Melrose

Only in Chicago and the Midwest is life simple and polite. The food is very good, the servers are like your friends if you treat them that way and bother to learn their name. During the week everyone really seems to know everyone. And remember it's a diner and if you are going to order the beef stroganoff do it at your own risk BUT you may be pleasantly surprised.

The chicken fettuccine alfredo is to die for. Its not too bad as carry-out either.

poor service

...otherwise the neighborhood has plenty of other places very nearby with better food and prices. Lots of restaurants have opened in the area in the last few years, and they've pretty much left the Melrose in the dust. Too bad, at one time it was pretty good, and a whole lot cheaper.

As a visitor to Chicago, I was directed to usual tourist traps -- Navy Pier, Michigan Ave (don't go to either!), and tried to find decent, medium-priced, LOCAL food place. Starving, tired and pissed-off, tumbled into Melrose after a local's suggestion -- and felt like home. The best service ever, great well-lit atmosphere, incredible music and a whole basket of bread at the start. Sit at a window and watch people walk by, get a feel of the neighborhood. Listen to owner and his extended family and neighborhood friends softly bicker. Food is very wholesome and well-cooked, my kind of comfort food. Good prices -- same as Denny's for much greater quality and quantity. Forget the chain food places of the downtown -- they are same garbage all over. Go to this place and get a feel of what great local business that is in tune with the neighborhood feels like.

This place is a bit pricey compared to IHOP but so much better. Hey it's not a chain. It can get insanely packed on weekends especially after the bars and clubs close and also during weekend breakfast/brunch hours. Makes for interesting people watching as well.

I had a delicious blackened chicken sandwich at 4 AM! With fries and onion rings!