Roux Diner Reviews

One of the most popular breakfast destinations on Chicago's South Side is the Roux Diner. Located at 1055 East 55th Street in the Hyde Park neighborhood, next to the University of Chicago campus, it is the brainchild of chef Charlie McKenna, whose all-day breakfast spot is inspired by his New Orleans and southern cooking. Open from 7 to 9 on Thursday, 7 to 2:30 on Sunday and Tuesday and 9 to 2:30 on Wednesday, Roux Diner is a favorite destination for professors and students who agree that there is nothing like a good breakfast to start a busy day. My wife and I weren't going to class. Our destination was the nearby Museum of Science and Industry. But the vitamin rush helped just the same. We started with beignets with loads of powdered sugar, a cinnamon roll with cream cheese glaze and a chocolate croissant. My wife chose the Classic, two scrambled eggs with sausage, breakfast potatoes and toast with strawberry jam. I had a brisket with potatoes, two scrambled eggs and hot hollandaise sauce. With a bowl of fresh fruit. All of a sudden, Hyde Park has come alive with more trendy restaurants. Roux Diner is one of the best.

I came here with a colleague for lunch and we had a fantastic meal. I had two eggs, sausage, grits, and a very tasty biscuit. She had a plate of fried catfish that looked wonderful and was a much bigger portion than either of us expected (which is always a plus since I'm a big fan of leftovers). I was lucky enough to be treated, but the prices looked good (especially given the portion size!) I'm also a huge fan of brunch and I can see myself coming back here regularly on the weekends.

Add Roux Diner to your list of "must dine here" immediately! This new, bright, airy, cheerful space on the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park is just fantastic. The Cajun-creole inspired menu offers something for everyone (even picky eaters). Our group gathered (safely) for an overdue holiday celebration. Upon arriving, we were greeted warmly at the door, presented menus, and received an explanation of the ordering process (order at the counter and they bring the food to your table). We were seated at a comfortable and beautiful table away from other diners. The food was delicious, absolutely delicious. We lingered, we sipped more coffee, we celebrated, and we enjoyed being together as a family in a wonderful, new spot for dining in Hyde Park. Highly, highly recommend! In fact, writing this review makes me want to stop by today for an order of beignets to go!

A long wait in line because this place is popular. You stand in line to order and they bring it to you. Everyone loved their breakfast and I loved my patty melt.

This fast casual restaurant doesn’t have a wait staff but Manny & his team made sure everyone was well taken care of. The ambience is bright with a nod to a French bistro. Everything we tried was delicious! Chicken & waffles - my husband said they were the best he has ever tasted. Cinnamon roll - perfectly sweet, buttery, & gooey. They bake a limited number so get one before they run out! Deviled eggs - just the right balance of brine & creaminess. Shrimp & grits - perfectly cooked. Delicious flavor! My only complaint was that too much creole butter created an unpleasant pooling on the plate. I put a knife under part of the dish so all the greasy butter went to the other side. The local beer & coffee hit the spot. We will definitely be visiting again when next in Chicago.

Delicious! I had the Brisket Hash and my husband had the “Classic”. Both were amazing but the Brisket Hash was definitely a step above. We also ordered the Beignets which were my favorite part. I have been talking about them almost everyday since. My husband had the Drip coffee and I had orange juice as well. Both were good. The location is right by University of Chicago so if you are in the area I’d suggest you stop by. The only downside was the price of our meal which was pretty expensive for two people after tip which is to be expected since you are in Chicago.

Everything we ordered here was savory and wonderful. I got the fried green tomato tartine, which I ate slowly in an effort to make it last. It was just that good. My husband got the avocado toast, which he loved. Our friends (who live in the neighborhood, lucky them) enjoyed the shrimp and grits, a patty melt, and the quiche of the day. This is an excellent choice if you want a spacious, airy atmosphere with ample seating. Counter service is efficient and the food came up in good time (they bring it to your table). The crowd is diverse and simply fine company. Would return here anytime I'm back in Chicago, count on it.

What an amazing find. We went in for brunch while waiting for the Dusable Museum to open. My wife had biscuits with hot honey and beignets. I had deviled eggs, grits, breakfast potatoes, and sourdough toast. Everything was great! The line was very long. However, it moved fast, and we were seated immediately after ordering.

Well I had the chicken and waffles. BIG meal, very tasty. Not New Orleans tasty, but a good Northern stand-in. Order at the counter, they bring it to your table quickly. Great atmosphere- light, airy, and CLEAN. Cloth napkins, real dishes. Can't wait to go back for the shrimp and grits!

Next level diner! The variety of ways in which they prepare the grits is eclectic--exceptionally creative. The crème de la crème is fittingly the shrimp and grits. Honestly, other than the not so traditional "Traditional Patty Melt" I tried once and LOVED, I order a version of the grits--usually the shrimp & grits--every time I eat here. Grits are the order of the day here in my humble opinion. The "Stone Ground Heirloom Grits" cleverly come served in multiple ways: 1) "Covered" (cheese); 2) "Chunked" (smothered with THICK cut bacon--ridiculously good); 3) "Country" (sausage gravy--rich and succulent); 4) "Cracked" (with eggs--get it "CRACKED" as in a cracked egg and you pick the egg preparation, but I suggest over easy because the creamy consistency with the grits is a match made in heaven--trust me); 5) "Capped" (mushrooms); and, 6) "Smothered" (caramelized onions). All are $10 or less and OUTSTANDING! But the coup de grâce is the "Fully Loaded" compromised of all six of the above ingredients - an abundance of decadent food. ($18 is reasonable for this dish). Then my favorite classic shrimp $ grits. There are many delicious offerings on the menu but for me this is my go to spot for grits. If I lived in Hyde Park I'd eat here weekly!

The space is great. Well lit, tables generally well-spaced, comfortable seating, plentiful seating. I order the chicken and waffle. You need to pay at cashier prior to receiving your food. They provide you with a table number. Server struggled finding my table. Not sure why. I saw him walk past like three times. The cashier finally came over and asked me what I ordered. Not sure why they give table numbers if servers do not know what numbers to look for. The chicken was well-seasoned, hot, and delicious. They are chicken tenders not actually chicken breast like in other restaurants serving chicken and waffles. Where the meal failed was with the waffle. The waffle was sad testament to what a waffle should look like. It was flat waffle with way too much butter all over it. The butter had turned into a liquid soup. I'm unable to recommend the dish given the sad state of the waffle.

The atmosphere was very nice. Most of the food was good. I was very excited to buy a biscuit. They looked so fluffy and delicious. I ordered one but it didn't come. When we checked the receipt, it wasn't there. So, I went back in and ordered a biscuit. When it finally came I tried it and it had a very strong and unpleasant flavor.. almost like black licorice. I wonder what you put in your biscuits, but was very disappointed.

The second I walked into Roux Diner and smelled the coffee, I thought I was in New Orleans or any restaurant along Louisiana's Great River Road. At least that's the way chef Charlie McKenna planned it. Located at 1055 East 55th Street in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, next to the University of Chicago, Roux Diner is a New Orleans-inspired all-day breakfast venue. Open from 7 to 2:30 on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, It has been recognized as one of Chicago's 50 best restaurants. It offers Southern staples from beignets to home-made pastries to shrimp and grits to country ham to fried catfish to biscuits and gravy, all served in a stylish setting. It's a self-described fast-casual cafe. No reservations. Place your order at the register, then seat yourself. I started with beignets with loads of powdered sugar and deviled eggs. Then I indulged in "the Classic," two scrambled eggs, sausage, breakfast potatoes and toast. With fresh fruit and a glass of fresh orange juice. A thoroughly enjoyable way to start any day.