Horizon Cafe

That belgian waffle was heavenly. I’m pretty sure I saw an angel come down from the sky and hand deliver it to the chef. THEE best one I’ve ever had! The service here was impeccable — no sooner had we walked through the door, we were greeted and seated by smiling faces. Food came out fast and tasted great — cant ask for more than that! Great first meal in our visit to Chicago.

I walked past this place way too many before finally trying it today. The staff was very very good. Food came out quickly, was hot, correct, and they kept my water and coffee full. I had the Pride Platter with sausage and I highly recommend it. The scrambled eggs were fluffy, the fries had a great seasoning, and the pancakes tasty. I left with my belly full and happy:)

Great spot for breakfast any time of day. Got the vegetarian skillet, would order it again. Love their waffles. I look forward to coming back to try more food!

Fried Chicken Benedict was amazing and huge. Large portions but not too large. Also shared the Texas French toast one of the best diners I’ve been to in Chicago. No frills, relatively cheap price, fast service!

Fantastic for Breakfast! Super fluffy and tasty pancakes and so many breakfast options I had a hard time choosing. Service was fast and excellent, would highly recommend.

The skillets are amazing! i got the veggie with bacon– I know it’s strange, but i like veggies and I wanted some meat in there too! It was great and a ton of bacon was in there! I will be back for the banana bread french toast!

Saturday was my second visit to Horizon Café, and I was not disappointed. The menu is extensive, and I remembered the omelets are gigantic, so the spicy chorizo omelet was perfect to combat my extreme hunger. Paired with house coffee which never reached the «half empty» point, the experience of Horizon Café was exactly what I needed.
Cheerful and a little on the loud side, encourage your friend to speak up if they’re quieter!
What kind of book would be written here? A family drama.

Horizon Café has been a Lakeview staple for a while now. I live nearby and have been going since its inception.
The workers are super nice and friendly. Seriously, everyone single one. It goes a long way.
The food is nothing earth shattering but it is really good and the portions are large. It’s across the street from an IHOP but spend the same amount for better quality food, and help support a locally run business instead of whoever owns that annoying IHOP.
Horizon Café is the one.

I moved into the neighborhood a week ago, and I happened accross Horizon during a walk. Three visits later (one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner), and I can safely say I am hooked. I went all three times with my visiting father, and we both loved the burgers (huge and perfectly prepared), the Denver Omlette (delicious and fit for 3), and the rice pudding (slobber).
The atmosphere was inviting and casual. The service was exceptional, and the owners were friendly and involved. I will brimg my friends and other family members. I want to go back right now! Must… have…evening…breakfast.

COST:
$ 10.59 (Monterey Omelette — Mushroom, Ham, Avocado)
Under $ 10 usually (have had Eggs Benedict and Strawberry Banana Pancakes too)
This spot is a pretty no frills, good and reliable brunch place. It doesn’t try and make anything special other than deliver great breakfast… all the time no matter what time it is.
I’ve ordered pretty much anything off their breakfast menu and the pancakes or waffles are definitely my favorite.
The café is very welcoming and you’ll never have an empty mug of coffee. Servers always walk around seeing to it that everyone has their cup full.
I’ve been here multiple times and will always crawl back for more!

Came here about a week ago got the chicken Benedict chicken and gravy were really good in taste but I like my breakfast hot. Food was cold when it came out and pancakes weren’t good at all. Coffee wasn’t hot either. My wife didn’t like her vegetarian omelet. Overall food wasn’t good maybe I can try lunch some time but now happy with food hope they can make sure food is fresh and hot.

I kinda hate to say this: we were looking for a different diner down the street. But it was closed, so we came to Horizon. Really glad we did!
This is definitely a family place. The owners were hanging out, but watching over things. The staff were friendly and efficient. And the food — good stuff! The banana bread french toast has been reviewed here by others, and for good reason. Home made banana bread, made fresh daily, turned into french toast and topped with fresh banana slices? Pinch me. But they had specials as well that sounded amazing, including blueberry muffin french toast. That was hard to pass up. I tried their basic breakfast too — eggs, bacon, english muffin, hash browns. All exactly as ordered.
Good portions, friendly service and good food. Nothing outlandish or artsy. Just good food. So glad Horizon is in the neighborhood!

This is probably my favorite breakfast and lunch place in northern lakeview. Not that they don’t have excellent dinner options. I just really enjoy the quiet atmosphere and hardy meal to start off the day. They have a lot of great breakfast options and can accommodate to any request I have given them. Earned 4 stars for robust and diverse menu with great quality. Giving the fifth star because the service is top notch and very speedy. A must visit.

Made my way here with my folks on one of the recent days when it was relatively warm out. And we were not disappointed, large menu with fresh and quick service. The waiter was great, very honest about what to get. The food was great as well, and we each had a diverse item. I had breakfast, eggs and chorizo skillet. My dad had chili and half a sandwhich and my mom had a greek thing (sorry haha dont know the name) anyways it was all very good! Try the place out.

I’m pretty surprised this place is reviewed so highly (which is part of the reason I decided to go for brunch).
Disclaimer: I went on New Years Day, so that could have been the cause of a lot of the issues.
Service was slow (we waited an hour for our food), and my pancakes were undercooked. The food was not good enough, nor was the service fast enough, to compensate for the large menu. The food is also not so cheap; it’s about the same price range as any other brunch place in the area, and way worse.
I wish I had gone to IHOP.

I’ve never been to Horizon Café, but after dining here this afternoon I can say I will definitely be back. Normally a brunch must include bottomless mimosas to get me to attend, but the food at Horizon Café was so good I was fine with not having a drink. I had the B&G Quesadilla (Biscuit & Gravy) and it was magically delicious. If you hit up this spot I recommend trying the B&G Quesadilla!

This local diner is much better than going to any chain. Real, homemade-​esque breakfast food that puts iHop to absolute shame.

This place should rename to Football Omelets! You can guess why.
I’ve been twice now and wish they were closer to my house. The portabello Benedict I tried on the first visit was perfect. The Greek skillet on the second visit was also just perfect.
Food comes out lightning fast and nuclear hot which I like. Coffee is also very good.
This place is a gem!

One thing I must admit about Chicago diners is that you can always good some breakfast that keeps you coming back, no matter what time of day or evening it is. Horizon Café falls into that category. While it may not be white table cloth quality, it definitely is several notches above IHOP.
Having gone in the past and enjoyed the breakfast fare, I went again recently to meet up with some friends. The chicken and waffles are worthy of getting. I prefer my waffles to be slightly crispy on the outside, not totally soft and fluffy like pancakes. I shall make a note to myself to have the cook prepare the waffles so that they are crispy on the outside when I return in the future.
Don’t expect gourmet. You’ll get very good anyway

OMG Chicken and Waffles in Lakeview — without a 45 min wait! I love Horizon work right down the street and tried just about anything on the menu — it is all great and fresh. However hands down the best meal is the chicken and waffles and I am not talking piece of chicken on a waffle I mean succulent huge portions of deeply fried lightly but beautifully golden breaded chicken breasts or tender I am not even sure nor do I care they are perfect! Served on a golden fluffy waffle — and warm syrup. Amazing!
I wish they served baked turkey instead of the smoked option only it is good, but a little much for everyday meals like lunch and soup combo they offer — just the same good price and food. Skip IHOP and try Horizon you will so glad you did, No parking but parking is easy in the area.

Cool little friendly place in lakeview with surprisingly good food (the free chicken soup with the mains is great).
Very welcoming staff. Great to fall into on a Chicago winters night if you’re dropping by

Stayed in Chicago for a few days and stumbled on this place while walking around the neighborhood from my hotel. I was a bit hesitant to go in because there was no one there… no one! However, I’m glad we did. The place is clean, the food is good and the staff is super friendly. They have a really diverse menu and the prices are definitely reasonable.

My son found Horizon Café on Unilocal and the photos led us to try the place but the food and the service is the reason we will be back a million times over. I had the eggs Benny, and I consider myself a connoisseur of said dish because I order it everywhere and it was one of the best I’ve ever had. The eggs were poached perfectly, the ham was thick and juicy, and the hollandaise was the perfect buttery texture.
My son had the plain cheeseburger and the first thing he said was, it’s better than AuCheval!!! He ate the whole thing explaining how perfectly cooked and juicy it was.
My sister had the veggie omelet and couldn’t believe how good it was. She said she «couldn’t understand how anyone could make something so simple, taste so good». It left her wondering how the chef makes their omelets.
We will be back, sooner rather than later. Our server was attentive, nice, and let us know that they will be opening a bar next door that will also serve breakfast all day. Very excited to have a boozy breakfast here at night!!!
Run, don’t walk to Horizon Café and then return weekly. You’re welcome:)

Would be a classic diner situation had Panera Bread not come in there and thrown up all over the place. The table service is kind and prompt, the food is on the edge between greasy GFS and modern, creative American cuisine, but the ambiance, what with the shiny stock photography and meaningless slogans and pastel walls, foodservice tile on the walls… it wasn’t that the food bothered me at all, or the staff, but *being there* was infuriating.
As a counterpoint, my girlfriend loved how awful the interior decorating was. She said it fit the place perfectly as a mockery of itself. Go figure.
Update: Nick, one of the owners of Horizon Café, has made the excellent point that this review, as it is, seems unbalanced. He’s right. It does no good to criticize something without giving a suggestion for remedy. Kind of makes me a jerk of a reviewer, and as penance I’ll leave the above review as it is so as not to whitewash the action.
So, I mentioned the stock photography. I disparaged it and claimed that it did a disservice to the diner’s interior. I have read that the Horizon is an institution in the neighborhood, other reviews champion its longevity and friendliness, and how well it does what it does, how it’s improved over the years… these are deeply personal and touching, meaningful reports and cannot, in my humble opinion, be served by such generalized, impersonal imagery. If customers and regulars feel a connection to a place, it seems to make sense to honor and enhance that connection by reciprocating visually (albeit that reciprocation is evident in the menu and service already).
Images of Chicago’s skyline and architecture, of life on its streets and historic moments, of the early days of the Horizon itself and perhaps the families that have been involved with it, of its ownership posed with customers… as a diner in what can be argued as a Chicago institution, I want to feel as though as I’m looking into the place, it is looking back at me, reflecting its history openly and proudly.
The Horizon is far above chains like IHOP and Panera in every facet but this one.
I have added a star to my review to reflect the demonstrated patience and integrity of the Horizon’s ownership. These qualities are hard to find, and show great character in the face of a shallow criticism.

Was it really 5 years ago that I first reviewed Horizon?
Well, they have done us well over the years. Good prices, good food, good service.
Everyone needs a reliable steadfast dined in their repertoire, and Horizon is great at what they do.
Make sure you come on Thursday for the Greek specials– or any day and have Spinach Pie. Hell, I had it today for breakfast!

I ordered a sausage crescent breakfast sandwich here. The staff was all SUPER friendly and a real delight, and the food was good but did not stand out to me in any way to truly warrant 5 stars. I’d certainly go again, as my friend’s omelet looked a lot better than my sandwich!
Great atmosphere and convenient hours… Definitely worth a shot.

What a great place! Nothing like this in Cincinnati, but there should be! Ordered the Denver Omelet on the recommendation of a friend. Nice drive to Lakeview. George and Nick were so friendly and the food was absolutely delicious. The omelet was so large I had to take most of it back to the hotel with me. I am so glad for the tip!
Really appreciated Nick’s conversation and parking tips and George’s courteous service. Left with warm feelings about Chicago!

Came here for breakfast and while the outside looks a little bit shaky don’t be afraid to step inside this magical place! Excellent food and very friendly staff.
* Immediately greeted with coffee and water within 22 seconds of sitting down. I like this place already…
* The breakfast menu has so many options I wish I could’ve come here five days in a row.
* Went with the chorizo avocado pepperjack omelet. MASSIVE. I think they use six eggs instead of three but I’m not complaining. I housed the whole thing. Yummmmm
* You really can’t go wrong with this place. Give it a go!

I am so glad I finally walked in and tried this place, after passing it so many times on my way home from work. IHOP had a line an hour long this past Sunday, so my brother and I left and decided to walk across the street to grab some breakfast here instead. We definitely made the right choice in leaving IHOP to eat here!
Walking up, the outside looks a little uninviting. The sign for Horizon Café looks very generic and dingy, and there really isn’t much on the outside besides that. Walking in, however, the interior is very homey and quaint. It’s clear the if you’re a local, you know to eat here, and you also know that they have the best breakfast food in the area. This is definitely a local hidden gem in Lakeview.
We got the last table so we didn’t have to wait, but unfortunately, it looked like if you didn’t get a table, you had to wait 30 minutes. I read on Unilocal that the banana bread french toast was good, so I ordered that. My brother ordered a ham and cheese omelette. We each ordered bacon on the side, and coffee.
Our server was very friendly, and our food came out in about 15 minutes, despite the fact that they were somewhat busy. The banana bread french toast was amazing. It wasn’t overly sweet, and it was thick slices of banana nut bread, lightly battered, topped with banana slices. The portion wasn’t huge, but the bread was so thick, I got full off finishing two of the three slices. Despite being battered, the dish was surprisingly light and airy. I will definitely be ordering this again.
My brother’s omelette was huge! He ordered it off the three egg omelette section on the menu, and it looked like there were at least six eggs in there! He got his with diced ham and cheddar cheese. He said it was very good, and I tried a bite and it was. Airy, not overcooked eggs, with plenty of cheese and ham. It came with your basic side of hash browns.
Our coffee was always full, and the side of bacon was crispy and perfectly greasy. Talked to the owner, Nick, who was very nice, and told him breakfast was very good. He came over during the meal to ask how it was. I am excited for Nicky Street to open next door after eating here, I will definitely be back to try dinner!

Banana bread french toast.
BANANA BREAD FRENCH TOAST.
The all caps were very necessary, because you see, it’s banana bread dipped in batter to make french toast. Do you not see how many spectacular things were just mentioned in that sentence? Best french toast that I’ve had, it was so flavorful and soft (not soggy). The portion size was perfect as well, I ate all of it without feeling like my stomach was going to explode.
Turkey sausage and hash browns were pretty good too, both cooked perfectly.
French toast, you the real MVP!

Great neighborhood place for a bite to eat. I visit once or twice a month as I live down the street. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, They are probably more known for their breakfasts.
Breakfast options are great. I’ve had the omelettes, skillets, and benedicts. I like all three so I change up when I visit. Service is fantastic and quick! Sundays tend to get pretty busy but no extraordinary wait times.
I’ve ordered take-​out a few times for dinner and have been satisfied with my choices. Online ordering makes for a quick and easy dinner option.