Clarke’s Diner

Only been here once. Prices are fair enough and the place is new and clean. Omlettes looked huge.

It appears Clarke’s Diner on Damen Ave. in Bucktown/​WIcker Park has shut down.
I ate there just last week and things seemed fine, although I did get a vibe that business wasn’t booming and workers seemed stressed out. I walked by it last night, and everything is gone. No notice on the door. Nothing about it on their website, Facebook, or Unilocal page.
Clarke’s wasn’t fine dining by any means, but for a hot cup of coffee and a plate of grub, it was reliable and friendly. Staying open 24 hours is not easy. If this is the end, I’ll miss it. I posted a photo of the space in the photos section.

11÷14÷11
1:30 am
Yes we were drunk.
Wait staff was angry and fussy.
He wrote in a %20 gratuity FOR 5 PEOPLE!!!
Would have tipped %20 anyway.
Just a bad move.
Go home and eat a block of cheese.
This place is not worth it.
Very expensive for 1 star service.
Please go back into non-​existence.

What I like about this place is it reminds me a lot of home. (middle of nowhere Indiana)
Its one of those places that you could almost find anywhere.
Where they sorta half ass try for a theme but it is sorta muted but the Americana that is the typical diner (or truck stop in some cases).
Pancakes, waffles, etc for breakfast. Sandwiches and burgers for lunch.
You get the idea.
Predictable but solid overall and prices are reasonable.
Stop in for some post hangover coffee and pancakes and maybe get a taste of home.

WORST DINING EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE.
After a long night out my friends and I stopped at Clarke’s for hangover-​preventing food before heading home to crash. I had been to the Clarke’s in Lakeview and had no problems with the food or service, so expected the same here.
There weren’t many empty tables but it also wasn’t exactly packed. Our server was prompt in taking our drink orders and also in taking our food orders. The coffee my boyfriend ordered never appeared in the HOUR we sat there. Between the four of us we ordered two apps and four entrees, each with sides (pretty standard, toast/​pancakes with omelets, waffle fries with burger). After a longer-​than-​average wait, our appetizers appeared. The mozzarella sticks were straight from the freezer with a pitstop in the fryer, which was too be expected. The «macho nachos» was a plate of tricolor tortilla chips with maybe a tablespoon of cheese, and about the same amount each of salsa, sour cream, and guac.
Whatever, we needed food, it wasn’t terrible. Maybe another 20−25minutes passed before entrees arrived. Two of us received our omelets, no toast, and our server disappeared. I thought she said something along the lines of being right out with the rest, but I could be wrong. Another maybe 15min pass, and when she next comes out we ask her where the rest of our food is. She seems confused and takes the order again. Not sure what she was doing the first time she took it. She went back to the kitchen and reappeared with our bill– uh, what? we hadn’t even gotten half the food we ordered! Time continued to pass and she didn’t return. I got the attention of the next server I saw and complained about the abysmal service and he seemed so stoned I’m not sure he even understood me.
He walked off and came back with no explanation. I asked again what was going on and if I could speak with a manager or supervisor because the situation was ridiculous. He told me there weren’t any working. Now, I’ve worked in multiple kitchens and I’ve been a server various places too– since when does an establishment operate and serve food with nothing more than entry level employees working?! Honestly, with all the laws and regulations in this city, is it even legal?
I was fuming at this point. We did not receive the rest of our food and could not wait to get out of there. It goes without saying that I will not be returning.

I have eaten here once before, and it wasn’t bad, but this is less of a review and more of a warning.
Came in early Monday morning (about 5:30am) with a couple of friends for breakfast, after being seated, have our drink order taken, and delivered, we were informed that the ovens were being cleaned, and we could only order fried food. This of course meant no skillets, omelets, and basically left me with almost no choices for breakfast. BUT WAIT, it doesn’t end there… less than 5 minutes later, our waiter comes back to tell us the fryers are being cleaned too! NO FOOD!
Obviously we decided to leave. Now I understand ovens and fryers need to be cleaned BUT, not at the same time, not all of them at once, and never, ever, should a 24hour diner be open and unable to make food, EVER. Finally, charging us for the drinks without informing us we could not eat, well that’s just tacky.
So if you are going to go, the food isn’t bad, just make sure you can order some before you sit down.

Neighborhood diner that’s great for breakfast, I don’t believe I’ve had any other meal at this place. Portions are huge! I usually get the two eggs breakfast and it’s pretty solid. The breakfast potatoes are very greasy, sometimes that’s what I am looking for! They won’t let your coffee mug go under half full.
Sometimes waitstaff is slow or an order comes out incorrectly or missing an item.

I don’t understand the negative reviews! I happen to adore Clarke’s. It’s a diner– don’t expect it to rival brunch at Longman & Eagle, because it won’t but it doesn’t need to. It’s a cheap, convenient diner serving up some mouth watering breakfast items. They have a ton of selection and everything I’ve ever had here was spot on, most recently the classic skillet eggs with slab bacon and an English muffin. Where else can you get this much food for $ 9?!? Their pancakes, which are also offered as a side item (totally unnecessary to eat that much food but why not?) are so fluffy. I’ve only been here sober even though I know it’s a late night noshing spot, yet I still find the food quality to be superb.
Service is quick and not particularly special. Again, it’s a diner. Align expectations accordingly. And then go here and get some amazing eats for very little money. And you will be so full you don’t need to eat again for the rest of the day.

Cute setup… Had the cinnamon roll pancakes and meh. It’s not that good but it’s better than McDonalds after a long night of dancing.
I won’t come back during daylight.

This place is great. Lots of different menu items for whatever you may be craving at whatever time (open 24 hrs).
This place kind of reminded us of a place we love in Tempe. The food was really good and you get a lot of it and the ambiance was very inviting. Love the old Chicago pics.
The service was fast and friendly too!

Clarkes is the perfect addition to bucktown, we really needed a non-​sleazy 24-​hour diner in the hood for all of those late hour and early morning cravings!

Clarke’s is a great, small neighborhood diner in Wicker Park. The décor is bright with booth seating and lots of sunlight. The menu offers mostly tasty breakfast options and the service is friendly. I had an egg skillet with asparagus, potatoes, mushrooms, onions, no cheese. Light and yummy. Luv!

Was looking forward to some comforting breakfast foods, but this place totally didn’t make me smile. Everything on my plate was pretty bland and forgettable. Got the corned beef hash/​potatoes/​eggs, while the boyfriend got a chicken salad.
Soggy tasteless salad drenched in authentic «southwestern» dressing and pitiful eggs with canned corned beef hash plopped onto our table.
Be aware when using credit/​debit cards! The server rewarded himself an extra $ 1 tip. The charge was «pending» on my account for about a week which is pretty unusual. Pretty sketchy joint! Sketchy restaurants are no fun y’all.

I have been going to Clarke’s for years on Lincoln, and was glad when they opened a location in Wicker Park.
Service was good, food was great, we go for breakfast, very friendly place, I have seen a few complaints posted here, but for me it is always a nice go to place for quality food and a fair market price. I posted some pictures of what we ate. See for yourself.

Don’t think my review will tip the scale so I’ll keep it short and sweet.
Pros–
Breakfast all day– rockin’.
Prices are $ 8 and up depending on what you get.
Omlettes are über tasty and have options outside of your typical «Denver» selection
Potatoes are tasty
Cons–
Service is slow
Parking can be a beyatch
They had the doors open in July creating a humid, sticky kind of environment
OVERALL– breakfast craving satiated. Close to where my friends live so why not.
Celebrity Rating– Vince Vaughn

When out and about (pronounced: «oot and aboot») around anywhere north of Cermak after midnight and hungry, this is going to be my go to spot. Hollywood Grill, be damned! The food is much better here than your typical diner joint, and the prices are reasonable.
Tonight, after a late night flight back from Vegas, we entered a nearly empty Clarke’s in order to get some late night eats. Food was served very quickly and was piping hot. My skillet (Chicken Coop, pronounced «coop,» not «co-​op») was just shy of magnificent. I was thoroughly impressed. Truly. This was one of the best skillets I’ve ever had, and for a while I was thinking I was eating at Meli. I had the side of pancakes (2) and was pleased with them as well.
My better half enjoyed her omelet with a bit of Cholula added to it (see photographic proof attached to this review).
Come here for great diner food, at reasonable prices, any time of the day or night.

Same as all the others — lackluster food, even more lackluster service. We were on our way to Feast for brunch, but I got stopped by Clarke’s — 1. It’s Clarkes. 2. It’s cheaper than Feast. 3. There was street parking right outside the door.
Should have just kept my foot on the pedal and continued to Feast. Worst $ 30 I’ve spent on food yet.

Service, service, service. That is where all restaurants either succeed or fail. I arrived about Noon on Sunday and the restaurant was busy but had enough servers so each one only had 4 or 5 tables.
I put in my order right away, Strawberry Banana French Toast and a glass of OJ. From this point on it only goes downhill.
When my OJ is delivered the server spilled about ¼th of it on the floor. She apologized but still put my dripping glass on the table to make more of a mess. (keep this in mind as it will play a part in later events)
About 20 minutes later my French toast arrives. 2 pieces of french toast with some berries on top. No syrup. And the waitress tells me she will be right back with my syrup. 10 minutes later still no syrup I ask another waitress for some and she grabs a ⁹⁄₁₀^th empty bottle and places it on my table. Then grabs another ¼th full bottle and puts it in there. Finally 2 minutes later my waitress reappears and gives me a new bottle of syrup.
I finish eating and am waiting for my check. My plate and glass have been taken away and im sitting there… 5 minutes… 10 minutes… after about 2 minutes a girl of about 9 years leaves her booth to head to the bathroom she slips and falls on the previously spilled OJ that they NEVER came to clean up.
My check was finally delivered I paid immediately and get the HELL out of there!

24 hours, breakfast all day and closer than Hollywood… Getting excited, boy I was disappointed.
Had the Denver skillet and found the «scrambled» eggs to not really be scrambled more of a fluffy egg cap to the meal covering the seasoned potatoes (Garlic, and bad garlic at that?) with a thin layer of cheese/​veg and meat.
They kept my Coffee full, made sure I had a full carafe of water at all times and my waitress was great, to bad the food was not.

After 4 hours of sleep and 12 hours of work, Julie R. and I wanted one thing. Chicken shawarma from Bablyon.
Walk 3 blocks…
Wait are the lights out?
Walk closer. I see a sign…
Closed early at 4pm. Instead of 10pm? UGh!
Walk 4 more blocks.
Clarke’s.
Floor to celing windows wide open.
Open 24 hrs.
All booth seating!!! I love me a good booth!
Breakfast all day!
Chicago cops munching… safe.
I’m on this BLT binge at the moment. I read in Shape magazine that if you have to eat at a diner then go with the BLT (less calories than a crazy breakfast platter since they typically don’t load it with bacon).
So I ordered the BLT. Went a little something like this:
Me: «I’ll have the BLT with fries.»
Server: Nods.
Me: «Actually instead of the fries can I just get the potatoes?» (I wanted to try their Northshore potatoes).
Server: «Sure.»
Cut to 20 minutes later. I’m staring at a plate of potato skins. Uh, what happened to my BLT? Did the server think I need to carb up for my next 12 hour shift at work? No, apparently he thought that I wanted to order potato skins instead of my original BLT when I asked to get the potatoes instead. Interesting thought process. He was completely apologetic and willing to get my BLT. But I was hungry and sleepy. And the potato skins actually looked tasty. I got 5 potato butt ends (instead of the usual lengthly slice) sprinkled with bacon (still got it in the end!), green onions, and a side of sour cream. All in all tasty and filling. No harm. No foul.