This place is right down the street and serves breakfast all day...my favorite. I came down here one day to work on my computer and grab an omelet. The place was busy and the flow didn't seem quite right. Maybe it is the strange set-up with mismatched furniture and just enough people working to keep the crowd moving.
Everyone working was fairly friendly. As friendly as they could be while running around to service all the customers. The place never had a line, but people kept coming in leaving only two or three tables open for a few minutes at a time.
The food was alright, nothing amazing. I was happy to have breakfast in the afternoon, so I took what I could get. I am not sure I will go back, but might suggest it to someone who is having a serious breakfast craving and is hoping to find a fix in the surrounding few blocks.
On a freezing day (windshield of -20) there was nowhere better to stop at than a generous helping of hot Chicken Soup at Janik's Cafe! The staff is friendly, the atmosphere is comfortable but all good aside, the soup really hits the spot! Whether its winter or the hot of summer, all the other menu items will put a smile on your face :)
Review Source:I came here yesterday for a cheap brunch with some friends and loved everything about this place.
It's just a cute place for good food at a great price. Â Perfect for breakfast and lunch, they had a mix of traditional breakfast and lunch foods as well as Mexican food.
We ordered the huevoes rancheros - which was outstanding. Â Two perfectly cooked over medium eggs over crispy tortillas with a side of rice and beans, all smothered in an amazing salsa verde. Â I've had huevoes rancheroes in tons of places, but this was by far the best I've had. Â It was just perfect and hit the spot. Â They also have a number of hot sauces to choose from to increase the heat.
My fiance has the chicken torta with eggs, rice and beans - he loved the dish. Â He didn't want to copy me and get the same thing, but loved both. Â
My other friend ordered the mini burgers, which were huge and delicious. Â These were more like small hamburgers than mini burger - they were thick and juicy with toasted buns. Â The plate comes with a side and 3 burgers, plenty for lunch. Â She's a huge fan of their potato salad.
Overall, everything was fantastic and fresh. Â It's not a fancy place, but if you're looking for solid food and good service, definitely try this place.
Cute atmosphere. Three out of four of us liked our meals (breakfast burrito, chocolate chip pancakes, and a Greek salad). The fourth ordered a cobb salad, which had a lot of rotting lettuce in it. We bought cookies at the cash register after our meal, which were buttery and delicious. Can't beat the prices.
The staff is very friendly, but service was extremely slow (1/2 hr+ wait for the aforementioned dishes).
I was looking for something new than my usual go to places. Found this spot and actually ate here a while back. Needed the delivery service since I was at work. The prices are very reasonable. You get a bag of chips with your sandwich order and I like their lime chicken soup. The sanwiches are not amazing by any means but are pretty damn good. I would rather order here than some of the more known sandwich places who charge 10 bucks a sandwich anyday.
Review Source:This place gave me an overall good feeling from the moment we walked in. Warm welcome and we were seated promptly.
The service was great! Coffee kept coming. That gets an "A" in my book!
The food was good, I had an omelette although I can't remember the name. My wife really enjoyed her waffle with powdered sugar.
Will definitely be back soon!
Yummers! Â Really looking forward to moving forward to this neighborhood because this brunch place was reasonably priced and chill. Â This review will only be about the food because we ordered for take out.
It was a Sunday afternoon so I expected every brunch place to be crowded and slow. Â Janik's had a line but I was able to scoot to the front since I was ordering for take out. Â I had a french toast with scrambled eggs and bacon. Â They told me it would take about 15 minutes so I went outside to wait with the bf and the dog we were pupsitting.
8 minutes later, the sweet folks of Janik's brought our order outside. Â When I got to my friend's all I have to say is that that french toast was delish!! Â They didn't season the eggs which I like because then I get to do it myself. Â Bacon was nice and crispy, not too greasy. Â French toast was perfect, lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar and again, not too greasy. Â Sometimes french toast can be enormously sized and soggy but this was medium sized, fluffy and just so darn inviting.
I really enjoyed my take out brunch and I look forward to sitting down at Janik's in the next few weeks!
I really like this neighborhood.
Stopped in for breakfast on a Sunday morning during my trip to Chicago. Â The weather was nice so we sat outside. Â Inside was full, as well as the patio and the servers were running around to keep everything moving along. Â Ordered breakfast, waited a short amount of time, ate our food and were on our way.
Perfect little cafe for a perfect little Sunday breakfast.
My boyfriend ordered the belgian waffle with a side of berries and a side of hash browns. I ordered the French toast with custard.
I liked what I ordered, but the bacon was too burnt/crispy for me. The white sauce that came with it was a bit too sweet, but still nice. My boyfriend enjoyed his meal, but they forgot his side of berries and his side of hash browns. The waitress brought the hash browns, but forgot the berries.
The customer service here is lacking. I wanted to get hot sauce for my food, but I couldn't find the waitress, so I got up and grabbed it myself. Another customer saw me and he did the exact same thing, so I'm not the only one!
Food not extraordinary and the service needs some help.
Not worth the trek. Â If I live in the neighborhood, I would be a regular due to extended hours.
The french toast that everyone is raving about is an old trend -- custard french toast. Â The difference is (and a better method) custard as a spread instead of stuffed.
Rigid menu even though no one is at the Cafe. Â Opens at 8 am, but still setting up at 9:30 am.
Janik's is notorious for declining acceptance of expired YouSwoop on the phone and hesitant in person. Â It's like, if you don't know the certificate's purchase value is still valid for 3 years or so, then Janik would cheat/deprive you as a consumer.
I wish I could give this place a better review, the staff is so nice and friendly. I've met the manager (or owner) I'm not exactly sure and she is so nice. Everyone over there is seriously awesome, but the food always is lacking in some way.
My bagels have been stale. My banana and pecan pancakes have come with about two pecans on the top. Sides have been cold. It's just never what I would consider great.
I'll probably continue to end up there from time to time for a quick sandwich or salad, I just wish that the food met the great customer service they offer!
I wish I can give this place a 3.5 stars, because the grade inflation on Yelp is such that 3 stars pretty much says, "meeehh." Â Janik's is, as many people said, a very homey, down-to-earth, no-fuss kind of place. Â
I'm pleasantly surprised by the fact that there was no wait at noon on a Sunday, and that the prices are very reasonable. Â The Belgian waffle I got was delicious, although the sides came out a little cold. Â The server easily let me sub in the hash browns for the bacon, which is the kind of thing some brunch establishments have issues with doing (hello, Wildberry).
It's very much a comfort food kind of place and even though it wasn't, say, AMAAAAZZZING, I look forward to coming here again. Â Sometimes a girl just needs to get her waffle on without the mandatory 30-minute wait, okay?
im a bit disappointed since this has a 4-star rating. Â i wanted to like this place - but my review won't be as bad as you think.
janik's is tres cute. Â very homey, very "support your local biz" type deal. Â not prentious, not ghetto. Â down-to-earth, yes. Â they have an outdoor patio, too, so i'm sure it's lovely on a nice day. Â it was a bit dreary and windy for our tastes even though i love eating al fresca. Â it wasn't crowded, either.
i ordered a crab cake benny. Â disappointing crab cake. Â it was breaded and the inside was fake crab and mostly breadcrumbs. Â not fresh - they must have purchased cc pattties and then deep fried them.. Â no es frio - not cool. Â it wasn't tasty. Â they did a deece job on the poached egg & sauce though. Â
my girly friend ordered the greek omelette, which was dry. Â our potatoes were deece, again, but need some salting. Â
mimosas - yes. Â cheap, just the way i like it.
overall, we spent $20 a person, which aint bad. Â i woudln't mind coming back to try different schtuff and maybe eat outdoors.
I can't believe it took me this long to notice this place and try it! Â The b/f has lived about 3 blocks away for 3 years (assuming Janik's has been here for 3 years). Â
Anyway, the diner we wanted to go to was closed and we looked across the street and saw Janik's. Â It looked cute, so we went in. Â I think this place is adorable aside from the 312 umbrellas. Â The two ladies that were working were very nice, but also casual, which fits this cafe.
Now, onto the food. Â I felt like everything was fresh, homemade and super tasty. Â Their soups are amazing. Â I had cream of broccoli and the boy had the best cream of chicken soup I've had in a while. Â His salad was also very good and had fresh pita bread with it. Â I ordered a really good corned beef sandwich with swiss cheese. Â
I am already planning to come back again for breakfast. This cafe is good quality food for a great price. Â Perfect, really.
PS Went back for a breakfast and it was just as good. Â But just know ahead of time that their hashbrowns are actually seasoned potatoes not your standard pots. Â Still good though.
Waffles with bananas, strawberries, chocolate chips, AND Huevos Rancheros?  I'm in!  Welcome to Janik's in Ukrainian Village - a nice break away from the trendy Breakfast and brunch places on the north side. A mix of new american and mexican style breakfast and lunch offering  with decent prices and big portions.
It was 10:30 on sunday morning and there was no wait. Â We sat quickly and ordered drinks and some waffles to start. Â They were very good, esp to my 4 yr old son. Came out quick too. Â We then tried the huevos rancheros - 2 eggs over easy on the top of a fried tostada and then covered with green salsa. Very good (not as good as Nuevo Leon but close) and came with rice and refried beans. My wife tried the Greek omelet and she thought it was good too.
I'd recommend. Esp Sunday's to get Ur breakfast fix on fast with no wait.
I can't review this place 100% as I did not eat in. Â However, the food is so good, it's worth my take-out input.
I woke up one Saturday at 10 am starving! Â I wanted a good, hot meal. Â I went online knowing Janik's was the right down the street from me so I was very glad to know you can order online for pick-up or delivery. Â I ordered an omelet and so did my husband, but we both wanted something sweet too ;) so an order of pancakes was placed as well.
So good! Â The omelet's come with potatoes that are so fresh and taste amazing, and also your choice of bread. Â We both got english muffin's. Â The pancakes are sooo good, perfect actually. Â Just the way I like them; huge and fluffy :)
I will definitely be going here again, and hopefully going to eat there because they have yummy adult beverages, too!
I'm torn between 2 and 3 stars.
Good quality food I guess, just so bland. There's really nothing too it...I feel like it's food prepared for someone with a doctor recommended diet of no salt or spice of any kind.
The cheese quasadilla is just squeaky cheese melted between flour tortillas, nothing on the side and I don't think it was really even grilled. The breakfast bowl contains exactly what is described and nothing more. It wasn't that the food was "bad" it was just so freaking boring!
Also, I don't think my fresh squeezed orange juice was fresh squeezed, unless they strain all the pulp out of it so it tastes like what I get from the store.
Love, love, love Janik's! Whether it's breakfast, brunch or lunch it's always delicious. I've eaten in-house(cool ambiance, new art all the time and fun for people watching) and I've also ordered out. The food never fails and there's lots of options.
I especially like the lady behind the counter (Mrs. Janik?). She's extremely friendly, in-person and over the phone, and very patient when I can't decide if I want wheat bread, white bread, croissant, English muffin wheat bagel, sesame bagel, or one of three different wrap options - so many from which to choose!
I dig the deco because it has the artsy/divey feel that makes our awesome neighborhood unique. Also, in one visit you'll see a couple there with their small children, a hispter couple drinking coffee, and an old man with the newspaper - it's great for all.
Oh, and what beats breakfast all day?!
Five stars for food, service, atmosphere and price :)
Great brunch spot. After many trips to Milk & Honey down the street, my boyfriend and I decided to try some place new, and honestly I was more impressed with Janik's.
Cheap and tasty food. Fast services, and not too crowded. I could have not asked for a better brunch spot. I had the egg benedict - probably one of the cheapest egg benedicts I've seen - for about 7-8 bucks. It was very good - and it for sure filled me up! My boyfriend had the granola bowl - and he left wanting more, but really? who gets a parfait for brunch?
They have an extensive menu - you don't have to worry about finding something you like here. Lots of large plates and small sides - all very reasonably priced.
Plenty of tables and chairs inside. You order at the counter, and wait for your food to come out. And enjoy!
Are you hungover? If so, proceed. If not, keep this review in your back pocket for the next time you are.
Moving on. I had a pretty rough night a few months ago. Let's just say I somehow ended up at Fifty 50 (why, God..why), drinking beer that I truly believe was brewed in a vat of urine, I DIGRESS.. I was not feeling so well the next morning.
Enter - The Polish Platter. Eggs, toast, sauerkraut, polish sausage and hash browns. For $6.50! Sure I was spinning so much I felt I had to hold onto the table to keep myself upright, but hey! It was like, the best breakfast I had ever had in this kind of a state. With every bite of sausage covered in sauerkraut I felt my hangover melt away and transform into the more desirable gorged and sleepy state. Did I mention it was only $6.50?
The interior is a little strange and weirdly casual (for some reason I feel like their furniture is meant for outdoor purposes), but I enjoyed the art on the walls. Definitely a conversation starter! I'll be back, hopefully under better circumstances.
Janik's is home. I've been coming here regularly for about 4 years at this point and I still love it just as much as I did on day 1. It's a quaint, family operated business with a massively delicious menu and the quality hasn't changed at all the entire time. Plus, they've got a Polish name. Bonus points!
Today, the biscuits and gravy were mighty tempting, because they're awesome, but I stayed strong. I stuck with the original plan. Sausage omelet with pepper jack and marble rye. The rye bread here is by far the best bread in the neighborhood. Along with that was my usual gallon or so of iced tea.
Thankfully, one of the owners was kind enough to offer me one more pitcher of tea before she left for the day. Had she not wanted me to have to pee so badly, I just might not have left them yet another pleasant review.
Great breakfast. Â Had an egg white omelet with spinach and feta cheese. Â The eggs were perfect (light and fluffy) and the spinach was fresh. Â Big side of sliced tomatoes in lieu of potatoes and whole grain toast. Â Also had a couple bloody marys which tasted great...albeit could have been a bit stronger. Â
I'd certainly return.
A solid 3...
Visited on a boiling hot day when (to be honest) I didn't want to walk one foot farther in the heat...A quick review of Yelp showed a solid 4-star rating, so why not try it?
Entering the restaurant, I was a bit confused because I wasn't sure if orders were taken at the counter or if this was a full-service restaurant. A very nice woman came to help seat us. The cafe has a bit of a diner feel, but it also reminded me of a beach restaurant (perhaps because of the random umbrellas inside?...). Atmosphere is a 3. I recommend it for breakfast or lunch, but this isn't a dinner spot to me.
The menu has quite a few items for both breakfast and lunch (and I suppose dinner...). I tried both the blt with avocado as well as the lox and bagel. The sandwich was pretty good, but nothing special. It came with a bag of chips which I could do without. The lox and bagel was a better choice, with fresh lox (though, could have been cut a bit thinner) and some traditional accompaniments. Overall, the food was good, but it was not outstanding - a 3.
Service was friendly, but not quick. We sat with empty plates on our table for a bit too long and waited a while to order. Also, there was no mayo on the blt, so that had to be requested later (and came when the sandwich was almost totally eaten). However, everyone was friendly and helpful. A 3 for service.
The bathrooms were about a 2...enough said.
As to value, many of the food items are really inexpensive, but I think the pricing is generally inconsistent. The drinks are a bit pricey (and inconsistent with the food prices as well as the sizes of drinks). A 3 for value.
I might stop in again if I was in the area and hungry for a snack, but this isn't a destination restaurant for me.
3.5 stars
I already know I need to come back here and try breakfast items. It is served all day, so not sure why I went with a sandwich.
I had the tuna salad sandwich and it was pretty good. I also had the macaroni salad and chips. The macaroni salad was really tasty. It made me order the potato salad to try that as well... I should have stopped while I was ahead. I really like potato salad so I was bummed out.
Fortunately, I also ordered a banana smoothie and MAN was that good. Mmm Mmm!
Overall, the service is excellent with friendly faces behind the counter. The prices will let make sure you get full without breaking the bank. Finally, they sell booze... which, let's be honest, is a requirement to be a legitimate bunch option.
Me & my bf get perrtty hungers after bikin' around all day. One time we found ourselves at the corner of Damen and Division, tummies a rumblin'.
Oh boy! We found JANIKS!!!! :)
I was so sad to leave my neighborhood hang, PANES(heaven on bread)
and was perrty sure i'd wouldn't find another down here in the good ole Southwest.
Janiks has such a comfortable lunchy brunchy with a side o' crunchy vibe Everyone who works there is sooooper nice! I want to take them home!
The first time I went in the beautiful mamacita behind the counter charged us like nothing for what we really got (upped our soup size, gave us a massive split into two salad). Just because we were new. And hey we are sooooper nice too and talk and yap all over the place, so I cannot guarantee the same kindness for you. Ha!
The chicken lime soup, omg omg wow. Love this. Sounded like not my thang, but BF had some and I finished it for him. He was pissed.
They are sooo reasonably priced. I don't have to spend $30 bucks on lunch with them.....and....
$5 bloody marys!!! what?!?!?!?! and its the tall glass?!?!?!?!? OKAY.
The two hearted is what, $4? $4.50? Bars charge $5 or $6 for that stuff. Like its crack or something. But now I now where to get my favs beer in the afternoon, on a dollar and cents budget.
Good food. Good vibe. Good prices. This is my new thang.
Not much to say other than folks in the trendy neighborhoods must have very low standards if this place is four stars?
Absolute shit. Â One of the absolute worst breakfast places I have ever been. Â I would guess anyone giving this pukitorium more than one star has never been to any restaurant that serves breakfast other than IHOP or its equivelant.
Dirty plates, overcooked eggs, slow service, and unseasoned everything. Â A real horror show, Â please adventure out a bit more for breakfast yelpers.
My requirements for a five-star breakfast experience:
--Lots of coffee. I prefer my own pot on the table, but in its absence, an attentive employee willing to pour more in my cup.
--Egg-y goodness.
--Comfy seating.
Well Janik's got the latter two requirements. Â My main gripe? Â The coffee. Â If you tout yourself as a breakfast place, please please PLEASE give it to me in a mug and bring me a few reefs. Â I'm begging you. Â I fully admit, I have an addiction to caffeine, and I'm counting on whichever brunch provider to feed that. Â
The eggs were tasty. Â I had the Greek omelet with spinach and feta. Â Ample ingredients up in here, so I was plenty happy, served with a side of herby potatoes and an English muffin. Â Love.
Also, the abundance of strawberry jelly (as opposed to its redheaded stepchild "grape jelly"...ugh) was appreciated.
Prices were a little high for having to bus my own table and for the lack of a ceramic mug with reefs with which to feed my need. Â
However, beer is cheap, there's outdoor seating, prime for people-watching on Division, and the menu is diverse. Â I imagine I'd be willing to go back when on this stretch of Division (that is eerily similar to Lincoln Park). Â Parking seemed to be OK for a Saturday, we got a spot a couple blocks away right off Division.
So yeah, it did the trick, but didn't knock my socks off.
(P.S. Reef = refill. Â Use it. Â Definitely more fun to say than "refill.")
Let's paint the picture:
You went out last night. You didn't go grocery shopping all week. You don't even have eggs. You live in the neighborhood. You're not looking to dine among girlfriends, you don't want to wait, and you don't want to spend a fortune. You just want some damn eggs and you want to get on with your day.
2 eggs, toast, hash browns, under $5. They will even make them poached for you. Get some coffee and get the hell out of there. Go take a shower, you're a disgrace.
Slut.
Wow. Â The Mexican Chicken Sandwich is probably one of the best things that's crossed my lips in a really long time.
That sounded dirty.
All kidding aside, this sandwich jem on Division & Damen is ridiculously good. Â The menu is chock-full of sammiches that sound crazy delicious like crab-cake and Cuban and traditional options like turkey, roast beef and even Polish sausage. Â You get a few bread options, pick your condiments and cheese and get a hot, oven-toasted sandwich in a jiffy.
I went with the Mexican Chicken sandwich, which is shredded chicken with Mexican spices, lettuce, tomato, avocado and cheddar cheese served on a huge Italian roll. Â Toasted to perfection, it was one of the most perfect sandwich experiences in recent memory. Â Add a can of diet Coke and my tab came to less than $7. Â Not too bad!
I noticed they serve breakfast all day. Â That's exciting. Â And I can walk there on a nice day! Â And the staff that works at Janik's are super friendly! Â And they serve beer! Â And I'm obviously way too excited about a sandwich shop, hence all the exclamation marks!
Does it get any better? Â Methinks no.
If Janik's Cafe were a mail-order bride profiled to be sold on a website she would list favorite sexual positions as: ALL including anal, 69, trapeze, butterfly chair and on top of a hot sizzling car hood.
Yes, this place aims to please with such an incredible thoughtful warmth and flavor to everything it does. So simple, yet so well executed.
The menu, the sides, the service, the drink selection, the seating, the lighting, the artwork, the smiles.
If Janik's ever needed insurance or a green card I would so marry this place just to help out;-)
========================
Disclosure: current mood happy and euphoric.
Still under the influence of a great day which included free treats and a 1 hour massage...yaaay me;-)
Caveat: Â this is a Pitchfork-style review with anecdotal evidence. Â I had a lot of time to think about this review while riding the bus today.
GOD, I HATE WICKER PARK!!!
When I first moved to Chicago, all my friends that live or have lived in the city told me that Wicker Park would fit my creative personality. Â Now, I have to sorta take that as an insult (not really, but still, Wicker Park is as much of an artist's community as Six Flags). Â I wanted to make a web comic that encapsulates the Wicker Park experience. Â Each edition would be the same premise (inspired by, ya know, places like Earwax):
Customer walks in to order a sandwich...
Cust: Â Hi, could I get the California Club and a cup of soup please?
Server: Â *with obvious suggestion of severe ennui* uuuuuuuuugggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... yeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaah, I guess
Cust: Â Oh, um, gee, sorry to put you out. Â Can I pay today with my debit card?
Server: *even stronger boredom* uuuuuuuuugggggggghhhhhhhhh.... naaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh, did you, uhhhhhhhhhhhhh, read, uhhhhhhhhhhhh, the sign? Â Uhhh, sooo boooored!
I've never seen people so painfully bored in my life. Â I've also never really experienced the inability to get good, no frills or surprises, food. Â I'm from the south, and we like food that keeps it simple, uses fresh ingredients, and is priced accordingly. Â I'm sorry, I 'm just not into experimental, artisan-crafted, fusion dishes that are fun-sized and more satisfying to look at than eat (I'm looking at YOU, Las Palmas Restaurant, and your Mexican-French-Intergalactic Fusion Clusterf**k... just make me a quesadilla... Steely Dan Christ!). Â I enjoy fine food every now and again, but Jeebus, if I want art, I'll take the blue line to Monroe and visit the Art Institute. Â If I want a sandwich, I want bread, some stuff, cheese, and a satisfying side.
Janik's Cafe takes everything I hate about Wicker Park cuisine and inverses it... giving me a profound sense of hope again! I've eaten there twice this week!
Good, tasty food that's simple: Â timeless sandwiches, hearty salads, chunky soups, and even Mexican dishes and breakfast food (served all day). Â I had a warm Chicken Cesar sandwich today for $4.75 that is still keeping me fat and happy at this very moment. Â You get an awesome, eclectic, but unpretentious meal, and when you throw down a 10 spot, you get change. Â
Plus, everybody employed there is more than happy to see you because they seem to care about their food and business and appreciate you spending your money there and enjoying the food. Â I'm a former server, so I know how to provide good service and also what to expect. Â And Janik's delivers.
It isn't hard - good, uncomplicated, wholesome food that's filling with a choice of different side dishes at a very fair price, coupled with smiles and an inviting atmosphere. Â I don't know why this concept is lost on the rest of Wicker Park and some of the surrounding area, but since Janik's is a rock in a sea of lameness, I will continue to make a special trip to Damen & Division for my favorite lunch in Chicago.
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