I get the high ratings from everyone else. The place is a gem. Exactly what you want from a breakfast diner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kelly Dubz
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sandy’s Cafe in Illinois absolutely knocked it out of the park.
As someone who waited tables for 25 years, I do not hand out praise lightly. I notice everything. Timing. Flow. Energy. Detail. And Darcy? She was beyond exceptional. Truly above and beyond in every way.
From the moment we sat down, Darcy brought warmth, attentiveness, and that effortless professionalism you only see from someone who genuinely cares. She anticipated needs before we even had to ask. The pacing was perfect. The vibe was welcoming without ever feeling rushed. It was flawless service.
And the food? Incredible. I had the blueberry pancakes and the corned beef hash and both were outstanding. The pancakes were perfectly fluffy with that just right golden finish, and the hash was savory, comforting, and cooked to perfection. Every bite felt like someone in the kitchen really knows what they’re doing.
But what set this apart from a great breakfast to an unforgettable experience was Darcy. She made us feel special. Seen. Taken care of. That kind of hospitality is rare and it matters. She even pulled out a special little gift for basket for toddlers/kids! My bestie has an 18month old granddaughter and this was a game changer! 😊
We’re from Minneapolis visiting and stumbling into Sandy’s was such a joy. Thank you for a memorable meal and for having a gem like Darcy on your team!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
J Paul Gavino
Great friendly staff and the food is the Best!!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
dominic bender
Food was very good. The hostess, waitress, and cooks were excellent. Everyone was friendly and inviting. We went in with a large group after participating in Wreaths Across America on a negative degrees F morning. Sanday's was busy, but they still accommodated us perfectly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alan Choyna
Great service, and great diner food in an old school setting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Grayson Royall Lichtenstein
BEST CHICKEN AND WAFFLES. AMAZING STAFF. REAL BREAKFAST DINER EXPERIENCE!
Sandy’s and Da Local Boy have highwood on LOCK as far as I’m concerned, throw in Tacos el Norte and it’s a wrap… LITERALLY.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael Gordon
Absolutely wonderful. Felt like a regular immediately. Best tuna melt I've ever had. Endless coffee and an old school vibe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
John McGraw
This is a rarity today for restaurants of any type, a par-excellence value! This is a diner/breakfast/lunch restaurant, a few booths and counter seats. Most of the activity by the staff is out front, no secrets. Many customers have dined there frequently, they are regulars and recognized, the waitress can practically write the order without asking, they know the person that well. Occasionally it is a first timer and because of the ambience they feel free to voice their opinion as to how good it is, as we did the first time we ate here in late winter 2025.
We had driven by Sandy’s many times and I often remarked, we should try them out, and we would have sooner, but the parking is the limiting factor, basically curbside parallel parking, only 4 or 5 spots are in front of the restaurant, others down the block and across the street. There may be some in the alley behind but I’m not aware of any. I’m unable to walk any significant distance, so if the parking isn’t right near the door, I’d pass Sandys by, but that is my issue, if you are healthy, the distance isn’t an issue
The food is great, the owner/chef/cook knows what is expected of a dinner establishment. The eggs are prepared as asked, if the request is “over-medium” the egg whites are cooked through, yolks runny, and edges crisp ... Anyone who has trained as breakfast fry cook will know how to make eggs to request, and yes that is a SKILL. The biscuits and gravy are the best I have had in the NW suburbs, there is breakfast sausage crumbles in a cream gravy, and the gravy actually is seasoned and not just white flour paste.
No matter how rushed and busy a restaurant is, they should never lose sight of the fact that each meal served is important, there are not many 2nd chances in the restaurant business. I’m guessing that one of the wait staff is probably the owner, this is the difference, she is watching that the customer’s expectations are met, she deserves an A.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Greg S
Cool old school diner type breakfast place but I felt the food was just average.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Franck Brice
I stop by Sandy’s on my return bicycle rides, always welcoming and great diner food, no bs.
I get the high ratings from everyone else. The place is a gem. Exactly what you want from a breakfast diner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sandy’s Cafe in Illinois absolutely knocked it out of the park.
As someone who waited tables for 25 years, I do not hand out praise lightly. I notice everything. Timing. Flow. Energy. Detail. And Darcy? She was beyond exceptional. Truly above and beyond in every way.
From the moment we sat down, Darcy brought warmth, attentiveness, and that effortless professionalism you only see from someone who genuinely cares. She anticipated needs before we even had to ask. The pacing was perfect. The vibe was welcoming without ever feeling rushed. It was flawless service.
And the food? Incredible. I had the blueberry pancakes and the corned beef hash and both were outstanding. The pancakes were perfectly fluffy with that just right golden finish, and the hash was savory, comforting, and cooked to perfection. Every bite felt like someone in the kitchen really knows what they’re doing.
But what set this apart from a great breakfast to an unforgettable experience was Darcy. She made us feel special. Seen. Taken care of. That kind of hospitality is rare and it matters. She even pulled out a special little gift for basket for toddlers/kids! My bestie has an 18month old granddaughter and this was a game changer! 😊
We’re from Minneapolis visiting and stumbling into Sandy’s was such a joy. Thank you for a memorable meal and for having a gem like Darcy on your team!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great friendly staff and the food is the Best!!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was very good. The hostess, waitress, and cooks were excellent. Everyone was friendly and inviting. We went in with a large group after participating in Wreaths Across America on a negative degrees F morning. Sanday's was busy, but they still accommodated us perfectly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great service, and great diner food in an old school setting.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
BEST CHICKEN AND WAFFLES. AMAZING STAFF. REAL BREAKFAST DINER EXPERIENCE!
Sandy’s and Da Local Boy have highwood on LOCK as far as I’m concerned, throw in Tacos el Norte and it’s a wrap… LITERALLY.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely wonderful. Felt like a regular immediately. Best tuna melt I've ever had. Endless coffee and an old school vibe.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is a rarity today for restaurants of any type, a par-excellence value! This is a diner/breakfast/lunch restaurant, a few booths and counter seats. Most of the activity by the staff is out front, no secrets. Many customers have dined there frequently, they are regulars and recognized, the waitress can practically write the order without asking, they know the person that well. Occasionally it is a first timer and because of the ambience they feel free to voice their opinion as to how good it is, as we did the first time we ate here in late winter 2025.
We had driven by Sandy’s many times and I often remarked, we should try them out, and we would have sooner, but the parking is the limiting factor, basically curbside parallel parking, only 4 or 5 spots are in front of the restaurant, others down the block and across the street. There may be some in the alley behind but I’m not aware of any. I’m unable to walk any significant distance, so if the parking isn’t right near the door, I’d pass Sandys by, but that is my issue, if you are healthy, the distance isn’t an issue
The food is great, the owner/chef/cook knows what is expected of a dinner establishment. The eggs are prepared as asked, if the request is “over-medium” the egg whites are cooked through, yolks runny, and edges crisp ... Anyone who has trained as breakfast fry cook will know how to make eggs to request, and yes that is a SKILL. The biscuits and gravy are the best I have had in the NW suburbs, there is breakfast sausage crumbles in a cream gravy, and the gravy actually is seasoned and not just white flour paste.
No matter how rushed and busy a restaurant is, they should never lose sight of the fact that each meal served is important, there are not many 2nd chances in the restaurant business. I’m guessing that one of the wait staff is probably the owner, this is the difference, she is watching that the customer’s expectations are met, she deserves an A.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cool old school diner type breakfast place but I felt the food was just average.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
I stop by Sandy’s on my return bicycle rides, always welcoming and great diner food, no bs.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
We stopped by on our way to Neenah, WI. If we are ever that way again we will stop. It is worth a try!!!!!!!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great local spot for a ‘garbage’ omelette. You can get excellent potatoes but they’re extra.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
The server has the worst attitude I've ever seen. Don't go to this place of you have kids, she clearly hates them
They are open when no one else is!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Longest serving established restaurant in the area, serving the best hometown breakfast. Try the house hot sauce for that extra twang
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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