About This Spot

Stepping into Sher-Main Grill feels like slipping into a cherished chapter of Evanston’s neighborhood story—a friendly, unpretentious diner where the day unfolds at its own comfortable rhythm. The hum of quiet conversation, the clatter of dishes, and the steady aroma of fresh coffee and grilled fare create a sense of familiarity, as if you’ve just settled into a spot that’s been quietly nurturing locals for years.

This unhurried space is a haven for anyone seeking a simple, honest meal away from the rush. The booths and counters—some snug by the windows, others roomy towards the back—invite you to stay awhile, whether you're catching up over breakfast or settling in for a hearty lunch break. The atmosphere strikes a balance between relaxed and welcoming, gently punctuated by the attentive buzz of a team that knows their regulars but greets newcomers with equal warmth.

Here, breakfast isn’t just a meal; it’s a ritual of familiar comforts and little surprises. You’ll find plates thoughtfully prepared right as you arrive—eggs cooked to order, skillet-grilled chicken, and omelettes rich with simple, thoughtfully paired ingredients. Sweet finishes like pecan rolls, perhaps enjoyed with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, offer a nostalgic nod to the kind of American diner treats that invite a moment of indulgence without pretense.

Lunch shifts with ease into satisfying sandwiches and plates that speak to a legacy of home-style cooking. Whether you’re drawn to the classic Reuben or a well-loved patty melt, you can expect thoughtful flavors and generous portions paired with crisp fries and cool iced tea. It’s the kind of kitchen where requests—like an off-menu grilled ham and cheese with onions—are met with ease, a quiet promise that the experience here is tailored to feel just right.

The true charm of Sher-Main Grill is in its honest steadiness. It’s a place where the pace slows down a little, and the focus is on fresh, comforting food served with a genuine spirit of hospitality. For anyone looking to soak up a bit of Evanston’s local flavor, it offers a chance to come as you are, settle in, and enjoy a meal made with care, surrounded by the hum of everyday life.

What’s Available Here

  • IconTakeaway
  • IconDine-in
  • IconDelivery
  • IconServes local specialty
  • IconBreakfast
  • IconLunch
  • IconSolo dining
  • IconWheelchair-accessible entrance
  • IconWheelchair-accessible seating
  • IconCoffee
  • IconComfort food
  • IconQuick bite
  • IconBreakfast
  • IconBrunch
  • IconLunch
  • IconDinner
  • IconDessert
  • IconSeating
  • IconTable service
  • IconToilet
  • IconCasual
  • IconCosy
  • IconAccepts reservations
  • IconCash only
  • IconGood for kids
  • IconHigh chairs
  • IconFree of charge street parking

Location & Hours

Monday 07:30 AM - 04:00 PM
Tuesday 07:30 AM - 04:00 PM
Wednesday 07:30 AM - 04:00 PM
Thursday 07:30 AM - 04:00 PM
Friday 07:30 AM - 04:00 PM
Saturday 07:30 AM - 04:00 PM
Sunday 07:30 AM - 01:00 PM

Guest Reviews

Colin 07 Dec 2025

The food was on point ! It's definitely a "old skool" diner true to form! Seats by the windows r Hella tight so if ur a @big back" I suggest U find a bigger booth in the middle or back of the joint! I had the 2 eggs w/ cheese, hashbrowns, & turkey sausage wit the wheat toast while my lady had the 2 sunny side up eggs, ham,hashbrowns, & wheat toast! The food was made to order like they said & it was prepared lighting quick? SUPER QUICK!! Surprisingly the food was FIRE Mario our waiter, which he could've been the boss...., idk. But he stood on business & made sure we were accomidated nicely!! Bill was reasonable,$22 for 2 ppl! We'll definitely b back‼

rawand faeq 14 Nov 2025

When you think homey american diner ran by a lovely family/group of friends, this is the place for you to go. The food is incredibley simple, yet freshly prepped and with good prices and absolutely delicious. Must go if you're around Evanston or Rogers park.

Jurgen Bastian 27 Oct 2025

tasty food, super fast and very friendly service and atmosphere, also inexpensive, if I lived in the area you would find me there often, very cozy

Jango IG88 22 Oct 2025

Go back to the wonderful days of yesteryear and you will find a simple clean, aroma filled with delicious meats chicken eggs and diary products. Each order is made fresh right in front of the dining room. Breakfast is bountiful with a wide variety of hearty items and lighter selections, fresh fruit cereal and toast. Lunch is very satisfying with some of the finest hamburgers and hot sandwiches. I love their French fries. Every age group can find a meal that is old fashioned with very reasonable prices. People come here in the morning to meet catch up on current events and consume a homemade feast. Attend!!!!

Patrick Donnell 16 Oct 2025

An underlooked delight in Evanston. Nothing fancy, just good diner food. Omelettes are excellent, especially the Sher-Main. The grilled ham and cheese sandwich with grilled onions sandwich is not on the menu but they don't bat an eye when I request it. The ham is terrific. It's casual, relaxed, and low key. Service is great. Friendly.

Debora Gonzalez 13 Oct 2025

The food is amazing and the place is very chilled. It fits one of those movie style old school type of diners. The food is amazing and the prices are sooo cheap compared to other places. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a hidden gem to try out. I always venture out and try new places so I know a good place when I’ve been in it. NOTE: CASH ONLY. Make sure you take cash, they don’t accept cards. Other than that, it’s clean and yummy.

Ronan Helvey 09 Oct 2025

This is one of the most old school straight forward diners I have ever been to. The service is fast, the atmosphere is nostalgic and familiar, the food is classic and delicious. As soon as I read cash only in the window I know I'm about to have a great experience. One of my favorite parts was seeing pictures of this man sleeping at this booth and then the man began to sleep in the booth. If you are looking for delicious diner food that primarily serves local regulars well, i highly highly recommend.

Betsy Van Die 23 Sep 2025

Many, many moons ago, I used to visit Evanston with some frequency, and especially Main Street. I loved Goods, Toys Et Cetera, Vogue Fabrics (moved to Hartrey), and Dave’s Rock Shop (which is blessedly still going strong since 1970). The older I get, the more nostalgic I become for old-school, authentic businesses like Sher-Main. So many places I loved in Evanston are no longer – Tom Thumb moved from Davis Street to a dingy, somewhat depressing warehouse in an industrial area in Niles. Betty’s of Winnetka is long defunct, as is the Tokyo Shop, Protex, Walter Burt Adams, and many other places from my youth. It is fitting that this old-school diner is on Main Street. It could very well be on any Main Street across the USA. But I am thinking a dusty old town where time stood still, not a decidedly progressive, upscale, ever-evolving, but always hip town like Evanston. This place brought back memories of the Lincolnwood Coffee Grill and Fountain Shop and funky, old school diners I went to during my art school years in Providence, Rhode Island. It is getting harder and harder to find places like this and actually impossible in my second city, NYC – at least in Manhattan. We opened the door and were greeted with, we only take cash. This was already obvious from all of the signs and the article I read on the Evanston Round Table. “Since its inception in 1959 the restaurant has been cash only, as no fewer than four large signs on the window and door proclaim.” We tried sitting in one of the decrepit old booths that have seen better days in the front. We’re very petite, so I think only a child could comfortably slide into one of these booths. The proverbial sleeping man mentioned in another review awoke quickly from his catnap – the cook and maybe owner, I presume. Everything here is old school – from the classic stools and booths to the quaint, laminated menus. We both ordered the deluxe hamburger and the fries were cooked to perfection. We mentioned we like them crispy and they actually listened! The server was a very sweet and friendly woman who knew all the regulars by their names. The only thing that wasn’t old school here was the surprisingly clean bathroom. If I lived in Evanston, I would definitely be a regular patron of this charming diner.

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