Illinois’ Best Breakfast Joint is Among the Best in the Nation

The joy of breakfast from a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. Easy to overlook from the outside, but with amazing food inside. Here's the best joint in Illinois.

Why Are Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurants So Damn Good?

There's something uniquely enchanting about dining at a hole-in-the-wall breakfast joint. These unassuming gems often hide in plain sight, serving up hearty morning delights that transcend all the culinary trends., thankfully so.

The moment you step inside, you're embraced by the comforting aroma of sizzling bacon, fresh coffee, and toasted bread. The ambiance, though humble, oozes warmth and character, offering an authentic slice of local culture.

Here's where I think the real joy of a hole-in-the-wall breakfast joint lies,

in its unpretentiousness.

The friendly, no-frills staff make you feel like family. The simple menu bursts with flavorful classics like fluffy pancakes, hash browns (crispy please), and omelets made to perfection. Each bite carries a little sense of nostalgia, transporting you back to cherished breakfasts of the past.

These hidden gems also foster community, where strangers strike up conversations over shared tables, celebrating the joy of shared stories and

the universal love of a delicious morning meal.

Hole-in-the-wall breakfast joints may be small, but the joy they bring to your morning is HUGE!

Cheapism just published the Best Hole-in-the-Wall Breakfast Place in Every State and in Illinois, it's an Elgin favorite that's easy to overlook from the outside, but with amazing food inside.

Illinois' Best Hole-in-the-Wall Breakfast Place

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Ray's Diner at 801 Saint Charles Street in Elgin has served the community since 1969. The amount of praise and press Ray's has gotten locally and nationally is large.

Ray's Diner has a 4.6 Star Overall Rating on Yelp.

The menu is simple and delicious, and they serve breakfast all day. Serving breakfast all day gives me the joy you got (and still get) when your family decides to do 'breakfast for dinner' night.

Biscuits and gravy

I can actually taste this while I'm looking at it.

Ribeye steak and eggs

Corn Beef Hash Skillet

Corned beef hash, onions, mushrooms, green peppers, and American cheese, topped with three scrambled eggs and served on a bed of hash browns.

French toast

Skirt steak and egg skillet

I'm going to need this in my belly soon.

Find more breakfast food porn on Ray's Facebook page and website.

MORE: 12 Things People of Illinois Hate About Illinois