Welcome to Fred's Diner
Fred's Diner is a charming old-school booth-and-counter joint nestled in the heart of Grayslake. With its cozy atmosphere and hearty American classics, it's the perfect spot for breakfast and lunch. Here, I savor the pure essence of nostalgia with every bite. The menu features a delightful array of comfort foods. Whether you crave steak and eggs or indulging french toast, Fred's Diner never disappoints. This cash-only eatery is popular for its great coffee and friendly service. It’s truly a local gem where everyone feels at home, making it a must-visit.
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About
Located at 225 Center St, Grayslake, IL 60030, Fred's Diner radiates the warmth of a traditional American diner. The layout, featuring both booths and counter seating, captures the essence of classic American dining. Accessibility is thoughtful here; the diner provides wheelchair-accessible parking and seating. This spot draws in a diverse crowd of locals and tourists alike, creating a lively atmosphere. The diner serves breakfast, lunch, and early dinner, ensuring a full day of dining options, all accompanied by that unbeatable small-town charm.
The menu is packed with hearty dishes that reflect the diner’s commitment to comfort food. Plus, the restaurant accepts reservations, making it easy to gather friends and family. Although it's a cash-only operation, most diners find the experience and food well worth it. The friendly staff adds to the nostalgic vibe, often engaging in light banter with guests, enhancing the dining experience.
Working Hours
- SundayOpen
- MondayOpen
- TuesdayOpen
- WednesdayOpen
- ThursdayOpen
- FridayOpen
- SaturdayOpen
What People Say
Most Liked
Customers rave about the attentive and friendly service at Fred's Diner. The old-fashioned diner ambiance is a huge plus, closely connecting patrons to that comforting nostalgia of American diners. Breakfast items, particularly the hash browns and biscuits and gravy, steal the show with many declaring them the best in town. The diner is well-loved for its quick service and good prices, making it accessible for solo diners or families. Regulars frequently mention the deliciousness of the diner’s coffee, an essential for kicking off a busy day.
Most Disliked
The cash-only policy tends to frustrate some first-time visitors, particularly those used to card payments. However, most agree the quality of food and service makes this minor inconvenience bearable. Seating can fill up quickly during peak hours, especially on Saturdays, which can lead to a wait. Although the atmosphere is cozy, some diners might find it a bit too quiet during off-peak times, missing the lively buzz of busy hours. Lastly, the limited dinner offerings may discourage those looking for a more extensive evening menu.
Reviews
Ann P.
First time here. What a great old fashion diner. The food was so good I dug in before taking a picture, but it was beautiful! We will be back!!!
Jonathan W.
This is a great little breakfast spot. We really enjoy eating here. The staff is always really friendly and the food is always hot and fresh!! It is cash only, which is somewhat annoying, but it is well worth it. The food is always delicious!!
Erika F.
Delicious food, great service, good prices.
Joanie B.
Cash only nostalgic diner with counter and booth seating offering food at reasonable prices. Service was attentive and friendly. Their traditional breakfast was satisfying and perfectly cooked to order. Hash browns can include grilled onion at no extra cost. We arrived before 9 am on Sunday and found both plentiful street parking and available diner seating.
Larry R.
Flavor: A Service: A Tea: A Solo dining: A Hands-down the best meal we had in Grayslake! This is quite the tiny diner serving up all the classics in top-notch form. Regulars abound but it wasn’t long before even us out-of-towners felt right at home. Our server was delightful - in the most harsh way. Everything we had was great and I’m not sure you could go wrong with a selection. If I lived here, I’d be eating at Fred’s all the time.
Vanessa L.
Spinach and feta cheese omelette and ham. The meal was good the atmosphere was very friendly and comfortable. Their coffee was delicious. I'm a picky coffee drinker. This coffee was a good as my own coffee.
C M.
Updated review to add pictures: A COMMUNITY STAPLE! We've been to Fred's many times years ago but then we moved away. Now that we've moved back, we were hoping COVID-19 didn't close them down. We are so grateful that it's still there! Same great service from the same staff, same classic American menu, same feel-good/feels-like-home vibes. There's cool art pieces and pictures to commemorate local servicemen and women. Things we've ordered and enjoyed: Eggs Benedict, Spanish Omelette, Corned Beef Hash, Steak & Eggs, pancakes, waffles, and all the classics. Great family-owned business to support!