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Pick Me Up Cafe
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Pick Me Up Cafe
8.4
An Uptown all-day café where breakfast wins on range and comfort—especially if you’re ordering with vegan/vegetarian needs in mind. The room leans eclectic and casual, and the best meals come from a focused order: one sweet plate, one savory plate, and coffee, then stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vegan French toast, Eggs Benedict, Vegan chocolate chip pancakes
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A big, diet-friendly breakfast menu that still lands like comfort food.
Who should go: Vegans, vegetarians, and all-day breakfast people
When to visit: Off-peak brunch for the smoothest pace
What to order: Vegan French toast, eggs Benedict, vegan pancakes
Insider tip: Go sweet + savory—then skip the full sampler spiral.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along Broadway and nearby side streets; availability is inconsistent during peak brunch hours.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable—jeans, sneakers, and relaxed brunch wear are all normal.
Noise level: Moderate—lively during brunch but still workable for conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak brunch hours; shorter waits later in the afternoon.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days, except during late-morning brunch overlap.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—many vegetarian-friendly plates across the menu.
Vegan options: Yes—one of the stronger vegan breakfast selections in the area, including multiple entrée options.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some naturally gluten-free dishes, but no dedicated gluten-free prep.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want something low-pressure. It’s casual, daytime-friendly, and easy to talk in—more coffee-date energy than romantic sit-down.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes. They operate walk-in only; just plan around off-peak times if you want to avoid a brunch wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes—casual setting, flexible menu, and daytime crowd make it workable for kids, though it’s not a play-focused space.
Best For
Better for: Vegan and vegetarian breakfast variety, all-day breakfast flexibility, and comfort food that still accommodates dietary needs.
Skip if: You want a quiet, upscale brunch or a fast in-and-out meal during peak weekend hours.
Pick Me Up Cafe
8.3
An Uptown/Ravenswood all-day café that wins brunch on sheer range—veg-forward plates, indulgent sweets, and comfort classics that still feel coherent. The best brunch here is a focused sweet-and-savory split (one French-toast-style plate, one egg or tofu scramble) so you leave with clear “best bites.”
Must-Try Dishes:
Vegan French toast, Tofu scramble, Eggs Benedict
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A deep brunch menu that’s genuinely vegan-and-omnivore friendly.
Who should go: Mixed-diet brunch groups
When to visit: Off-peak brunch to avoid waits
What to order: Vegan French toast, tofu scramble, eggs Benedict
Insider tip: Split one sweet plate—keep the rest egg-forward.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on nearby Clark and side streets; availability is inconsistent during weekend brunch hours.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable—jeans, sneakers, and everyday brunch wear are standard.
Noise level: Moderate—lively room but still workable for conversation without shouting.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during peak brunch hours without a waitlist strategy
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait outside peak noon hours
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—large portion of the menu is vegetarian by default.
Vegan options: Yes—multiple clearly marked vegan plates and substitutions.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some gluten-free-friendly options, but no dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially for daytime dates—the casual, welcoming vibe removes pressure and the menu gives you easy conversation starters.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there’s no reservation system, but arriving off-peak (early or late brunch) dramatically reduces waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—kids are common during brunch hours, though the menu skews more adult-comfort than kid-specific.
Best For
Better for: Diet-flexible brunch where vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores can all order confidently from the same menu.
Skip if: You want a polished or quiet brunch setting—this is more casual café energy than special-occasion dining.
Pick Me Up Cafe
8.3
A classic all-day cafe that’s quietly one of the most reliable vegan-friendly plays in the area—breakfast, comfort food, and late-night ordering without the “special request” friction. Best results come from picking one vegan breakfast anchor and one shared side, then calling it.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tofu scramble, Vegan French toast, Veggie chili
Scores:
Value: 8.9
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: A true all-day diner that treats vegan options like core menu items.
Who should go: Vegan brunch people and late-night diners
When to visit: Late morning or late night
What to order: Tofu scramble, vegan French toast, veggie chili
Insider tip: If you’re hungry-hungry, add chili—skip stacking multiple heavy mains.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; limited metered spots on nearby avenues and residential parking on side streets. Can be difficult late night and on weekends.
Dress code: Casual—jeans, hoodies, and everyday wear are completely fine.
Noise level: Moderate to lively—easy to talk, but it can get busy and energetic during peak brunch and late-night hours.
Weekend wait: 30–45 minutes during peak brunch-to-dinner crossover; late night is usually faster.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait outside of late-morning brunch hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—many vegetarian options across breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Vegan options: Yes—multiple clearly labeled vegan mains and sides treated as core menu items.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some naturally gluten-free dishes available, but cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, especially for casual daytime or late-night dates. It’s relaxed and unpretentious, which keeps things comfortable rather than formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes. It’s a walk-in-friendly cafe—just expect short waits during peak brunch or late-night rushes.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes during the day, with familiar comfort-food options. Late night skews more adult and social.
Best For
Better for: Reliable vegan comfort food at any hour, especially breakfast-for-dinner and late-night meals without special ordering.
Skip if: You’re looking for a quiet, polished brunch room or a chef-driven vegan menu—this is more classic diner energy than destination dining.
Pick Me Up Cafe
8.4
An all-day Uptown cafe that’s quietly one of the most practical vegetarian plays in the neighborhood—breakfast, diner comfort, and late-night ordering without friction. The best move is one vegetarian anchor (scramble or French toast) plus one side, keeping it satisfying without turning into a menu tour.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tofu scramble, Vegetarian chili, Vegan French toast
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Vegetarian-friendly diner classics that hold up day or night.
Who should go: Vegetarian brunch and late-night people
When to visit: Late morning or late night
What to order: Tofu scramble, vegan French toast, vegetarian chili
Insider tip: If you’re hungry-hungry, add the chili—skip stacking multiple heavy mains.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; can be tight during peak brunch and late-night hours.
Dress code: Very casual—jeans, hoodies, and everyday wear are all normal.
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak hours; conversation is easy off-peak but gets energetic late night.
Weekend wait: 20–40 min during peak brunch-to-dinner overlap; faster late night
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—large vegetarian-friendly menu with breakfast, comfort food, and late-night options.
Vegan options: Yes—multiple clearly workable vegan dishes and easy substitutions.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some naturally gluten-free items, but cross-contamination is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want something low-pressure and casual; it’s better for easy conversation than romance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are the norm. Expect a short wait during weekend brunch, but turnover is steady.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—daytime and early evening work well for kids; late night skews adult and louder.
Best For
Better for: Reliable vegetarian comfort food at any hour without overthinking the menu.
Skip if: You want a quiet, polished brunch or a destination-level vegetarian kitchen.