Breakfast at the Start of Route 66
Jackson Boulevard is where Route 66 historically began. Lou Mitchell’s has been feeding people on this block since 1923, and it still serves only breakfast and lunch. The diner is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Inside you’ll find a long counter with stools on one side and tight rows of tables on the other.
It suits travellers well. You’re a few minutes on foot from Union Station’s Jackson Boulevard side, and Willis Tower is just across the river. Plenty of people eat here before a train or before driving west on the old Mother Road. Prices are mid-range.
What Lands on the Table
The diner is known for big, plain American plates. These are the long-standing reasons people come:
- Omelettes served in the skillet, puffed up, with potatoes on the side
- Double-yolk eggs, which the diner has used as a signature for decades
- Pancakes, French toast and Belgian waffles if you want something sweet
- Lunch plates such as sandwiches and soups, for anyone arriving late in the morning
Portions are big. Two people with modest appetites can share a skillet and add toast. Expect diner coffee, refilled without you asking.
Working the Line on Jackson Boulevard
The schedule decides your morning. At the moment it’s closed Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday to Friday it runs 6am–2pm, and Saturday and Sunday 7am–2pm. Don’t leave lunch too late: the kitchen stops at 2pm every open day.
Measured foot traffic shows weekends are busiest for the entire 7am–2pm window. There is no lull to aim for on a Saturday or Sunday, and that’s when the line runs out the door onto the sidewalk. Your better chance is a weekday. Commuters fill the counter at the 6am opening, but a table usually turns over fast.
- Give your name and party size at the front and wait to be called.
- Solo diners and pairs often get seated faster at the counter.
- Groups of five or more wait longest. Split up if you don’t mind.
- If someone comes down the line with a free treat, take it. Handing out donut holes and Milk Duds to people waiting is a long-running house tradition.
Paying and Moving On
This is a full-service diner, so a server takes your order at the table and brings the check there. Tip as you would at any American sit-down restaurant: 18–20% of the bill is normal. Check current prices on the menu when you sit down. Plan for 45 minutes to an hour once you’re seated.
From the door, it’s a five-minute walk to Union Station for Amtrak or Metra trains. The CTA Blue Line’s Clinton stop is a few blocks south. Cross the Jackson Boulevard bridge east and you reach Willis Tower’s Skydeck entrance and the Loop. The Art Institute and Millennium Park are about 25 minutes further on foot along Jackson or Adams.
Frequently asked questions
When is the quietest time to visit Lou Mitchell's?
Weekends are busiest for the whole 7am–2pm opening, so skip Saturday and Sunday if you want to avoid the line. Wednesday to Friday mornings, after the 6am commuter rush, are usually your best bet.
What days is Lou Mitchell's open?
Right now it's closed Monday and Tuesday. It opens 6am–2pm Wednesday to Friday and 7am–2pm Saturday and Sunday. Check before you go, because hours can change.
How do I get to Lou Mitchell's?
It's at 565 W Jackson Blvd, about a five-minute walk from Union Station. The CTA Blue Line's Clinton stop is a few blocks south, and Willis Tower is just across the river.
Do I need a reservation?
The diner runs a walk-in line. Give your name at the front and wait to be called. Solo diners and pairs can often get seated sooner at the counter.
How long should I plan to spend there?
Allow 45 minutes to an hour once you're seated. On weekends, add time for the line outside.
Plan your trip to Chicago
United States eSIM & staying connected →
Some links above are affiliate links — if you book through them, Wander Atlas earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. It's how we keep every guide free.
