The Brunchery Chicago
Brunch & Lunch 9am - 3pm Daily
Pick up & Delivery Available On
Chicago's Best Brunch Since 1938
The Brunchery has been a Lincoln Park landmark since 1938, back when it was known as Frances’ Deli. For nearly 90 years, we’ve been the place Chicago comes for breakfast, brunch, and lunch done right.
We’ve welcomed everyone through our doors, from loyal neighborhood regulars to celebrities and even the Mayor of Chicago. Whether you’re pulling up a chair or ordering to go, we make food worth getting out of bed for as seen on WGN TV.
Meet Celebrity Chef Derek Rylon
Executive Chef Derek Rylon has spent over 50 years perfecting his craft and the loyal crowds he draws to our Lincoln Park brunch spot say everything.
His original recipes have made The Brunchery one of Chicago’s most beloved breakfast destinations, as recognized by Eater Chicago and featured on WGN’s Daytime Chicago.
Every dish he puts out is a reason to come back. Whether you’re a longtime regular or discovering Chicago brunch for the first time, Chef Derek’s kitchen is where unforgettable morning meals are made.
Brunch Like You Mean Business
Visit the Brunchery apparel shop and show folks your brunch is a lifestyle, not just another meal.
Our Brunch Philosophy
For us, brunch is more than a meal…it’s a Chicago tradition. From fresh breakfast bowls to handcrafted drinks, our Lincoln Park kitchen has been feeding local brunch culture since 1938.
Chicago's Best Brunch Restaurant
Don't take our word for it, hear from our guests who keep coming back.
- Keri S.4/07/2026This place was easy to find and they have a wonderful variety on the menu. It is a small space so it can get a little loud and only seemed to have two servers to take orders, that being said, it did take a moment to get our order in (nothing that would keep me from coming back), it didn't take long to come out, and the food was AMAZING! The only con/warning I have is that they do charge an automatic gratuity that apparently does not go to the server, but to the kitchen instead - so just be prepared for a little extra than listed menu prices.read moreread less
- Jeremy E.5/24/2025At 11:57 AM on a Saturday, The Brunchery pulses with the desperate energy of Lincoln Park twenty-somethings seeking salvation in carbohydrates and caffeine. This is not your bubbe's kosher kitchen—though it wants to be.Frances' Deli died so The Brunchery could live, a rebranding that feels like watching your grandfather trade his suspenders for skinny jeans. Eighty-seven years of Clark Street real estate, and what do we have? A "Pass w/ Conditions" health score and Chef Derek, who's been perfecting recipes longer than most of his customers have been breathing.The matzo ball soup arrives like a childhood memory wrapped in steam. Made with chicken broth that's been simmering since the Carter administration, it's the kind of soup that makes you forget you're not actually Jewish. But don't mistake this for kosher—they're serving bacon alongside challah with the shameless enthusiasm of a reformed rabbi at a barbecue competition.The #11 Lincoln Park sandwich—turkey, muenster, honeycup mustard on grilled challah—is architectural. This isn't food; it's urban planning with mayonnaise. You'll need both hands and possibly a structural engineer.The crowd tells the real story. Gone are the Eastern European immigrants and old Jewish regulars, replaced by tattooed millennials livestreaming their French toast flights. The music blasts loud enough to wake the ancestors, creating an atmosphere somewhere between shtetl and nightclub.For the religiously observant: proceed with caution. Muslims will find no halal certification hiding behind the "everything made on premises" promise. Hindus should skip the corned beef entirely. Jews seeking kosher will weep into their non-kosher matzo balls. Christians can eat everything with clear conscience. Atheists will find plenty to worship in the portion sizes.The strawberry shortcake French toast arrives like a diabetic fever dream—brioche drowning in homemade strawberry batter, crowned with fresh berries and maple butter. It's breakfast as performance art, Instagram as sacrament.Chef Derek's 50-year tenure shows in every perfectly executed potato pancake, each one a small miracle of crispy edges and fluffy centers. This is institutional memory made edible, the kind of cooking that survives decades because it understands one fundamental truth: people need comfort more than innovation.The service moves with the efficiency of a well-oiled deli machine, servers navigating the chaos with practiced indifference. No reservations, no apologies—just show up and wait like everyone else. Democracy in breakfast form.At $15 for portions that could feed a small European nation, The Brunchery offers the rare combination of authentic preparation and accessible pricing. Everything made on premises isn't marketing speak here—it's a promise kept daily.Walk in expecting a Jewish deli, leave understanding you've experienced something more complex: the evolution of American comfort food, where tradition bends but doesn't break, where 1938 coexists with 2025 in delicious, imperfect harmony.The Brunchery doesn't apologize for what it is—a survivor, a shape-shifter, a place where your hangover goes to die and your soul finds temporary peace in the holy trinity of eggs, bread, and butter.read moreread lessJerrica S.5/21/2025I heard about this place on TikTok and wanted to try. They did not disappoint. They don't take reservations and it was crowded when I went for brunch on Sunday. However, they were able to quickly accommodate my party. The menu was vast and it made my decision quite difficult. But we ended up getting the mega French toast, catfish and mimosa flight. Everything was delicious. Next time I'm in Chicago, I plan to come in and try more dishes.read moreread less
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We'll Keep a Seat Warm
Chicago's Best Brunch for Groups & Celebrations
Whether it’s a birthday, a girls’ day, or just a crew that loves a good breakfast, The Brunchery in Lincoln Park is the spot. We welcome parties of all sizes and we’ll make sure your group has a morning worth remembering.