Eleven City Diner
1112 S. Wabash

The Basics
Where you’ll find it: 1112 South Wabash. At Wabash at 11th Street in the South Loop. (312) 212-1112. www.elevencitydiner.com

When it’s open: Monday-Thursday: 7:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Friday: 7:30 a.m. – midnight; Saturday: 9 a.m. – midnight; Sunday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Reservations: Not accepted.

What you’ve heard: Old-school diner blended with Jewish comfort eats.

Visual Aids
First impressions: It feels like we’ve just walked into a 1950s-style diner (well, one can only assume, since none of us were around until a few decades after that). ... We were instantly greeted by the general manager and escorted to a comfy, U-shaped booth. ... The black-and-white subway tiles, family pictures on the wall and wooden bar with old-fashioned stools immediately caught our eye.

The atmosphere: Music plays overhead, but not loud enough where you can’t enjoy conversation. ... The place is filled with a range of faces, from eight-person families with Bubbe and Zayde in tow to a group of college students and a couple on a date. ... Eleven City offers a modern dining experience with stylish fixtures, dim lighting and comfy, dark leather booths, but there is a more comfortable, at-home tone in the restaurant. ... We hear the owners’ parents even work at the restaurant on the weekends!

The Experience
At your service: The waiter was very poised and familiar with the menu. He helped us select just what would tickle our taste buds. ... The general manager and owner, Brad Rubin, even stopped by to make sure our experience was enjoyable. ... Valet service is available for weekend brunch.

Get your drink on: There is a fully stocked bar at the heart of the restaurant. The bloody marys were probably the best we’ve ever tasted, with just enough spice to go down easy. ... Frozen vodka and lemonades were just what the doctor ordered to allow us to reminisce of warm summer nights. An extra shot of Pinky vodka (the GM noted it is Beyonce’s favorite) adds even more flavor. ... Of course, traditional beverages, such as freshly squeezed OJ, are on tap.

Menu variety and prices: All the old favorites are on the menu: matzo ball and kreplach soups, knishes, lox, latkes, brisket. They even come with schticky Yiddish names, such as Rubin’s Reuben (named after the owner), The Schwartzy and Yenta’s Latke. Plus, the bagels are real New York-style bagels, not the Thomas’ variety. ... Prices may seem high at first glance, but the huge portions definitely make up for it! The entrées are definitely large enough to leave two stomachs satisfied. ... While most of the items are traditional Jewish staples (not kosher — they do serve bacon and sausage), there are numerous Americanized selections, such as calamari, pasta and turkey burgers.

Description of what you did decide on: Old School Platter and bagels, served with lox, cream cheese, cucumbers, onions and tomatoes — the perfect brunch treat. ... Signature Eleven City French Toast, made with challah (Jewish egg bread) and served with fresh bananas and strawberries. It actually melts in your mouth! ... The Woody Allen: double decker corned beef and pastrami — the sandwich of choice at most Jewish delis. ... The Jerry Springer: corned beef, pastrami, swiss cheese and thousand island dressing on marble rye. Similar to the previous menu item, but named after the local icon based on his sandwich preferences. ... Chili cheese fries: The best cheese fries south of Lake Cook Road (fellow North Shore residents can identify). ... “The Mountain” is a pile of crispy fried onion strips, similar to the mashed potato sculpture created in “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” that can be used to play Jenga between bites (we’re just saying “hypothetically”).

Something that caught your eye: The attention to detail truly makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to an old-school Jewish deli. ... The dark wood tables and bar, the soda jerk, shelves stocked with Dr. Brown’s soda, Bazooka gum (in Hebrew) and jars of Maneschewitz borscht are as if black-and-white photos we’ve seen in family albums have come alive.

What you’ll tell your friends: This is definitely the spot to hit up on Saturdays or Sundays for brunch — Jewish or not — as it is sure to cure any hangover. ... Take a pass on the overcrowded Bongo Room and Tempo and head to Eleven City Diner to satisfy your breakfast urges and take you on a stroll down memory lane.

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