Tempo Cafe

Me and my boyfriend came here twice during our 5 day Chicago trip and loved the food! We also enjoyed the atmosphere and our waitresses. The food always came quickly and prepared deliciously. Breakfast was towards the more pricey side, but we still enjoyed everything about it. It does get crowded on weekends though.

One of the few places open last midnight. I think of this as sort of a Denny’s.
I got the steak and eggs which was super pricy about $ 18.
The steak was pretty good. It was cooked well. I like it medium rare but the eggs were over saturated with butter to the point that I just couldn’t eat it.
It also comes with country style potato which was cooked decently. It was crispy and had less butter than the eggs thankfully.
Service was good.
Overall, come only if you’re looking for food after midnight.

It’s not good, bro.

I got a crab and cream cheese omlette from here, can’t say I’ve gotten that anywhere else lol but it was good and big, and in the gold coast area, there’s very few of these diner style places (if there even are any other ones) so this was a welcome break from all the fancy high end restaurants. My friend lives right across the street so I imagine we’ll be going there again

Best waffle I’ve ever had!!! The scrambles are big enough for 2 people! The waffles are crisp yet light and airy! Fast services great food!!!

Got the chorizo omelette — nothing special but it’s nice that it’s open ²⁴⁄₇ for late night cravings. I ate at this place another time for breakfast in the morning and it was much better at that time though.

Great downtown location. don’t be scared away by the long lines on weekends morning. Seating is quick and efficient. Food was delivered to our table without a long wait and our Gold Coast omelette was delicious. The french toast was tasty too. Specially it comes with 3 different marmalade flavors.

It’s near to where I live, so my roommates and I like to have brunch here. Services are good. The food also taste good. The only thing is that during the meal they will brought a coffee pot and ask you whether you’d like coffee. But then we see the bill, we found out the coffee cost $ 5. I think it’s better to told the customers the price when provide the offer.
The worst thing is when I see other reviews, I found out that the coffee should be $ 2.5. Why it cost $ 5 of me and my roommate per person!!!

Hot food! I appreciate it when my meal comes to the table hot and stays hot! Not enough places serve food hot these days! This small diner has a big feel to it. Great location too! A location open ²⁴⁄₇ in the middle of downtown Chicago was a plus too!

taste was just not there ordered the skillet although big enough for two not seasoned at all. coffee was pleasant as it is freezing in chicago. however meal plus coffee and hot chocolate and waffle under 30 dollars if all else fails come here.

Went here at 2am on a weeknight during finals week. It’s a pretty great little 24-​hour diner, and it was surprisingly busy at 2am on a wednesday night. I had an omelet with pretty great house made salsa and french fries with ranch dressing (they charged extra for the ranch which was lame). Overall, the food was a notch above what you would expect for a diner like this, the service wasn’t great, and the prices were much higher than traditional diner food. In my opinion not quite worth it.

Went for breakfast on a Saturday. Had the skillet and blueberry pancakes (my wife and I). Excellent food. Great service. While waiting in line for about 10 minutes, you can grab a coffee. Inside is super tight and full of people. A little more elbow room would be nice. Everything else was perfect. The skillet was a huge serving.

If you and your friends are done celebrating a night out on the town be sure to stop by Tempo, but be prepared you may have a slight wait but it sure is worth it. As the go to place for fast but delicious food after hours this place gets packed fast! From the night crawlers, club hoppers and older set that flock to this place you’re bound to meet a wide variety of interesting people. The décor serves its purpose, functional yet solid, the staff are hurried and overworked in my opinion but the food is always piping hot. A delight to my excited taste buds.

Great breakfast! Big line out the door, but still seated within 10 minutes. Had the chorizo scramble and waffle. The waffle was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
I will return next time in Chicago.

Thanks Unilocalers. again I followed the reviews and found the hidden gem. Huge portions so plan to bring your appetite! Fod comes out fast and piping hot! OJ IS FRESH AS IT COULD BE. Hubby loved their raisen bread french toast and the cb hash, I chipped away at a scramble.
Again — ’ huge portions– note this. you may consider a plate share Good food great service and a clean place too!

Hmmmmm. That’s the only expression I had with this place from start to finish.
Hmmmmmm this line is way too long. Why?
Hmmmmmm this hostess is taking so long to seat people.
Hmmmmmm this menu is so basic, why is this place crowded?
Hmmmmmm these pancakes are $$ but don’t come with any sides?!
Hmmmmmm its $ 5 for two pieces of sausage that tastes like it was from the frozen food section.
Hmmmmmm she charged me $ 2.50 for coffee I didn’t ask for?
Hmmmmmm she automatically added $ 2 for tip when she didn’t even check on me, say her name, etc.
Hmmmmmm I came in for a basic breakfast and ended up spending over $ 20 for 3 pancakes and two pieces of sausage? $ 20+ for one person?
I am very disappointed. These pancakes were basic. Nothing made them special at all and they were $ 10 for 3 pancakes. I don’t mind paying that much IF they come with a side of something.
I will not return.

I came here for a Sunday brunch and despite the buzzing atmosphere, we were all quickly seated. This is one of those classic diners. I hadn’t been here before and I’m not in Chicago enough to know what to order, so in need of a filling breakfast, I went with the vegetarian skillet with scrambled eggs. We all ordered huge breakfasts and it came with a basket of toast. I’m not usually a toast fan, but there toast was actually pretty great (though how hard is it really to screw up toast?)
Overall, it’s a solid breakfast, but perhaps not great enough to return to immediately without checking out other downtown offerings!

One of my all time favorites, and I absolutely despise repeating restaurants, but this one is one of my very few exceptions.
Things to know: this café is one of the very few ²⁴⁄₇ places with good food in all of Chicago. While the food quality will always be consistent, the type of atmosphere you encounter will depend on when you come! For example, let’s say you’re craving breakfast– an spinach and feta omelet to be precise, at 11:30 PM on a Wednesday, or even 8 PM on a Friday night you will be greated by friendly staff, quick moving bussers and maybe only 3 – 4 other patrons in the entire restaurant. This type of time is my favorite time to come. The quickest service in the quietest atmosphere.
Peak Times: HOWEVER, should you decide to come for breakfast during normal breakfast hours or even weekend brunch, be prepared to wait for a bit. The turnover is still relatively fast, and the wait is definitely worth it. Also, if you decide to come here when the bars close after 1 – 2 AM on friday-​sunday, you’re going to get a completely different crowd. Realize the bars have just closed and these are where you might find some of the patrons. Food will still be amazing, and the turnover still quick, but expect it to be packed full, and for it to be considerably louder.
FOOD: Now while I cannot vouch for lunch/​dinner options, I CAN vouch for their breakfast options. And dear lord are their breakfast options phenomenal. I haven’t had a single dish that has failed to impress me. While all of their breakfast items are incredible, YOU GO HERE FOR THE OMLETS. I don’t know what magic they put in these but if you try one you’ll hear angels sing!!! The Spinach and Feta omelet is my all time favorite. 3 eggs with loads of baby spinach, and generous portions of fresh feta cheese atop a bed of thick cut, PERFECTLY golden brown sliced potatoes. When I say perfect, I mean PERFECT. like its got a crust of golden brown perfection. If you’re the type of person whose reading this and going «big deal. omelets are omelets. They all taste the same no matter where I go, or if I make it at home» then you sir (or madam) have been deprived. I too was once deprived. I have NO idea how they prepare their omelets here, but they are the fluffiest, most flavorful omelets here! You don’t understand; I can’t have omelets from anywhere else because Tempo has spoiled me and turned me into an omelet snob. All of their omelets are great– If you’re adventurous I highly suggest the Jamaican Omelet (honey, raisins, walnuts and I think I’ve added chicken sausage?), or even the Michigan omelet (swiss cheese and fresh apples!)
A) I’ve also had their pancakes, eggs florentine, french toast, their skillets, and a ton of other dishes over the years that I know I’m forgetting by name. I cannot emphasize enough– NONE HAVE EVER NOT IMPRESSED ME.
B) No matter what dish you get, or what diet you’re on (unless you’re gluten free or allergic) GET. THE. GREEK. TOAST. I don’t care if you don’t like white bread, or if you think thicker cut bread is weird. YOU HAVE TO TRY IT. It will change your life. I don’t know what magic is in this bread, but the combination of the taste, with the cut, and the generous serving of toasted sesame seeds embedded into the crust will make you hear angels sing.
Servers: Even if you haven’t been here in months, or for a particular stretch of time for me, a year and a half, they will always remember you and greet you with a smile.
Notes:
1) Turnover is meant to be fast. Despite there being power outlets you won’t be allowed to utilize them
2) Once upon a time they were cash only. That has since changed, and they take credit cards.
TL;DR: Greek toast. Greek toast. Greek Toast. Omelets. Omelets. Omelets. Quick turnover, open ²⁴⁄₇. SUPER busy on weekends for brunch, and can become crazy when the bars close. No matter what time you go the wait is relatively short because turnover is quick and food is HANDS DOWN WORTH IT. They take cards (once upon a time cash only), but this is not the place to plug in your laptop to work.

Omelettes in stainless steel skillets (with a handle!) are a cool idea, and you should come here and eat one. Truly a diner/​café with great windows, great atmosphere, and lots of smiles.
You will not find here those icky diner things (e.g. greasy floors and food, gross tables and and dinnerware, sweaty and always-​urgent service).
Instead, you’ll find that diner comfort food that makes everyone happy, breakfast, lunch and dinner and every time in between.
Eat here because the experience and value for your money is well-​balanced and satisfying.

We stayed at the Talbott Hotel which was just a block from this little café. When we arrived the café was almost empty and we were starting to second guess our decision to eat here.
I ordered the Banana, strawberry, blueberry waffles. Fruit was fresh and sweet and my waffle was pressed into the shape of a flower. The waffle was fluffy and had a nice crust to it. Syrup and butter was not needed due to the delicious fruit.
Their coffee is what you would expect from a diner. It was good, nothing to rave about.
By the time we left the placed was packed and there was a line out on the sidewalk. Really glad we stopped here and hit it on such perfect timing so we didn’t wait long for seating or food.

I was walking around the Mag Mile on a Saturday morning and didn’t want to have the standard breakfast provided by the Hampton Inn and I found this little charming old school diner. Apparently, they are open 24/​7, which is great.
I ordered the Intercontinental plate, which had chicken liver and onions, a massive portion of fluffy scrambled eggs, some hash potatoes and Greek toast (white sesame bread) with homemade marmalade.
The eggs were good, but were bland so I had to add salt and ketchup. The liver was decent and an ample the portion. The best/​most unique part though was the Greek toast with their homemade marmalade. It was delicious.
Overall, this seems like a great place for your hangover or big breakfast.

Went here on the recommendation of the hotel clerk when we were looking for a nice place to grab breakfast.
We roamed on over on a rather gorgeous Sunday morning and expected the place to be very busy. Much to our delight, we were seated outdoors instantly; if we’d have been about 20 minutes later, we’d have been stuck waiting. It’s all about great timing, right?
The hostess had all the personality in the world, and our server was very friendly.
The menu is mostly classic diner food, but really — what’s wrong with that? The French toast was very tasty. And the poor man’s skillet I had, with all sorts of hashy-​goodness (if I can create a word) underneath a bed of 4 cheese and 3 over easy eggs? That’s just heaven in a skillet if you ask me!
And all told breakfast was around $ 28.00. Can’t beat that!
We’ll be back!

First time in Chicago for an overnight layover. Came here close to 3am starving. I’m super glad this place is open ²⁴⁄₇ but I can’t believe this place was still packed at that hour.
I ordered the Blueberry French Toast and a coffee. I was a little disappointed that the blueberries just topped the toast instead of mixed into the batter. Nevertheless, it was good and so pretty!
Knocked down a star because the service here is a little lacking. They don’t come to check on you once and I had to keep asking for a refill. It’s annoying. And when you say thank you, they don’t acknowledge it.

Die durchwachsenen Bewertungen haben mich nicht abgeschreckt und so bin ich an einem Samstagmorgen ins Tempo Café zum frühstücken gegangen. Der eine Raum ist recht groß und hell, dabei aber konstant unruhig und laut: Es ist voll, viel Personal, viele Familien mit Kindern, viel Gewusel.
An stelle des sofort herbeieilenden Kaffees bestelle ich einen Cappucino und Eggs Benedict. Beides kommt recht schnell und ist etwa so, wie auch der sonstige Eindruck: Ganz ok, aber nichts besonderes.
Alles in allem sind das für mich drei Sterne — ganz ok, aber kein Grund bald wiederzukommen.

No creo que repita en este local. En general la calidad de los platos así como la estética no me convencen.

Nett zum Frühstücken, Bedienungen sehr freundlich, Preise sind ok, die Finger vom Salat lassen