Lou Mitchell’s

Lou Mitchell's traces its history to 1923, when Uncle Lou's father started a family diner; Lou Mitchell later took over and gave it his name. The restaurant on West Jackson Boulevard, in a building dating from 1949, sits close to the start of the old US Route 66, and it has long been nicknamed "the first stop on the Mother Road". It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006 as part of the Route 66 listings in Illinois, and the national Route 66 restoration programme was launched here in 2002.

Breakfast is the reason to come. The menu covers fluffy pancakes, Belgian malted waffles, jumbo omelettes such as the Denver and the Spinach Special, and eggs Benedict, including a smoked salmon version. The skillet-served signature fries and hand-cut fries accompany many dishes, and there are fresh bakery items. The signature house coffee is served with pure cream.

Two traditions make a visit memorable. Since 1958, breakfast diners have received donut holes, and women and children are handed Milk Duds as they come in, a custom that follows the Greek habit of offering something sweet to guests. Both make it a cheerful stop for families.

Opening hours are 6am to 2pm from Wednesday to Friday and 7am to 2pm on Saturday and Sunday. The diner is closed on Monday and Tuesday, which catches out some visitors, so plan accordingly. Weekend mornings are the busiest time, and you may have to queue; early on a weekday is the calmest.

Lou Mitchell's suits families, Route 66 travellers, early risers and anyone who wants a classic American diner breakfast in a place with real history. It is a casual, unpretentious meal at a moderate price, and an hour is plenty. Service is quick, and the menu is long enough that everyone in a group should find something.

The diner is a short walk from Union Station, which makes it a popular breakfast stop for commuters and for travellers arriving or leaving by train. It also makes a good start to a day in the Loop, followed perhaps by the Skydeck at Willis Tower or a river architecture cruise. Route 66 enthusiasts often start a road trip here before heading out of the city.