Ohio House Coffee Shop

The world’s smallest diner closed?!! No WAY! My Gramps used to take me and my sis here after church. The tallest man in the world was working the stove. This place is straight out of a Ronald Dahl book. I wonder what it is now.

The staff was in shut down mode. Letting people know we were told the place was closing is the reason I am writing the review. We left Chicago the next day so I am not confident it has closed yet, but evidently the space/​place had been sold by the owner. So a Chicago icon will be going way. Maybe had they had motivation to do better because their jobs were continuing it would have been a better experience. Otherwise, it was on the dull side. Food was mediocre.

THIS PLACE IS GOING TO CLOSE SOON!
This small diner is cheap, fast and conveniently located in the same lot with Ohio House Motel. If you are near Ohio and La Salle, and hungry for some grub, you need to check this place out.
They are cheap, considering they are right next to downtown. Although the service can be slow, they are still rock solid no frills diner. I usually get the omelette with salsa, hashbrowns, side order of bacon and grits. That usually come out to around 10 $! Cant beat that. And coffee ain’t too bad either.
One thing is, I’m usually drunk or hung over when I’m eating here so my taste buds might be little off. But it cures my hangover!

Important Note: Ohio House Coffee Shop has sign in its window saying that it is closing (forever) on April 28, 2013. Visit soon if you ever wanted to!
We visited this lovely little joint last Sunday. It’s a no frills place with huge breakfast portions and only okay coffee. It seems like a family run joint with lots of locals hanging out at the counter. I got the deuces wild and my husband got the biscuits and gravy special. Both were delicious and everything was made from scratch. The things I will remember were the amazing pancakes, hash browns, OJ, and generous portions. We got out of there for two breakfast, two drinks, and tip for around $ 20. Totally a steal! It is nothing more than a coffee shop, but it was one of the best and cheapest meals we had in Chicago.

I found this delightful place one morning looking for a breakfast joint and this was the perfect fit. Their prices are very reasonable, their signature ‘Deuces Wild’ is a whopping 5.75, for pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage pattys, a great deal that’s hard to come by, especially in downtown Chicago. Their other dishes are similarly priced and all their food is exactly what you want in a breakfast, simple but good food. I haven’t tried any of their lunch menu things, but their breakfast is one of my go-​tos.
The place itself is small and modest, your typical cozy coffee shop diner. I really enjoy that, the atmosphere is laid back and comfortable and is great for hangover food (which I’ve gone in for on more than one occasion). The service is prompt and friendly, and they remember you when you’ve come in more than once.
They are quite a small establishment, but I enjoy that it’s more intimate because of that. Just to take note of before going, they are a Cash Only place and don’t accept credit cards, so just make sure to have bills with you before going in.

Dry pancakes mar what should have been a solid, no frills diner breakfast. I like the spot, though, just not a fan of the food.

418pm… not open. Put up a sign with correct hours. Thanks!

The food was at least a solid 3.5, but the price kicked this well into 4 star category. This is a basic no-​frills coffee-​shop/​grill, with more counter seating than booths. You don’t come here for Eggs Benedict or Crepes… you come here for Biscuits & Gravy, Corned Beef Hash, Pancakes or an Omelet… all with a side of perfectly cooked greasy Hash Browns. It’s good to know there are still places like this in the heart of Chicago. Note: it’s a cash only spot, but considering a huge breakfast and a hot drink will run you about $ 10, that shouldn’t be an issue. Enjoy!

A delightful coffee shop experience. Ohio House makes me feel so calm, quaint, and refined. My check-​ins inspire instant envy in my friends from Hong Kong.
This is a coffee shop where you are seated. There is a leather binder that contains no women, but instead, delicious food and drink menus. When you order your drink, and I highly encourage you to sit here, relax, and have your drink here, it comes served on a cute little silver platter with a glass of water, spoon, and a tiny cookie. All the drinks that I’d had are fabulous — teas, iced teas, lattes, hot chocolate. The dessert case is a thing of beauty and sugar. The staff are an absolute delight. Plus, one time, they had bacon cinnamon rolls.

«Can I get 2 eggs and pancakes… seriously, just 2 eggs and pancakes… no truffle butter… no vermont aged maple syrup… just plain eggs!»
Anyone who knows Chicago’s breakfast/​brunch scene knows that we have no shortage of über fancy brunch spots. Yolk, Meli’s Café, Wildberry… the list goes on and on. And it while it may seem that you can’t get breakfast in this town for less then $ 20… the Ohio House Coffee Shop comes to the rescue!
Listen, I’m not telling you that this is the best breakfast place in Chicago. But, sometimes it’s nice to just get some good old pancakes with syrup, or eggs with a side of bacon for an honest price made by nice people. The Coffee House answers that calling. The place looks like it was ripped right out of the 1920s and to me, that’s not a bad thing. The service is great and they serve a ton of breakfast classics, all for under $ 10. You owe it to yourself to stop by and try this place; when places like this no longer exist, we’re going to miss them!

Warning… terrible joke intro in 3…2…If this place were an ex Bears Quarterback it’d be Brian Greasy Spoon. Unlike the shitty backup, Ohio House is a total score for Chicago.
It’s a super cheap, super awesome breakfast spot. The type that you wake up hung over craving like it’s the only thing that will cure you. Nothing special about the menu. It’s as basic as it gets, but the food sticks to your ribs, the coffee’s hot, and the service is something straight out of a movie.
It’s cash only, but don’t go walking 3 blocks looking for an ATM like I did cause there’s one right outside the front door. If you like breakfast you’re bound to be a fan.

Where to start. The coffee was good, so I guess they have that going for them. How about food then?
FOOD:
Shitty. This is coming from someone who has been to many «greasy spoons» so don’t assume that I am some high-​class chap dismayed by a down-​home breakfast. Anyways, my girlfriend has had food poisoning the entire day and she had the chopped steak so I wouldn’t recommend that. The bacon and sausage were shitty and nothing special. The pancakes were dry and crusty. No amount of butter and syrup could salvage this.
SERVICE
Had to go out of our way to request a water refill. That’s retarded for a place that is smaller than my parent’s bedroom.
What was supposed to be a nice day with my girlfriend, out and about, has turned into her being a bed-​ridden mess that has thrown up all day. Thanks Ohio House. I appreciate it.
The only reason this place gets high reviews is because of the «greasy spoon» schtick that uppity people in River North aren’t accustomed to. This is charming to people who normally valet for breakfast but for someone who has been in plenty of them back home in Kansas City, let me be the first to tell you that this place sucks. Go to Town Topic on Broadway in Kansas City and tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about.

Best greasy spoon in the city. Cathy, who runs the place and is the main waitress during the week, is a real-​life version of Maxine (the sassy grandma character from Hallmark). Order off of the specials menu, can’t go wrong.
I hope this place never goes out of business! A lot of character in an area that can be pretty drab.

Restaurant review
A blast from the past! When you walk into this small restaurant you are transported to another time, a lost era of diner where you can sit on a stool, watch the small tv in the corner, and chat with the waitress. It is a gem having this diner in the heart of downtown chicago steps away from the Mag Mile. Don’t expect a fancy diner, it is down to earth and has a unique feel that is hard to describe. The deuces wild includes 2 eggs, 2 strips of bacon, 2 sausage patties and 2 pancakes for 5.25 now previously cheaper hits the spot. You watch the short cook prepare your meal quickly and soak away the grease on the towel. A heart breakfast for sure and cheaper than any other local restaurant. Staff is friendly and greet you with a smile. If it wasn’t for the cholesterol, I would eat here everyday!
Pro: unique diner experience, cheap, cooked fresh to order
Cons: limited menu, beside the breakfast special, the omlettes were so so
Hidden gem: Deuces wild is a steal even with the increase in price

Before I left Chicago on my cross-​country trip, I took an anonymous tip to eat breakfast at this classic diner on the north side. I needed something to combat the hangover from last night, as well as sustain me throughout the day as I explored the city in all its glory. It took a minute to get there, but the end result was well worth the walk.
«Deuces Wild» breakfast, coffee and orange juice. They give you two of everything: eggs, sausages, bacon, pancakes. Couple that with the coffee and orange juice, and I was content with life. The situation was so retro, too. I felt like I stepped into a different time period. They’ve been around for a while, and their service is time-​tested. I approve for a quality morning breakfast.

Cheap food that tastes great and is served within minutes of ordering. You can’t get much better than that.
What’s also nice is that you can see the cook make up your food right in front of you.
Make sure you have money on you, because they only take cash.

This is really 4 and ½ stars… I was on the cusp of 5, when I realized that I’d only give 5 stars to the best diner breakfast I’ve ever had, and I’m not sure I can say that about this place… there was still room for improvement.
Atmosphere: Simple, straightforward, comfortable. Booths and also a bar area for seating. One TV in a corner. Ample windows, with cloth coverings.
Service: Again, simple and straightforward. This place throws your utensils, napkins and glasses of water at you, asks if you want something else to drink (coffee, tea, juices) then lets you peruse the menu. They checkup once after your food is delivered and again when they think you’re ready for the check. Fine with me!
Food: On a scale of 1 – 10 for diner breakfast food, I’ve give this a 9. Everything was amazing, except for the pancakes. They were extremely dry. Both days we went. I had to load the butter and drench it in syrup, which I actually do with ALL my pancakes, so it wasn’t too big a deal for me. But for people who like them with minimal toppings, like my boyfriend, they were unbearably dry. The corned beef hash was exceptional. I loved every bite. The bacon and sausages were standard. The eggs were a little bland.
What really makes this place is the bang for your buck. We got the «Decues Wild» which is 2 pancakes, 2 eggs, 2 bacon and 2 sausage for just over 5 dollars. Yes. A HUGE breakfast for 5 bucks!
I liked it enough the first time to go back again, and I would most definitely make my way across Chicago just to eat breakfast here.

I need to open by saying I am a fan of greasy spoon diners and hole in the wall joints, and I only say that because I think I have been to some good ones (including some of the cooking I received growing up at home) and this one is not it. There has to be something within those places that makes it worthwhile. I just did not find it at the Ohio House Coffee Shop.
Service — I basically received two are you readies, as in «are you ready» to order and «are you ready» for the check. No other «service» outside of food delivery provided. None.
Food — Do not be daring here. I was «daring» if you can call it that and ordered the rancheros omelet. The omelet may have been nice by itself, but the rancheros included cheese and salsa. The cheese (a slice of American) was cold when the omelet arrived and the salsa was basically a cup of cheap store bought salsa poured over (and ruining) my omelet.
Coffee– The coffee was bad. The coffee service was worse.
Coffee Refills — This is a customary treat at diners… you know, someone being nice and saying «would you like another cup» or «how about a top off.» I was not offered a refill or top off on my coffee one time. This wouldn’t be extraordinary except for the fact that I was at the diner having breakfast sitting at the diner three feet away from the waitress and my coffee cup was empty!
Bread service/​breaking up toast fight — I noticed the guy sitting two seats from the diner next to me asking three times for his toast (that was included with his breakfast). I saw him finish his omelet and hash browns and ask again for his toast. After he had finished his meal the toast was provided. Then, the cook and waitress argued (three feet in front of the customer) about whether or not the toast had been provided. The cook, after realizing the guy finished his breakfast without his toast at least quickly made toast and gave it to the guy (to eat after he had already finished his eggs and hash browns). But, he forgot to report it to the waitress because she was upset. At least the customer had the empty toast plate with crumbs to show to prove he had received his toast, therefore diffusing the toast fight occurring behind the diner.
Hash browns — To prove I am not all negative, I want to close by saying the hash browns were good.
In short I am a guy who loves greasy spoon hole in the wall diners and I will not be back to this place.

After a night of working and partying at the Piven Theater benefit, I crashed at my brother’s apartment in the South Loop. Sunday morning my former roommate and I wanted to get breakfast/​brunch, and so I turned to Unilocal to decide where to go. I had heard good things about Yolk and Orange, but given the general comments regarding how busy they are on a Sunday morning, and the fact that I had to catch a 12:40 train back to the burbs, I didn’t want to risk it. I came across reviews for the Ohio House Coffee Shop, and thought we should give it a try.
After running in the pouring rain from the el and fighting our way through crowds of people headed to the Pride activities, we found our way to LaSalle… this place is so randomly located at a busy intersection, and I loved how upon walking in i felt like I was back in the 60s. It’s so out of place and I love it.
We got there at 9:45 or so, and it was pretty full. We chose to sit at the counter (you seat yourself here), which overlooks the kitchen, and had to ask for menus after the sole waitress asked us if we knew what we wanted. I guess most of their clientele are repeat customers who know what they want, or order one of the specials on the white board up front, which I took as a sign that this place must be pretty good.
I ended up ordering hashbrowns and an English muffin, and my roommate got one of the egg/​muffin/​hashbrown breakfast combos. We were both pleasantly surprised. The hashbrowns here are the real deal… old school, perfectly done. Even the English muffin was toasted to perfection and slathered in butter. My roommate said her «egg over hard» was good, and she enjoyed everything as well. Bonus… nothing is really expensive. It’s great food in Chicago without Chicago prices.
The waitress was really sweet, and we never felt rushed, even after we were done eating and sat for awhile to catch up. The food is brought out quickly, yet it’s made fresh when you order it. I love the ambiance in this place… after spending the night before in swanky Chicago hotspots, it was nice to get a totally different feeling. It’s places like this that make me love the city.
I will definitely be back. And sidenote: it actually is part of a motel. I thought the website was kidding. I didn’t know Chicago had true motels?

How’s the food at the Ohio House? Bah… who cares? The whole show here is a building type which is rarer by the minute (and rarer still in Chicago) and some ancient waitresses (they used to call ‘em «tough broads»). This is what your future will look like, after all the values of your own era have been passed over in favor of even shallower and flashier kitsch. Excesses of the past eventually look like humility. Kitsch from your era + 50 years = an unlikely shrine with some sublime qualities.
The neighborhood and city have completely outgrown this little diner. It is now properly scaled probably only for some backwater in Arkansas. If you kept walking after entering, in about 10 strides you’d be out the back door again. But it’s an awesome little essay in tiny-​ness, and a tribute to doing more with less.
Here the ‘Googie coffee house’ pays tribute to Chicago’s ‘Miesian grid.’ Every idea on this modest exterior is about submitting to an order; there isn’t a wasted move anywhere. Look at the rear elevation (stone/​glass, not quite ⁵⁰⁄₅₀) with the giant font dominating. Look at the way those two diamond-​shaped ‘pillows’ form the whole roof; the ‘silly’ juxtaposed with the ‘rational.’ Look at the way the black grid of the complex places pencil lines in the built environment.
I love this building. It is such a cool treasure! Can’t believe it’s still here and hasn’t been demolished by some commerical philistine (I’m looking at you Jay Marriott). You can print and build a model of it at the ‘Build your own Chicago’ website:
You can also buy it as a postcard.
The fact that you can fill up with greasy food is just a bonus. Apparently the motel is quite a bargain.