Ovo Frito Cafe
Ovo Frito Cafe — one of Evanston's strongest american spots. Ask for a recommendation, the staff will deliver. "The quesabirria was solid, with tender meat and salsa that packed quite a spicy kick" — Bill [$$, patio]
What 951 diners keep saying
What 951 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Amazing food. Get the Derek’s favorite eggs with a tortilla”

“An amazing family business! All the breakfast items sounded delicious, it was hard to select just one meal, so as we visited town, we ate there two days in a row! All the items we ordered had a fresh and delicious twist. Service was excellent both times. I enjoyed all the artwork and bright colors adorning the restaurant. We look forward to returning soon!”

“Great breakfast place. I had the French Toast platter. My girlfriend had the avocado toast. Both were delicious.”

“A go-to for a hearty brunch in Evanston! Ovo Frito serves classic American diner style breakfast with a Latin American flare. They have everything from pancakes to French toast to Mexican staples like chilaquiles and huevos divorciados. It’s a bustling space with a bright atmosphere and quick service even when it gets busy. I got Zinnia’s Spicy Chilaquiles, and the serving size was very large. There was a mountain of freshly fried tortilla chips with two eggs, your choice of salsa verde or roja, pepper jack and cotija cheese, and rice and beans topped with sour cream. The chilaquiles had a great spicy kick without being too overwhelming, and the salsa verde had a delicious flavor with a slight acidity. The chips stayed very crispy as well. If you want a brunch that’ll keep you full all day, give Ovo Frito a taste!”

“First time at this cute restaurant. The food was good and there were a lot of other great dishes on the menu! I went with simple French toast, eggs, bacon, and coffee. However, next time, I will be more adventurous and try a more unique dish! The service was friendly, quick, and making rounds on coffee topping. I was here early on a Thursday morning, and the restaurant started getting crowded as it got later. Overall, cute, clean, friendly, and a great place to eat breakfast, brunch or lunch! Update- 12/26/2025 returned to this place and ordered their chocolate chip pancakes, and the hubs had a Burrito Desperado! He said the burrito was perfect, lot of veggies and peppers with a wonderful, smokey Adobe sauce with just the right hint of spice. My pancakes were delicious. Highly recommended 👌”

“Delicious dishes, great service, cozy atmosphere, Julius Meinl coffee, and several delightfully unhinged egg-themed paintings on the walls. I recommend the “nest egg” and the French toast. No notes!”

“This tiny Cafe with a Latin I spired menu is a hidden gem in the Evanston residential district just west of Northwestern University. The food is almost all Latin based, but with a few gringo dishes available too. Skirt Steak Benedict, Dress Hermanos eggs, or my go to Huevos Nortenos are all fantastic. The place was not busy on a Monday morning, but several customers were enjoying breakfast. The staff was right on our needs, coffee was excellent, food service was fast, and the portion size generous. Not being a native of Illinois or the greater Chicago metropolis, this is definitely a place to which I want to return. Muchas Gracias Ovo Frito!”

“Excellent brunch, le service est parfait, les plats de qualité avec des produits frais, copieux et grâce à Carlos nous avons passé une pause déjeuner conviviale. Mention spéciale à la spécialité du chef les œufs Bénédicta pochés !!! Merci”

“Great 🇲🇽 food! Friendly service but wish we weren’t so rushed before and after the meal. Atmosphere crowded and possibly better to go when not a weekend!”

“Buenísimo lugar, comida muy rica, buena presentación y el servicion excelente. La próxima ves que visite Chicago iré de nuevo a comer allí”
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