Edgebrook Coffee Shop

This place was amazing. It is a typical diner setting with great food. I had the corn beef hash and it was delicious. It was chunky and mixed with potatoes, onions, and bell peppers. My wife had pound cake French toast. It was just as good as it sounds. It didn’t even need syrup. I will definitely be back. The only gripe I have is they open at 730am and I am an early riser and ready to eat at 6. With the food being as good as it is I can wait.

This is an eclectic spot deserving of continued recognition in the FoodieWorld. Whether it’s your typical breakfast election or something Chef C creates… you cannot go wrong!
I can’t stop myself from ordering the same thing every time (Date/​Bacon/​Goat cheese HASH, French Toast and Bacon)… but one day I would like to try their famous Cornbeef HASH … Looks delicious.
They’ve been on several media outlets, but I hope this continues. They usually maintain a healthy crowd without too long of a wait (5min?) to grab a seat… Definitely a breakfast regular here and looking forward to exploring more.
NOM!

We had a total blast here. Food was fantastic… elevated breakfast food. And the atmosphere is so fun. The owner is personable and funny. Will def go back soon!

Best corn beef, love the BURRDADDY seasonings … excellent service, it’s a great neighbour hood restaurant where everyone knows your name :) Thank you Cranky Chef

Great food, outstanding service! This has become one of our favorite spots. It is a quaint family owned with a lot of soul in their food!

Damn! Wish I could swing by 3 times a week. I just love this style diner. Chef Chris has himself a winning combination. Cozy counter and an open kitchen. Friendly staff and a great cook. Worth the wait and my first experience left a lasting impression. Found out about the Cranky Chef from
and glad I made the pilgrimage from Naperville. Be sure to put a dash of their custom Burrdaddy’s rub/​spice on what ever you’re enjoying. You’ll find whimsical specials weekly and I was really tempted to try the pound cake French toast, but the breakfast sandwich won out. The butter bun really made the sandwich stand out. Loved the unique hash browns and I witness Chef Chris smashing them fresh in the background too. Rumor has It Chicago’s Best will be here filming in a couple weeks, so if you haven’t been in yet, best make plans before the Secret’s out in another month. This is definitely worthy of Chicago’s Best breakfast.

Reply to owner:
If old and dirty is «cozy and vintage», sure. Had your server been competent, I would not have been confused about anything on the menu. I know what peaches and strawberries look like; my plate was only topped with apples. Maybe you should check for overall consistency of your restaurant since neither your server nor your cook seem to have it together.
I browsed the other reviews. It seems like it was under previous management. It’s a little misleading in my opinion for these scores to still count towards your new management.
Your reply is rude and condescending and mirrors your staff. Congratulations on making my point and solidifying my review. You question my Unilocal profile – ok. Frankly I would have had a better meal and experience at my favorite local IHOP you mention that I rated ⁵⁄₅. For me, it’s not always about the food. I don’t know why I have to explain to you why I rated an IHOP location 5/​5, but let’s just say the staff there gave me what your staff and business couldn’t – not to mention when I go to IHOP I know exactly the type of food I’m getting even if it is mediocre – frankly, that IHOP has served me better food than what I was served at your restaurant that day.
I hope other Unilocalers read your reply to me.
Thank you. Good luck.
Edit 2÷27÷2016:
Unfortunately I came back to check out this review. Not only do I come back to see that I’m told to «grow up», but now I’m being accused of what exactly? I don’t know who «Gil» is. I have about two inactive Unilocaler friends added. I need a dictionary? Ok.
After paying for terrible food and service, you respond with personal insults and accuse me of cyber attacks? Are you kidding me? I don’t know if I should just laugh.
I have no intentions to «sabotage» your business. Apparently you’re good at doing that yourself.
This is my last edit. Have a good one.

It took a Unilocal search for me to notice a little restaurant I’ve driven past and ignored for at least ten years. Thanks you, Unilocalers, for introducing me to an authentic neighborhood diner with great food and service.
There were at least a dozen things on the menu I wanted to try, but I settled on the French toast with powdered sugar and a side of bacon. The toast was thick and cooked perfectly, with just enough powdered sugar to not overpower it. The bacon was thick cut, not greasy, and a little crispy (the way I like it). I read in another review that the owner smokes it himself, which is probably why it was the best bacon I’ve ever tasted,
My friend ordered a bacon omelet with goat cheese and dates, and it was a real winner. I’m definitely ordering that next time I visit.
We came on a Thursday about 12:45, close to closing time. We were the last patrons, and the service was exceptional. The friendly waitress («server» seems like overkill in a diner) filled my coffee cup four or five times. About the coffee… I loved it because it wasn’t overly strong… reminded me of the coffee the diners near my college campus used to serve. But if you like a really strong brew, when you’re done you can always stop at the Starbucks a few steps away.
This is a small place with a few tables and a counter, probably accomodates about 15 – 20 people, so I imagine it’s packed on weekends. It’s not a good spot for a group larger than two. And everything is cooked to order, so you’ll have to wait a little longer for your food. But it’s definitely worth it. There’s an attached parking area for about three cars, and plenty of paid street parking on Central and Devon. Note that it’s closed on Tuesdays.

This is a great hidden little gem near my home. It looks like a coffee shop, but the food is anything but that. This breakfast and lunch joint, has a great variety of breakfast and sandwich options. I had banana pancakes drizzled with caramel, and the pancakes are killer, slightly crispy on the outside, and light and fluffy inside. They keep your coffee cup full, and each of the staff worked hard to make you feel welcome. I probably shouldn’t let people know about the place, because there isn’t much space, but the owners deserve kudos. I will be back often.

Why didn’t I order two reuben sandwiches?!
Amazing house made corned beef! Sliced thickly, melt-​in-​your-​mouth tender, and juicy. We got a reuben sandwich ($ 11) and corned beef hash with 2 eggs & toast ($ 9) — both like we’ve never had before. We also wanted to try the chili with garlic bread and pancakes with fresh peaches (special of the day), but they ran out of chili and peaches! So early in the morning? Well, it was a Saturday, and they are only open 8 AM — 1 PM. The kitchen was slammed, which was made apparent by waiting nearly 45 minutes for our food. Be prepared for a wait when this place is at max capacity.
Speaking of capacity, it’s a very small restaurant — maybe 15 – 20 seats along the counter and 4 tables that seat two people. Not good for groups; come here with 1 or 2 other people at most. We got here at 10 AM on a Saturday and snagged the last table which was awkwardly underneath a guitar hanging from the wall so I had to be careful not to knock my head against it. By 10:30 AM, people were waiting out the door.
ETC…
Staff was friendly. The front of the house is run by what appeared to be a mother, son, and another employee. Oh, and it’s not that well ventilated. You will walk out with food odor in your hair. They have a 3-​car parking lot, so street parking is almost necessary, which is easier to find on Devon than Central.

The secret is out– THIS PLACE IS GREAT! Sometime over the last year or so, this 50’s diner was taken over by someone who is lovingly known as Chris the Cranky Chef. Well, he definitely CRANKED it up a notch!
I love to support the neighborhood places so I gave the previous owner several attempts to fascinate my senses but not until Cranky Chris Cranked up the grill did the fabulous fascination finally flourish!
So what’s with the crankiness?
This cranky guy smokes his own meat, hand makes his own hash, makes his own sausage… are you kidding me?
So, recently he offered a special with this special bacon… unbelievable– YUM!
I asked Mr. Cranky why this bacon was so awesome… (if you met this guy, you probably guessed it…) He cured his own pork and smoked this bacon… Okay, what else would expect for a guy named Cranky Chris, right?
It’s not over… any olé Joe can smoke some meat, right? (I know; me either) So, it turns out that Mr. Cranky over there adds some special seasoning in the making-​of-​the-​bacon process…
Special seasoning?
What seasoning?
(you know– right?)
This freakin guy makes his own seasoning… Cranky Chef Chris makes seasoning called Cranky Chef seasoning. The bacon was awesome! If you have not been there lately, go there before it too late! There is NO WAY this guy is going to stay contained in that diner…
Ten minutes after the Food Network tastes a little cranky awesomeness there’s going to be a Cranky Chef show! No, wait! … a Cranky Chef Channel!
(added bonus– they sell the spice there, too!)

David N (below) is an incredibly stupid jerk. If he wanted a «latte,»” why on earth would he pass up the chance to get one at the World’s Best Starbucks literally 100 feet from the front door to Edgebrook Coffee Shop? If you’re at that SB on say a Saturday or Sunday evening, look for the 20-​something redhead barista, Mary. She’s the best barista in the world in the best Starbucks in the world. But enough about that, let’s talk Edgebrook Coffee Shop.
«There is no ambience» is like saying there is no vacuum in outer space. The place OOZES ambience, but that’s not why I think it’s one of, if not the best weekend breakfast joints in the entire state. The menu is standard at first glance, but when the food arrives it kind of punches you in the face with the fact that every single item on that «standard» menu is crafted to be the very best that it can. Personally, I like the smoked sausage hash; it’s a mixture of some very high-​end sausage, FRESH vegetable ingredients, perfectly cooked potatoes, and two eggs cooked to order (I go for over-​easy, I like some egg yolk on my food). I’ve ordered this dish dozens of times, and the consistency with which it is delivered and the quality of the food is what keeps me coming back.
They also have a «special» menu written on a chalkboard, and I’ve occasionally ordered from it. Let me just say that I’ve not only never been disappointed with a selection, I’ve overwhelmingly been impressed with each and every meal. I have not once left the place feeling like I should have gone elsewhere; conversely, I have left the place every single time thanking GOD that I chose the Edgebrook Coffee Shop as the place to eat that morning.
The owner is around my age and shares my musical tastes. he has great music playing, there are two flat screen TVs with alternating Jeff Beck concerts and such and the news of the day. Very agreeable. His kids are obviously working the counter, and while as teens they’d almost certainly rather do something else at the moment, you never get the feeling that you’re being short-​shrifted. They’re more than adequate, they kick butt and take numbers. He has a cook or two working the grills and he either watches them plate the finished meals or he plates them himself. There is NO GREASE IN THE AIR. It’s immaculately clean and a very fresh feeling environment.
It’s really the very best place to eat breakfast on a Saturday or Sunday morning. I’m sure if you live in Logan Square or a fake neighborhood like Bucktown you have your fave spots, but for me, being about a mile away, I wouldn’t go anywhere else other than the Edgebrook Coffee Shop.

Typically, exploring the Edgebrook neighborhood isn’t easy with Rosa J.‘s «foodie on foot» journey, yet she made it work! I remember last time when hubby and I were attempting to head there for breakfast, the parking situation wasn’t in favor of our plan A.
This time there wasn’t a fall-​back alternative. Ladies and gentlemen, this is just a fair warning. If you’re an ultra grumpy and edgy individual, Edgebrook Coffee Shop isn’t going to be a place to sit quietly and to avoid engaging conversations with the owner and strangers next to you. In other words, the dude who owns ECS is spunky, talkative, and gregarious. Anyone who is naturally an introvert or a morning-​introvert, I would say «get over it… it’s ok to laugh hard on a Monday morning!»
I happily settled on the steak and eggs (medium & over-​easy), which came with my choice of toast (wheat) and hash browns. I liked the a little sprinkle of parsley on the hash browns; it added sophistication and enhance the visual presentation on the dish. My over-​easy eggs were cooked to perfection. The egg yolks were runny until my last bite of delicious skirt steak. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this entrée in this tiny, unassuming neighborhood breakfast joint.
Daddy J., on the other hand, enjoyed his two (2) eggs (over-​easy as well), home-​made sausage patties, a piece of white toast, and hash browns. He commented that the sausage patties were unique yet flavorful.
The owner rendered very friendly service by continuing topping off our coffee. Dining at ECS felt like having gourmet breakfast at the comfort of your own living room. The owner was wearing his lemon PJ pants busting tables; the cook was taking charge of the flat grill right in front of patrons’ eyes.
You’re all welcome to visit the «statue of liberty logo» brand coffee shop across the road on Central, but wouldn’t you want some hot, made-​to-​order breakfast instead of scones and muffins?
Edgebrook Coffee Shop is located near Central and Caldwell, parallel to the Edgebrook Metra Station. If you’re a pro on riding CTA buses like Rosa J., 85A (N. Central) can take you to the intersection of Lehigh and Caldwell, and 84 (Peterson) has a terminal stop at Central/​Caldwell.

Never a bad experience at this fine establishment. The service and food has always been on-​point every time the wife and I come to dine.
Hashes. I absolutely recommend any of the hashes. Specifically the pulled pork hash. Good lord. I definitely recommend this place to everyone who is a breakfast connoisseur. Try this place out, you’d be a fool not too.

This place was not good. No ambiance at all. It was a diner set up with the grease so exposed I felt like I was getting Coates by sitting there. The best part… it bills itself as a coffee shop. I asked for a latte and the guy says «this is a coffee shop pal. We serve coffee only»… And he wore that fact like a badge. He’s just too proud and too far gone. There was also no music and the conversation the guy was having was loud. I felt like I was in his living room. Idk. It was not a good impression.
My friend quickly finished what she got and we went across the street to Starbucks.

My biggest complaint is that the staff is too outgoing and friendly to me before I’ve had my morning coffee. Seriously. That’s it — that is the only negative thing I can say, and it is because I am a crab-​ass before noon.
This tiny counter diner is completely unassuming, and without the recommendation of an Edgebrook resident, I never would have ventured in here. Now I can scarecly recommend anything else for breakfast North of Lawrence Ave. The corned beef hash here is tender and homemade — a real stellar standout in the land of breakfast dishes. Tip: Always check the specials board (or Facebook) for something fun and interesting.

I was looking through Unilocal for a neighborhood place for breakfast and I found Edgebrook Coffee Shop @ 6322 N Central Avenue. This place is so tiny if you blink you will drive right by it. The restaurant is a small storefront. On the inside there are 4 or 5 tables with 2 chairs each and a counter with bar stools.
I ordered the corned beef hash with Yukon Gold Potatoes, Onions and Peppers, Topped with 2 Eggs over easy, & English muffins. This was easily the best corned beef hash I ever had. The corned beef was perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection with the potatoes, peppers & onions. You add 2 eggs over easy and get the nice gooey egg yolk and you have a winner.
I will definitely be back again.
I’m back. This time I tried the skirt steak hash w/​blue cheese. It was good, but I absolutely love the corned beef hash

A solid diner that is usually packed with regulars. It has the look of an old school, diner-​relic, leftover from Edgebrook’s hay-​days but contains a flavor comparable to many Chicago brunch havens. It’s a gem amongst the «diner club,» that is for sure.
You aren’t going to find the lightest pancakes or the newest fad in breakfast. And if you dine-​in, they may or may not offer Wi-​Fi. But, that’s a perk suited for the café that wants you to sit and sit, ordering mocha-​whatevers all afternoon. This is a f#cking diner. Sit, sip coffee, chit chat a bit with Chris, eat your food and scoot your butt for the next patron. You’re gonna find a couple chefs dishing up some great breakfast here.
I’ve been visiting now for over a year. I usually get my grub to go, since my trek isn’t long. My two favorite options would be the breakfast sandwich and the hash skillets. Get the breakfast sandwich with pulled pork. Their PP is seasoned, then topped with two eggs your way, choice of cheese and some diced house browns. (Diced potatoes with herbs) I like the eggs over-​easy, so it’s grilled but runny all over the place and I can get some yolk intertwined with my potatoes as well. Of the hashes, I will share with you that my Ma prefers the corned beef hash. The difference here is that they give you nice chunks of corned beef. It’s not just diced up and plentiful like the norm at diners of this sort. Since the meat portions are bigger, you get some meatier chunks & a piece or two with some nice fat on it. This is also tossed with house browns, onions, pepper and two eggs your way. I don’t think I need to repeat myself on how to get the most bang out of flavor in ordering those eggs, do I?
Last but not least, the diner is complete with an old school looking malt /​milkshake system. If you think it’s deserved, why not try a milkshake. I like chocolate and I never seem to make it out of there without killing it first.

One regret: that we didn’t visit Edgebrook the day before this visit too! Absolutely delicious breakfast in a tiny diner full of apparent regulars. I had the most amazing hash of ham, pineapple, potatoes and fresh eggs. The rest of my family loved their breakfasts too… this place is a gem. Have the hash!

TIL: corned beef hash doesn’t have to be an aesthetically unappetizing potpourri of goodness.
Here, you can taste the glistening fat on the beef, without having too much hash adulterating that single bite. I enjoyed choosing the amount of corned beef and hash (and yolky sunny side up egg) with every bite.
Come here if you like what you read, want to support a family business, and enjoy having your coffee (and soul) filled.