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Welcome to To Be Served

About To Be Served

When you are craving satisfying comfort food on Chicago’s South Side, To Be Served offers a welcoming dining experience at 1950 W 87th St. This neighborhood restaurant blends classic American favorites with the rich, familiar flavors of soul food, making it a convenient choice for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a casual meal with family and friends.

From the moment you walk inside, you can expect a warm, relaxed atmosphere that feels more like a local gathering place than a formal restaurant. The menu is broad enough to suit different appetites, whether you want a hearty breakfast, a quick sandwich, crispy chicken wings, or a filling homestyle dinner. Portions are generally generous, so you are unlikely to leave hungry.

If you visit in the morning, the pancakes are an excellent place to start. You can enjoy a fluffy stack with syrup for a classic comfort-food breakfast, while a freshly prepared bagel provides a simpler option when you want something lighter or faster. Arriving earlier may help you avoid the busier periods, especially on weekends when breakfast restaurants in the area tend to attract more local diners.

For lunch, you should consider one of the restaurant’s made-to-order sandwiches. Carefully assembled and served with plenty of flavor, they are ideal when you want a familiar meal that still feels freshly prepared. The fish dishes are also worth exploring, particularly if you prefer a savory seafood option instead of heavier meat-based comfort food.

The chicken wings are one of the standout menu choices at To Be Served. You get crisp, seasoned skin on the outside and tender, juicy meat inside, creating the balance that wing lovers look for. They work well as a main meal, a shared appetizer, or part of a larger order for a group. Pairing the wings with traditional sides can give you the full soul food experience.

To Be Served also provides catering services for birthdays, office lunches, family gatherings, community events, and other occasions. This can be especially useful when you need crowd-pleasing Chicago comfort food without preparing everything yourself. Contacting the restaurant in advance is recommended so you can confirm menu availability, portion sizes, pickup details, and ordering deadlines.

Whether you are a Chicago local or visiting the neighborhood, To Be Served is a dependable option when you want flavorful soul food, American breakfast favorites, generous portions, and friendly neighborhood hospitality. For your first visit, try the pancakes, chicken wings, fish, or a grilled sandwich to sample some of the restaurant’s most appealing comfort-food offerings.

Features & Amenities

From The Business

  • Identifies as Black-owned
  • Identifies as women-owned

Service Options

  • Delivery
  • Onsite services
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in

Highlights

  • Fast service
  • Serves local specialty

Popular For

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Wheelchair accessible restroom
  • Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings

  • Coffee
  • Comfort food
  • Quick bite

Dining Options

  • Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Catering
  • Counter service
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service

Amenities

  • Gender-neutral restroom
  • Restroom
  • Wi-Fi

Atmosphere

  • Casual
  • Cozy

Crowd

  • Family-friendly
  • LGBTQ+ friendly
  • Transgender safespace

Planning

  • Accepts reservations

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Children

  • Good for kids
  • High chairs
  • Kids' menu

Parking

  • Free parking lot

Reviews

Average Rating
3.5/5
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 — Maria Clayton
What a beautiful afternoon to be served! The moment I walked in the atmosphere was beautiful! This is a family restaurant and the food is delicious!! Cook to order FRESH so if you don’t like waiting for fresh food do not come here and throw the vibe off . I absolutely love this place for it to be my first time I’m definitely going to be back. The owner is so sweet her daughter is the server and she listens & gets the order correctly. 10/10 . Come check them out
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 — Ayo LaDuchesse
Highly Recommend! To Be Served Restaurant is an absolute gem in the community! From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with warmth, great energy, and genuine hospitality. The food is freshly prepared, seasoned to perfection, and full of love, you can truly taste the passion behind every dish. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, perfect for families, date nights, or just treating yourself to something special. The staff goes above and beyond to make sure you feel at home. It’s also inspiring to see a Black-owned business setting such a high standard for quality and service, a true example of excellence! If you haven’t been yet, do yourself a favor and stop by. You’ll leave full, happy, and already planning your next visit!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 — Hermione Ware
I LOVED THIS PLACE!!! It's so cozy. The wait staff were friendly and knew the menu. My food came out hot and fresh! The catfish fillet, Devine! It came out fried hard 🙌🏾 and it was piping hot until the last bite. I wish I ordered the large shrimp and grits instead of the small. It was so delicious!! Cooked to perfection. The biscuit was warm and flaky.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 — Anica F
Went for breakfast during the week. You can order food to go or sit and dine. The young lady who was the waitress was nice and able to recommend food. The place is small but cute. The salmon corquettes were not nasty just different. They use a curry seasoning that I wasn't expecting. The chicken and waffles were delicious. It definitely taste better than it looked.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 — Arlena Vaughn-Smith
Found a gem in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood, To be served. Took my husband for his birthday. Food was really good, cooked to order (so expect a wait). Prices are good. Check them out. They owner and family makes you feel right at home!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 — Aja Thiam
Such a cool n very nicely decorated environment took the family to brunch on a Sunday my kids usually are very picky eaters and I was surprised to see they finish their whole plate I had the salmon croquettes and chickenn waffles. Everything was delicious 😋 ah also the homemade juices 🥤 love them as well. Hat off to the chef well done 👍🏾
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 — Lynnetta Thomas
I loved every second of my experience here. I met the owner and a local radio celebrity stopped by. It's a small quaint environment. The food was good and the mimosa flight, amazing. I will definitely be back.

Give Us Your Honest Feedback

Opening Hours

  • Monday: 7 AM–3 PM
  • Tuesday: 7 AM–3 PM
  • Wednesday: Closed
  • Thursday: 7 AM–3 PM
  • Friday: 7 AM–3 PM
  • Saturday: 7 AM–3 PM
  • Sunday: 7 AM–3 PM