I went here late on a Sunday morning. There was no line and a few of the tables were empty. I was by myself, but really wanted a table, so I asked if I could sit at one? I was refused and was told to sit at the counter. I really didn't want to sit there, but I did and in a few minutes another single sat next to me smelling of cigarettes. Now, I know this is not the diner's fault, but had I been allowed to sit a table, it could have been avoided.
I am assuming the owner was behind the counter, she kept calling me "honey" or "sweetie" (yuck) and was not interested much in the fact that I was there (but interested in her regulars). When she finally took my order, I had decided on pancakes. I was excited as I don't often order them. My kids would have been so happy that I chose the berry pancakes over something healthy, I smiled at the thought. Oh, I ordered bacon too.
The food came, it took awhile, and the pancakes were awful, thick and extremely mushy, so much so that I thought they were uncooked. They also had a strange flavor, maybe from the berries. The berries that topped them tasted bad. The lady from behind the counter (the owner) said the fruit was fresh, but isn't fresh fruit supposed to be "firm and with shape", this fruit had neither of these qualities. The bacon was thin and not much better than the pancakes.
I thought it would have been nice if the "owner" had come over and asked me if everything was OK, but she never bothered. When she took my plate she asked me if I wanted it boxed, I said "no." She still didn't ask if the food was ok. C'mon, I think I had eaten 3 bites of the pancakes. When she handed me the check, I told her that I thought the pancakes were undercooked. She went back over and retrieved the pancakes. She brought them back over to me and said, "no they're not." Then when she passed the cooks, she loudly said to them, "Hey, can we make the pancakes well done today so that we don't have any more customers complaining."
Do you think the owner could have been more rude? She was, when she came to take the check, I said it would have been nice if you had just asked if I liked the pancakes, to which she replied, "why, you don't like us anyway." I hadn't said more than 10 words to her while I was there, but clearly now she is right, I don't like Mrs. D from the diner or her pancakes.I am not sure I'll ever know about the rest of the food, because why would I ever want to return? I am not sure I have ever met an owner who could be so incredibly rude to a customer.
I think this is perhaps only my second Yelp review. I've been here both under the current ownership, and also back when it was still Marie's. The service and the quality of food and drinks have remained excellent as far as I'm concerned. The atmosphere too, has remained very nice and upbeat. Mrs. D and her family could not be more welcoming, and this is how it was with the previous owners too. I've been here mostly for breakfast, and have always been extremely happy with my meals. In addition, I had a burger here for lunch several years ago and was very satisfied with it. These people have clearly gone out of their way to make patrons feel welcome and at home. I'm happy to report that although the place is rather small, people with disabilities are made to feel like regulars all the time.
Review Source:I like this place really a lot. It's NOT cash only (that might be a recent change, but stop saying that, reviewers).
My friend and I had a great breakfast-for-lunch here. I had the Mrs. D's hash, no meat. It was perfect: Crunchy shredded hashbrowns, grilled veg (onions, zucchini, green pepper, tomatoes), melted American cheese which was somehow perfect, and two great over-easy eggs on top.
They brought our pancakes out in advance, almost like an appetizer? Which I loved. Also, yes, the pancakes are boss.
One complaint: My friend ordered coffee and I ordered a Diet Coke and it was $3.40 total for our beverages. Oh my gosh. $1.70 for diner coffee? Next time I'll have water.
Great breakfast spot in wilmette right across from the Linden stop. Cool diner with great memorabilia hangin everywhere. I had Mr D's Hash which was a mix of crisp hash browns, bell peppers, zucchini, onions, tomatoes, bacon, and topped with 2 eggs-- OMG Delicious!
I tried my partners eggs with corned beef hash--- another winner! Oh did I mention the pancakes on the side were 2D4! Why bother lining up an hour at Walker Bros??? Go here man!
I've eaten here many times, as it is in the neighborhood. Â While it is not always my first choice for Sunday breakfast - it has a great diner vibe. Â Mr. & Mrs. D are fun hosts, hard-working and attentive. Â I like the breakfast sandwich and my kids love the "fruity pebbles" pancakes.
Review Source:I will try and distance myself from the fact that I got terrible food poisoning here. Besides that, Mrs D's has very average at best food. I don't know what the rage is here. The pancakes are claimed to be the world's best, but it is below average. The dishes are easily something I can prepare at home. I realize that this place is just a diner and there is a nice local feel to it, but I would never return here.
Review Source:LOCAL. FRIENDLY. YUMMY. CASH ONLY.
Those words, in that order describe the experience at Mrs. D's.
This is the kind of place where most of the people having breakfast when you walk in are regulars. And if you're not a regular, don't worry, you'll be treated like one.
Mrs. D herself works in the restaurant and serves up the excellent breakfast, along with a host of friendly, efficient employees. They recognize you when you come in and even though it's often busy, you never feel rushed over your meal.
Pancakes are great. Eggs of all sorts, including healthy options. Specials on the wall are always interesting and delicious.
Kids menu, PLUS toys and books near the front to keep kids occupied while waiting. Mrs. D's is extremely kid-friendly and many families make it a tradition-- even so, it doesn't suffer from "screaming kid" restaurant syndrome. Probably because the little ones are well occupied with crayons, colorful bendy straws, and friendly chats with Mrs. D, who the kids practically view as a celebrity.
For those without kids in tow, the staff is scrupulous about wiping everything down when a family leaves a booth-- an important detail if you're sitting down in the same booth Syrupy Sammy and Ketchupy Katie have just vacated.
Good music plays not too loudly. Kind of an oldies rock vibe, but to be honest, I've never noticed the music other than it seems just right for breakfast.
If you're coming on Sunday, keep in mind what time church gets out. Cash machine across the street at the El station if you forgot to hit the ATM before you order.
This was a really fun place to meet a friend for lunch - cute and old fashioned, with all kind of random decor on the walls, like thank you notes from little kids who had a meal here - adorbs. Â The waitresses will literally call you hon. Â Retro!
Most of the menu items were pretty standard, sandwiches and regular breakfast items, but they did have a few unique things, mainly on the specials board - like I think they had a chorizo hash or chorizo omelette as a special which sounded really good. Â I went with their breakfast hash which was a large enough portion that I only managed half of it. Â It was pretty good, better and fresher than I expected and made very well.
I just remember feeling really surprised, that the experience was better in terms of service and food than what I expected. Â Great place for the locals to go! Â It's very small, not too many tables, but you can always sit at the counter in true diner-style!
Love Mrs. D's! Such a homey diner, and the couple that owns it are so nice. Love the milk shakes, the corned beef hash, the chili, mmmm I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. Definitely one of my regular spots in Wilmette. One of the only restaurants around town where the prices are completely fair.
Review Source:It just doesn't get better than this. Awesome service, even when you have three screaming young children with you they don't blink an eye, and fabulous diner food. It has a warm friendly vibe and even if its your first time in you are treated as though you are a regular. I need to eat here more often.
As others have mentioned its a tight space, so probably not great for larger parties, and awful for strollers so plan to leave those outside.
My wife and I are now frequent diners of Mrs. D's and if we could, we'd probably eat here every weekend... Actually, there's nothing really keeping us from eating here every weekend, so I'm not really sure why we don't.
We've only been here for breakfast so I can't comment on anything outside of that, but all of the breakfast food is delicious. Everything from corned beef hash, eggs, hash browns, pancakes, toast.... whatever, you name it, it's delicious. The staff is friendly and prompt, and Mrs. D herself can be found behind the bar on most days as well.
There are only 2 very, very small complaints that I have, and one of them is absolutely ridiculous, I feel like an idiot even mentioning it... but here goes (please don't hurt me Mrs. D)... The larger plates spin too much, ha! Whenever I order pancakes and eggs, it comes on a larger plate, but every time you go to cut into the food, the plates spins around. Like I said, it's a trivial complaint and has absolutely no bearing on whether or not I (or you) would eat here, I just thought I'd mention it and take away any credibility I may have gained on Yelp, ha!. My other complaint is slightly bigger and, based on other reviews, I'm not the only one who doesn't like this... the syrup comes in disposable packages. It's single serve, packaged syrup... Why would you do this to such amazing pancakes?
So other than those 2 minor complaints, all of the food is great here, the staff is awesome and it's so close to our home that we could theoretically come here every weekend if we wanted... I just have to convince the wife that the eggs in the fridge have gone bad and we have no choice...
I've been to Mrs. D's Diner in Wilmette a handful of times and figured that I owed it to them to write a positive review in return for my great experiences dining there. Â
Mrs. D's Diner is the type of place you flock to whenever you are home sick (wherever home maybe for you). Â The atmosphere is clean and the service is exceptional. Â From the minute you step into the diner, Mrs. D or her husband makes you feel as if you are a distant member of their family who is visiting from out of town. Â These two owners might be the most endearing restaraunters that I have met in my entire life. Â Both work extremely hard when the place is busy to ensure that the customer service is at its best. Â They manage to do this while still conversing with patrons and providing guidance to their stellar staff. Â There are certain types of people who have the ability to make everyone around them feel better no matter what mood they are in and Mrs. D and her husband certainly fall into this category. Â That being said, let's get into the food.
The hash browns are a big ticket item here. Â They are perfectly cooked and crispy on the outside every single time I order them. Â The pancakes are also exceptional. Â I'd gamble to say that they are just as good as Walker Bros pancakes but at a fraction of the cost. Â I usually only get breakfast items when I'm at Mrs. D's. Â If I didn't love their fresh omelettes so much, I would venture out to order one of the burgers or sandwiches which all look fantastic whenever I see them being made. Â They also do hand spun shakes which look amazing.
Exceptional customer service is hard to find. Â You might even redefine your perception about what good customer service is after coming here. Â If you live in the Wilmette or North Shore area, you probably already know about Mrs. D's Diner. Â If you haven't been here yet, you kind of owe it to yourself to experience it. Â Not just for the food but for the opportunity to meet and appreciate Mrs. D, her husband, and the staff. Â They are what makes this place so special.
This is my favorite place ever for breakfast. Â Mr. and Mrs. D are the best. Â Since moving away from Evanston, it's more difficult to get here. Â But any time I am close, this is the place to go. Â Entering Mrs. D's I feel that I am back in the diner my Dad would take me as a kid. Â I love this place. Â The omelets and pancakes are my favorites. Â I wish they would get real syrup rather than packets, but the pancakes are still amazing. Â My daughter loves the different rubber duckies around the restaurant and even got to take one home. Â Thanks guys!
Review Source:Very friendly and accommodating. Â We were with a large group with mostly kids - they had to split us up, but had no problem setting the kids up at their own table and seeing to their needs. Â Atmosphere is great, with a lot to look at on the walls. My omelet was excellent. Â Pancakes were great too. Â The only thing that didn't work out so well was the berry pancakes, which they were happy and prompt to replace when we sent them back (hey, you can't love everything, right?). Â prices are good - we are local so we'll definitely go back!
Review Source:Very homey little spot. Â We biked up from Lake View one day, and as we were finding a spot to lock up our bikes, the owner's wife came out and told us just to leave our bikes right outside, and come on in! Â Hands down, one of the best Turkey Bacon Clubs I have ever had. Â My lady had the veggie wrap which I enjoyed as well. Â This is an awesome local spot that I wish was located just a few miles south. Â But, on our next bike ride......Mrs. D's is definitely on our route.
Review Source:I'm a big fan of Mrs. D's and the small-town diner she and her husband put together here. My wife and I were introduced to this place maybe 3 or 4 years ago and have returned with friends and family ever since. It's a small space so plan accordingly if you have a group larger than 2 or 4. Breakfasts are generous and taste truly handcrafted and homemade. My wife once had the tortilla soup here and still asks about it every time we're there, just in case.
Just a great friendly spot where I can't imagine that you'd ever have a negative experience.
Congrats on 5 years in Wilmette, Mrs. D! See you soon!
Best biscuits and gravy--north or south! Same goes for the huevos rancheros and the pancakes. The B&G and huevos should be on the menu all week, not just on weekends. Sit at the counter on weekends and watch Mr. D crack eggs with one hand. Try their milkshakes, made with real ice cream! There is a box of toys to occupy the little ones--just please supervise your youngsters. I wish the waitstaff wouldn't ask, "Do you need change?" after I set money down to pay for the meal. Â Most of them do. (Go ahead and check it out!) Seems so greedy. How about, "I'll be right back with your change"? Don't assume the money is all yours.
Review Source:Ever since I discovered Mrs. D's I have found it impossible to go anywhere else for breakfast on the north shore.
It's Mrs. D herself, her wacky outfits, and her adorable husband that keep me coming back for more. Â Oh yeah, and the food! Â The breakfast hash is great, the secret recipe pancakes are golden and just the right amount of crispy on the outside, and the hash browns are to die for. Â If you want to be healthy, you can get sliced tomatoes on the side instead of hash browns.
I've been there for lunch too, and the hamburgers are good, but only if you like the kind that have onion soup mix mixed in.
The decor is groovy - pop culture memorabilia dating back 50 years and menus decorated by Mrs D's son, the service is quick and super friendly - Mrs D makes you feel like a regular (which I am) and gives little rubber ducks to all the kids.
It's cash only, but there is an ATM at the bank right across the street.
The only drawback for me is having to look at Mrs D's perfectly sculpted biceps (she's a triathlete) while gorging myself on bacon!
This is the perfect breakfast place.  I would definitely say  a diamond in the rough.  What I love is that while always busy, I never have to wait more than a few minutes to get seated.  The food is pretty good and priced really well.  The service is excellent and the atmosphere harkens back to earlier day of diners.  Just a  awesome friendly place.
If you are in the North Shore and want to avoid the North Shore attitude and prices this place is it.
Yum yum yum!
Somehow I never knew this adorable, retro style diner existed! Â A friend and I went to Mrs. D's for breakfast a few days ago. Â From what I hear the weekends are packed with a line out the door, but on a Monday morning, we got right in!
The decor is fun, lots of old school pictures and classic rock 'n roll posters on the wall. Â The booths are large and comfortable and the service was speedy.
The food was delicious. Â They give you the option to have your eggs made with egg whites only and they have a sliced tomato side option. Â The grits were stellar - not over buttered or salted like many diners. Â Definitely great diner food.
There were 2 drawbacks to Mrs. D's however. Â Nothing that would keep me from going back, but something to keep in mind...
1. Â They are cash only and they do not have an ATM. Â Really, in 2009, who is still cash only? Â Huge buzz kill at the end of an enjoyable meal when you realize you need to go find an ATM. Â
2. Â We sat towards the back and there was definitely a very noticeable, well, odor. Â If you have worked in restaraunts you know the odor I am talking about. Â It is the one that seeps out of the grates in the floor from narsty mop water. Â It's the smell of restaraunt trash. Â Food slop and used grease. Â NOT what I want to smell while trying to enjoy my breakfast.
But, fear not Mrs. D, I will be back! Â And I will bring my friends...
I was kind of apt to giving a review because I really enjoyed the atmosphere, but what kind of sucks is that they're not technically up to standards with the countless other restaurants who accept credit cards. Not everyone is going to lug around a big pocket full of cash to pay for a meal many people now are using their credit and debit cards to pay for meals at restaurants. Also they close early around 3pm and how long will they be in buisness if they close early the least they could do is stay open until after the dinner rush for those who get off the train and want a quick bite to eat at least around 5 or 6pm. My meal was ok the pancakes were too thin and the sausages were too greasy. They don't seem to be real big on using a lot of natural ingredients like pure maple syrup(they charge you nearly $2 a serving) and the service was average.
Review Source:Perfect little diner breakfast joint. Â I've been there several times to friendly staff. Â It's worth the wait weekend mornings. Â I feel like a regular already and that's the kind of service you don't get many other places.
I had the breakfast hash twice and it's my dish of choice. Â My boyfriend is a vegetarian and had several side dishes. Â He's a southern boy, so the grits weren't to his complete liking but I was happy to even find a place that served them. Â He still had fun and was quite please they kept refilling his coffee (which really is more important than any food to him.)
I don't think it's too pricey. Â I've gone to places for the same price or more and didn't get the quality and service.
Mrs. D's was packed this morning when I stopped in with a group on our way back from a long ride. Â As soon as they were able, they pushed two tables together for us, even though we would have been just fine sitting at separate tables. Â The service was fantastic! Â We had a group of seven, with somewhat complicated orders, and yet everything came out exactly right. Â With non-stop coffee refills, my cup was never empty. Â The food was pretty good and very inexpensive. Â I don't know what the previous reviewer meant when he said the prices were expensive, but we fed six very hungry people for $55. Â We'll definitely be back.
Review Source:Authentic kitsch photography and posterama spanning approximately 70 years of Americana adorn the walls in this tiny, intimate and not very greasy, greasy spoon.
Mrs. D's serves breakfast all day, and other hot and cold sandwiches, the likes of which you would expect to see in a diner like this.
The service was fast and friendly; the food was more than very good enough, but it is a bit expensive for what it is; likely a result of high suburban rents.
I've lived on or near the North Shore for many years, and had no idea this place existed. I had ventured to Wilmette on the Purple Line, and there it was.
Next time I come this way, which may likely be once a decade, I'll stop in.
This is how every diner should be. Friendly, homely, epitomy of hospitality, either Mrs. D, or Mr. D(Mrs. D's husband), or their whole ensemble.
This is a true loving atmosphere, where you see food, hospitality, care, homely feeling all comes into place. Â Ever felt like home, when either the cook or the host stopped by to talk to you? Â This is the place to go, if you care about people "who really care about you?" "IF NOT, please find other places, we are not here to serve snobby people, who cannot appreciate diversity, unity, tolerance and patience." (almost paraphrasing Mrs. D, while confronted by a patron who was very prejudiced with few of her workers). Â I love Mrs. D's and her place. Â I vote this the best place.
Breakfasts - pancakes, omelettes, wraps, are the bomb.
Lunch menus all of them are good (give it a shot). Â You'll fall in love with it.
This is the type of tiny diner every neighborhood should have. Â I've only eaten breakfast foods here, none of which have (so far) been outstanding, but definately not bad. Â I am going to go back sometime to try their biscuits and gravy, which is only served on the weekends. Â
All of the staff are very friendly and energetic, and the last time I was there the (owner?) was going around to every child and handing out tiny rubber ducks.
And yes, I wanted one.
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