Since bringing their dream to life in 2021, this Evanston breakfast favorite has become the go-to brunch destination for students, locals, and anyone craving creative Mexican-American breakfast dishes served with genuine warmth.
Founded by husband-and-wife duo Roberto Flores from Mexico City and Zinnia Iglesias from Belize, Ovo Frito Café translates their passion for hospitality and authentic flavors into a vibrant dining experience that feels like visiting family.
The café’s colorful, cheerful interior features chamomile yellow and sun-kissed orange walls adorned with whimsical egg-themed paintings, creating an atmosphere that’s as inviting as the food itself. 🍳
How Ovo Frito Cafe won Evanston’s hearts
Ovo Frito captured Evanston’s heart by bringing a delightful blend of Mexican and American breakfast traditions to a community hungry for creative, flavorful options beyond typical diner fare.
Their extensive menu offers something for absolutely everyone, from traditional eggs and omelets to innovative Mexican-inspired specialties like chilaquiles, huevos divorciados, and breakfast tortas that introduce diners to exciting new flavor combinations.
Beyond the incredible food, Ovo Frito’s vibrant, bright atmosphere with colorful artwork and both indoor and outdoor seating options makes it feel like a cheerful escape from everyday routine.
The café’s strategic location on Maple Avenue, combined with their accommodating approach to dietary preferences—offering vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options—ensures that everyone in your group can find something delicious to enjoy.
Their reasonable pricing, despite serving generous portions of restaurant-quality brunch, means you’re getting exceptional value alongside those flavor-packed dishes that keep Northwestern students and residents coming back weekend after weekend.
Food Highlights
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Viva La France French Toast: This showstopper layers strawberry banana French toast with vanilla pastry cream, tops it with roasted pecans and caramel sauce, then dusts everything with powdered sugar. 🥞
- Breakfast Burrito: Packed with two eggs, chorizo, roasted poblano pepper, corn, guacamole, Chihuahua cheese, adobo sauce, and sour cream wrapped in your choice of spinach or regular flour tortilla.
- Roberto’s French Toast Sandwich: A truly unique creation featuring brioche French toast layered with pork sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, provolone cheese, and arugula. 🥓
- Zinnia’s Spicy Chilaquiles: Traditional Mexican comfort food featuring two eggs any style with tortilla chips, choice of salsa verde or roja, Pepper Jack cheese, cotija cheese, and sour cream served with rice and beans. 🌶️
- Derek’s Favorite Eggs: Two eggs served over chorizo, potato hash, jalapeños, red pepper, and topped with chihuahua cheese, chipotle ketchup, sour cream, and guacamole—this spicy, hearty dish delivers bold Mexican flavors.
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Hay Mama Estos Huevos: Eggs scrambled with crushed tortilla chips, chorizo, jalapeños, Chihuahua cheese, sour cream, and salsa roja deliver authentic Mexican breakfast flavors with just the right amount of heat and crunch. 🔥
- O’Mamas Chicken ‘n Waffles: A waffle topped with Ovo’s chicken chunks, cajun seasoning, and bacon marmalade, garnished with green onions—a Southern-inspired favorite.
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Easiest Belgian Waffles: A waffle topped with strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries, drizzled with Hershey chocolate syrup, dusted with sugar and chocolate powder.
- Smoked Salmon Scramble: Eggs scrambled with smoked salmon, chives, and cream cheese create an elegant, protein-rich option.
Atmosphere
The café exudes a bright, cheerful vibe that feels like stepping into an egg yolk—chamomile yellow and sun-kissed orange walls create an instantly uplifting environment. 🌞
Whimsical artwork featuring eggs dangling from tree branches like Christmas ornaments and other playful egg-themed paintings add character and conversation starters throughout the space.
Both indoor and outdoor seating options accommodate different preferences, though the cozy interior can get bustling during peak weekend brunch hours when students and locals pack the place.
Bottom Line
Visit Ovo Frito Café for creative Mexican-American breakfast dishes that burst with authentic flavors, generous portions at reasonable prices that deliver outstanding value, a vibrant, cheerful atmosphere with whimsical artwork that brightens your morning, and accommodating menu options for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets. ☕
Address:
1936 Maple Ave, Evanston, IL 60201
📞 (847) 859-6966
🕔 Open Daily, 7 AM–2 PM