Drop by if you:
1. want a waitstaff who make sure you feel at home and ensure your glass is always full.
2. want to get the most bang for your buck! You can't beat the breakfast menu specials, which give you HUGE plates of food for less than $7!
3. don't like to wait in line for Sunday brunch!
4. like free parking, another rarity!
5. like contributing to a worthwhile cause. All proceeds benefit the residents here. It's a positive feedback loop! :)
The -1 star is because they didn't have Belgian waffles which I wanted for brunch! :(
The Greenhouse Inn was a busy place on a weekday afternoon in mid-December. Lot's of holiday events and Misericordia events making their parking lot look a bit like Woodfield Mall. I thought we might not get in for lunch. But we did, and it was a pleasant surprise.
First the room or the restaurant is much bigger than I thought. It is so well-staffed with regulars and volunteers that the service was, I daresay, uber-attentive. It took me awhile to figure out the buffet vs, menu items routine, and they have you fill out cards on the table to order. While the menu is attractive, extensive and extremely reasonably priced, the daily buffet special we could not pass up. It was soup, salad bar and an entree of beef, potato and vegetable for $10.00. Beverages and desserts extra. The choices are really very Ann Sather like with a lot of comfort food and baked goods. There is a bakery case near the front door. And it does attract an older crowd with its mauve and seafoam green cafe decor, smacking more of suburbia or Iowa than urban Chicago.
My friend had a silky and chunky Chicken Noodle Soup to start and I the Butternut Squash. Both were piping hot and brimming with flavor. The salad bar, which at $6.25 on its own I would return for in a New York minute, offered Cooked Shrimp, Salmon, greens, a very good pasta salad, and a surprising choice of charcuterie and olives. I skipped the fruit salads. One was just chopped fresh fruit, the other a concoction I refer to as "Terre Haute Cuisine,"with the whipped cream and marshmallows. Â Greens, red onions and sliced tomatoes, too. The main event of sliced beef in au jus, baked potato, and the familiar vegetable medley of carrots, broccoli and cauliflower, was a little on the institutional side, but for the price, still fresh and flavorful.
I found myself watching the other plates come out, and I have to say a lot of good-looking sandwiches flew by my head. My nose almost collided with a very handsome spinach omelet, too. I confess I was in a sandwich mood when I came in, but I found it easier to echo my disabled companion's buffet order for convenience  sake. But I am coming back for a sandwich or for breakfast sometime. Just not Saturdays or Mondays. They are closed.
With the adjacent Misericorida gift shop, things were very festive for Advent, pre-Christmas: nicely decked out trees and special baked goods and other gift items. So a good place to soak up the holiday vibe and not spend too much of your Christmas Club money on food.. I love the good mission and good cause aspect, too. One of our servers has a daughter who lives and works here and who has reaped the benefits of the education, wellness and caring. It was great to hear her story, and see the resident staff helping out in the busy dining room.
So pop on down to the Greenhouse Inn on your own or when Uncle Fred and Aunt Elsie blow in from Iowa. They'd love it. Great for families and groups, too.
Surprisingly, my mom was the one who introduced me to this place and I'm not quite sure how she found it but I'm glad that she did. The space really is like a greenhouse with a lot of plants and windows. I went with their special that day, which was a pork chop with tomato ragu which included soup and salad bar.
I got the pasta fagioli soup and which was tomato based with a lot of noodles and beans-I typically don't like beans but I liked this one because the consistency of it wasn't too mealy like I usually found with beans.
The salad bar was standard salad bar fare and was all right-it was restocked very frequently and their potato salad had eggs in it which added a protein kick and more well rounded flavor.
The main dish was delicious-it was from the hot bar which took me a while to find out-my mom ordered a sandwich which came out to her and I didn't know that mine was there for the taking. The pork was surprisingly tender-I thought it wouldn't be since it was on a serving platter but it too must have been frequently refreshed. The sauce was a great compliment to the pork and there were sprigs of thyme added to it that made brought out a whole lemony, slightly spicy flavor
I've been to the Greenhouse Inn a handfull of times and everytime I go, it's not very crowded and I have no idea why!! Â I LOVE this place. Â The food is always so good and the breakfast buffet on Sundays is Devine! Â All you can eat bacon - YUM!!! You couldn't ask for a more friendly wait staff either! (some of whom are residents of Misericordia-- how fun is THAT?!)
Don't do what I did... and that's drive by this place for years without ever going in. Â You'll kick yourself for not going in for brunch sooner. Â
And I'm sorry, but Edward has issues.
You shouldn't believe everything you read... including THIS post. Â Don't take my word for it-- Go see for yourself. (but u won't b disappointed) Â :)
What Happened?
Short version. AVOID!! Waste of time and Money, Brunch for my wife and I, plus our 5 year old cost me over 45 bucks!!! Â And we were HUNGRY when we left.
Longer review below.
Greenhouse INN must of changed something because I did not have a positive experience here.
After reading all of the reviews I was very excited to come here with my family for Sunday Brunch (4-3-2011) Greenhouse Inn, is easy to find. Easy to park, and is like all accounts say, very friendly. However, all similarities stop there.
The decor is reminicent of a nursing home, it is indeed cheery and bright, and the people (Volunteers and Residents of Misericordia are indeed happy and smiley. The Brunch with is $14.95 for adults, $7.95 for kids over 2 is EXTREMELY overpriced for the quality and choices offered.
Beverages, I have read reviews that  said beverages are all included. They are NOT, you do get reconstituted OJ (decent) however, everything else costs extra.
The Food: I will share that I have been in the Armed Services, USMC and ARMY, that said here is my HONEST assessment of the food. I say this because this food is like Army Food, however the Geneva Convention has rules to protect soldiers from the likes of this garbage.
There were some Good, ok items, i list them below.
Bacon: Delicious, crisp well cooked. A+
English Muffins: One you find them they are literally hidden no sign etc. Hot, crispy and fresh, however they are pregreased (Shortening?) B+
Sausage: Warm, typical cased skinny sausage. B+
Chicken Breast Something: A little dry but OK. B-
Carved Ham and Roast Beef: Average. , No horseradish, a jus or pineapple, B-
Eggs: They come only one way, Florentine, in little squares. These eggs are powdered, worse than that they have no flavor or egg like consistency, they are served like Jello, literally. Little squares of SMOOTH Jello like fake egg. One word. TERRIBLE. I asked about Scrambled eggs, I was told ALA-Carte, HUH? I have never been to a Buffet without scrambled eggs, I mean most places have Omelets for cry-eye. F
Potatoes, not fully cooked, big thick O'Brien potatoes, lazy mans hash browns. Inedible as they weren't cooked. F
Assorted baked goods: Some coffee cakes, dry and flavorless. Donuts, mass produced store bought, yuck. F
Fresh fruit: Pineapple, was good, Cantaloupe not so much. B-
Salads, Fresh and tasty. I had the Seafood (fake crab) salad, it was a bit bland, but fresh. B
Pancake rolls, not fresh, perhaps they shouldn't make these 200 at a time, so they keep cooking in the hot-pan and taste like shoe leather. F
Desert Table, OK, when a 5 year old (who is hungry) walks over excitedly to the desert table, and Parent says, ok pick two things, and when he picks nothing and walks away, what does that tell you???
F-
No Toast, thats extra, no bagels, thats extra. They did have Knotts Berry farm preserves, which was nice, but no toast? Come on.
I think what the charity does here at Misercordia is great. I would also contribute to their cause, however the brunch was TERRIBLE and it doesn't have to be, Get Gordon Ramsey over here and make over this kitchen..
By way of comparison the following Sunday Brunches are less money, and much better food. Stanleys, Mystic Celt, State Street Grill, and RJ Gruntz. Â These 4 are $3 to $7 each person less expensive, much better food quality and much more choices. Check em out.
I am always looking for a hidden gem especially for lunch. Â This place is great because it never gets packed like most brunch places. Â The atmosphere is light and airy. Â The proceeds also go to a worthy cause.
I opted for the buffet and the best things were the pastries, particularly the chocolate glazed donuts and the almond croissants. Â The rest of the items were so-so but I think I would opt for some of the items on the menu. Â One nice feature they have if you are going with a few people is a separate checklist and individual bills so everyone gets what they pay for. Â The pancakes were huge and looked good as did the omelets but if there's a Belgian waffle that's what I plan to get next.
Why don't more people know about this Chicago gem? Â
I'll be honest. Â I didn't know what to expect and was blown away by how amazing and tasty everything was! Â The desserts are especially incredible---my red velvet cake was moist and delicious. Â I've been here for Sunday brunch (ordered the buffet) and weekday lunch (ordered a la carte) and both experiences were terrific.
They also have an amazing bakery where all of the desserts are made on campus, a gift shop, there is a special large dollhouse at the end of the restaurant beyond the gift shop (and kids will want to peer into the little rooms), an outdoor patio with tables topped by umbrellas...it is a special place. Â Designed to be handicapped and stroller accessible, too.
So, take a great restaurant, where you could easily and happily take your friends, a business associate, OR your kids and then...layer on top of that getting to interact with the always cheerful and full-tilt-service-to-the-hilt volunteers and residents who staff the restaurant. Â Service was attentive and the food came quickly, even during the lunch rush. Â The restaurant is filled with light from the greenhouse windows. Â The campus is gorgeous and the vibe is super positive, inspirational. Â It is a unique place not only in Chicago, but in the United States. Â All of the proceeds go to support the Misericordia residents. Â Many of these residents have few options for care (hospitals or institutional facilities if they don't have the family to care for them), and none of their options are as beautiful, well-appointed, and collegial as this one.
OmG! OmG! I am not liberal with my star ratings but... this place truly deserves all five.
My friend mentioned this place to me years ago and then we finally remembered and went there for a Sunday brunch.
We both had no idea what to expect. The place is set up like a church cafeteria with lots of love put into it and the decor is in a perpetual state of Easter. Nothing fancy but it's very evident, by the mosaic of decorations, that lots of different people had a part in decorating it.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a friendly staff member and given a choice of seating. Then we were given paper menus that we mark off like at a sushi buffet or something. Staff was attentive and friendly. By the end of our meal, we must've had at least 5 people involved in taking our order, giving us our food and drinks, and checking up on us. The table set up was adorable, including my sterilized utensils coming in a little plastic coffin. :P Everything was clean and tidy with nothing fancy.
The prices were jaw dropping-ly low. Everything cost less than 5 or 6 dollars. The breakfast buffet was $14.95 but we both knew neither of us could even eat $14.95 worth of food so we opted for a la carte.
IT WAS GOOD~~~! I looooove breakfast and many times when I pay for breakfast, I leave saying," Eh~ I could've done better at home" but this place was first and foremost priced well and it made the meal all the better. I had the breakfast burrito, french toast, and five cups of coffee. My friend had egg whites, waffle, fruit, and orange juice. Our bill came out to $15 and we thought there was a mistake and tried to pay more but we were wrong.
I wanna take my whole family here!
Happy heart, happy tummy! That's how I felt after leaving this place after a Sunday brunch.
It's located at the edge of the Misericordia property, and all the proceeds from the restaurant, bakery and gift shop go directly to the good folks at Misericordia. The staff is made up of mostly volunteers. All this information right here is five stars in itself.
The place itself is nice; a large open space, with plenty of windows and natural light flowing in. The food is great, with that morning, having ham, English muffins, french toast casserole, bacon, a few assorted cold salads, bagels, and a few more offerings on their well stocked and immaculately clean buffet line. When you first walk in the door, you will be lulled toward the bakery cases off to the right. Some of the tastiest looking cupcakes, pound cakes, and other assorted goodies are offered for purchase (From what I have heard, they have some of the best Irish Soda Bread in town!)
So no matter what, you can't go wrong by stopping in, even if it is just for some baked goods!
Attentive service, nice, clean atmosphere.  We had the breakfast  which included: English Muffins, Sausage, Bacon, French Toast Casserole, Omelets, Blueberry Pancakes, Chicken Breasts, Ham, New Potatoes, Roast Beef, crab salad, fresh fruit, tropical salad, pasta salad, a selection of juices, and a long counter of pastries.  Coffee/beverage was included in the price $13.95 price.  In addition to the buffet, you could order from their menu, if you preferred.  I'd recommend this place to anyone and encourage all to go and support this organization.
Review Source:This place is one of the best kept secrets. The food is good with a good selection and you can either have the buffet or order a la carte. I think the desserts and the bakery stuff they sell are so yummy! The prices are fair and it's ALL for a Great cause. Plenty of parking.
There is a Gift Shop right next to it and don't think it's your typical 'artsy-crafty-crappy' store. Its a very large shop, the selection is really, really good, with a variety of price tags from low to many upscale nice items.
**Do not let the Catholic denomination 'scare' you, just in case you are not Catholic, a Fallen Catholic (like me) or you just don't like them. This is a great charitable organization that makes life special to 550 people born with, mild to severe, disability.****
My friend and I went there today for my birthday celebration because I saw the reviews from here suggesting that this is an excellent place to go. No, that's not the case. It was not excellent, Â it was simply THE perfect place! The dinning place is bright and set with a scent of family, making you feel like coming back to grandma's house. People there were just that friendly as you could ever imagine. Foods there do not have many varieties but good enough to please my friend and I. The quality of food, I have to say, is among the best I've seen in Chicagoland. My friend agreed with me that it made us remember days in Vegas, not that many varieties, but the same quality with better and more friendly personnel.
The restaurant is on campus of Misericordia, a big residence and employment place for people with developmental disabilities. We learned this on our Sunday brunch and we saw many of them happily working and enjoying around us. I am kind of so moved by the nice things the Misericordia people is doing so I am considering doing volunteer there to give my little help.
Strongly recommend.
Greenhouse Inn is one of my absolute favorite places in Chicago. I have been coming here for years and have never had a bad meal. I had the lunch buffet today, as I always do.  You start with their salad bar. It is not extensive, but the quality is very high and includes crab salad and Hawaiian salad among other treats. It also includes soup. Today, it was a choice of chicken dumpling or bean soup. Then it is on to the hot entree, which was corned beef, scalloped taters and mixed vegetables. The corned beef was carved very thin  and was lean. The entire meal was great and the cost...... $8.00.
There is also a menu to order off of and everything I have seen from it looks wonderful. I am just such a sucker for that darn buffet!!! The restaurant is clean, well lit and very cheerful and the staff is always pleasant and helpful.
The absolute best part about Greenhouse Inn is the work that is done there via Misericordia. The Inn is just part of the overall huge complex that houses and employs the developmentally disabled. They are supervised and aided by the most charming and dedicated group of volunteers, and just being there lifts the spirits.
I am not catholic, but this is one charitable organization that truly does what some might call "the work of god". If you have never been here, please give it a try. You will have a great meal in a pretty setting and contribute to a very worthy cause at the same time. While you are there, check out their gift shop and bakery as well. They are closed on Mondays.
We went here for a Sunday brunch. I am thinking that many people do not know about this little place because there was no wait and GASP... many empty tables.
The place is very open and bright with the greenhouse windows in the front of the place. Everyone was super friendly and very welcoming and made us feel right at home.
The brunch buffet was very good it has standard items on it. Nothing fancy but everything was tasty. They have a little bakery up front with a very good selection. and a little gift shop in the back.
I am thinking that we will be back often as this was a good meal and all the proceeds go towards a very good cause. It is an excellent way to show your support.
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