After years of raving from family and friends, my wife and I finally had the opportunity to try this place this morning. Very conveniently located along the Fox River Trail, it's nice to know that there is a way to work off what you ate because, damn, their food is spectacular and you feel very guilty after eating it. We ordered one of their "world famous" coffee cakes and split it amongst four people. I've never tasted a better coffee cake in my life and don't think I can go back to any of the premade ones you buy in grocery stores. Plus it was double the size of the Entenmann's coffee cakes you buy in grocery stores and was only $7.75. The bakery itself is immense and with the rapid decline in independent bakeries, it's nice to have something so nice available. Plus they give full-size samples of some cookies and doughnut holes. I like it. I will go back. And I won't wait so long.
(4)Rebecca H.
Harner's is just perfect for what it does. A bakery with home cooking. I love Harner's and have for many years. The bakery treats never fail to impress, and the reuben sandwich is stellar.
(5)Kaylea S.
Very good! We came for breakfast. I ordered the veggie omelette's husband ordered the special, and our son had blueberry pancakes. Everything was delicious. My only complaint was the canned mushrooms used in my omelet. I hate canned veggies. The homemade jam is excellent. We also came back a few days later and ordered some baked goods. They were EXCELLENT and the prices were very cheap. We will definitely be back here. :)
(4)Hank S.
Harner's is by far the best country style restaurant (and bakery) that I have found. My wife had the roasted pig and I had the broiled salmon. Both were delicious and came with salad bar. The portions were large so save some room for dessert. The bread basket filled with cranberry scones and date nut bread were great. If you need to wait for a table, take a walk to the dam a block away. You will need the exercise with all the food you will be eating. Great bang for the buck.
(4)