I'm not in Chicago, and haven't been in a long, long while. But back in the day, whenever I was out there, I'd make the pilgrimage way out to the burbs to have breakfast at Le Peep Cafe.

Maria's Mexican Restaurant in Rosemont was also good.

If flying out of O'Hare, consider giving some love to Stefani's Tuscany Café in Terminal B: they once mailed me my purse, bless them. Second-day air, no less, which cost more than the coffee I got there.