Tempo: Our personal favorite place to go for an everyday breakfast. It is the classic Greek diner for breakfast. Nothing fancy, just lots of good food, a huge variety of choices and a decent price. The omelets and skillets are always one of the best options. It has a large outdoor space in the summer. It is often crowded so expect to wait. 6 E. Chestnut, 943-4373, no reservations, $
West Egg: Has very good food, some of which is a bit unusual, my favorite is the grabowski, a Polish sausage with honey mustard, potatoes and eggs. They also offer all of the classics. Like all of the best breakfast places there is often a wait. It has a small, not that inviting outside area. 620 N. Fairbanks, 280-8366, no reservations, $
Wildberry: A great new addition to the breakfast scene. It is similar to most of the other breakfast places but everything is just a little better. They have nicer table settings, better condiments and most importantly tastier food. The chorizo in the Mexicana skillet had real flavor rather than the bland stuff at so many of the other breakfast places.The 130 E. Randolph, 938-9777, $, Website
The Original Pancake House: The best breakfast place to get pancakes and waffles. The Dutch Baby is a great thin pancake which strangely tastes good with lemon squeezed on it. It has a small outdoor space. 22 E. Bellevue, 642-7917, no reservation, $, Website
Third Coast: In a great neighborhood it is a locals hangout with almost no tourists. It does not have the extensive menu of most of the other best breakfast places, but it does have several good options. I think they have the best bacon anywhere in the downtown area. You can get breakfast all day. 1260 N. Dearborn, 649-0730, no reservations, no outside space, $, Website
Yolk: A modern version of an old fashion diner. All the dishes I have tried have been good. The service is good and the staff is made up of 20 something's rather than the fun but sometimes brusque older staff of other diners. There is a huge variety of offerings. The crepes are tasty and I enjoyed the huevos rancheros although it was a little bland. The Ohio location has a wait on weekends. 747 N. Wells, 1120 S. Mich., 355 E. Ohio, $, Website
Eggsperience: A fairly new entry into the breakfast scene. It is a large, well decorated space. They have a bar instead of the usual counter. They have an extensive and diverse menu. Everything is tasty and they offer a lot of spicy options. They have real hash browns, hard to find in Chicago, and the corned beef hash is real corned beef and very tasty. 35 W. Ontario, 870-6773, $ Website
Orange: A modern take on American breakfast. They have more unusual offerings like; fruit sushi, orange-rosemary french toast, and chorizo hash. It is a small and quiet setting as opposed to most of the other downtown breakfast places. A great place for a quiet, leisurely breakfast. You can even go there for a breakfast date. 738 N. Clark, 202-0600. $$
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Eleaven: Well decorated and cozy by cafeteria standards.They do bring your food to the table but there are no waitresses. The unlimited Illy coffee is the best coffee at any of the breakfast places. The food, including omelets, oatmeal, french toast and pancakes, are pretty good, but not as good as at other places. It is cheaper and faster and they offer pastries, coffee and tasty bagels to go. Not a place to go for a long Sunday breakfast with my family but a good place for a quick bite. 54 E. Ontario, 202-0899, $, Website
Corner Bakery: Yes it is a chain, and they offer a cafeteria style breakfast but it is still a good place to go.The breakfast sandwiches are definitely the best option. They also have surprisingly good oatmeal and a few egg dishes. The unlimited coffee is decent. It is a well run place and has a friendly staff. They have lots of outdoor seating when the weather is nice. 676 N. St. Clair, 1121 N. State, 224 S. Michigan, $, Website
Nookies: Not far from Lincoln Park Zoo. It is the best option in the Lincoln park neighborhood. Has a small outdoor space. 1746 N. Wells, 337-2454, $ Website
Lula Cafe: In the Logan Sq. neighborhood. A place full of locals that has a fun vibe. The menu is limited but has a variety of tasty offerings. Breakfast last until 2:30. 2537 N. Kedzie, 773-489-9554, $, Website