Same Day Cafe image

Same Day Cafe

Cafe

Old-school cafe fare, like grilled cheese & root beer floats, on offer in this bright joint. People often mention sandwich, good, coffee, service, salad, great, grilled, cheese,


Address

2651 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States

Website

www.samedaycafe.com

Contact

+1 773-342-7040

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (312 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: sandwich (12) good (11) coffee (9) service (8) salad (8) great (6) grilled (6) cheese (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 2/5 J R. 2 years ago on Google
    I really want to continue to like this place, but I just can't anymore. The atmosphere and service have just gotten so bad. As things have returned to normal after 2 years post pandemic, Same Day Cafe refuses any attempt to return to normal and it's very off-putting. They are still checking vaccine cards even though the city lifted this mandate over a month ago. OK, fine it's a private business, that's their right if they choose, I don't have a problem with that. However, they force you to wait outside until the singe person working the entire cafe has time to come over to the window and buzz you in thru the locked front door. Seriously? Feels like being let into a prison or liquor store in a sketchy neighborhood. Next, crammed into a table sandwiched between two hard plastic dividers with barely even enough room to stand-up/sit down at the table. Feels like your eating inside a plastic animal enclosure. Next, no menus, all ordering has to be done though an app, where you have to fill out all your personal info, email, phone etc, and then manually enter your credit card info before your allowed to place an order. Then all the food is served in either a cardboard to-go container, or a plastic basket lined with paper along with plastic utensils . My eggs soaked thru the paper and got stuck in the plastic basket leaving me to pick through the mess. This used to be one of my favorite neighborhood spots. Their food is great. I really want to like eating here, but just can't because they refuse to embrace any attempt to return to any semblance of normalcy. It's very off-putting, and I'd honestly rather support local restaurants that are making an effort to return to normal service.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tanya L. 1 year ago on Google
    While visiting Chicago on vacation we popped into the Same Day Cafe for a grilled cheese sandwich, chocolate shake and an egg sandwich. It was comfort food which was greatly appreciated. We sat outside and enjoyed people watching. I would definitely return.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Katie T. 11 months ago on Google
    I wish this place were better. The service was slow, to the point where we just accepted we would have to flag them down. It took us 7 minutes to get a coffee refill. The biscuits and gravy had no flavor, and were topped with brussel sprouts that also had no flavor. The sandwich was a bit better, but hot sauce definitely saved the day here. It's trying to be a high-quality brunch spot with corner diner friendliness, but ultimately lacks in both.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Alex F. 1 year ago on Google
    The first time I came here, it was raining outside, and they would not let anyone come in without showing a vaccine card, but no one was paying attention to the window and a line formed. After standing in the rain for too long, I left. I gave it a 2nd shot today for a picnic in the park. I will say that the person working the window today was lovely and trying so hard, but 3 people running this place was not enough. I waited a really long time for my food, and eventually discovered they forgot about me, so my grilled sandwiches were cold. They don’t come with any sides, so I ordered a couple of biscuits with butter and jam, but when I opened them up, there was no butter and jam. For some reason I can’t understand, the biscuits had been cut in half and sat out for so long that the insides were completely dry and hard as a rock. Somehow I paid an astronomical $55 for bad service, 2 cold, so-so grilled sandwiches, and 2 stale hockey pucks. I feel like I’ve been duped. The horchata was good, though.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nick B. 2 years ago on Google
    I was over around this place because of work saw a line around the corner knew I had to try it eventually made my way back. Couldn’t be happier that I did oh my goodness this place is absolutely freaking incredible!!! completely fresh local ingredients, pastries, absolutely incredible sandwiches, homemade soda pops. 🤯🔥🔥🔥 a definite must try!!!! I cannot wait to go back very soon!!!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Mimi 7 months ago on Google
    don’t sit outside if you’re allergic to bees! there are so many wasps that absolutely harass and terrorize you. the owners really need to track down where the nest is and destroy it because someone is going to get stung and go into anaphylaxis shock. we literally threw away our food before we were done because we had to leave due to the bees. the service was a little off, too; the gal who brought our coffee spilled it all over the table and just walked away. the food itself was good. there was a sunflower seed shell in my salad, which i thought was weird since there were no sunflower seeds in the salad. but the biscuit was excellent and the homemade jam was excellent and the eggs were perfect.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Prov 2 years ago on Google
    Amazeballs. Trevor is the the best server ever. I come for the food but stay for his cute butt and the great music he plays. The hot chocolate is dank af 🍑🍊
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Tracy C. 2 years ago on Google
    Really cute spot, limited seating but, worth dining in if you can. I am not a fan of their contactless menu/pay system, I feel it's too impersonal and we had little to no interaction from serving staff (which might be good for covid safety, but definitely takes away from the welcoming vibe). This also resulted in orders consistently being brought to the wrong tables (happened to us, as well as both adjacent tables) - a couple details of our orders were incorrect as well, which I think would have been 100% avoidable, had a server taken our orders instead of a bot. Most disappointing was the latte, which should have been a slam dunk. Flavor was awesome (earl grey & lavender), but I asked for it to be extra hot, and it was served lukewarm :( All minor complaints really - the food is yummy and the atmosphere is lovely, but these small (definitely noticeable) mistakes really do make the difference between "I can't wait to go back!" and "yeah, it was alright".
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sarah L. 9 months ago on Google
    The food and coffee are both pretty decent here. The service is friendly and the atmosphere is a nice relaxing place to talk or read. There is some local art on the wall and I always enjoy seeing that too. Just know that the food portions are on the small side. So if you want coffee and a snack you are probably in luck but if you want a heavier meal then maybe get that somewhere else and then check this place out for just a coffee. I had an oatmilk latte. It was yummy with definite bright acidic notes at the end of it.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Sergio D. 7 months ago on Google
    Everything is craft made. Breads, pastries roast beef, corned beef, chicken and egg salad. All fresh. Do try this joint!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Tasbiha 2 years ago on Google
    Came here for the award winning grilled cheese sandwich… which I wish I took a picture of because it barely had any cheese in it. The bread was good, I guess and perfectly crunchy but I’m personally a big fan of cheese in my grilled cheese. The coffee with horchata was good.

  • 5/5 Christy D. 7 months ago on Google
    This place is scrumptious! We stumbled across this place and ordered the turkey sandwich on their homemade pumpernickel. The turkey was shaved perfectly thin. We also got the triple sampler of curry chicken salad, arugula salad, and a biscuit. The arugula salad could’ve have had more dressing, but the chicken salad was sweet and creamy and the biscuit was so fluffy. A pleasant discovery overall!

  • 5/5 Justin D. 10 months ago on Google
    We got the veggie sandwich and the breakfast sandwich + sausage (only available on weekends). Veggie sandwich was so big that my fiancée was only able to eat half despite her wanting to eat the whole thing because it’s one of her favorites in the city. I have a dairy intolerance and mentioned it on the online order so they made the breakfast sandwich on ciabatta instead of the biscuit. Huge props to them for looking out for me and making sure I was taken care of even through an online order. High quality food and flavors. A must try if you are in Logan.

  • 5/5 Tim T. 1 year ago on Google
    Same Day is great. One of my favorite staples is their grilled cheese made with freshly baked bread (made in house). I’m pretty sure that everything is made from scratch, by the way. It’s a soda shop, bakery, restaurant, coffee shop and cocktail bar—all in one space. And it’s all executed very well.

  • 4/5 John F. 1 year ago on Google
    Stopped here on my way home for an impromptu lunchtime sandwich. Staff was friendly and helpful. The “Manning” was very tasty, but the meat/topping to bread ratio was somewhat disappointing considering the price. If they dropped the toast app and loaded up on the ingredients in their sandwich a bit more, it’d be 5/5 for me. I will come back to try it again eventually. Liquor license coming soon.

  • 5/5 Olivier H. 6 months ago on Google
    Great hidden gem. Service was excellent, they are always very polite and knowledgeable about the menu. Food is tasty, don't forget to grab a delicious milkshake. Usually a record is playing and people are working on their laptops. Close to public transportation. Looking forward to returning :)

  • 5/5 Caleb I. 4 months ago on Google
    We stumbled in on a weekday afternoon around 3pm. The other places in the area weren't doing food service. I was with two hungry, worried about their options gluten-free people. Same Day Cafe accommodated our needs with friendly service despite the weird hour of day. The house made sodas were very good and their wine and cocktails selection was impressive. I definitely will come back soon for another round of soup.

  • 5/5 Candace H. 1 year ago on Google
    I have a few clients that live in the area and I have to stop here every time. Their pastries and bread are so fresh and delicious, like you can just tell they're freshly made. The vegetable galette and fruit turnover are to die for, the dough is so flaky and buttery. I have to try something new on the menu whenever I go. So far everything has been great!

  • 5/5 Alex B. 2 years ago on Google
    great sandwiches and amazing drinks. I recommend anything lavender/earl grey. killer combo. also! the staff is so so friendly

  • 4/5 Michele K. 1 year ago on Google
    I highly recommend! I have carried out and dined in and enjoyed both experiences. Their scrambled eggs on toast is great and I most recently tried the biscuit and gravy. As a vegetarian who really misses sausage and gravy, this is the best vegetarian version I’ve tried yet! Their cinnamon roll is also delicious and I love the pan potatoes. I will definitely be back! I didn’t find the ordering process cumbersome at all and actually made things easier for my friend and I splitting the bill. Only 4 stars because as another reviewer mentioned, the paper in the tray was getting soggy and stuck to my food just a smidge. Easy enough to not eat on accident but still a little annoying. Not a big deal though!

  • 4/5 Elena P. 1 year ago on Google
    Well, there is a lot to tell about this place. The staff is friendly, but right at the door you are asked to present your vaccination card. It was a bit off-putting, since Chicago dropped all the restrictions some time back. We were vaccinated, so we proceeded inside. The menu is checked on the phone, then you open an account and order via the phone. The payment is handled via the phone as well. It might be frustrating for some people, but I think it's the future. The tables are separated by acrylic walls, and I liked it. The interior was nice, the food was very delicious.

  • 5/5 Sarah H. 3 years ago on Google
    Sunny fried eggs on a Sunday morning vibes. Delicious egg salad and horchata coffee. Do yourself a favor and swing by sometime.

  • 5/5 Tyler S. 2 years ago on Google
    I figured it would be good but was not expecting to eat, by far, the best BLT I've ever had. The brown sugar cookie was also really good.

  • 5/5 Cameron B. 2 years ago on Google
    Consistently amazing food. Easy online ordering for Pick up. Friendly, helpful staff.

  • 5/5 Chris P. 2 years ago on Google
    Even their most simple menu items are incredible. Never knew I could love a bowl of tomato soup so much. Both their food and dining room find a perfect balance of modern and classic comfort. I especially love the classic diner-style bar seating. I'd highly recommend checking out their variety of iced coffee blends (the Horchata may be my favorite) and grabbing a dessert. A charmingly unassuming place all around.

  • 5/5 JC 3 years ago on Google
    Had a pickup here and the food was phenomenal. Got the scrambled egg and arugula box. Everything was very good and tasty and it was a pretty good portion for the money! Will definitely return if back in the area!

  • 2/5 Jasma J. 2 years ago on Google
    The ingredients seem fresh but the sandwich I ordered was okay. This is one of those entitled restaurants in the neighborhood that take your extra change by “rounding up” your order to the nearest dollar. It’s possible I was penalized for using cash, which is also common in this neighborhood. Just wanna let you know what you’re getting into by doing business w/ them.

  • 2/5 Alexander H. 2 years ago on Google
    Had a very bad experience with their avocado toast. Bland and just a half an avo thrown on. My curry chicken sandwhich was good though.


Call +1 773-342-7040 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Breakfast
    • ✓️ Solo dining
    • ✓️ Good for working on laptop
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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