Flying Saucer image

Flying Saucer

Restaurant Breakfast restaurant Diner Brunch restaurant

Colorful spot with exposed brick & open ductwork turns out classic breakfast fare & veggie options. People often mention breakfast, great, cash, spot, vegan, coffee, good, friendly,


Address

1123 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States

Website

www.flyingsaucerchicago.com

Contact

+1 773-342-9076

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (517 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: 8 am to 3 pm
  • Monday: (Washington's Birthday), 9 am to 3 pm, Hours might differ
  • Tuesday: 9 am to 3 pm
  • Wednesday: 9 am to 3 pm
  • Thursday: 9 am to 3 pm
  • Friday: 9 am to 3 pm
  • Saturday: 8 am to 3 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: breakfast (20) great (11) cash (9) spot (7) vegan (7) coffee (7) good (7) friendly (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Witold S. 1 year ago on Google
    Great food, great crew! Every breakfast option is tasty. We ate there literally every morning while visiting Chicago. I definitely recommend.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 ericka a. 7 months ago on Google • 119 reviews
    Quaint little brunch spot that seems to stay busy. They have a lot of vegan accommodations which is nice. The quiche was on special and I'm so happy I ordered it! Delicious. I wish they had more specialty coffee options.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jae 9 months ago on Google • 52 reviews
    Stopped in for a quick bite before heading back home to Minnesota. Quick service and good food (minus the burnt bacon). Tried some of the vegan options too and they were flavorful and delicious.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Tracy C. 2 years ago on Google
    Went on a Friday for brunch, no trouble getting a table. Food was delicious, but the service was a bit off.. it took quite a long time for a server to acknowledge our existence, despite the restaurant being practically empty. Sat for about 15 min before anyone came to take a drink order, and then another 10 or so more before they came back, but besides that I enjoyed it! Cool atmosphere, the coffee was great and the food was definitely comfort in a bowl.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Courtney B. 2 years ago on Google
    I got a breakfast burrito with steak. The burrito was fine, but the it overall lacked seasoning and they didn’t have salsa so it was pretty bland. The breakfast potatoes was really good and they had the best vegan pancakes I’ve ever had! Nice and fluffy and doughy. The service was great and super fast!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Natalia Z. 6 months ago on Google • 251 reviews
    Amazing cash only breakfast spot. They top your coffee off continuously so I might have drank 4 coffees in 1 cup (no complaints!) they have oat milk as well. Highly recommend the Huevos volando. Got a side of chicken sausage and left more than full without finishing half of the 2nd tortilla. Great staff, nice vibe and Madonna songs on the speakers.

  • 5/5 Sarah H. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolute the best spot for breakfast!! Literally everything is so freaking good. Perfect place for omnivores, vegetarians, vegans, and people who like really really good food! Whatever they do to their black beans and sweet potato fries is incredible 🤌🏻✨I’m waiting for the day Chilaquiles returns as a special. Until then the breakfast bowl is my fav and this quesadilla platter was perfection!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Mariah Kamara (. 5 months ago on Google • 98 reviews
    I recently stumbled upon a hidden gem in my neighborhood that has completely transformed my perspective on breakfast - the Flying Saucer. As a fervent supporter of small businesses, I couldn't be happier with my newfound breakfast spot, and I'm excited to share my experience with you. First and foremost, it's worth mentioning that the Flying Saucer operates on a cash-only basis. However, they have an ATM machine conveniently located on-site, so you don't need to worry about running out of cash. This cozy breakfast and early lunch spot has a unique charm that transported me to a small, quaint coffee shop in Boston, which I absolutely loved. Upon entering, we were greeted by a warm and friendly server who instantly set the mood with their welcoming vibes. As someone who has recently embraced the world of coffee, I decided to start my morning with a Vanilla Latte made with almond milk, and it exceeded my expectations. The rich, aromatic coffee was perfectly complemented by the creamy almond milk, creating a delightful flavor combination. To quench my thirst, I ordered a large glass of orange juice, which was refreshingly fresh and invigorating. It was the ideal companion to my morning meal. Speaking of the food, I couldn't resist trying the Huevos Volando, and I was not disappointed. Every aspect of the dish was prepared to perfection, from the fluffy scrambled eggs to the savory toppings and the side of crispy bacon. The burst of flavors and textures in every bite left me wanting more. The Flying Saucer is the epitome of a chill neighborhood spot with a funky, unique ambiance. It's remarkable how a small establishment like this can set the tone for your entire day. The intimate setting and friendly staff make it a perfect place to enjoy a leisurely breakfast or an early lunch. Whether you're a local resident or just passing through, I wholeheartedly recommend giving Flying Saucer a try for a delightful breakfast experience that will make your day a whole lot better. Don't miss out on this hidden breakfast haven; it's a true neighborhood treasure.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 wook k. 1 year ago on Google • 209 reviews
    Just the perfect neighbourhood restaurant with great food and vibe. Liked that they have both vegan/vegetarian options but also “regular” food. We got the breakfast burrito and small stack of french toast. The burrito is very filling…nice size. It gets busy so the food does take awhile but service is friendly and all the patrons are also very patient. It’s cash only so bring some cash…they do have an ATM in the restaurant in case you need to get some cash 👍

  • 5/5 Victoria S. 2 years ago on Google
    Delicious and wonderful people! We went to Hash on Western and the wait time was longer than I was hoping, so the host recommended we try Flying Saucer! I’m so happy we did! I’m a vegan and my boyfriend… not so much, so it’s hard to find a good place that’s accommodating for both of us! I tried their special which was scallion pancakes with kimchi and teriyaki seitan. SO GOOD! My boyfriend got their quiche special which was spinach, mushroom, and cheese. He said it was amazing. The portions were great too! Can’t wait to come back because I want to try the tofu sweet potato hash next!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Janelle W. 8 months ago on Google
    Perfect breakfast spot for a Sunday morning. Outdoor and indoor seating, easy menu, and great prices. Cash only!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Yvonne V. 5 months ago on Google • 11 reviews
    4.5 stars. The food is simple, but good. The latte was amazing. It was served in a very large class, and very generous with the foam. And the service was fantastic. Our server was pretty busy. But otherwise, everyone else came by to refill our Coffee and water constantly without us even asking, and even though they were so busy. So I appreciated the gesture. It could use a little more salt, pepper, or condiments for flavor in my opinion. But I know everyone’s preference is different.

  • 5/5 Natasha R. 5 months ago on Google • 11 reviews
    This is one of the best breakfast spots I've been to in a while! I was able to customize my breakfast to have no dairy and meat. Vegan pancakes are such a bonus!!! My boyfriend, the meat eater, loved his corn beef hash! Our latte and the fresh squeezed grapefruit juice were fab! And our server, Sammy, was lovely to chat with! Get out snowboarding bro! ☺️

  • 5/5 Vincent M. 3 months ago on Google • 9 reviews New
    Great food especially for the price. My happiest surprise was the delicious coffee and the fun carafe of milk that comes with it. Ezra (?) I think was the name our server? Regardless, they were great.

  • 5/5 Lea S. 7 months ago on Google • 4 reviews
    Fun, good breakfast. Comfortable, friendly atmosphere. Only possible complaint was that the daily special quiche was such a large portion Mom couldn't eat it all by herself. We gladly helped.

  • 1/5 Craig 6 months ago on Google
    It's Sunday morning. I order an omelette, biscuits & gravy, and french toast to go. That sounded like the perfect simple order that we can split between me and my 2 friends who are still asleep. I'm going to surprise them with breakfast, it's my treat. I'm sorry I'm gonna be brutally honest cuz it was so bad that im doing my 1st review ever. The biscuits and gravy were the worst I've ever had in my life. I've had better from a gas station. The smell alone was enough to gag, it stunk up my house. Then it comes with 2 eggs which tasted like a spoonful of Crisco. Couldn't eat the eggs cuz all you could taste was grease. The omelette was at least edible and didn't taste like grease at all for some reason. So I'm thinking "Well at least I have french toast at the end. I'll drowned my sorrow in sweets". NOPE, the syrup couldn't even cover the taste of shortening. After throwing away pretty much everything but the omelette I was left with an aftertaste of layered grease on the roof of my mouth and $40 scraped off my plate to the trash. Next time I'll just make breakfast myself

  • 5/5 Francesca C. 1 year ago on Google
    This is a great progressive cafe with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. Pleasant environment that instantly makes you feel comfortable.

  • 3/5 Tammy 1 year ago on Google
    Went here for breakfast on a Saturday before 9a and easily found street parking and seating outside. Kid and dog friendly, they only accept cash but have an ATM inside. I had the corned beef hash skillet which was just okay and very salty. It came with a side of kale that was delicious and I'm not even a fan of kale and biscuits and gravy which were a flavorless mushy mess. Service was great and all the staff were friendly and attentive.

  • 5/5 Joaquin S. 1 year ago on Google
    We dine in every now and then but usually order to go. Food is amazing. They’re baked goods taste great even the vegan stuff. They are very out there about being cash only so don’t be upset when they tell you it’s cash only people. Great staff. Great food.

  • 4/5 Seccoyah D. 2 years ago on Google
    Food was tasty but I really loved the wild berry loose leaf tea. 🙂They were skimpy on the honey. Nice cozy diner feel. The only problem was that they only take cash 😐. They offered their in house ATM but I'm just not very trusting with the small ATM chains

  • 5/5 Michael L. 2 months ago on Google • 1 review New
    Love this place, it's become a routine to stop by and grab lunch during the week when I can work from home. The food is great, the staff are cool, and there's no pretense at all. Treat them with respect, and they'll give it back tenfold.


Call +1 773-342-9076 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Cash only
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Organic dishes
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Breakfast
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Catering
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating
  • From the business
    • ✓️ Identifies as Asian-owned
    • ✓️ Identifies as women-owned
    • ✓️ Identifies as LGBTQ+ owned

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