Johnny’s Uncle Jim’s

CLOSED!!! How, dear Chicago, could you have let such a gastrointestinal jackhammer pass into the history books like Capone and a winning baseball team? Everything about this place was brilliant. from the impossible to get right name (it seems like every outer wall had a different combination, sometimes with «snack shop» included), to the low-​key neighborhood, to the regulars lined up at the counter on the old swivel stools. I posted photos for proof of the largest sandwich I have ever owned for a full day. The take-​out container couldn’t even shut correctly, and it lasted me until somewhere in Pennsylvania on the drive home to Connecticut. If you didn’t stumble across their industrial strength coffee and circa 1978 prices, you really missed out. RIP.

This restaurant is CLOSED.

I happened upon this place the other day in a search for a cup of coffee before doing observations at Vaughn HS and am I glad I did! Wow. First off, the coffee I was seeking was excellent and flowed like water. The ambiance, as has been described aptly is Typical Diner: older guys sitting around a counter with a grill in back. The seating area in back is pretty utilitarian, too. Just some booths and tables in a wood-​paneled room.
I just had some pancakes, and although most people complain about how pancakes fill them up… that’s usually not me. I can eat a tall stack and be ready for more. Not here. I couldn’t finish the 3 I got. They’re bloody huge! Not just diameter-​wise, but big and fluffy and fat, too. Only drawback: cheap syrup. As in the high fructose corn syrup with «natural and artificial flavors» kind. So that’s a little disappointing… But the cakes were fine and the whole shebang was just a little over $ 5.
I’ll also second the service. Nice waitress, attentive and pleasant.

Best Breakfast Ever.
Have an omelette or a steak sandwich.
And they even expanded the place from when I was a wee little kid sitting on the bar stools.
I remember back when it was just Johnny’s, before he passed and his Uncle Jim took it over. =)
Oh, and the grilled veggies… mmmmm. YUM!

FIVE EGG OMELET! yup, no little three egg omelets served here, you’re getting a FIVE egg omelet and you’re going to like it!
So this place has two personalities, kinda. There’s the grill cook area with the counter and barstools to sit and eat– standard, classic diner. Then there’s a whole other room with tables and chairs. Rather than having the grill cooks serve food like at some diners, everybody here (including counter sitters) is served by one of the very nice, young waitresses. They’re nice looking, clean, normal women– not the diner skags and freaks you’ll find working at other diners around the city– more like a decent family restaurant.
I like this place a lot, I get a taste of diner experience, I get a bit of breakfast restaurant experience, and the portions are HUGE. The omelet tastes pretty good, and is served with greasy/​soggy hash browns and vegetables. Vegetables? Yeah– kinda weird, but helps relieve some guilt since you can pretend like you’re eating healthy for a few bites. My biggest gripe is price– a three egg ham-​n-​cheese omelet + coffee at a typical divey diner would set you back ~5 bucks. Here, you’ll get twice as much food, but pay twice as much $- ~$ 9 pre-​tip for an omelet + coffee. OK, it’s a lot of food, and if that’s what you want it’s a fair deal. Just don’t come here unless you’re hungry.

Sorry to inform everyone Johnny’s is closed. I’ve been going here since 2001 and I’m sad to see it gone. Thanks for all the great meals!
Johnny’s is another secret spot in Chicago. As is standard with most diners the food is so greasy you can feel you arteries closing with every bite you take. On the plus side you’ll die happy and full. From the outside it seems like an ordinary diner, but the food is out of this world. The always, enormous portions will have you leaving with a doggy bag every time. The servers are fast and the food is served up quick. The dcor is shoddy almost creepy to some respect (the animal statues), but you come here for the food, not the atmosphere. Johnny’s is a favorite for local P.D., F.D., and other city workers. In my opinion, Johnny’s has the 2^nd best bang for the $ buck in Chicago.
Pros: Awesome food, Cheap cost
Cons: Not open for Dinner, Heart Attacks
Cost: $
Overall Rating: 4.5 of 5
Recommendation: Highly Recommended