I've always seen the road signs, but never stopped because it was tucked away in the cut between 3 railroad tracks leading to the US Steel Mill. As we made our way through the American diner themed mom and pop cafe, our order was taken and immediately delivered to our table in a timely fashion with the food piping hot. The steam rippled off the pancakes and homemade hashbrowns like on the saturday cartoons I used to watch. The owners were there and came out to check on us more than once. The portions were enormous and I THOUGHT I would finish it all. However, my belly was quickly satisfied. Not to mention, the affordable prices on the menu. Thank you for serving the City of Gary and the surrounding communities!

I suppose that if you are a local or working with a nearby steel mill then you probably have checked out this place. If you are a traveler or just getting away for the weekend, like we were, then you may have no idea that this place exists. But it is a total Gem and worth a visit! The menu is expansive, but it is a menu that makes sense and focuses on breakfast and lunch. It's not like others that feature items all over the place with everything just of mediocre quality. Of course we didn't eat everything on the menu but we did put together a hodgepodge of items including omelettes, hash browns, toast, and biscuit and juice. The inside is decorated with fun signs and memorabilia, many of which are full of puns. The staff, well they were all amazing. I believe it was Kirsten that was our server and she was the highlight. She hustled and made sure our coffee with always topped off but also maintained that very delicate balance to not top off coffee that have the right concoction of creamer and sweetener inside. Again, unless you live nearby you probably would have no idea that this place exists but if you are reading this review then I can't help but to tell you that you need to visit. 5 out of 5 stars without a doubt.

Great Lakes Cafe is a charming restaurant decorated in a 70s and fishing motif. It is tucked into an area once dominated by the Gary steel mills. Be sure to follow your map app carefully to get there. The restaurant offers breakfast and lunch. I ordered the Trucker's burger. It was an amazing half pound paddy full of flavor. It was the best of the three burgers I've eaten in the last two weeks. The meat was well cooked and tasted fresh. The fries served with the burger were coated, flavorful, and crispy. A bowl of soup also comes with the meal. This $10 meal far surpassed the $14 burgers I've eaten resently. To top things off, service was engaging and excellent.

Warm welcome,quick service, 3 egg specials, very good French toast ! The last two streets take you through some constructions, but the food and value are evident in the support of local residents — lunch menu looked great too!

Great local restaurant with a small town hang out vibe. Chicken sandwiches are delicious, not dry, good and juicy with flavor. The fries are seasoned sort of like Rally' s but not greasy or burnt. They have daily specials. Menu prices are super reasonable. The potato soup I had was good. Good selection of red meat alternatives. Service was friendly and the food is quickly served . Out of the beaten path and close to the steel mills but worth a stop.

Food was really amazing and the atmosphere is really cute. Caters to the working class. Hash browns were so good.

The biscuits and gravy here are delicious and the entire menu is very inexpensive.

No one actually greets u at the door, and the place is over the river and through the woods lol but Google will get u there. The coffee is honestly not bad flavor wise, but its SUPER weak and best without sugar. Sugar makes it taste like tea🙄. Once someone realizes ur there, they are pretty attentive and answer questions as best they can. The food tastes very good and u can tell it's very fresh which is AWESOME! The presentation isn't much, but it is good and priced well. Overall, I would come back and the water is good too.

Amazing food, unbeatable prices, and fantastic and quick service! An awesome spot for a quick and cheap great eat! My meal in the photo was a veggie omelette (egg whites), with wheat toast and hash browns as sides.

What a great place! Classy bright 1950's style decor. Very clean and family owned since 1994. Everything done right. Open early and always smiling. Paved semi truck parking.(Beware of low underpass on Mississippi St.)

First time visit. Food was delicious and served quickly. I did carry out but the atmosphere seems good. Staff gave excellent service and friendly. Will become a regular here.

We were on our way to Lake Tippecanoe for a girls weekend and we stopped cause we were hungry, wow were we pleasantly surprised! We had a great lunch and Cindy gave us coffee and baklava! So sweet! The food was great and service was wonderful! Thanks so much!

Wonderful, little diner. Good portions. Ready to send you off with a full belly. As you eat breakfast, some good conversation. And, made me a lunch to go, as well. 2 meals, one stop. Will definitely be back for more!

This little gem is right by U.S. Steel. Don't let the old beat up roads detour you, your in for a treat. The inside is cute and clean . The girls are friendly and care that you have your order promptly and correct. The food is fantastic, and portions are good size. At the time of writing this review , the hours are 5am to 1 pm.

Visiting family and we stopped for lunch here! Good was great and the staff are very professional and personable. Jessica and Cindy are amazing people! We highly recommend Great Lakes Cafe!

Always so fresh and good! This is the Cobb Salad without cucumber, onion, and tomato. It comes with soup and a roll! Delicious!!

A coworker recommended this place while we were at the mill doing a job. I came in a couple weeks later. It's about 15 miles from where I stay but it is definitely worth it. The food is high quality and the prices are fair. The restaurant itself is a quaint little place tucked away between two mills in Gary.

Dine in or carry out, you’re eating out of styrofoam. It’s 2023- we know it’s terrible for our health and the environment, but I some ppl don’t care about those things I guess. Some omelets don’t have cheese in them, so be sure to add it for an up charge. Food was good though, no doubt. Delicious. Even though my omelet had no cheese lol. Food great, carcinogens from hot food in styrofoam- absolutely awful.

Stop by this amazing diner !!!!!! This family owned diner has amazing food and service that is absolutely unmatched by any business I’ve been to and I eat out ALOT!! Let’s talk food. Everything is made with love and excellence. The biscuits and gravy are out of this world and the prices are awesome.

Ate here while staying in Gary a few years ago. I haven't forgotten the warm hospitality, cozy interior, and great food. Next time I'm passing through I will have to stop here. An easy place to get to in an unassuming area of the city.

Fresh, DELICIOUS food. Very friendly and helpful staff. Cindy the owner is the best. You will not be disappointed. Worth an out of the way visit. God bless them.

I wouldn’t know if the food is any good or not. I came in by myself and sat down and kept waiting. No waitress ever came to my table, however other customers came in after me, sat down and received service quickly. I made eye contact with both waitresses multiple times. Yet neither one ever came over, but kept attending to tables coming in after myself. I won’t be back.

I Literally never leave reviews but the food was a 10 out of 10. The people were absolutely amazing. They definitely earned themselves a loyal customer in only one visit.