Sloppy Genes Cafe - Sterling, Illinois

John G.

If your looking for a quaint little spot to start your day off right I would recommend this place. It's small but cozy. You get to watch them cook your food which is cool. The customer service is excellent. I haven't had their lunch but their breakfast is really good. Wish they had a TV so I could catch up on the news without staring at my phone though lol. Give this place a chance like I did and you might just find your new favorite spot for breakfast

Kasey K.

Went in for lunch to enjoy a loose meat sandwich ("Gene Rite") fit the first time in my life. It was great! Not greasy at all, it was perfectly seasoned with mustard, picked, and onions on it. My wife and SIL got fries with cheese sauce and chili, the fries were thin and crispy. Service was friendly and price was right. So good, I actually ordered another Gene Rite with bacon and cheese! Very happy we stopped by on the way from IA to through IL!

Joe K.

This place is a local landmark in my community. All I can tell you is everything is good. On this day I had a new off the menu sausage skillet with fresh crisp vegetables.. It was amazing! My wife went with the original gene rite with cheese and French fries.. This place never seems to disappoint.. And the 2 girls that run it are just fabulous!! Thank you sloppy genes for You're hospitality and you're feeding us such a great meal.... We will see you soon...😜😛😋😉
Joe/toby

Shannon M.

I went to this cozy diner Sloppy Gene’s for the first time today. I had their homemade bean soup and grilled cheese. Made with care and with delicious ingredients. I’ll be back.

Rowland G.

Sloppy genes is one of the best hole in the wall restaurants in the area. However after today I’m not going back. I had one of the rudest customer service experiences today. Myself and 2 friends came in today with drinks from the local AirPlay next door. Instead of asking us to put them away, the waitress looked at us and said “haven’t you ever been to a restaurant before” and “why do you think you can have drinks in here”. And then told us we had to get takeout only and couldn’t eat inside. I totally understand no drinks but she went on a rampage and didn’t even let us say anything. The food was really good.

Markie M.

I've been going to this little diner literally my entire life. It used to be a Maid-Rite back in the day, but they renamed it 20ish years ago and it's now Sloppy Gene's. It is the very definition of one of those "hole in the wall" restaurants that people always like to talk about how they "discovered" on a trip somewhere.

They have quite a varied menu and they still have the famed "Maid-Rite" loose meat sandwich, they just call it a "Gene-Rite." Most of it wouldn't be considered health food I'm sure lol. My close friends and I lovingly refer to it as "the greasy spoon." Although Im sure you COULD find a salad or something, if you really HAD to...? But I've never had anything bad from there and the staff is engaging, pleasant, and kind. Or at least I've never seen them be anything but that.

The restaurant itself is a little dated inside, but it's clean and well taken care of. All of the food prep areas are clearly well kept and are right in front of you to see.

If you like that classic American Diner type vibe, this is you stop.

Jana H.

Not very friendly
The food alright
I went to take my sister to Gene's for breakfast n she is alogic to eggs
Asked if they have egg white
N no they don't
Disappointed
A little high compare to other places around town

Martin S.

An Old maid Right style diner.
Been around since the 40s at least.
It's age is part of its appeal.
Food Is always good, nothing fancy.
Loose meat sandwiches fries.
Basic breakfast, omelettes are the fanciest they get.
Eating at the counter is a good way to engage in conversation with others..