Meli Cafe & Juice Bar

Once inside Meli, everything makes for a great breakfast experience: the creative egg dishes, the helpful (albeit a little zombie-like) waitresses. The restaurant is extremely clean, and not garishly decorated like many of the dining spots in Greektown. However, some days I cannot bear the thought of dealing with the ill-mannered hostesses, so I turn my car around and drive to Julius Meinls (where the coffee is better) or Toast (where the hostess is known for her mock rudeness). Especially when they are busy, one would think that these hostesses were manning the door at Studio 54 in New York in the 70's. Meli owner: if you want to cultivate a cadre of well-heeled, repeat customers, and not only rely on the tourists in the area, please have a talk with your greeters. First impressions matter.

A virtual plethora of excitement. Chef Frank Georgacopoulos knows how to please his patrons. THis weekends menus of colors of the rainbow omelets, was awesome. We went three times this weekend (friday, saturday, sunday, to enjoy it). Their new cobbler crepes, are to die for oven baked with a granola sugar crust and fresh berries. YUmmmmm

I must of been crazy for order an Alligator gumbo omelet, but i thank myself everyday since for trying it. It had flavor, style, and this sauce that made my mouth water. Washed it down with a cup of Lavazza coffee, and I was in heaven. Also the poundcake french toast was good. Im so glad I went for brunch on Saturday.

I have been going to Meli for over a year and a half now and have never been dissapointed. They use the best eggs on the market hands down. (a bit pricy, but what do expect for eggland's best organic eggs). Chef Frank Georgacopoulos, is a god when it comes to his flavor combinations. The owners struck gold when they found him. He is not afraid to take chances and push the envelope, in his flavor profiles. THe decor is to die for, the coffee is killer and reasonably priced for such a strong aromatic cup. Overall Meli cafe is the best breakfast place in Chicago.

All I can say is that I love chocolate, but I crave the chocolate pancakes at Meli Cafe. They have these chocolate or cocoa infused pancakes with loads of white and dark chocolate chips, baked into the batter...I try to do it at home and it is not the same so if i could i would ask their chef Frank Georgacopoulos for some help. (Maybe he could write a cookbook for pancake dummies).

Meli Cafe by far is the best brunch experience in Chicago. Chef Georgacopoulos outdues himself week after week. Niko and Yianni (the owners) did the best thing for the area by opening Meli and finding this guy. Now Meli has surpassed themselves again by featuring only Egg Land's best Organic (naturally cage free eggs) Food tasted even better. Place is rocking every weekend. Good job guys

I can always expect the best at Meli Cafe, buy I have to admit I am impressed. I would like to think of myself as a food expert, since I love to eat. But Meli Cafe has always met my expectations, there is always something different for me there, not the same omelet twice. Great job!!!

Well I have to take my hat off to chef Georgacopoulos at Meli Cafe. Last week I was in with a few friends on President's day and we all had breakfast, mostly omelets which are fantastic. We decided to try these pancakes which were on special containing baklava (which i really enjoy). These pancakes arrived smelling of pecans, walnuts, fresh honey, cinnamon, I mean it was amazing. It was like a party in my mouth and everyone was invited. Meli does a wonderful job, and the food is always fantastic. Keep up the the good work.

Like a kid in a candy store or better yet like a kid waiting eagerly on Christmas eve, so does my family for Meli Cafe. Every weekend we go there and can not wait to see what the chef has in store for us. The last few weeks have been very interesting, as he seems to have heavy French influences in his choices. A few weeks ago I tried his White truffle omelet (fantastic by the way), and this weekend I tried his caviar omelet (also pleasant). What my kids enjoy is their new crisps, which are a healthy alternative to the potato chip.

I had breakfast here with an old friend on a Sat morning. It was busy and the waiting area was cramped. We got stuck with the table right next to where everyone was standing, so I had elbows in my face, someone's child peering over my plate at my food and we had to wear our coats because we were right by the door, which was open most of the time. I asked if we could move and the server told us that the manager said he'd have to put our names at the bottom of the wait list. We were rushed through the rest of the meal and three different people tried to take the check within five minutes. The manager was very obvious about wanting us to leave and the hostess told one of the patrons that our table would be his as soon as we left, so he stood right behind my friend, waiting for us to leave!! The food wasn't very good, so I will not be returning. There are too many good breakfast places in this city for anyone to bring their service to Meli.

I have ennjoyed omelets before but none like the one I ate on Saturday at Meli. They offered an omelette de Canard (hope I spelled correctly). Which consisted of this amazing duck sausage and the ripest Anjou pears. It was amazing, on top they put some kind of a cooked shallot which they called a confit. It brougt it all home for me. My sweetie enjoyed the chef's french toast sampler, which was like four different kinds of baked breads. My fav was the orange poppyseed. Overall Amazing.

Meli Cafe is one of my favorite places in the city. Nestled in Greektown, Meli provides my breakfast four to five times a week. I especially love going on the weekends, although it is busy and we have to wait reading what the chef has in store for us is worth it. I especially love his crepes, they are little pieces of heaven full of sinful delight. Service is ok, sometimes even great. The hostess and manager in the front seem competent and pleasant, the decor is cute, and as stated previously the food is great. Anyone who goes here has to try the Cloud 9..........and than thank me later for the suggestion.

On my second visit to Meli, I was very disappointed. My first visit was good but last weekend took this brunch option off my list for good. We were informed the wait was 20-30 min. After waiting a hour outside and seeing several people that arrived after us get seated, we headed inside to see what the issue was. As I glanced at the seating list, our name had been moved down the list and arrival time changed. We inquired with the gentleman seating us as to why it was taking so long and why our name had been moved and he provided no explanation. Rather than make a scene, we waited another five minutes and were finally seated. We immediately asked for the manager and were informed the gentleman who seated us was the owner. I called him over and asked for an explanation and he responded with, "There is nothing I can do, what do you want me to do?" Well, since you are the owner a simple apology would have been sufficient. We left immediately and do not plan on returning.

A little know place where I've watched the lines grow every week. It is quickly becoming the "it" place for breakfast in Chicago. I love the pancakes and Meli Omlette. The fresh ingredients and the light and airy atmosphere make this a favorite place.

We had breakfast at 10am on a Saturday morning, and were able to walk right in . It did get more croweded a bit later though. Everything was wonderful, the food , and the service. We will definitely be back.

Meli is a hidden brunch gem! Excellent eggs benedict and fresh squeezed juice, a little pricey--but the food is worth it. Service is very weak, long waits and slow waitstaff--couldn't get water, the check, ANYTHING. No wonder we had to wait so long to eat, saw multiple diners just waiting for their check.

Fresh ingredients and tasty twists on breakfast and lunch make this a Greektown favorite.