Discover the delights of Benedict’s La Strata, a beloved destination in the heart of Historic Downtown Crystal Lake. As a full-service breakfast, brunch, and lunch restaurant, we offer an inviting atmosphere to enjoy our traditional gourmet creations. From classic brunch favorites to innovative lunch specials, our menu is crafted to satisfy every palate. Step onto our scenic outdoor heated patio, perfect for any season, and experience a charming escape. We also provide professional catering and convenient delivery services to bring our delicious fare to you.
Casual local eatery/bar for breakfast & Italian-American fare amid rooster-themed decor.
Parker Nelson
Overall, I had a really enjoyable visit. The breakfast tacos were full of flavor and absolutely worth ordering. I would suggest getting them with a double tortilla to keep everything together, which would make them even better. The experience was relaxed and comfortable, and the food definitely stood out. One small tip would be to skip the tap water and go for another drink option. Despite a few minor things, I would still happily come back and recommend this place for a tasty breakfast and a pleasant atmosphere.
… moreSLP
One of my sister’s coworker dropped by and after some time catching up, we decided to go out to grab a bite here. Unfortunately it was too late to order beignets, so we had moved onto the other items on the menu. I opted for the updated version of the tuna melt…. Instead it was chicken salad, which surprisingly was tasty and moist. Of course I was forced to sample everyone else’s food and the chicken pot pie was creamy and savory. It was topped by a flaky buttery pastry that melted in my mouth. I only sampled the sauce for the BBQ burger and it was delicious. Lastly the French toast with cherries was a great surprise. Maria was our server and was prompt and professional. Great food experience!
… moreKelly K
First time visiting after hearing rave reviews, we decided to have a celebratory brunch after my daughter’s graduation. It had to be something different but not necessarily expensive just quality. Boy! Did Benedict’s La Strata deliver… % absolutely! It was almost too hard to decide on what to order because everything sounded different and delicious . So everyone had to agree to share at least 1 bite of their dish LOL! I had the pear pomegranate French toast which was as good as it sounds! It was sweet and the pears tasted like they were slow cooked in just a little bit of cinnamon…OMG..Yes please! My daughter had the lemon zest pancakes. That was a fight combo of sweet raspberry and sour lemon to create this one of a kind flavor explosion!
… moreJoe Weisman
WOW! Benedicts La Strata is a true Crystal Lake gem. We came in this morning and were absolutely blown away. The atmosphere is warm, the service is fast and friendly, and the food is next level. I ordered the Red Rooster Skillet and it was spectacular—the mix of sweet potatoes, jalapeños, and avocado was pure perfection! My husband loved his Biscuits and Gravy, and the lattes were excellent (we needed a few!). It’s easy to see why this spot is so popular. We’re adding this to our list of local favorites and will definitely be back. Highly recommend checking them out!
… moreMcKayla Agolli
Benedict’s never disappoints! Besides their undeniably delicious food, their waitstaff are simply the best. If you get there early you HAVE to order some beignets. They are incredible. Menu is super allergen friendly and they are really great about substituting ingredients if needed. One of the best brunch spots in McHenry County!
… moreGianna Iovino
I wanna like this place so bad. I’ve been here three times and unfortunately, I have been disappointed every single time. First, I got the grilled cheese Benedict, the Benedict with the fillets and this time I got the chicken pot pie. When the pie came out eight minutes after I ordered, I knew it was gonna be a problem. It looked beautiful, but the bread on top was a hard Croissant like thing… The inside of the chicken pot pie was OK. Some of the chicken was good, other pieces were a lil tough like cooked too long. I would say 3/4 of the items inside of the pot pie was potatoes. Maybe a total of eight peas, little to no carrots or celery. It was overall just really disappointing.
The server also didn’t even tell me her name. She was nice but gave no recommendations.
… moreSteve E
The food was great! It was served quickly and was hot. The proportions were the right size.
Our server was very polite, friendly, and was very attentive to all her tables. She really made us feel welcome. She even offered coffees to go. She alone made a big positive difference in our visit.
The atmosphere was pleasant as well. The acoustics and lightning were perfect.
We will visit again.
… moreBrandon Barneveld
Got classic Benedict, hearts of Benedict, and lemon zest pancakes. Everything was delicious and service was great! Server was Jessica and she was friendly and kind!
… moreElanor Smith
Delicious food. Was happy to get seating on a Sunday lunchtime. Their outdoor area is covered and has heaters, so was very pleasant to sit in. I was skeptical about turkey breakfast sausage in the biscuits and gravy but it was perfect. No French fries here but the homestyle potatoes were perfectly fried and crispy. The menu is large without being overwhelming. I’d definitely like to come back with friends and try some more dishes. Currently if you pay cash they provide a 3% discount.
… moreKathleen Turner
I go to Benedict’s every week and have for years! There are other friends who also meet me there. I absolutely love this place!! Tom, the manager, couldn’t be more friendly or accommodating as are the wait staff and others-Whitney, Maria, Jessie, Erick, Karina, and Miguel. We are greeted so warmly! The food is wonderful and I try the monthly specials. If there is ever a problem, they take care of it. I like to support Crystal Lake businesses and this is a favorite! It’s a family away from home!
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