Round the Clock Restaurant

Round the Clock is exactly as I remembered it from some ten years ago, when I dined here with friends occasionally while going to school at Valpo. This time I took my wife. I ordered the Ribeye — it is actually better than I remembered it; back then it was the «New York Strip»? My wife ordered the «Thanksgiving Dinner.» Very generous portion. Cooked exactly right. The steak, medium rare, was succulent and flavorful. Baked potato was also good. All in all a very nice place; classical midwest dinning.

Round the Clock is a Valpo mainstay for inexpensive brunch that is not Denny’s. For being right near a college campus, it seems to always have an older, local crowd, though. (Maybe it’s too far to stagger off to on a hangover.) The food is pretty comparable to that of any given chain diner, which means it’s not going to blow your away or stand out for a particular special dish, but it’s quite sufficient if you’re looking for a generous stack of pancakes or a sandwich.

Round the Clock is essentially a diner. That’s get that on the table now. That means that they have lots of options but nothing like a «to die for» dish (at least not that I experienced). That said, it’s as good as one might expect from a diner.
We went on a Saturday morning, so getting seated and getting our meals took a bit longer than I might have liked. Nonetheless, our server was quite pleasant, and the food was good. As a seasonal special, they were offering pumpkin pancakes with a cinnamon butter and caramel cream cheese drizzle. They were quite tasty.
One minor complaint: The substitution policy is ridiculously strict. I had order a breakfast combo that came with a choice of bacon or sausage, and since I’m a vegetarian, I asked if I could substitute something else for the meat. Nope. Likewise, my husband asked if it would be possible to substitute a french toast (even at an up-​charge) for a choice of toast, biscuits, or pancakes. Again, nope. Not a big deal, but a little disappointing.
Overall, Round the Clock is about what you might expect from a downtown, Midwest diner. You probably won’t get an experience that tops all others, but it’s just fine for what it is.

It’s like Denny’s, only with rude servers. As I was seated, a waitress asked the hostess, «I don’t have to wait on HIM, do I?» The hostess reassured her that another server had been assigned to my table. I deliberately overtipped this other server and requested a copy of the receipt with the tip be sent to the snobbish waitress.
A week later, another sever scrabbled the back of my parked car in the parking lot behind the restaurant. She initially agreed to pay for the body work, and yet refuses to take my calls.
Such high standards for these employees!

Well… hubby and I tried again on Saturday morning. No one to seat us again! The people who were waiting in front of us left. As we stood waiting, I looked around and said … let’s go. This restaurant was not crowded … I just can’t figure out why they allow potential customers to walk out, only for the lack of seating them promptly. Ugh!

I just want to comment on meals at Round the Clock our meals are always good especially the burgers best in town

Like Like Like! This place is awesome and never disapoints. Service is fast, excellent and the food is outstanding. Excellent soups and love taking my family there for dinner. We will be back!

This restaurant has been in this spot for a long time, and it keeps getting better and better. Love coming here and the food is always excellent. Seriously it is one of the best restaurants in Valparaiso hands down.

Growing up nearby, RTC has definitely grown on me. The French toast & BLT club are my go to dishes. Of course a cup of chicken lemon rice is ordered each time. The pecan waffle melts in your mouth & the cinnamon bun whipcream pancakes are amazing! (may be seasonal)
So overall, a delicious restaurant. I have tried the dessert a couple times, carrot cake was decent. I only marked down to 4 stars because the server’s personalities always leave something to be desired. It isn’t consistently great & happy.

I knew what I was ordering before we got there. The farmers omelette is described as 4 eggs, ham, onions, green peppers, mushrooms and american cheese. 4 eggs? They must have used the smallest eggs they could find and didn’t notice ANY ham in it. I consider myself a breakfast aficionado, so when I see a 4 egg omelette on the menu, I expect a rather substantial portion. I’ve ordered 3 egg omelettes that I couldn’t finish. At least it was on special at $ 2.00 off. The coffee had a «sour» taste to it also. The waitress didn’t seem too concerned with us either. I usually over tip. Sometimes 100% of the bill. Not this time. Standard 20% and she was luck to get that. Guess I will stick with traveling 20 miles to Teds in Calumet City for breakfast from now on. Still the best I have ever had.

I only eat here when my parents come to visit since it’s their favorite breakfast place in town. The servers usually seem grumpy and unhappy. Based upon past experiences, tables usually only have one French vanilla creamer per table. When ordering coffee, I asked for extra creamer which she said okay. She brought the coffee out and forgot the creamer. Next trip around, she still forgot the creamer. So, I went to a close by, empty table to grab a creamer from their supplies to which another server rudely came over to tell me to return to my table and ask my waitress for additional creamer if I wanted some… Every time I come here, there appears to be some issue with the servers and they just don’t make you feel welcomed, almost like you’re bothering them if you ask a question. Food is good but their attitude makes it not worth it

The potato skins have so much on them that they are a meal by themselves. Very good. I haven’t liked most of what I have gotten off their menu except those. We normally do take out here so I really can’t say how it is inside.

It’s 9 AM on a Sunday and there is no one seating people or cashing out patrons. We are now seated at a different restaurant. We used to go to Round The Clock frequently. Guess now we remember why we have stayed away.

I have to tell myself all the time, three stars is ok, three stars is ok… This morning I went to Round the Clock for breakfast. I originally thought it was a step above Denny’s but I was wrong. It seems to be much more than Denny’s with the meals they are trying to offer.
For instance, this morning I had a cinnamon pancakes with two eggs and bacon. The pancakes were like cinnamon rolls with the cinnamon and icing on top of the pancake. It was sweet enough that I didn’t need to add syrup. I was pleasantly surprised how good they were… maybe a bit sweet for me (when I can taste the sugar granules in the icing, it’s too sweet). The bacon was wonderful and way better than any Denny’s.
The only thing I didn’t really care for was the coffee. But ain’t that the case with most breakfast places? I can’t even describe how bad it was…
What I experienced today led me to the conclusion that I will come back (and I’ll bring my own coffee)!

This place is not good. Food was bland and pitiful. I would much rather go to Broadway Café that has a more extensive menu, better food and friendlier wait staff.

Food is mostly good, especially fries and soup. Service is usually good. Prices are reasonable. It’s comfort food. Specials are good. I recommend round the clock. Try their turkey Oscar.

I’m a regular at RTC, and go everyday at around noon because it’s walking distance from my office. I am most definitely not bothered at all eating there 3 – 5 times a week because the food never lets me down. The menu is extensive and every changing, which I like. Also, the staff is very accommodating to changing up menu items to your liking. The portions are HUGE, and you never ever leave hungry. The staff is great, everyone is nice as can be. They’ve become a little family to me since I’ve been there, and I’ve interacted with the owner, his son, and his daughter. All are great people, keeping the diner business alive and kicking!
Also, FYI to everyone, the restaurant is called Round the Clock because in the past it was open ROUND THE CLOCK, however, now the owner doesn’t find that profitable. I could definitely see why, Valparaiso isn’t really «popping» after 10 pm. :-p

Round the clock has the best breakfast around! I love to go here for breakfast and I can get it at any time of the day or night. I usually get the french toast combo which consists of two texas toast size french toast, three strips of bacon, hashbrowns, and two eggs.
There is a small koi pond with goldfish at the entrance. Whether you’re a regular or a first time customer, everyone stops a moment to view the pond.
The waitresses are usually very friendly and efficient. The restaurant has always been clean. I love the old Hollywood photos at the Valparaiso location. Great place for casual dining.
The turkey bacon club is another favorite of mine. The portions are more than generous. If you leave hungry, it’s your own fault. There is a vast menu and something for everyone.

Decent food. Not incredibly tasty, but decent food for a good value. Rude service.

Round-​the-​Clock is your typical Midwestern restaurant. They have just about any Americanized food that one can imagine on their menu. Then, in addition to all of that, they have a selection of Greek food. As is true in most restaurants in Indiana, the portions are huge and the food is high on the comfort list.
It’s not really what I’m into but it’s nice for an annual comfort food fix.