This 85-Year-Old Retro Diner Is One Of The Most Nostalgic Destinations In Illinois
By Linze Rice|Published January 05, 2024
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Linze Rice
Author
Ope! From the rural cornfields of DeKalb County, Linze is an Illinois native and true Midwestern gal who can make a mean bonfire and whip up a perfect marshmallow salad. Since 2014, her bylines and photography have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Sun-Times, and Block Club Chicago/DNAinfo Chicago, Only in Your State, and more. She has interviewed Dolly Parton, written about beloved diners along historic Route 66, visited the last Rainforest Cafe in the Illinois, and reviewed luxurious English manor-inspired hotels. Whether it's writing about a local gem or world-renowned establishment, Linze brings a heartwarming and historical perspective to each story, using facts, wit, and personal experience to impress upon readers the importance of culture, food, travel, and all things local. Her favorite destinations in Illinois include Starved Rock State Park, Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood, the charming small town of Sycamore, and historic Rosehill Cemetery. When she's not writing or photographing, Linze enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, cooking, baking, and grilling, and relaxing with trashy TV.
Living just outside Chicago, trying new foods is as easy as a 10-minute drive in the car. The latest in dining trends quickly make their way to the city, or even originate from Chicago itself. Still, I’m a Midwestern gal who loves the sentimentality and nostalgia of simple, homecooked meals that truly warm the soul. And, at White Palace Grill, an iconic retro diner in Chicago, Illinois, there is soul and sentimentality in every single delicious dish.
White Palace Grill, located at 1159 S. Canal St., has been a Chicago staple for 85 years. Since first opening in 1939, the South Loop restaurant has been feeding hungry diners classic breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes.
Inside, you're instantly transported back in time. Red and white stripes don the walls and leather booths, giving an authentic retro feel that customers keep coming back for. Located near the University of Illinois at Chicago, the room is often filled with a mix of students, locals, and loyal diners who have been eating here for decades.
Of course, the Chicago pride is evident throughout — especially with a wall-length mural depicting famous city characters like Bozo the Clown, Harry Caray, Muddy Waters, Oprah, Michael Jordan, the Blues Brothers, Ernie Banks, Al Capone, and even Mrs. O'Leary's cow.
If you're not in the mood for a milkshake, a hot cup of coffee with breakfast should do the trick. White Palace Grill offers fluffy pancakes, beloved French toast, skillets, and all the meats, like ham, bacon, and sausage.
Like any good diner, they can also make eggs in a thousand different ways. Whether you want eggs fried, sunny side up, scrambled, or served as an omelette, you can get eggs served in any way your heart desires. Pro tip: Get a side of crispy hashbrowns, they're the perfect compliment.
If breakfast isn't beckoning, there are plenty of other options for lunch and dinner. Burgers, patty melts, ribs, steak, sandwiches, wraps, and soups are all favorites here. Add a side of veggies, mashed potatoes and gravy, or crinkle-cut fries and you've got the perfect diner dish.
In fact, the restaurant was even featured on an episode of Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" where it was praised by the famous chef for its made-from-scratch approach to its cooking. Fieri's favorites included the veal parmesan and biscuits and gravy. However, this Philly cheese steak wrap is calling my name.
One great perk is that the restaurant is open 24/7, so you can pop in any time a hunger pang strikes. While you can see outstanding views of downtown from the area surrounding the diner at any time of the day, catching a glimpse at night offers a sparkling picture of the "Sears" Tower.
