Palace Grill Reviews

If you are a hockey fan, you have to visit this restaurant. It is a few blocks fom the United Center. The restaurant displays pictures of all the players, past and present. I know this restaurant has been in business as far back as the 70's. Great food, great ambience, great time.

The diner has been there for 81 years and it's a fun place to visit. The food wasn't exceptional, and about average pricing, but the coffee was decent and my friends and I had a great time anyway.

Very crowded and pricey. Food was ok. Staff was friendly but it seemed like people seated at tables got their food faster then myself and others sitting at the counter. Also this restaurant is cash ONLY!

Our go-to place before Blackhawks games, where you can get a great breakfast at any time. Omelets are excellent; they don't skimp on the ingredients. George always takes the time to check on you and chat if time permits. Free parking is added bonus.

I live nearby and have stopped in here for lunch a few times. It's a Chicago establishment! It's fun to look at the walls and see all of the people who have visited the place over its history. Overall, the atmosphere's relaxing; I like to sit at the counter and watch the cooks in-action. Service is always friendly and relaxed; the staff seems to have worked there for years. Pretty standard diner food--wide range of breakfast offerings and sandwiches, soups, and salads for lunch. My standard is a BLT club; it's always served fresh, with hot and crispy fries. Prices are a little expensive for what the food is, but the food itself has never disappointed. A nice neighborhood spot.

When your on Madison on the near west loop area in Chicago and hungry stop at the Place Grill. It is not a fancy place but an all-around restaurant with very good food. Located near the United Center you should stop there for a quick meal before a Bulls or Black Hawks game. I hope that you are lucky enough to meet George, the owner. A great guy who is really interested in giving you the best food.

Was taken here by a friend and was not disappointed. Totally Chicago Blackhawk memorabilia inside and even the owner is there to greet you. Make a stop there for any meal! Not far from United Center....

If you're going to the Palace Grill the evening of a Hawks Game, you should be wearing Red! The place is loaded with Hawks fans and memorabilia. We often make it our dinner stop in the way to the game. The wait staff wear shirts that say "I survived breakfast at the Palace Grill" We had to try breakfast. Our friend flew in to see a hockey game that evening and had an "in" to see the morning skate at the United Center. Seemed like I had to take him to the Palace. Breakfast is as promised. If your'e in the neighborhood, don't miss it. Best to go in hungry.

It does not take long when you are walking to the front doors of the Palace Grill, before you realize that someone is a HUGE Blackhawk fan. The memorabilia is everywhere and there are even some items for sale that were autographed. The staff is very personable and very efficient. The food was really good. There were five of us and we had a couple of patty melts, two skirt steak sandwiches and a bowl of tortilla soup The owner, George, makes his way around the entire restaurant greeting and talking with the patrons and even telling a few jokes. There is parking to the side of and behind it. The restaurant has been a family operated business as the Palace Grill since about 1955. It is a classic 50's diner, in that it has the stainless steel counters and tables and the bright red and checkered colors. Though a throwback in time, the food was great. This is worth a stop, even if you are not on your way to a Blackhawk game. The only thing to remember is that it is "cash only".

The Palace Grille is located at 1408 W. Madison Street Chicago. Looking for a place to eat by the United center this is the place. More food than you need at a great value. Autographed pictures of sports stars and other notable people like Oprah. Our party had a Ruebn, Meatball sandwhich, Meatloaf and Clam chowder ALL of it was hot and tasty for a reasonable price.

My wife and I stopped in for brunch on our way out of town from watching our first Blackhawks game live. Great service, was nice to see all the Hawks history and player photos. We both got breakfast and the food was excellent! Go Hawks!

Went to the Palace Grill for breakfast this past weekend. The corned beef hash was excellent. My wife had a cheddar cheese omelet with a side of grits. She loved the grits. Great diner atmosphere with solid food. One of the better breakfast joints in the city.

The Palace Grill is a landmark diner located in the West Loop community area that has been in business at the same location since 1938. It is open seven days a week and offers a wide assortment of typical diner fare. There are two separate dining areas, one with tables and the other with just a counter and stools. The décor is a throwback to the forties and fifties. The walls are covered with white and black tiles and adorned with Blackhawk memorabilia and photos of celebrity patrons. The tables have black tops edged with stainless steel and the chairs have chrome supports with red seats. I have been a customer for many years, and based on my standards for evaluating diner food, I have always been very pleased. The staff is friendly, courteous, and attentive, but what distinguishes this diner from all others is the owner George Lemperis. The Lemperis family took over the operation in the mid 1950s and George Lemperis has worked in the restaurant for over 35 years. Mr. Lemperis is an animated high-energy personality who is an extremely friendly and likable man. He has developed a huge following because he treats his customers like close friends with sincere affection. Although Mr. Lemperis works long hours in the restaurant every day, he always makes time to greet new customers and chat with his steady patrons, asking about their wellbeing and telling a joke or two. Regular men customers can always expect a bear hug from Mr. Lemperis and the ladies a kiss. Mr. Lemperis clearly gets a great kick out of mingling with his patrons and ensures that a visit to the Palace Grill is always a fun time.

We stop in there every few weeks for breakfast! George and His daughter Christina do an excellent job day in and day out to make you feel like family.. Not to mention every now and then you'll never know who will walk in, current and former Blackhawks and Bulls players. The food is always out of this world, and it's hard to eat and look around at all the pictures that hang throughout place. You will not go wrong here, ever!

It was like something you would see in the movies! Amazing! Went for breakfast and the food was great (a bit too large a helping for me but everything is bigger in the USA). The place was packed and the vibe was great.

We came to the Palace Grill for lunch after a meeting at the local union hall. There were three of us and we all ordered patty melts. Not a lot of creativity there, but that is what we had a taste for. Each patty melt was done exactly as requested whether medium rare or well done. Look around on the walls, and don't even mention another hockey team, unless you say "the Blackhawks will beat the ****** (fill-in the team name). The staff is very in to the Blackhawks. The prices are reasonable, but they do not accept credit cards. They have an ATM on the premises. This is a classic diner with tables and counter seating. Relax, eat and enjoy!

We came to Palace Grill for lunch. The weather was nice, so we decided to sit on the pet-friendly side patio. It seemed as though the servers worked well together and both were efficient and friendly. I ordered the meat loaf sandwich with a slice of tomato and grilled onions, as well as a double order of cole slaw. The meat loaf came with brown gravy for dipping. The sandwich was huge and very tasty and I think that their cole slaw is one of the best around. Don't forget, Palace Grill is still "cash only", but there is an ATM on site.

The food is great, but the environment is even better. Palace is that neighborhood place that everyone goes to for great diner food, but it's also a Chicago Blackhawks hangout. There is Hawks memorabilia in every nook and cranny in the place, and you may even run into a player or former hockey legend there. Great for breakfast, great for some pre-game food!!

We were staying a few blocks away and used trip advisor to find a place for breakfast. This was a great choice! Lovely patio for dining. As other reviewers have stated, owner was very personable and we enjoyed chatting with him. You could tell there were regulars that he was checking in with. It gave me the feeling of a true neighborhood restaurant. Our server, Sundae, was quite good...great mix of friendly, efficient and attentive! Our food was very good. I had corned beef hash omelette (see pic) and hash browns and my husband had chorizo and salsa omelette with grits. It was a hearty portion. Recommend!

Went to the diner prior to a blackhawk game for dinner. Staff was friendly and helpful but harried given the pre-game crowd. Quick to seat and take order. We had the reuben sandwich and the flank steak sandwich, both with fries and a small cole slaw. The flank steak sandwich was delivered as requested, rare and juicy. My son said it was very good and he knows his deli sandwiches. The Reuban I ordered was flavourful but not overly stacked with meat but it was tasty. I am used to a montreal style corned beef and this was a little different but the meat was nicely matched with the rye and carraway bread. overall a good little find, with good food for the price and loads of character if you like sports. The owner's son was always moving around making sure everything was going well.

Fun diner done in black white and red. We visited first time today for breakfast. First off as a visitor we appreciate the parking lot. The breakfast was excellent we had the Christina's sandwich and veggie omelet very attentive service. Very accommodating wait staff and manager and we also bought the giardiniera.

What a great Blackhawks restaurant....enjoyed a great breakfast with friends during Stanley Cup Finals 2015....GO HAWKS!

The Palace Grill is a venerable institution, that just happens to have really great hash browns and ham off-the-bone. Huge omelets, the highest-quality bacon, and a very friendly vibe. George Lemperis and his family really do go all-out to make you feel at home, and not in an artificial way. Keep coming back, and you'll know you're part of the Palace family.

Great Chorizo Omelette and wonderful pancakes. Spinach omelette great too. Fresh squeezed orange juice was very good.

Family owned and run gem on Madison Avenue within walking distance to United Center. Decorations are mainly Blackhawks memorabilia with some a Bulls. Many photos throughout of a Hawks players who frequent the restaurant including many with the Stanley Cup in the restaurant! Owner George greets everyone at the door with a great big smile and roams the restaurant ensuring all is OK and your needs are taken care of. Wide range from breakfast to grilled sandwiches. Julienne salad was huge! Plenty of beer to help you get ready for game time.

I have been following The Palace Grill for several years and have wanted to go forever. Finally got to go for my birthday celebration on a Sunday morning. I was so excited the first person I saw standing outside was none other than the owner himself, George!! Our whole family was in matching 6X championship Blackhawk shirts and he was so nice he took our picture in front of the big mural. The food, service and atmosphere were top notch. I will definitely come back! The best gyro, feta, and onion omelette! Oh and they sang happy birthday and brought a giant candle with an ice cream waffle. Love you guys! Go Hawks!

Went here for brunch and it was very good. The bloody marys were nice and spicy and the Irish coffee was some of the best I've ever had. Food portions are generous and tasty. George is the best! Very welcoming and full of great jokes!

good diner food

-Great old-school diner with a lot of character. -It's close to the United Center and I know a lot of Blackhawks players often come in--so they have tons of Hawks paraphernalia all around the place. -Servers are friendly, with a little bit of an acerbic edge--exactly what you want. -The owner even came over to talk to us for a little while, which was really nice. -Food was very good--classic diner fare. Breakfast is served all day. I had a nice omelette with delicious hashbrowns. My friends enjoyed their skillet and egg dishes. Pancakes were great too!

The Palace Grill is great, but this is a picture of the White Palace Grill. Totally different place. Make sure at the right place before ordering. George will be the friendly big greek guy!! Enjoy!

George Lemperis and his staff of Chicago Blackhawks fans give this restaurant the greatest Chicago feel. Also, the cooks prepare their omelets and other choice menu items chock full of fresh, organic ingredients. The go-to for Chicago.

Ate here at 12:00pm March 14, 2015, the day of the St. Pat's Day parade, mainly to get away from all the crowds 2 miles east! I had seen this restaurant used on the TV show "Chicago PD" and thought I would give it a shot. I can't say the service was friendly (no greeting when I walked in, no "thank you" on the way out), but it was efficient. Did not see the owner anywhere. I chose a seat at the far east end of the counter and my order was taken within 2 or 3 minutes, and the server (Shannon), kept my drink filled throughout. Ordered the Palace burger, which was very filling, and quite good. Burger arrived quickly. Lots of Hawks memorabilia on the walls, and tons of autographed pictures from local TV personalities. Also, the policy it is CASH ONLY, which is a bit ludicrous in this day and age. All in all, a decent experience and I would try it again if I were in the neighborhood, but would not go out of my way to eat here.

When you enter the Palace Grill, the first thing that you will notice is the abundance of Chicago Blackhawks memorabilia. So, If you are a hockey fan, you will definitely like this place. One side is your typical grill with counter seating, and the other is an area of close tables. The waitresses were very attentive. The food is also very good. One big plus is that they have their own parking lot, which for this neighborhood is actually really nice. This is a neighborhood favorite and worth the stop, especially if you are looking for a better than average breakfast.

Small place with a LARGE punch! Doesn't get much better when heading to the UC than hitting Palace grill. Either before or after a Hawks or Bulls game, George and the rest of the staff are second to none. There is a reason the Hawks bring the cup to this place when they win..... not to be missed!

Roc lave the turkey burger and the lamb burger is on point with the blue on the side. The cold slaw is very good, but only on request. We can in the afternoon and the service was great. We ran in to other community people. Shalom

This is an experience! Whether you live in Chicago or are visiting Chicago. This is a must on your bucket list! The delicious food from breakfast favorites (I always love the omelets) to lunch (I love the Rueben!)to their daily specials, the food is delicious and just plain fantastic! But as I said its not just the food! Ask Oprah! She made a surprise visit a few years back, complete with her camera crew! She indulged in the famous Palace Grill hash browns, I think. And somehow I remember her talking about grits and the Denver omelet.... She is not the only celebrity to stop in. When you go, you will see for yourselves that it is not only a celebrity favorite spot in Chicago, but its (as another reviewer put it) BLACKHAWK HEAVEN!!! Being that it is right down Madison from the United Center, it is a team favorite too. The father daughter team (owners George and Christina) are full of life and fun. George has been known to pull a prank or 2 on his customers and its pretty hilarious (I can say this because I was the victim of unknowingly being tied to my chair through my belt loop of my jeans!) I could go on and on, but as I started this review, this is a must on your bucket list if you want to experience Chicago, visitor or not!!

I made a list of must-try before we go to Chicago and the first one we tried to cross off our list is Palace Grill. This is Anne Burrell's favorite breakfast place and highly rated in Chicago. Upon ordering, we asked for their best seller and we all ordered different foods. We're a party of 4 adults and 3 kids. Of all our orders, nothing stood out. Food is good and service is great but for us, it didn't meet our expectations. Maybe we set the bar too high after seeing those reviews. Food is just okay and not special. Also, they only accept cash.

It’s annoying to see a few people from out of state rate this place anything less than a 5. It’s been around for 80 years people and the owner George is there daily to greet every single diner. Visit this place before a Blackhawks game.

The Palace Grill is a great diner. If you are on your way to a Blackhawks game at the United Center (just up Madison), don't miss this place. The menu has all the diner staples from omlets to burgers (served on a fresh french bread). My favorites are the chocolate shake, and the Reuben is fantastic (grilled to sour meaty perfection). The french onion soup is also wonderful. The walls are covered in Blackhawks and Bulls pictures. The service is fast, but bring cash because they don't take credit cards.

Local Grill (+ beer & wine) is a popular destination for Chicago Blackhawks' fans as well as hip West Loop neighbors. Burgers, BLT's and many All-American items are quickly served with out fanfare for appreciative fans and friends. Open early for a big breakfast too. A wonderful spot for hockey fans and friends alike.

We live quite a ways from the City of Chicago, but when we are near the Palace Grill, it is a must place to eat. The restaurant is Friendly, serves Great Food, is reasonable on the wallet and there is Chicago Blackhawk's memorabilia lining the walls. One of our favorites!

This is our standard place for turkey burger with onions grilled, and cold slaw. Yes, Roc must have the extra cold slaw. The cheese, lettuce, and tomato were part of the sandwich .... The food is very good. The Company is better than great .... We like this place.. Brandy was on her game for service . They close at 3pm Shalom

The Palace Grill was defintely worth the wait for breakfast. Staff very friendly. Our breakfast was awesome. great spot to stop in and have breakfast or lunch before or after visiting the United Center, within walking distance to the Center. Large portions, great flavor, and priced right. Will defintely visit the restaurant again.

this is a must if you're anywhere around the west loop. george, the owner is friendly and makes sure all is taken care of. the food is excellent, and the atmosphere is amazing. it's very casual, and very fun.

The photo shown above is NOT The Palace Grill, but rather The White Palace. And there is no comparison (The Palace is far superior).

This place is a definite hockey hangout. The Blackhawks players and staff go there regularly to eat after practice. We were directed there by members of the Blackhawks staff when we asked for a dining recommendation near the United Center. We went to eat here before the Dallas Stars-Chicago Blackhawks game, in all our Stars gear. Waitstaff couldn't have been nicer. Michelle was our waitress and she was awesome. The owner, George, came by our table several times to visit, tell jokes and take pictures. We were the only "enemy" sweaters in the place but you wouldn't have known it by the way we were treated. If you are in the area, you should definitely stop in!

Ate there on a Friday for their perch fish plate. Very good. It was lightly battered and really tasty. Almost too many french fries on the plate as I felt bad about the waste. The service was very fast and good. It was not very crowded that night but I can see how it would be busy with the location it is in. The short time we had to wait was entertained by looking at the sports memorabilia.

This is where you go on the way to a Hawks game. Wear your gear and come eat. The atmosphere is created by George. He knows everyone and makes you feel welcome.

We came here because West End was beyond packed - and I'm so glad we did! The burger was absolutely delicious, as were the fries. My friend got mashed potatoes as her side and the serving was HUGE. Not to mention - the atmosphere is amazing. Nothing better than being surrounded by Blackhawks history.

The sign outside suggest this is a sandwich shop. It has a full menu and they use fresh ingredients. There's a lot of history and if the owner is in during your visit, be sure to talk with him and learn his passions. Excellent food and service.

Pre-pandemic, this one of our classic go-to spots for breakfast, especially with out-of-town guests. Ate there for the first time in a very long time last week because they have outdoor tables. All seemed to be in place for a predictably good meal -- until our waitress rounded the corner with her mask falling well below her nose, with no attempt to reposition it. Nor did she make an effort, while improperly masked, to delivery quickly and then move on. Fortunately, the busboy who picked up our used dishes was wearing a quality mask properly positioned. We won't go back until the Palace Grill until we are certain it has a safety protocol that's enforced -- for the benefits of their customers as well as their employees. Or, until we no longer need to worry about the coronavirus.

On a previous trip we stopped for lunch here so wanted to go back for a pre game drink. It was packed so we sat at bar. It was great as we got to watch the cooks making all the food. They were busy so they were working hard. I think these were the best seats as there was so much going on. We only had a quick drink each but it was worth the stop. The previous visit we enjoyed the food and everything looked good!

My daughter and her husband have been telling me about a favorite restaurant they go to before Chicago Blackhawk games. Along with my grandson, we had dinner there last Friday night. It was exceptional! The Reuben sandwich was everything it was made out to be. It was, without a doubt, the best one I've ever had! They have an extensive menu and I am told everything there is on par with the Reuben. I can't wait to go again! It wasn't hard to see why everything was so good because the owner George came by our table at least 4 times making sure everything was alright! They have an outdoor patio that looked very nice and a convenient parking lot (rare in the city!). In a previous review, someone mentioned the restaurant featured in a comedy skit on TV would have been a better choice. Well, I've been there and could not disagree more! The Palace Grill is superior, a real treat!

The best breakfasts, service and price, and the rib dinners are fantastic. Live comedy from the owner, and the burgers are great, too.

I can't believe I didn't know about this place sooner. It's in a random area in the city (west of the cool stuff on Randolph and west of the bustling new "West, West Loop" developments... really, it's more United Center located), but it's very yummy and worth a little detour. Parking out back is a major bonus for any place in the city limits. It's light and bright for a diner. Food isn't overly greasy. The menu is expansive. Service is fast and attentive. There are even a good number of more health-conscious items on the menu. We visited for a late lunch, driving between downtown and near west 'burbs. We will definitely be back.

We were staying downtown and in search of breakfast. We had a bunch of choices but decided to head to Palace even though it was a few miles away. It was Saturday around 10am and it was full. We put our names in and told it would be 10-15min. The owner came by and offered coffee to those waiting. We were seated within the 10-15min window. I had the Denver omelette, bacon, hash browns, and pan cakes along with a fresh squeezed OJ. It took a little while for the food to come out but we were checked on by the owner and server. Being a Blackhawks fan all of the memorabilia covering the walls was pretty cool. Everyone there was polite and busy. There are definitely regulars that are recognized. The diner is cash only and we were prepared. If you are not, there is an ATM inside. All the food was good and affordable. Would definitely visit another time.

This is THE "Where everybody knows your name" restaurant in Chicago. You want to come here for breakfast, lunch and dinner. George greets every customer and the staff is all so courteous and efficient. The food is spectacular. It's the perfect place to go before a Black Hawks or Bulls game....and definitely worth going there!

Palace Grill has a bit of an adventurous rendering of a diner/burger place menu. Food is pretty good, free parking right there, friendly servers...you gotta go have a little bit of Chicago!

Great and delicious breakfast !! It closes at 2pm… near the United center (we bought tickets for chicago bulls and hockey and went to palace grill to take breakfast) perfect mood 🙌

Popped in here for a quick meal before the Bulls game on a recent trip to Chicago. Smiling service, quick table, nothing was too much trouble. We had a Palace Burger (enormous meat patty! Perfectly done) and a cheeseburger. A couple of beers and we were out and gone in 15 mins in plenty of time to walk to the stadium. Highly recommend it as an all-American experience!

Every once in a while my dad and I will stop by for breakfast. Always receive a friendly greeting when walking in. We prefer to sit at the counter. What I think to be a small meal leaves me feeling full when I leave. Can't go wrong with eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns with a side of toast. The food always comes out nice and hot. The place is clean. Definitely a nice spot for breakfast and coffee while reading over morning newspaper.

Amazing! This was our first breakfast after arriving in Chicago and what a great choice it was. We’re here on our honeymoon before driving Route 66, so wanted a typical American diner experience. The owner George was the nicest man! Made an effort to talk to everyone and made us feel so welcome. The atmosphere was great and the food delicious! Try the skillets. It’s also not far from lots of breweries like Goose Island, so easy to visit after loading up on breakfast. A must in Chicago! Would recommend to anyone visiting.

We stopped for lunch after the Blackhawks Stanley Cup Parade. Perfect stop after a parade. Place was packed, but we were seated rather quickly. Good food was served quickly. The Palace can handle big crowds from the nearby United Center. Food was good, reasonable, with great service. The menu is big with breakfast and lunch on the menu. A must stop for Blackhawk fans with great ambiance and memorabilia. What even made it more special was we were filmed for the evening news from inside the Palace.

My husband and I was looking for breakfast and stumbled upon on this diner, great food, great service. and great price. We came for breakfast everyday of our stay. Love the outside setting, the owner was very friendly and had plenty of jokes. We plan to return in September.

Classic old school diner and great for brunch. Enjoyed to food and service is excellent with constant top ups of coffee. Decor is all about the Chicago Blackhawks.

We were going to be in Chicago for a family wedding a few days following my husband's "Medicare birthday". Our kids, siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins were coming to the wedding, so I called and talked to the owner and he essentially set up half his dining area on a Saturday morning for us. The surprise was a hit, food and service were great and we left Chicago with a very warm spot in our family hearts for George and the Palace Grill.

We’ve been regulars at Palace Grill for several years. Why? Great food and service. Fabulous selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner items. Diner decorated in Hawks photos and other memorabilia. George the owner really makes you feel welcome. You also have a chance of running into a celebrity. Today it was Denis Savard.

Great ham. Great Cholesterol.

Yes! Another great stop at the palace! Got to love the omelettes! Daughter had the awesome pancakes with strawberries. Owner greets everyone and bam! Your part of the family. Gotta love the Hawks fans. Best sport in the world!

This place has been on my bucket list for a long time now and my visit there yesterday did not disappoint!! George and Christina (the owners) are so down to earth and appreciate their customers. The food was ridiculously good. I had the ultimate grilled cheese and it did not disappoint!! Would come here again and again. Also very reasonable prices.

This is a basic diner, but the food isn't special. It is close to United Center, but I believe that going to nearby Billy Goats would likely serve you better.

Very good breakfast, chorizo burrito was very good, variety of wrap flavors to choose from. Other breakfast seemed pretty big. If you are a blackhawks fan,have to visit!

If you go on the weekend you have to try the biscuits and gravy, they are truly great. This place rated as the top breakfast joint in Chi town by the local rag, and they got it right. Plus the owner walks the floor to make sure it's all good. Dinner's are back!

My review is going to be based on a really over cooked burger which came highly recommended. Too many other good places to give this place another shot.

YUM!!!!!!! More words are required for the review but only one necessary!!! YUM!!!! Great coffee, skirt steak, scrambled eggs melt in your mouth!! YUM!!!

The food was very good and the staff worked very hard. Unfortunately, my family and I did not feel welcome. This place is for locals. Know before going, CASH ONLY.

Split a brownie sundae with a friend and both had coffee. So good we will be back for breakfast tomorrow!