Bluffington’s Cafe

Great sandwiches. The menu offer plenty of variety to choose from and their coleslaw is a favorite. The downside? Price. No, it isn’t ridiculously expensive, but you don’t exactly get a lot of food for the price tag. Then again, this is Lake Bluff… So everything is more expensive. It also doesn’t take a former chef or any significant preparation to take a few slices of meat, cheese, veggies and put them between two slices of bread. All in all, a little over priced but everything tastes good and the do go back from time to time.

Came in for a visit while in town for X-​Mas. We called in our order for pickup and everything was boxed and ready on time.
I am not sure I realized on my first visit that they have hot sandwiches too. A big selection and everything was excellent.

Very nice staff it’s a place that gives you that family feel and Someone paid for my lunch and thanked me for my service. And they made probably the best roast beef sandwich I’ve ever had. ⁵⁄₅ stars.

Loveeee this café, they have tasty sandwiches and awesome potato salad, I just had there homemade chili amazing

Bluffington’s is a neighborhood café that seems to do well in serving regulars, but is underwhelming for casual patrons.
The interior is quaint and charming, with décor aimed toward making you feel like you just walked into Colin Firth’s boyhood kitchen nook. The menu is expansive, featuring a variety of sandwiches (hot, cold, or breakfast), salads, as well as drinks and ice cream.
I have ordered from Bluffington’s when pressed periodically over the last three years and, more often than not, they either get my order wrong or it takes 15 – 20 minutes to make my sandwich (usually an egg, bacon, and cheese) regardless of whether I’m the only person there or not. I imagine it is similar to what actually meeting Colin Firth would be – a drastic let down. You’d expect him to be nice and charming, maybe patronize you with a little witty remark. And he just… doesn’t.
All-​in-​all, the food is alright at Bluffington’s but I would look elsewhere for a quick bite in Lake Bluff.

It’s a deli with attitude. Had bland bland veg omelets w/​toast. Beverages in paper cups, self serve. Fork and knife on my husband’s plate. Only a fork on mine. Country Spread. No real butter. Had to ask for napkins. Tab $ 20 before tip.

Place isn’t bad. but it is not particularly great either. It seems like all of the sandwiches are essentially the same thing + or — 1 or more ingredients

THE sandwich shop in Lake Bluff! Totally encapsulates the feeling of «downtown» Lake Bluff. Sandwiches made fresh after order and I would recommend the Turkey and Havarti on Rye or the Italian Salami Creation. Only downside is that it can get crowded and a little loud inside and prices are higher than I can afford consistently. Great staff and the outdoor seating is very pleasant.

Great spot for a sandwich or hot dog. They have gluten free bread which is a big plus for us. Cute place with fast service in a friendly atmosphere. Highly recommend as a super casual spot to dine in quickly or carry out. Consistently good food.

Lake Bluff is a beautiful — somewhat isolated village. The downtown area, situated a few blocks from Lake Michigan, is small but picturesque.
Bluffington’s is located in a charming old brick building. Bluffington’s has the feel of an old school deli, complete with glass case and chalk board. When you walk in, you can’t help but think: «ahhh, this looks like a nice place to eat.»
Today I ordered the tuna melt on sourdough bread. It looked great and had a generous portion of tuna salad, but the sandwich was way too salty. Several reviews on here touted the tuna melt. I think it is fair to assume someone accidentally added too much salt today. It happens, but someone should have tasted it and corrected the mistake before serving it. The sandwich and a small ice-​tea weighed-​in at just over $ 12.00 … Pretty heavy if you ask me.
It was a beautiful afternoon and I was lucky enough to snag one of their outside tables. Service was friendly.
I want to like this place more, (based on ambiance and service). Unfortunately, I’ve come to the conclusion the food is just mediocre.
I give it 2 stars for food and value, 4 for ambiance and service.

Have eaten here for years, never had a bad sandwich! Actually their Italian Beef, Corned Beef on Rye, and Ruben sandwiches are fabulous! Their cole slaw s probably the best I have ever had in a restaurant! The food is consistently good, fresh and high quality! They deserve five stars however seating is an issue at lunch time and the décor is not five star. They put their money where our mouth’s are, where it really counts! Everyone I have taken here from out of town has thoroughly enjoyed their meal. My wife must have a sandwich here when she is in town from Florida, needs her Bluffington’s fix! This restaurant is a Lake Bluff treasure! Please go up the block and show that guy in the expensive restaurant how to do it as well as the other new guy across the street! They still have’nt figured it out!

Fabulous Fabulous Fabulous!!!
I only gave 4 stars as I have only eaten here once, so dont let that fool you.
I tried the chicken cranberry wrap which was just out of this world! The mixture of the chicken salad (which I could just eat by itself all day) with the fresh cranberries and fresh roasted almonds just makes you want to smile. The raspberry vinagrette dressing was a nice touch, even though i am not one to like dressings. It was sweet and tasted either homemade or very fresh. I would rate it a ⁹⁄₁₀ only due to the fact that it may have had a little too much dressing although thats definitely just me… Dont worry, it was devoured completely anyway.

Quaint spot, and a nice place to have in downtown Lake Bluff. The coziness is what buoys the rating; the quality and value are what bring it down.
I stopped in for lunch, after deciding to pass up on The Otherdoor. I ordered the mushroom/​spinach quiche, plus a double cappuccino. The quiche was 90% egg, 9% veggies, and 1% cheese– a rather bland and unappetizing ration. I wouldn’t eat the quiche again even if it was free. The cappuccino was surprisingly good, despite coming out of an automated machine– definitely worth the $ 3.
My lunch companion had the chicken salad, which was decent, but could have been improved if served with better bread.
Overall, it was ok for a local no-​frills eatery, and worth a second visit.

Had a tuna melt and black cherry soda with chips. It was located next door to a library and out of the way it seemed trying to find it. Nice little café with decent food but not amazing.

Chicken salad sandwiches are amazing. The chili is great as well. Really the only thing I get there, but everything looks amazing!

Cute little café in downtown lake bluff! I absolutely love their tuna melts. I took my boyfriend the other day for his first time. Unfortunately I don’t remember what sandwich he ordered, but he loved it.

Amazing sandwich shop in Lake Bluff. I recommend the Doug’s Club, Tuna Melt, Vanilla Chai Frappuccino, and Tomato Basil soup. But it’s all delicious. The staff is always nice and helpful. The only drawback is that if you come at lunch 1130 – 1230, occasionally it can be hard to get a table.

This is a mooch review. My co-​worker kindly brings in the tuna sandwich, which is big enough to share for sure. Really fresh, really well prepared. Nice place. And good pickles, too! :)

This is a really cute area close to the park on the lake where there are shops and some restaurants good for Navy bootcamp grads who only have a short liberty after graduation.
We took my son the Sailor out here for a smoothie after lunch.
It was nearly closing time but the staff were truly accommodating and I suspect they even discounted our drinks as there were 5 of us and the tab was reasonable.
It is a nice shady spot with an umbrella table.
Smoothies and coffees were good and everyone was really helpful.
Don’t overlook Bluffington’s because it is at the end of the block and just before the library.

Lake Bluff — you are a true gem!
Was visiting a friend in Lake Bluff and she recommend we check out a few cafes. We happen to stumbled upon Bluffington. SUPER CUTE! SUPER YUMMY!
The menu had everything. It will take you awhile to read through and decide. I’m a fan of egg salad so it was obvious what I was getting. They offer a few choices: pita, sourdough, etc. then you can order chips + pickles included… this type of lunch can’t and won’t disappoint.
My only drawback is the staff. The two girls who took our order, although lovely and CUTE and SWEET, were talking to each other and completely didn’t listen to one of our order: no mayo, no tomatoes… you get my drift… they repeat it back but you know they are not listening. The order showed up and sure enough mayo and tomatoes.
Just make sure they repeat it to you in the way that you know they really get it. They were too CUTE and SWEET for me to do that. I’m weak… don’t be like me.