Eleven City Diner: User Reviews

I recently moved to Chicago from New York and finding a good Jewish stlyle deli has been difficult. Eleven City Diner is a great old school deli with the added plus of a big diner menu.

I'm a sucker for good matzo ball soup and I have searched the neighborhood high and low -- this one (served in the style of one big matzo ball) does not disappoint. And the corned beef & pastrami hash scrambled eggs really hits the spot. I always have it with the freshly squeezed OJ.

Eleven City is a bustling place with a comfortable modern retro atmosphere, which makes me feel at home. I love the long diner counter and corner candy store. The guy who runs the place, Brad, and the waitstaff, are friendly with a touch of NY attitude, which is a big draw for a transplant like myself. Highly rated.

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Eleven City Diner is a must stop, whenever I visit Chicago. It is always a good cure for what ever ails you.

This half deli, half diner seems family owned because the owner (Brad) is always near by to check in and say hello. I am amazed at how he always remembers me, even though I am only there a few times a year, at most. Very passionate about what he is doing and his customers. I even met his mom once. Nice touch ;)

You can taste the LUV that goes into the food. Fresh, HUGE portions that are oh so hot and yummy!! They offer breakfast all day, fantabulous bloody mary's, and a massive menu of all-american comfort food

The boyfriend, always orders the pastrami. It is piled high on a number of the menu items and is always enough for two. Their Challah is homemade and fresh. They use it to prepare the most heavenly french toast with fresh fruit that you will ever eat. The potato Latke's are light and crunchy, yes light and crunchy goodness like grandma used to make! It can be a bit crowded at times, but for me it's worth the wait. The 40's
diner/soda shoppe vibe is fun. I love the comfy booths and cherry phosphates. I have always found the staff to be friendly, attentive, and fast. Next time I'm in town visiting one of my all time favorite cities, I will be sure to hit one of my all-time favorite diners.

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I have no issue with grumpy managers/owners provided they are in control of the situation. 11 City Diner looks great and tastes good but the owner/manager clearly cannot manage the pressure of his assignment and is a master in making sunday brunch a very stressful experience.. He seems obsessed with seating patterns. He is by now probably conscious of his reputation and try very hard to be kind... but he just ends up being even more obnoxious and unappropriate. I would there go only with a very small group (max 4). Do not even try to squeeze additional persons at your table... it becomes a tragedy for you, your guests, the manager and the poor waiters. Don't bring children... he will make you feel uncomfortable in most cases. This is really a pity because the place would be really cool if a liad-back attitude prevailed

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This deli diner in the south loops hits the spot. Ate here twice. A great old school deli and diner menu. Big portions. French Dip was tender and juicy. French Toast was heavenly. I mean it blows Bongo Room away.

The atmosphere is really a throw back to classic diners. Lot of classic Jewish deli feel to it as well. Big booths. Great music. A nice bustle to it without being overwhelming. Just a cool feel all around.

The owner, Brad came by, made sure everything was alright both times we visited. Service was attentive. Love it. Five Stars. Way to to go.

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Eleven City Diner in the South Loop nails it. The food is superb. I've had pasta for diner and two different sandwiches for lunch. All were great and plentiful. And i mean plentiful. Never been there for brunch but people do rave. Next time!!

The decor is really unique. The booths are extremely comfortable and the place just takes you back to another place and time. Candy store is a cool idea.

Service was very friendly. Our waitresses have always been courteous, fun and patient. We had a group of 8 and everyone got their order just right, and in good time.

The owner that every talks about (Brad), was nothing but friendly and helpful. He always stops by to make sure we are getting what we want. The guy is definetley a live wire but he takes pride in his place, that for sure. I have no idea what some of these other people are yapping about. It seems mean spirited and does not match with my experience. His mom runs court in the back. Very nice lady.

My only issue is the parking situation. The city is doing construction on the street out front. I can't wait until it is done and they offer seating on the sidewalk.

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After reading multiple reviews it is comforting to know that I am not the only customer who feels the owner/manager’s attitude is rude and arrogant. I have never posted a review before but felt so strongly about the unpleasant experience that I’m taking the time to post. I’ve been to Eleven multiple times and have witnessed rude treatment of other customers but never experienced the wrath of Brad (if that’s his name) first hand until my most recent visit. Needless to say, I will not be going back and neither will my guest. I’ve recommended the place to many people and they too over time have decided not to go back. It was just that bad. WOW!! …is all that I can say. The food is quite good, but there are other places to get good food with a much better atmosphere. For those of you that think this place is great, keep going back and you are bound to experience or notice the rudeness that the majority of the reviews indicate. This guy can’t help himself and apparently doesn’t read the reviews.

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Wow.

After reading a few of the reviews about Eleven City Diner, I was more than intrigued. I had to find out for myself; who was this legendary owner that people either love or not? Was the food as good as some rave about? And was this a classic Jewish Delicatessen or another poser?

After three visits, here is what my opinion. Take it for what it’s worth . . .
The owner, Brad, has a big personality, no doubt. To us that was a big plus. He adds to the character of the place. The guy is passionate. He seems to love what he is doing. He was very kind to my father when we came in for dinner. They chatted about old American Family diners and what not. My dad had a smile the rest of the night. He gets 5 stars from me just for that. The legend is all about your perspective. My various friends and I really liked him. But enough about Brad. Here’s what really matters – The food.

The menu is HUGE and had a lot of good stuff. For me that meant the Monte Cristo for lunch, the French toast at brunch, and the lox platter for a late breakfast another time - LOVE IT, LOVE IT, and LOVED IT. The portions are huge. I mean, BIG. The meat is fresh from the deli case. If you want your pastrami warm, just ask. The coffee was perfect. I love their pickles. My only issue is I wish they had more condiments to pour on my Monte Cristo. I like to embellish. Ha! You get everything you pay for and more. The staff always treats me well, and the quality for me is worth the price (not Greek coffee house prices).

As for the space itself, it is not meant to be some old Jewish delicatessen. That’s not the vibe at all. The place is more of family diner from the 40’s. It pays tribute to a time gone by with big comfy leather booths, a really long diner counter, a soda jerk (that was cool), an old candy store counter, and a fresh meat and deli case. The meats in that case are definitely fresh. My friend took home pound of smoked turkey and three tubs of deli faves, which we sampled during the cab ride home.

I think Eleven City is great. Anyone who has come with me thinks it is pretty cool too They are working hard which in my opinion is a good thing rather than a bad thing, and they are not trying to be something they aren't. It’s just seems like they are trying to do something right. You can’t please everyone, but after three visits, my friend and family walked away more than pleased.

Five stars my friends. Five stars.

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I've been there four times in the last year. If you go solo like me, they'll sit you at the counter. I usually go around 3 in the afternoon, so I have been lucky not to experience the owner's rudeness and other abuse. I've been told by staff that Mr. Rubin can be very hard to work for. He apparently isn't always nice to customers either. The restaurant business must have jaded him or whatever. On the subject of the food: it's good but somewhat overpriced. It always seems that there are new people working when I go, which might mean the owner doesn't pay well or he's impossible to work for. Like I said before, if you're solo, don't even ask for a booth, they won't give it to you.

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The food here is good, but that's not the issue. On several occasions, the owner/manager of this establishment rudely harrassed the staff in front of my girlfriend and myself. His treatment of customers is even worse; insulting, mean, and childish. Beware! Even though I liked the food, i'm never going back.

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The experience we had at this establishment was such a comedy of errors that it would take too long to describe. Highlights that I would like to mention:

1) The owner is very rude to customers and very rude to his staff. He was reprimanding staff in front of customers -- very unprofessional -- and yet expects the customers to treat his staff with respect.

2) The staff is poorly trained; from timing to attention to courtesy. They appear to have learned the traits of the owner and believe that this is acceptable behavior.

3) The food is mediocre and the price is high.

Advice to the owner; do not let your customers see you sweat. If you cannot control your rudeness, hide in the back (I gather from other reviews that it was not only this day that the owner has been rude). Hire a staff manager that can train the staff properly and manage the room along with the staff.

In the meantime, my advice to potential patrons: If you like the Ed Debevic's ambiance, rudeness and quality of food, then save your money and go to Ed Debevic's.

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