3rd Coast Café: Underwhelming Brunch in Chicago

With a cozy, vintage vibe hidden inside what looks like an unassuming residential building, 3rd Coast Café has been a Gold Coast staple for decades. I was looking for a solid brunch spot near my hotel, and after seeing so many great online reviews, I decided to try their all-day breakfast.

I waited 20 minutes on a packed Saturday morning to see if the food lived up to the hype. Unfortunately, between the gritty hollandaise and soggy chilaquiles, I realized pretty quickly that people are coming here for the cozy vibes, not the actual food.

The Vibe: A Hidden Entrance and Squeezed Tables

When I first arrived, I was not sure I was in the right place. From the quiet street, it looked exactly like an apartment building. But once I opened the door, I could not believe my eyes as it revealed a packed dining room.

The dining room was busy, with tables packed tightly together. With so many people and music playing in the background, it got loud, though I never found it overwhelming. There was also a second dining area near the bathrooms, which was just as busy.

Because the building is over 100 years old, the space had a lot of genuine vintage charm, complete with wooden accents, an old-school coffee bar, and a beautiful tin-tile ceiling.

But then I looked at the walls and saw paintings of Marilyn Monroe, Kurt Cobain, a dolphin, and a wave. I had absolutely no idea how those fit into the historic vintage aesthetic, but it definitely gave the place a quirky character.

The 3rd Coast Café Brunch Menu

After finally getting a table, I was starving. Because I visited during the Saturday morning rush, my server quickly handed me the weekend brunch menu, took my drink order, and quickly walked away.

I looked over the menu, which was mostly your standard hearty diner staples, with eggs, skillets, and sandwiches priced around $15 to $18. I almost went with the pulled pork hash, but you can’t go wrong with diner classics, so I ordered the chilaquiles and an eggs Benedict.

Along with the standard coffee and teas, the beverage section featured fresh juices, lemonades, and breakfast cocktails like mimosas and Bloody Marys.

While scanning the room, I also noticed a massive glass pastry case right near the register. Inside were freshly baked scones (lemon, blueberry, and raspberry), giant cookies, and whole cakes.

Eggs Benedict: Gritty Sauce and Untoasted Muffins

I ordered the Eggs Benedict ($18.00), which came with Canadian bacon, poached eggs, and their house hollandaise on an English muffin. I had the choice between hash browns or fruit, and I went with the hash browns.

At first glance, the plating looked fine. The eggs were large, and the hash browns had a toasted top. When I cut into the eggs, each one exploded with a perfectly runny yolk.

Unfortunately, the rest of the dish was a letdown. Coating the eggs was a house hollandaise that was noticeably duller in color than other versions I have had. While it was slightly buttery, I wish the sauce had more butter to give it a richer flavor, and it lacked any acid to give it a brighter kick. It was bland and had a distinctly gritty texture. I was not a fan of this sauce.

Underneath the eggs was a simple, tender, and salty slice of Canadian bacon. The English muffin clearly came from a bag. I didn’t mind that. But it tasted doughy and undercooked, and a quick toast would have made a big difference.

The side of hash browns was also underwhelming. While they were golden brown and crispy on top, the inside was soft, undercooked, and lacked seasoning.

Chilaquiles Rojo: A Sloppy, Soggy Letdown

Next was the Chilaquiles Rojo ($16.00), featuring tortilla chips, two eggs over easy, onions, cilantro, sour cream, queso fresco, and a spicy Pulla chile sauce. Pulla is a type of dried chile commonly used in Mexican cuisine.

The first thing I noticed about the plate was how sloppy it looked. One of the egg yolks had already broken and was running across the plate straight out of the kitchen. While it wasn’t a huge deal, it is still worth mentioning.

Under the eggs was a generous mound of tortilla chips covered in the Pulla chile sauce. Sadly, the chips were borderline soggy. They were thick but far too soft, clearly having sat in the sauce for way too long before making it to the table.

The Pulla chile sauce itself was just ok. It had a smoky flavor but lacked any real heat. It was also bland and underseasoned.

Thankfully, the diced onions mixed in with the chips provided at least some crunch, and the spongy, salty cubes of queso fresco helped break up the texture. On the side was a dollop of sour cream. Despite its messy appearance, I was glad it was there, as it added richness to the dish.

The Service: Fast but Frantic

While my food arrived quickly and correctly, the service definitely felt the strain of the busy Saturday morning rush. My server seemed understandably overworked, which made me feel she wanted me to hurry up and order.

After dropping off my plates, she never returned once to check on the meal or offer drink refills until she brought the bill. I didn’t personally mind since I didn’t need anything else, but if you expect a highly attentive and personable experience, you will probably be disappointed during peak weekend hours.

My Final Thoughts on 3rd Coast Café

When I read the glowing reviews and saw how busy the dining room was, I had high hopes for brunch at 3rd Coast Café. Unfortunately, the food didn’t live up to my expectations. 

The Eggs Benedict was forgettable with its gritty hollandaise and untoasted, doughy muffin. The Chilaquiles were equally disappointing, with soggy tortilla chips and a bland red sauce. Both dishes lacked execution and felt rushed out of the busy kitchen.

So, would I wait 20 minutes for a table here again with so many other great restaurants in Chicago? Probably not.

However, the vintage coffeehouse atmosphere was charming. If I ever find myself back in the Gold Coast, I would skip the hot food entirely, grab a fresh juice and a lemon scone from the bakery case, and enjoy the quirky vibes.

Pros

• Beautiful interior
• Restaurant housed in a building with over 100 years of history
• Bakery case with freshly baked scones and pastries
• Good location in Chicago’s Gold Coast district
• All-day breakfast and extensive menu
• Though busy, there wasn’t a long wait for me on a Saturday

Cons

• Mediocre food
• Indifferent service

More Chicago Travel and Food Guides

If you are planning a trip to Chicago, be sure to check out some of my other guides:

• Jim’s Original in Chicago: Authentic Polish Sausage and Pork Chop

Last Updated on April 5, 2026