Ria's Bluebird

Ria’s Bluebird, by the Oakland Cemetery in Grant Park, feels like a classic diner that was taken over by artsy SCAD students with a thing for colorful mosaics. Ria’s is rightly famous for their buttermilk pancakes, and there’s really nothing that disappoints here. Grab a seat at the counter and get the slow-cooked brisket with poached eggs or, our favorite, the country-fried tempeh, which is covered in a white pepper gravy and sits on a big biscuit with tomato slices. Note that there’s always a wait here on weekends, but friendly staff will offer you coffee while you wait. And out of respect for the interred across the street, please avoid telling the staff that you’re so hungry you could die.