Lou Mitchell’s: The Starting Point of Route 66

Lou Mitchell’s: The Starting Point of Route 66

              The United States of America, that is a nation of dream. As a Japanese, I have some stereotypes about this country: greatness, hugeness, a consumer society, but the most impressive is “Adventure”. Like Dennis Hopper in a movie “Easy Rider (1969)”, I tend to associate America with a reckless but grand travel, which tries to go across the continent by own motorcycle. 60’s, going beyond the horizon, Born to Be Wild, motels, and Route 66…what an American! Actually, there is a magnificent restaurant which plays an important role in this Route 66 trip. The restaurant exists in Chicago, which is the beginning point of Route 66. The restaurant has been serving great breakfast for ambitious tourist who beginning their travels. The name of the restaurant is “Lou Mitchell’s”.

              The restaurant “Lou Mitchell’s” was founded in 1923, by the man “uncle” Lou Mitchell. According to the menu, “His graciousness, friendliness, hospitality and constant effort attention to quality and excellence soon had the droves of hungry eager customers standing in line”. Located at the beginning of Route 66, the restaurant has been host to many Americans for such 93 years. Everyone from Presidents, mayors, governors, and tourists on Route 66 have stop here to charge their energy. Now this restaurant has been attracting many customers not only from entire the United States, but also from all over the world.

My personal image of this restaurant was like this; it is energetic and filled with busy people. All of them are beginning their new day. Some are businessmen who reading newspaper gently and the other are tourists who checking guidebook desperately. In every moment there is lively chatting by ambitious people and they are talking about current business situations or their sightseeing plans rigorously. Unceasing crossfire of waiters’ yelling are flying in the air, in order to offer as great as services they can. When I sit down, a person sitting next speaks to me and we enjoy our cross-cultural conversation (I am Japanese). I have imagined such an experience on this place. And, the result was far beyond my expectations. It was totally excellent.

When I visited Chicago, I could find “Lou Mitchell’s” so easily, for there was already a long line by people who were eager to experience the best breakfast in the US. Because it was on Sunday, most of them looked family and tourist. Thanks to splendid quick services, I was able to enter into the restaurant much faster than I had expected. Just entering, I felt overwhelmed. How many, energetic people! The inside is well lighted and the walls are made of warm timbers. There are many tables and chairs neatly, then many, many people are enjoying breakfast in a limited space. Interestingly, I did not feel cramped at all, for customers and furniture are set appropriately. Without being kept waiting, soon waiter led me to my table. The restaurant looked very busy, but my table was already cleaned and a glass of water, folks and a napkin were well-prepared.

 I looked other customers. Maybe because it was a holiday, most part of them were families or tourist. From children to elders, everyone was enjoying. Just listening to them, they were talking about their sightseeing plans or impression of Chicago. I was already excited because this situation totally matched with my expectations. I went by myself so I sat in front of a stranger, who was a very kind, old American lady. She spoke to me, “Where are you from?” I answered,” Japan, Tokyo”. According to her, my choice to come here was nice. She told me that she has lived in Chicago for ten years and often comes this restaurant to enjoy nice breakfast. We talked about similarities or differences between Tokyo and Chicago. Then realizing that I am Japanese, the other people sitting next to me got into our conversation. Perfect. This is the “cross-cultural conversation” which I really wanted. Despite the restaurant was very busy, ordering was not difficult at all. That it because waiters are literally flying every table. All of them are checking all customers carefully so that they can response immediately. In fact just after ordering, the other waiter came to me and filled a cup of coffee quickly for free. Surprisingly, I was able to have many service appatizers. Coffee, toast, oranges, and even ice creams, all of them are for free. Waiters gave them me on the best timings. The hospitality was so good that I could get relaxed in spite of the busy inside.  

Everyone is enjoying



I ordered “Greek Sausage Special Omelettes”. The omelette was served on a tiny cute pan. With Omellete, also well-baked sliced potato and crispy fried bacon were there. The plate had enough volume so that any people can get satisfied. Omelette itself was very fluffy. At the moment I touched it with my folk, it got softly teared off. From inside the happy smell of consommé and onions are coming. The taste was very gentle. Because it is not salty too much, we can enjoy the true taste of eggs, onions, sausages themselves. In addition, the contrast of fluffy eggs and crispy bacons are very comfortable. Some of you may be worried about getting bored with such an amount of omelette. But, no problem. The omelette has flesh onions, tomato, green paprika, and papurspicy sausages so they will keep you satisfied. Also, many ketchups, salts, peppers, mustards are prepared on the table, so you can customize food as you want.  

On the menu, of course you can find many kinds of food rather than omelette: sandwiches, special toasts, fountains, beverages. Fortunately, all of them are affordable price. My omelette was 10 dollars and in addition I could enjoy many appetizer for free as I mentioned above. You can drink coffee as much as you want, for example. I am sure that you can start the day in Chicago with the best feeling, only in 15 dollars.

Lou Mitchell’s is the best place at where to begin the day in Chicago. You can enjoy not only food, but also everything it has. Talking with other tourists, seeing quick and well-trained waiters, and of course fluffy omelettes. This restaurant allows you to feel you are one of uncountable tourists who had been there and traveled on Route 66 since 93 years ago. I recommend you to “experience” this nice spot, sincerely.