Although breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you don't always have to eat it in the morning. You can have breakfast, brunch, breakfast-lunch, or even an early brinner (breakfast for dinner ~my fav~).

Moving to Chicago meant that I was going to be able to try a lot of new things, and one of the things on my list was trying some of the best restaurants that the city had to offer. I was thrilled when I stumbled across Yolk, which is arguably one of the best breakfast restaurants in Chicago.

I'm a huge breakfast fan, so I knew Yolk Chicago would rank high on my list. Although it was founded in 2006, Yolk has quickly become well known for their wide array of breakfast options. Within the city, Yolk has multiple locations: Lakeview, Streeterville, River North, South Loop, and West Loop. Because it's located throughout the city, the food is available to all Chicagoans, always right there when you need it. Bonus: it’s super affordable!

If you don't live in Chicago, all hope is not lost! Yolk also has locations in Texas, Indiana, and Florida. Search for a location near you here.

The casual atmosphere helps to make it a perfect place for family and friends to gather for a great time, and the menu offers more breakfast options than you knew existed. Bonus #2: Yolk Chicago has breakfast delivery if you’d rather order in. And there is nothing more convenient than having breakfast in bed!

Yolk is all about eggs, obviously. You can get them scrambled, fried, sunny side up, over hard, over easy, or even served as a benedict. Sidebar: does anyone actually know what benedict means? I just know what it tastes like… Anyway, to accompany your yolks the way you like them, the sides that are offered really work to enhance your dining experience. With your choice of toast, english muffin, or bagel, you can dip, dunk, dive, and dodge your yolk anyway you’d like… wait that’s not right. Oh well, you know what I meant.

One of my favorite meals that Yolk has is the Yolk All Star Combo, which offers: 2 eggs cooked your way, lemme get that scrambled with extra cheddar cheese, two pieces of bacon and two links of sausage. This special also includes your choice of two pancakes, two crepes, two pieces of french toast, or a half of a waffle.

I seem to always choose pancakes because they're a long time favorite of mine. But sometimes I’m feeling feisty and will switch it up and get the waffles, because they're super light and fluffy. You have to admit, that's a lot of food in one sitting, but about $11, you can't beat such a large serving of breakfast foods.

Yolk offers indoor dining as well as dining on the patio, which is perfect lighting for brunch Instagrams (very important because #phoneeatsfirst). They're pet friendly so I can take my dog with me and we can both enjoy breakfast on the patio. My dog is a breakfast lover as well, and scrambled eggs with cheese is one of her favorites, just like her dad. It's nice to be able to sit on the patio when the weather is warm and sunny and enjoy a good breakfast anytime of the day.

Some days I try to stay away from having a heavy breakfast, so luckily Yolk has some great items on their menu to meet my needs. They offer their own in house made yogurt that is smooth and creamy. The Yolk Berry Bliss is a greek yogurt made with almond granola, clover honey, and fresh berries. This refreshing concoction is served with a fresh muffin and is great when you want a light breakfast.

I've had the South Beach as well, which is Greek yogurt served in half of a pineapple with almond granola, fresh juicy berries, and crunchy walnuts. Vegetarians can choose potato pancakes that are crisply prepared and served with applesauce, which is my roomie's favorite. Having so many interesting menu options is one reason why Yolk has solidified it's spot as a contender for best breakfast in Chicago.

I'm not a huge fan of eggs Benedict, but my mother is, and she claimed Yolk’s was easily one of the best in Chicago. When we visited to Yolk, she loved the Pot Roast Benedict the most: it's served on an english muffin with house made hollandaise sauce, juicy pot roast, and poached eggs. She almost went with the “South of the Border”  instead, but apparently wasn’t ready for a fiesta in her mouth. Albeit, the combination of chorizo and cilantro with your typical eggs Benedict is sure to satisfy anyone.

On several occasions, I’ve also tried the skillets they offer, which was way more than I could eat, but everything was really good. With the skillet dish, I was able to get two eggs anyway I wanted them along with red potatoes, bacon, ham, sausage, onion, and green pepper. Not to mention it's all topped with a layer of cheddar jack cheese. Sausage gravy comes on the side, making it a meal that is sure to please anyone with a hearty appetite.

When we had our first out of town guests we decided to treat them to (you guessed it) our new favorite breakfast restaurant, Yolk. My brother-in-law ordered the five egg omelet, called The Works, and it was awesome! It was cooked with bacon, sausage, ham, mushroom, tomato, and covered in cheddar jack cheese. He considers himself an omelet professional and said that it was wonderful.

My sister ordered the Red Velvet French Toast, which looked amazing. It had cream cheese swirled in it, and it was topped with strawberries and whipped cream! She gave us all a taste and I know what I’ll be ordering the next time I go. I tried the Bacon Waffles that day and they were good, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t regret not getting the Red Velvet French Toast . My crispy waffles had a load of crumbled bacon inside them and they came with two eggs. We all vowed that this would be our new breakfast spot every time that they come to visit.

The menu at Yolk also offers great lunch options. They have several burgers (the Char Broiled Burger, Turkey Burger, and the Garden Burger), sandwiches (Tuna Meltdown, Patty Melt, Pot Roast, and even the Corned Beef and Turkey Reuben), and more! You'll easily find something on their menu that’ll make your mouth water. You can't beat the prices on the menu either. You easily fill up on a meal for two for under $40.

Another great part about Yolk is their fresh squeezed juices. I find myself stopping in here and there to get myself a fresh squeezed Raspberry Lemonade. Their Cappuccinos and Lattes are surprisingly good as well, so don’t shy away from them even if you’re a coffee snob. I have always found that the staff is kind, courteous, and go out of their way to make sure you have a great experience; even if you’re only stopping in quickly.

When I'm in a breakfast mood Yolk is always my first pick. I know I'm going to get good service, good food, plenty to eat, and at a price that I am always happy with. Next time you’re look for breakfast near you (or breakfast delivery) give Yolk a try!

With great prices and such a wide selection of breakfast foods, its one of the best chain breakfast restaurant options around.

Written by: Robert Burns

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Author Bio: Robert is a long-time FoodBoss contributor.  An adventurous eater with an eagerness to try any and all culinary styles, his favorite dishes include Coconut Curried Shrimp and Cioppino.