Clarke's: User Reviews

Southwest BBQ Chicken Salad
By eventgirl from Magnificent MIle, September 6, 2009

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I wanted to get a salad to go and ordered the salad inside the restaurant. Asked if there were tomatoes on the salad and the order taker said no. I got the salad pretty quickly, right around 10 minutes, as promised. When I ate my salad a little while later it was covered in tomatoes. The chicken also was not actually barbecued as I thought, there was just BBQ sauce to poor on top. It wasn't terrible, but I won't be back, too many good restaurants out there.

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Please bring back great breakfast and attentive service
By Eats25 from Old Town, July 19, 2009

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I went with my spouse and parents. I was worried about the Sunday waiting line, but now know why there wasn't one even though there were lines at other breakfast joints. Food here was just not as great as it once was. The South of the Border skillet was lame; there was no zip form the jalapenos or the chorizo sausage and the cilantro was bland. Side order of pancakes were flat, not fluffy. North Shore potatoes were tasty, but greasier than I enjoyed for years. Service: friendly, but too slow and absent-minded for a table of 6 we waited for extra menus, extra napkins after a table spill, and even for getting out check; the place was only about 40% full. We left around 10:30 AM, but still no waiting for an open seat. For about $12 pp before tip, I expected much more. Bring back better food and service so I can improve my review.

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Not the same Clarke's as I remember
By MABOChicago from Lakeview, November 2, 2008

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I was truly disappointed with Clarke's on Lincoln for breakfast this weekend. My family and I have frequented Clarke's for over ten years but haven't been there in some time (probably six months to a year). It seems as if the diner doesn't know what it wants to be anymore. We arrived early (before the college crowd) and waited almost 40 minutes for our breakfast food. The restaurant was not that busy - half the tables were empty. Little fruit flies buzzed around the restaurant and were all over the walls. Prices have increased steadily (the micro mini which used to be about $3.99 or $4.99 is now $6.99) but the English muffins are of lesser quality than they were. Our food was cool, not hot. Our server, while friendly, was moderately absent. I was underwhelmed on every category, which was so disappointing because food, service and the environment of Clarke's used to be really enjoyable. Perhaps it was just a bad morning with new staff and a kitchen that wasn't ready for a weekend morning, but it will be some time before I go back. There are too many breakfast places in town to spend $30+ on mediocre food.

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retro diner fun, with a big selection
By biologrady from long island NY, October 25, 2008

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Found this place after getting turned away at Toast... Had a lovely meal, great service (although one member of our group asked to have food rewarmed). Big selection on the menu, lots of classic comfort food. Seemed like a big place though we hit it at a quiet time of day. Would highly recommend for families, college crowd, etc.

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I'VE EATEN AT THIS PLACE...
By MARCUS FRANCISCO from Chicago, IL, January 10, 2005

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I'VE EATEN AT THIS PLACE A FEW TIMES AND HAVE FOUND IT TO BE SOLID EACH TIME. IN FACT, THE LAST TIME I WAS THERE (THIS PAST FRIDAY NIGHT) I HAD PHENOMENAL SERVICE AND THE FOOD WAS ESPECIALLY GOOD. DEFINITELY WORTH A TRY IF YOU'RE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.