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There’s a time and a place for everything. Some evenings, a candlelit, white-tablecloth steakhouse is appropriate, and other times, such as at 3 a.m., it’s about finding somewhere that’s open. For that, the 24-hour diner is a beautiful thing. The fluorescent lights, the pastry display cases filled with layer cakes and pies, Formica counters with chrome stools – these are the furnishings that give diners the nondescript atmosphere that make them so comforting. 
Every Chicago neighborhood is peppered with numerous all-night diners and greasy spoons, and today, Chicagoist pays tribute to the Melrose Restaurant. Situated on the corner of Melrose and Broadway (3233 N Broadway) the Melrose is a Boystown institution that never closes. Whether it be 4 a.m. or Christmas morning, the “open” sign at the Melrose is always glowing.
The fare at the Melrose is standard: burgers, sandwiches, salads and main entrees. Chicagoist is a little wary of ordering seafood here, but the BLT sandwiches are pretty tasty (it’s hard to mess up bacon on bread). If you’re a breakfast fan, you can order waffles, pancakes or one of the many giant-sized omelets at any time. Portions are generous and prices are moderate. Although lacking any notable décor, the Melrose does have an outdoor patio, which is usually packed in the summer, especially for weekend brunch. Service is quick and friendly, although Chicagoist has been served the wrong order once or twice. 
The Melrose is everything that a diner should be: an extensive menu, open all the time and very close to home. We’ve spent many a Sunday morning here sipping coffee and munching on toast.
The neighborhood diner has a way of endearing itself to patrons. So, Chicagoist asks: Which one warms your heart?
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hands down my favorite diner has to be "Cozy Corner" on Milwaukee and California.
I have been to the Melrose 5 times in as many years and have had really bad experiences each time (dead mosquitos in the iced tea, glasses with lipstick on them, undercooked food, insects on food etc.) I have to say that next to Clark's on Belmont it is one of the worst places in Lakeview. I would vote Stella's diner on Broadway as my favorite diner.
I used to love the Lincoln but then one of my friends was there and saw a rat run through the dining room and now the Lincoln is on The Banned List.
I used to live a block away from the Melrose and would make frequent 3AM trips to the corner for their Tomato Basil & Parmesan omelette. Best egg concoction in town!
Arent' bugs and rodents to be expected at a diner? Part of the ambiance, if you will.
so far a very food-centric day on chicagoist... i like getting my breakfast on at the hollywood grill... regardless of their questionable conformity to the health codes.
pronounced AM-bee-ance (hard A's implied).
@FernLaPlante - you had 5 bad experiences? you're a trooper. one bad experience is all it takes for me.
@scientist - once a year I would say "let's try Melrose again. It's in the neighborhood and it's always busy" and each time it was bad. Oh well, there are plenty of other diners in the area.
I'll go far afield and toss out Las Vegas Restaurant up in Antioch. It's your basic Greek family diner, but the food is just plain excellent, and affordable too. When we visit friend up there, that's a mandatory stop for Sunday brunch.
it wasn't until i moved into a neighborhood where no restaurants are open past 10p.m. that i fully missed the melrose. for people who get off work past midnight, it's a god-send. the never-ending coffee and iced tea are great and i love the mix of wait staff -- there are eastern european boys, downhome sort of middle-aged women, and some younger guys and gals. one of the first times i ever went there, when in college, it was feb. and i ordered a milkshake. the waitress berated me for ordering a milkshake when it was below freezing outside. OK, in spite of that experience i grew to like the place.
my fave entree is the julienne salad, which is a sald for people who don't like salads but who to say 'i ordered a salad.' it's packed with meats and cheeses and you get 1000 island dressing with it. Their chicken livers are really good too. and you can't beat the window booths. past midnight it's like dinner and a show.
Second place would have to go to Nookie's, which is a step or two up from diner, but it's still got the same basic ingredients -- endless coffee, people who've just come out of bars, the baskets of bread, and open 24 hours on weekends -- that a proper diner should have.
And you know a diner must be good if cops are always eating there. Late at night it amkes you feel just a bit safer too.
I miss living near Melrose. It always hit the spot. Nothing has quite filled the void. Sigh.
hands down, pauline's on ravenswood, in NW andersonville
If you're on the far northside...Standee's is pretty amazing...the food is adequately lousy (order breakfast, you can't screw up eggs too badly), but the crowd is interesting and they serve grits.
Stella's on Broadway is definitely solid.
I used to get breakfast at the corner spot at Halsted and Belmont when I was in the area. I could get a huge scrambled eggs based meal affordably. Personally, I think Golden Nugget generally does a good job, especially with breakfast. At least I can get perfect, HOT pancakes there unlike more trendy spots, like Orange.
When I lived on the south side, my friends and I used to hit this spot near, I think, 79th and Western for breakfast (see a trend here?). I can't remember the name for the life of me, but they served some great, plate sized pancakes that hit the spot after working 3rd shift.
What bothers me are people who frequent diners for the dingy, retro atmosphere. Like they get to feel an occasional connection to the working class by preciously suffering the decor and shitty food. I love diners. The service can be surly, the atmosphere can be weathered, but they need to have good quality comfort food. (Mashed potatoes, burgers, meatloaf, breakfast, etc.)
Yuck. Melrose is pretty gross and pretty sloppy. But if bleachy, runny eggs are your thing, then wait to be seated!
Want skanky? Go to the Bridgeport Diner on 35th and Halsted.
The Golden Apple at Lincoln & Wellington was always a good spot.
Huck's, either on Archer or Marquette. Don't bother on a Sunday morning, though. When I lived that far west, Brandy's on Archer and Cicero was ok, too.
"Every Chicago neighborhood is peppered with numerous all-night diners and greasy spoons,"
*sticks head out window, surveys Hyde Park, retreats grumbling*
I'm sure I'll get slapped around by the natives here, and called a "Chad" or something, but Stella's has so far been my only diner experience in this fine city, and it was one I'd like to repeat ... fresh strawberries on Belgian waffles?? Apple-chicken sausage? Delish.
I'm sure I'll get slapped around by the natives here, and called a "Chad" or something, but Stella's has so far been my only diner experience in this fine city, and it was one I'd like to repeat ... fresh strawberries on Belgian waffles?? Apple-chicken sausage? Delish.
Melrose is a VERY overpriced diner. Their food is just okay. Just okay.
Ohhhhhh i loooove Melrose. Eggs and ham off the bone with those hash browns...nothing better for breakfast.
I do love the Melrose - and Stella's. Did anyone mention Nookie's Tree on Halsted? (Does that fit the 'diner' definition?)
What about the Heartland Cafe in Roger's Park - on Lunt - just west of the L...
Third Coast at 1260 North Dearborn is my favorite spot for late night treats, or organized Sunday brunches. It gives a cozy, small-town feel to the Gold Coast, and the french toast is awesome.