Ina Pinkney
All Stories

City Mouse, Dollop Diner and Cupitol exceling in breakfast game
When I began this column in June of 2015, I was very disheartened about the breakfast food I was being served. I'm overjoyed to tell you that has changed and...

2 of Chicago’s best breakfast sandwiches, plus more finds
I'm so happy to experience the new levels of excellence that chefs are bringing to their breakfast service. While Ina's set a new, higher standard in 1991 and redefined what...

Breakfast With Ina finds killer bread, croissants, quiche and more
My lucky streak continues! People who care about what they make and what we eat are making life so much better for all of us. In keeping with the trend...

Coffee shops that make breakfast a joy in Chicago
I admit it. Writing about weekday breakfast can be trying. When I began this column three years ago next month, sometimes it was really hard to find delicious and interesting...

Breakfast With Ina: 3 hotels that serve excellent breakfast
The three hotel restaurants I reviewed in my November 2015 column, Ms. Ricky's in the Virgin Hotel, the now-closed Perennial Virant in the Lincoln Hotel and Dolce Italian in the...

What’s for breakfast: Flaky empanadas, great carnitas sandwiches and more
It seems to have been a tough winter as far as restaurants are concerned. Despite the balmy weather in February, seats are empty, labor is difficult to find and people...

Truffle grilled cheese before noon? 3 discoveries for breakfast
I admit it. Some months it's a struggle to find breakfast places to recommend. I have had my share of bad food and service. This month I feel as though...

Where to breakfast this weekend: 5 Loaves Eatery, Yellow Rose, Beverly Bakery
Hospitality has two dimensions. When it's there, you feel it before you know it, and when it's missing, even the best meal falls flat. It's an unspoken exchange between owners...

17 best things the Breakfast Queen ate this year
I really do have to smile when I look over the last 11 months of columns I've written and add up all the dishes I've eaten and shared. (Shhh. This...

Breakfast Queen visits 3 restaurants with staying power
It's worth repeating that while I have great respect for new and innovative, I have even more respect for tradition and consistency. And when I find places that are new,...
