The Chicago Diner, Lakeview

Reviews

• MT

  Mi T

  3 days ago
  1.0
  I chose this restaurant based on glowing reviews and a blog recommendation unfortunately, those portrayals were completely misleading. This was one of the most fabricated dining experiences I’ve ever had. The food quality was extremely poor. I ordered a portobello mushroom sandwich that barely contained any mushrooms at all. The portion was skimpy and disappointing. The only redeeming part of the meal was the bread, which was fresh and tasty otherwise, the sandwich would have been inedible. The salad that accompanied it was visibly spoiled, with brown and black lettuce, as shown in the photos. I was shocked that such food would be served to a paying customer. Beyond the food, the experience was made worse by the manager’s behavior, which felt discriminatory and unwelcoming. There was an unmistakable sense that I was not wanted there. The restaurant displays a sign stating “All Are Welcome,” but my experience contradicted that message entirely. I left feeling disgusted not only by the poor food quality but by the overall treatment. This establishment does not live up to its reputation, and I would not recommend it.
• KD

  Kabir Das

  Jan 3, 2026
  1.0
  Food was absolutely disgusting. Not even made well. Slopped together. Giant bricks of tofu. Never seen anyone serve tofu like that. Place was absolutely disgusting. Looks so worn down and tattered. My mother went into the bathroom and wanted to vomit because of how unkept it was. Gross. So many other vegan restaurants closed recently - why didn’t this one? We initially wanted to go to Bloom - a much cleaner, much more put together vegan restaurant- but they recently closed with other vegan restaurants in Chicago, likely due to the property tax hike. So, we came to this flea motel/bomb shelter. Never doing that again. But, the waitress was very nice. Update: It is now 9 o’clock and I was there at noon and my stomach is still feeling upset. I have been feeling nauseous all day since I ate there. I didn’t even finish my meal - I ordered the chilaquiles and I poked at the rice and beans and had one half of one tortilla chip. Considering how the place looks, I wouldn’t expect good food handling measures were taken seriously.
• YC

  Yameira Church

  Dec 27, 2025
  5.0
  I wish I could give this infinite stars!! One of the few places you can go even as a solo diner and the waitstaff still make you feel welcome. I’ve never had a bag experience or meal! I live super far and sometimes treat myself to delivery and even that’s packaged very well and mindfully. The ribs send me in a euphoric shock EVERY TIME. I’ve never had better vegan ribs or a twice baked potato in my life!! And the club sandwich is seriously next level!
• JF

  Jules Flores

  Dec 18, 2025
  1.0
  Highly disappointing. Haven’t been here in over a year, I was very excited to come back and have a milkshake. The food was absolutely bland all around, literally no flavor or care in the preparation. The cheese sauce in the nachos was slimy and again, flavorless. The crispy spicy chick’n sandwich was neither crispy nor spicy. The milkshake took longer to come out and then when it did, it was so thick I couldn’t use the straw to drink it. It was soft serve ice cream. The food was just there, made quickly but lacking any time of flavor, I mean not even salt yall. Please fix your food Chicago diner, you were a favorite spot idk if it was the pandemic or inflation but the quality is gone. Won’t return anytime soon.
• JG

  Jaime Gamboa

  Dec 18, 2025
  2.0
  This is used to be the best place ever. Last time we came here was a couple of years ago or so. But this time, the food had no flavor, came out extremely quick (not a good sign cuz how long did it take you to make it?) and the shakes were sooooo thick we couldn’t even drink them. We were literally just eating ice cream. Not sure whats going on as this place used to be bomb. But this last time was way more expensive, smaller portions, and the food just wasn’t good.

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