First Stop

Lou Mitchell's 1-Chicago, IL, originally uploaded by William 74.

Founded in 1923, Lou Mitchell's Restaurant is a Chicago institution-I may even go so far as to say a national institution. Located on Jackson Boulevard, it's popular with commuters because it's close to Union Station. It's also very near the start of Route 66, and was frequented by travelers starting their journey from Chicago's lakefront-Lou's was sometimes called "the first stop on the Mother Road", and in the early days it probably was the very first restaurant on the road.

Back in the day I went to school near here, and used to stop in at Lou Mitchell's whenever I had the chance. It's always busy in the mornings, and they still give out donut holes to people waiting in line. It's totally worth it.