The Pullman Cafe

11208 S St Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60628, USA

Address:	11208 S St Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60628, USA
Phone:	+1 773-828-8338
Site:	thepullmancafe.com
Rating:	4.1
Working:	Closed 10AM–7PM 10AM–7PM 10AM–7PM 10AM–7PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–3PM

Location

Photos 79

Reviews 15

Catherine Hughes

I have never been so utterly disappointed by a breakfast experience in all of California and then some in my life, and I am not exaggerating. I chose this restaurant based on the reviews looking for Sunday brunch. It is not obvious anywhere that reservations are needed. We arrived at 1:03, and the only reason I know this is because of their big clock on the wall. The first thing, who I thought was the hostess says to us instead of hello, is "3 and do you have a reservation?" I glanced around at all of the empty tables and no one anywhere in sight standing in any sort of waiting line. I answer no and she walks away, only to get on the phone and type on an iPad... for 5 minutes without telling us anything, only to eventually come up and say she will be seating us. We were set in the courtyard area at about 1:10, which was cute and looked hopeful. She bought us water, never introducing herself, never saying anything about the menus and left... for 15 minutes. And I only know this from the same large clock on the wall. When she finally reappeared we realize that she is also our waitress. She never recommends anything on the menu and barely acknowledges us. We felt like one giant inconvenience. The place never got busy, which should have been my first sign in this town where you stand in line for breakfasts. We ordered all egg-based breakfasts and it took another 45 minutes to be served. No one ever checked in on us in that 45 minutes or told us what could be taking so long. Our son ordered the skirt steak and eggs which was only three 3" long skinny slices of steak with two eggs and about a cup of potatoes, for what, 22 dollars?. My eggs Benedict was good enough, but the one ham slice was paper thin - you could see through it. Why bother? I gave the brioche (fried bread-not brioche) to my son and his dad because their meals were such a disappointment, even at that, I was served about a cup of potatoes. My sons father had the worst of it with his overcooked, dry, tough with brown skin on the outside Denver Omelette. It was atrocious! You could have used it as a leather football. We had to ask for salt and pepper. The chairs are uncomfortable, rock hard -- like the ones you had to sit in at your kids school conference, except those will feel like pillows over these. The staff looks miserably unhappy, like they are lost in some sort of dungeon they hate and cant wait to escape. You need a code for the bathroom, but no one will tell you this upfront or when you are seated, so dont hold it too long or you could be in trouble flagging down staff to ask for the number. This is not a kid-friendly place, even though our "kid" is 22. I will never go back. With so many great choices for eating I dont get the good reviews. I dont know, maybe they had reservations for the non-empty seats. We are still talking about what a miserable experience it was. We really arent that fussy -- it was bad.

Laura Milkert

A cozy, locally-owned cafe and gathering space in the heart of Chicagos only National Monument. One of our favorites on the menu is a fresh salad with greens grown atop the worlds largest rooftop garden at Gotham Greens a few blocks away. A great stop for a visit to historic Pullman.

Margaret Larkin

The decor is really nice--quality wood and brick. The food looks delicious though I wasnt hungry enough to order (I got a smoothie and bread pudding; not a healthy combo, I know). I will return for a meal next time. Worth the trip to the neighborhood as well.

Mike Cierski

Amazing food and great people who own it. Ashley was on duty and was amazing. Perfect "small" cafe in a historic Chicago neighborhood. Perfectly American!

Kevin Wolfe

Visiting the neighborhood in January but the restaurant was closed for the winter. We were disappointed. Hope to try this place some day.

Fred Roseman

My roast beef sandwich with Creole mustard was excellent. The staff was very friendly and the ambiance rocked -all around a great find!

Jackie Thames Roper

Cute and Cosy! The caesar salad is one of the best Ive had. The sandwiches are really good! Dont leave without the bread pudding!

Randy Warren Sr

The Only place I go to for The Bread Pudding in all of Chicagoland .

Manuel Corazzari

Great cafe with an upscale, quaint atmosphere! Hidden gem found!

Stephen Laphen

Good coffee. Small but cozy neighborhood cafe. Go check it out!