Valois Restaurant
Jea Kim · 1596 Google reviewsValois Restaurant — trusted american in Hyde Park. Unpretentious and comfortable, exactly what you want. Good service that doesn't feel rehearsed. Easy on the wallet, quick and efficient. "The ribs were tender the chicken and bbq sauce" — Nessa Knight [$, cash only]
What 2,660 diners keep saying
What 2,660 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Great food! Loved that they serve breakfast all day. Great portions for the price. Definitely a great place to eat! Apparently one of Obama's favorite places.”
“This is where the president Barack Obama favorite restaurant I've eaten breakfast here and it good as well”
“I had the steak omelette with potatoes, it was delicious. The coffee is great, too.”
“Cash only, but prices are great for Hyde Park. Reuben sandwich was some of the best I've had, fries are good. Went on Saturday July 4th at 1PM and lines weren't too long had had plenty of space to sit.”
“I saw on social media that this was one of Barack Obama's favorite restaurants, so we decided to make the drive and give it a try. I'm glad we did because the food was amazing. They say the recipes haven't changed over the years, and you can definitely tell there's a lot of history and tradition behind the dishes. It was a great place to sit down and enjoy a meal. The only downsides were that they only accept cash and parking was a bit of a headache. Other than that, we had a great experience and would definitely come back to try more items on the menu.”
“Valais is a storied establishment in Hyde Park. I has one of the best steam tables around. From great food to awesome atmosphere, not to mention, the Obama connection, you can't go wrong. I brought a group of 47, on 30 minute notice, and they didn't even flinch. Thank you, Johnny, for running an amazing estsblishment!”
“Valois Restaurant – A Chicago Classic Worth the Short Wait! ⭐🍳10/10 I visited Valois Restaurant on a busy afternoon and was impressed by how efficiently everything ran despite the line out front. The queue moved surprisingly fast — I only waited about 10 minutes to place my order. Once I did, service was lightning-quick: just step to the right and friendly staff hand you your meal right away. Seating can feel limited at first glance, but the turnover is excellent. People finish up and leave promptly, making it easy to find a spot without much trouble. Cash only, so be sure to bring some with you! I ordered the steak omelette, and it was genuinely delicious. The flavors were rich and well-balanced, and I especially appreciated that they don’t pre-salt the dishes — you can season to your own preference. This made it feel noticeably healthier and lighter than typical American diner fare. The steak was a touch well-done and slightly tough, but it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment. The hash browns were hearty and satisfying — not super crispy, but packed with flavorful potato goodness that kept me full and energized all day. I loved the generous portion and comforting taste. The staff were warm, efficient, and genuinely nice, adding to the welcoming neighborhood vibe. Highly recommend Valois for a classic, no-fuss Chicago breakfast/brunch experience. Great value, fresh flavors, and fast service — I’ll definitely be back! 😊 just at Hyde park near University of Chicago!”
“Bring your appetite because they don’t skimp on the portions. I had the veggie omelet and three (3) pancakes, and I left feeling full and satisfied. They’re definitely worth a try if you’re in the neighborhood.”
“I’m here 1 to 3 times per week because the hash browns, eggs, and links are so good. It’s generous portions, wholesome food, and flawless every time. I always get a coffee no matter what time of day it is or what I’m ordering. They have very good coffee.”
“An iconic diner for UChicago people. Came here with a friend who went to UChicago, and he described this place as more of an institution than a restaurant. Somewhere students head after a long night out for a full, comforting meal. It’s also known as Obama’s favorite diner in Chicago, and they even have a section of the menu dedicated to dishes he liked. We all went with the No. 1: steak and eggs, and it was one of the best versions I’ve had from a diner in a long time. The ordering system wasn’t like a typical diner. It was more like a college cafeteria. You walk up, tell the kitchen staff what you want, and they fire it up on the grill. Then you slide over to grab sides and bread. I went with the regular white toast, but my friend insisted the “secret move” is asking for the cornbread. It wasn’t mind-blowing, but it was definitely better than plain toast. I ordered my steak medium-rare, but it came out closer to medium-well. Still, it was surprisingly good. Pretty sure they use frozen steaks, but for how thick it was, it stayed moist and tender. No dry edges or weird freezer taste. My favorite part of the plate was actually the home fries and the Louisiana hot sauce they keep on every table. The fries were thick and starchy, perfect for soaking up the hot sauce. Highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the area and want a proper diner steak-and-eggs breakfast.”
“Lovely place. It is cafeteria style, it is cash only, it is a throwback. Prices are exceptional, the people are friendly and food comes very quickly. Loves the veggie omelet, and the potatoes are delicious!”
“Valois is amazing. I appreciate the staffs and managers kindness to me even though I have autism and their food is amazing and really good. Owner Gus and Manager Tom very nice. Obama’s favorite breakfast place. The restaurant is in good condition. The Obama table is cool. The steak omelette was amazing and the grits were pretty good. Must come back. 10/10.”
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