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The Artist's Cafe

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412 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60605

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(312) 939-7855
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Reviews
( 162 )
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( 3 )

Best

This is the place with a good taste of food. The ambiance is cool, the service is fast and the servers were friendly and overall all it was great.

Worst

All my friend and I wanted (we are both Chicago natives) was to do two things: enjoy the weather at a cefe we've seen but never been to, and have something to drink (after all it ...

food was great 1/14/2011

The food was great and so was the ambiance. We went there twice for breakfast while visiting Chicago! It was so much more reasonable then the breakfast at the hotel we stayed at. The service was very good more
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The outdoor cafe is fantastic. 1/11/2011

The milkshakes are real they have great breakfasts. They are very child friendly. My daughter always looks forward to the spinache pie. The outdoor cafe is fantastic. more
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restaurant 1/4/2011

I remember going to this restaurant for milkshakes when I was a kid and that was over 40 years ago when I took piano lessons in the Fine Arts Building. Now whenever we take our kids to the Art Institute, Auditorium for the Christmas show, the symphany or the Bears game we always go to this restaurant. This restaurant is still owned by the same people, something you do not see in the suburb I live in-only chain restaurants exists. more
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laid back 12/29/2010

My husband, daughter, and I were visiting Chicago last week and happened upon this place. We found the atmosphere to be cozy and laid back and the food was excellent. Both my daughter and I got the New York omlette which was filled with corned beef and cream cheese and came with a bagel and hash browns. It was fantastic! I'd definately recommend this place to anyone who wants a relaxing, excellent breakfast. more
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nice experience. 12/24/2010

We visited the Artist's Cafe for breakfast on a Saturday morning and had a nice experience. Wait staff was attentive and the food was adequate. I had the American Breakfast which was a fried egg on top of a huge slice of ham on top of two pancakes on top of a plate of hash browns. Needless to say I skipped lunch. The cafe is in a great location right on Michigan avenue across from the park. more
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The atmosphere is great 12/16/2010

After a year of passing by on Michigan and wanting to go, I finally ate here on a break from rehearsing upstairs. The atmosphere is great and it feels oh so old school. I had a lovely and perfectly toasted, grilled cheese! It's worth a visit to check off your list and a great non-chain option if you're lunching on Michigan avenue. more
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Open since 1961 12/14/2010

Open since 1961, the Artists' Restaurant is a Fine Arts Building tradition. Makris and her sister (and co-owner) Angela have worked there the longest; their employees include students as well as waitresses who have been with them for decades. more
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the staff is friendly and outgoing. 12/2/2010

If you ever wanted service with a smile, Artists is the place to go. Whether you are sitting at the counter or enjoying a nice booth, the staff is friendly and outgoing. The food is delicious and keeps the patrons coming back for more. A great selection of Burgers and they always seem to tempt you with some sweets before you go. A great change of pace from the other over-crowded restaurants in the area. more
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quick to serve. 11/22/2010

Very eager to please and quick to serve, the staff of Artist's deserve the highest rating. The restaurant always has specials and is affordable at the same time. It's a great lunch stop for South Loop workers. more
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great! 11/15/2010

I was there today. The vegetarian omelet and potatoes were very good, the coffee was excellent, the service was very good and the price was reasonable. There were lots of students in there so the people watching was great! more
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definitely a favorite lunch spot. 11/1/2010

I used to work on Jackson, so this was definitely a favorite lunch spot. Especially in the summer when you can sit in the picturesque patio out front. The food is standard, diner fare. I love the tuna salad. Burgers are good, as are the salads. more
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mellow & friendly 10/25/2010

Amick, very mellow & friendly dude, was my server. I'm not sure if I've ever had better bacon, well done & it didn't crumble into million pieces. My over easy eggs were just that, not to runny or to hard. The toast was dark, but not burnt & it came with that kind of jelly in the round hard containers you always get in the ""fancy"" hotels in Europe. Sweet! more
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Burgers are good 9/28/2010

I used to work on Jackson, so this was definitely a favorite lunch spot. Especially in the summer when you can sit in the picturesque patio out front. The food is standard, diner fare. I love the tuna salad. Burgers are good, as are the salads. more
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I was there today. 9/27/2010

I was there today. The vegetarian omelet and potatoes were very good, the coffee was excellent, the service was very good and the price was reasonable. There were lots of students in there so the people watching was great! more
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The service was quick and my dinner was great. 9/21/2010

I had a FANTASTIC grilled cheese with homemade hotchips sprinkled with parmesan cheese and a REAL milkshake. The service was quick and my dinner was great. I always have a great time at this place and they have the best coffee selection! more
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The French toast was by far my favorite. 9/15/2010

We ate there a few times because it was super convenient, so I was able to sample a few different things. The French toast was by far my favorite. The best part of breakfast was my latte! Yummy. more
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We had a pleasant lunch here 8/30/2010

We had a pleasant lunch here. The inside is such a throwback to a 50s dining restaurant. Loved it. Food was good - I had a club called some British aristocratic name: Wellington? Huntington? Anyways...it was tasty. My bf had a similar sandwich on a croissant, which he said was also good. They have an impressive drink menu, and the dessert selection was pretty awesome. more
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I'd go back again if I'm in the area 8/27/2010

I stopped in with my friend after the ballet and had some coffee and pie. I've been here before and just enjoyed the calmness of the place. No one bugs you and the waitstaff is friendly. The pie was excellent and the service is fast. Price isn't bad at all and you'll get classic diner food. I'd go back again if I'm in the area. more
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Thanks Artist's, we'll be back. 8/26/2010

I love that they have Greek Coffee and that the waitress' attitude became really much more friendly once I did order it. I guess that touch was more throughout the place. more
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""This burger reminds me of what McDonald's was like when it 8/25/2010

The food (mostly only ordered the burgers) is very tasty and filling. I have a saying, ""This burger reminds me of what McDonald's was like when it first opened"" and this place get that. more
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Menu for The Artist's Cafe


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Located in the historic Fine Arts Building, this cafe draws a mix of students from the nearby Art Institute and tourists visiting Grant Park. The Mediterranean menu features...

  • 9/30/2004 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon. - Thu. 7am - 8pm;Fri. - Sun. 7am - 12pm
  • Payments: American Express
  • Neighborhoods: Central, Loop
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