Quick Answer: Ed Debevics is a 1950s-themed diner in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, known for intentionally sarcastic servers, classic American comfort food, and a 4.7-star Google rating. It’s located at 159 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611, open daily 8 a.m.-9 p.m., with meals typically running $10–$20 per person.
Ed Debevic’s isn’t just a place to eat it’s a retro-themed performance where sass is served alongside the burgers. Since opening in 1984, this Chicago institution has built its reputation on cheeky servers, jukebox-lined booths, and nostalgic all-American comfort food. Whether you’re a lifelong Chicagoan or a first-time visitor, Ed Debevic’s delivers a meal that comes with a side of theater.
For a taste of Chicago’s legendary sass and nostalgia, stop by Ed Debevic’s — a retro 1950s-style diner in Streeterville known for its playfully rude servers, classic burgers, and thick milkshakes.
Key Facts About Ed Debevic’s
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Established | 1984 |
| Cuisine | American diner, 1950s-themed |
| Address | 159 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611 |
| Neighborhood | Streeterville |
| Phone | +1 312-374-8497 |
| Hours | 8 a.m.–9 p.m., daily |
| Google Rating | 4.7/5 (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐), based on thousands of reviews |
| Price Range | $10–$20 per person |
| Dining Options | Dine-in, takeout, delivery |
Ratings, hours, and pricing are subject to change always confirm current details on Ed Debevic’s official site or Google Business listing before visiting.
A Quick Look at Ed Debevic’s History
Ed Debevic’s opened its doors in Chicago in 1984, the creation of Chicago restaurateurs Rich Melman and Lee Cohn under the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group. The concept a fictional 1950s-era diner run by a made-up owner, “Little Eddie Debevic,” staffed by servers encouraged to play up snarky, over-the-top characters. At its peak, the original River North location, a 300-seat space at 640 Wells Street reportedly served an estimated 15,000 customers a week and became a genuine only-in-Chicago phenomenon, even landing a cameo influence on the hit TV show The Bear.
That original location closed in 2015, and the building was later razed. After a six-year hiatus, Ed Debevic’s returned in October 2021 at a new spot at 159 E Ohio St in Streeterville, just blocks from Michigan Avenue and the Tribune Tower. The reboot kept everything fans loved neon signage, glittery vinyl booths, and servers who might make you bus your own table while giving the concept a shinier, updated home.
Ed Debevic’s Menu With Prices
1. Breakfast Menu
Specialty
| Specialty | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Choice of Toast | Wheat, rye, sourdough, English muffin, or biscuit | $14.95 |
| Two Eggs Any Style | Choice of two eggs, choice of meat, choice of toast, home fries | $15.95 |
| Biscuits & Gravy Platter | Choice of eggs, fresh baked biscuits, sausage gravy, choice of meat | $15.75 |
| It’s No Yolk (VE) | Egg whites, spinach, marinated portobellos, roasted red peppers, home fries, choice of toast | $16.95 |
| The Early Bird | Choice of bread, southern fried chicken, bacon, over easy egg, cheddar, avocado, spicy mayo, home fries with green peppers and onions | $15.95 |
| Avocado Toast | Wheat toast, smashed avocado, tomato, pickled red onion, jalapeño, lime, cilantro. Add an egg +2 | $16.75 |
| Chilaquiles | Corn tortilla chips, chipotle salsa, Monterey Jack cheese, choice of eggs, Atomic Mix, sour cream, cilantro. Add guacamole +2.95, chili +6, chicken +6, BBQ pork +6 | Varies |
Skillet
| Skillet | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Choice of Toast | Wheat, white, rye, sourdough, English muffin, or biscuit | $18.95 |
| Tex Mex | Home fries, choice of eggs, Monterey Jack, bacon, Atomic Mix, chipotle salsa, sour cream, green pepper, onion. Add guacamole +2.95 | $19.95 |
| The All American | Home fries, choice of eggs, sausage, bacon, green pepper, onion, aged cheddar | $18.95 |
| The Hippie | Home fries, choice of eggs, roasted red peppers, Swiss, avocado, green onion, tomatoes, spinach, green pepper, onion | $18.95 |
Sweet Cake
| Sweet Cake | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Buttermilk Pancakes | Served with powdered sugar, maple syrup, and butter | $14.75 |
| Chocolate Chip Pancakes | Served with powdered sugar, maple syrup, and butter | $15.75 |
| Blueberry Pancakes | Served with powdered sugar, maple syrup, and butter | $15.95 |
| French Toast | Served with powdered sugar, maple syrup, and butter | $15.75 |
| Bread Pudding French Toast | Ask about today’s flavor! Griddled, served with whipped cream and fresh berries | $16.95 |
| Strawberry & Cream | Add-on to any sweet cake | +$2 |
Sides
| Side | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit Cup | — | $4.45 |
| Pancake | — | $4.45 |
| Biscuit | — | $4.45 |
| Toast | — | $4.45 |
| Homefries | Green peppers & onions | $4.95 |
| 2 Eggs | — | $4.95 |
| Bacon | — | $5.95 |
| Sausage | — | $5.95 |
| Biscuits & Gravy | — | $8.35 |
2. Lunch & Dinner Menu
Appetizers
| Appetizer | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Outrageous Fries | Crinkle-cut or sweet potato fries, cheese sauce, scallions, bacon, aged cheddar & parmesan, ranch. Add chili/chicken/BBQ pork +6 | $14.95 |
| Fried Cheese Curds | Wisconsin cheese curds, served with ranch | $15.95 |
| Chicken Tenders | Served with ranch; make it Buffalo-style +2 | $14.95 |
| Spinach Artichoke Dip | Served with tortilla chips and carrot sticks | $17.95 |
| Kitchen Sink Nachos | Tortilla chips, cheese sauce, aged cheddar, Monterey Jack, Atomic Mix, sour cream, pickled onions, chipotle salsa | $16.95 |
| Atomic Fries | Atomic Mix & cheese sauce | $12.95 |
| Quesadilla | Flour tortilla, cheddar and Monterey Jack, chipotle salsa, Atomic Mix, sour cream | $15.95 |
Salads
| Salad | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Avocado Caesar | Romaine, parmesan, black pepper, croutons, avocado, avocado Caesar dressing | $15.95 |
| Cobb | Romaine, cherry tomatoes, house-roasted turkey, hard-boiled egg, bacon, red onion, avocado, aged cheddar, carrots, choice of dressing | $17.95 |
| House Salad | Lettuce, romaine, spinach, red onion, carrots, cherry tomatoes, croutons, choice of dressing | $17.95 |
| Southwest Chicken Salad | Romaine, spinach, grilled chicken, red onions, corn and black bean mix, cherry tomatoes, tortilla strips, cilantro lime dressing. Add avocado +1.95 | $16.95 |
Chili
| Chili Option | Price |
|---|---|
| No Way (bowl of chili) | $8.45 |
| 3-Way (+ cheese, macaroni) | $9.45 |
| 4-Way (+ cheese, macaroni, onion) | $10.45 |
| 5-Way (+ kidney beans) | $11.45 |
| 6-Way (+ sour cream) | $12.45 |
Sides
| Side | Price |
|---|---|
| Fries | $6.45 |
| Side House Salad | $6.45 |
| Side Caesar Salad | $6.45 |
| Coleslaw | $6.45 |
| Fruit Cup | $6.45 |
| Cup o’ Chili | $7.95 |
Deluxe Sides
| Deluxe Side | Price |
|---|---|
| Sweet Potato Fries | $7.45 |
| Cheese Fries | $7.45 |
| Atomic Fries | $7.45 |
| Cheese Curds | $7.45 |
| Onion Rings | $8.45 |
| Chili Cheese Fries | $8.45 |
| Outrageous Fries | $8.45 |
Soup of the Day
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| Cup | $4.45 |
| Bowl | $7.45 |
Sandwiches (served with fries or side salad; upgrade to deluxe side +3)
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tuna Salad | Lettuce and tomato | $13.75 |
| BLT | Bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo or spicy mayo | $14.95 |
| Country Club | Turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo or spicy mayo, triple-decker | $16.95 |
| Ed’s Mom’s Meatloaf Sandwich | Meatloaf, lettuce, tomato, Ed’s Special Sauce, onion strings, grilled sourdough | $17.50 |
| Eddie’s BBQ Pulled Pork | Classic or Carolina BBQ sauce, coleslaw, bun | $17.95 |
| The Chickadee | Crispy fried chicken, mayo, pickle, bun. Make Buffalo-style +2 | $16.95 |
| Grown Up Grilled Cheese | Cheddar, American, Swiss, bacon, tomato, sourdough | $16.75 |
| Turkey Reuben | Turkey, Russian dressing, Swiss, sauerkraut, rye | $17.95 |
| Grilled Chicken Sandwich | Marinated chicken, pepper jack, bacon, honey mustard, lettuce, tomato, onion | $16.95 |
Burgers (served with fries or side salad; choice of cheese; add bacon +3.95; gluten-free bun +3)
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hamburger | Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle | $16.75 |
| Cheese Burger | Choice of cheese | $17.95 |
| Blue Moon | Onion strings, Blue Moon cheese sauce | $19.95 |
| Roadside Burger | Mustard-griddled, American cheese, Ed’s Special Sauce, red onion | $17.95 |
| Route 66 Burger | Sourdough, Monterey Jack, bacon, guacamole | $19.95 |
| Patty Melt | Rye, grilled onions, Ed’s Special Sauce, American cheese | $18.95 |
| BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger | Aged cheddar, bacon, Carolina BBQ sauce | $19.95 |
| Mushroom Burger | Portobello mushrooms, Swiss | $18.95 |
| Atomic Burger | Atomic Mix, pepper jack, spicy mayo, pickled jalapeños | $18.95 |
Handhelds
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Tenders Basket | Fries, choice of sauce; Buffalo-style +2 | $17.95 |
| Sliders | Choose 3: cheeseburger, pulled pork, meatloaf | $17.95 |
Wieners (served with fries or side salad)
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| My Kinda Dog | Poppy seed bun, mustard, relish, onion, pickle, tomato, sport peppers | $13.95 |
| Motown Dog | Chili, onion, mustard, shredded cheddar | $14.65 |
| Bambino Dog | Brown mustard, sauerkraut, griddled onions | $13.60 |
| Plain Hot Dog | — | $11.95 |
| Great Big Wiener | 11-inch dog, any style | $13.95 |
3. Dessert Menu
| Item | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Key Lime Pie | $9.40 | — |
| Brownie | $5.25 | — |
| Brownie Delight | $7.40 | Warm brownie, vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream |
| Ed’s Bread Pudding | $7.40 | Flavors rotate weekly |
| Ice Cream Sandwich | $10.75 | 2 chocolate chip cookies, vanilla ice cream |
| Cupcakes | $5.75 | — |
| World’s Smallest Sundae | $4.95 | Vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, hot fudge |
| Souvenir Glass (add-on) | +$2.50 | Collectible glass for sundaes |
Thick Shakes & Malts
| Flavor | Price |
|---|---|
| Vanilla | $10.45 |
| Chocolate, Strawberry, Banana | $10.95 |
| Oreo, Double Chocolate | $11.95 |
Fountain Creations
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Old Fashioned Floats | Black Cow, Cherry Float, Green River Float, Chocolate Float | $11.45 |
| Ice Cream Sundaes | Hot fudge, chocolate, or strawberry | $12.75 |
| Banana Split | Vanilla ice cream, pineapple, strawberry, hot fudge, bananas | $13.95 |
| Phosphate Soda | Vanilla, chocolate, cherry, or green river | $5.20 |
4. Drinks Menu
| Beverage | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Soft Drink | Pink lemonade, Sierra Mist, Orange Crush, Dr. Pepper, Mug root beer, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi | $3.95 |
| Brewed Hot Coffee | Metropolis Coffee | $3.95 |
| Hot Tea | Earl Grey, Green Tea | $2.95 |
| Milk | Regular, chocolate, or strawberry | $2.95 |
| Juice | Orange, apple, cranberry | $3.95 |
| Iced Tea | — | $3.95 |
| Red Bull | — | $4.50 |
| Hot Chocolate | Locally sourced brew | $3.95 |
5. Kids Menu
Breakfast
| Dish | Price |
|---|---|
| Plain Pancakes | $10.95 |
| Chocolate Chip Pancakes | $10.95 |
| Scrambled Eggs | $10.95 |
Lunch & Dinner
| Dish | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hamburger | Choice of beef, turkey, or Impossible | $10.95 |
| Cheeseburger | Choice of beef, turkey, or Impossible, plus cheese | $10.95 |
| Grilled Cheese | Choice of bread and cheese | $10.95 |
| Chicken Tender Basket | Choice of dipping sauce | $10.95 |
| Hot Dog | Plain, kid-sized | $10.95 |
Kids Drinks
| Beverage | Price |
|---|---|
| Soft Drink | $1.95 |
| Milk | $2.95 |
| Juice | $2.95 |
4 Signature Dishes That Define Ed Debevic’s
- Big Ed Deluxe Burger: A juicy, double-patty burger that lives up to its name.
- Ed Debevic’s Meatloaf: A Chicago comfort-food favorite, served open-face on grilled sourdough.
- Chili Cheese Fries: Crispy fries smothered in chili, cheese, and toppings.
- Thick Milkshakes: Rich, hand-spun shakes in classic flavors like chocolate and strawberry.
Location and Hours
Ed Debevic’s is located at 159 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611, in the Streeterville neighborhood a short walk from Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile. The diner is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., offering dine-in, takeout, and delivery.
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What Guests Are Saying?
Ed Debevic’s holds a 4.7/5 rating on Google, drawing praise for its high-energy atmosphere alongside solid, if occasionally pricey, comfort food.
McKayla Gates-Lloyd (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, April 2025): Called the service “fantastic” and said the atmosphere was a hit with her kids, though she noted the food felt a bit pricey for what it was. Food: 4/5 | Service: 5/5 | Atmosphere: 5/5
Steve Bintley (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, February 2025): Described the “rude staff” theme as fun and unique, and appreciated being able to snag a window booth without a reservation on a quiet weekday morning. Food: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Atmosphere: 5/5
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ed Debevic’s suitable for kids?
Yes. Kids typically enjoy the colorful, high-energy setting just expect some playful sarcasm from the staff as part of the show.
Do I need a reservation?
Reservations aren’t required but are recommended, especially on weekends and during peak dinner hours.
Does Ed Debevic’s offer vegetarian options?
Yes, the menu includes veggie-friendly items like the It’s No Yolk breakfast dish, house salads, and options that can be customized without meat.
Is Ed Debevic’s wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the Streeterville location is wheelchair accessible.
When did Ed Debevic’s open, and is it the original location?
Ed Debevic’s first opened in Chicago’s River North neighborhood in 1984. That original location closed in 2015 and was later demolished. The current restaurant, which opened in October 2021 at 159 E Ohio St in Streeterville, is a relaunch of the same concept under new ownership, not the original building.
Why Ed Debevics Is a Must-Visit in Chicago
For anyone looking for a dining experience that’s as much about entertainment as it is about food, Ed Debevic’s remains one of Chicago’s most distinctive stops. Between the retro decor, playfully rude service, and classic diner menu, it’s a solid pick for tourists, families, and locals looking for a meal worth talking about.
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