What are your favorite breakfast places in and around the Windy City? This is mine:

Egg Harbour Café
200 N Arlington Heights Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL
847.253.4363
Open 6:30AM to 2:00PM.

(This happens to be the one I frequent. They also have locations in Naperville, Barrington, Wheaton and Northbrook, among others.)

Whenever I'm in Chicago, I try to swing by Egg Harbor for a bite to eat in the morning. Their orange juice tastes freshly squeezed and their entrees are served quickly and with a smile! It's a very comfortable place to sit and have an early meeting without feeling invaded by people around you. It's also a very family-friendly place to eat with large bench boothes and a wide variety of menu items.

Last time I was there, I feasted on their seasonal Pumpkin Pancakes that are deliciously baked with pecans and topped with whip cream and served with cinnamon butter. (Don't tell my doctor!) Well, they definitely try to come up with interesting, unique creations based on breakfast standards, and they rotate a seasonal menu in and out as well. Another thing I like is that they give their patrons the choice to select healthier turkey sausages instead of the fatty pork ones. Similarly, there are many healthy breakfast combos if you are so inclined.

So, that's my favorite. What's yours?

Leo's Lunchroom on Division is legendary.
Clarke's is reliable - they have a few locations throughout the city.
Wishbone is great - especially the downtown location. My new favorite is Toast on Webster and Halstad in Lincoln Park. It's a small, diner-style restaurant with healthy, electic dishes.

Ann Sather's is always a good bet - the one on Belmont has the most character, but the Broadway location is typically more convenient for me. Nookies Tree on Halsted. The Golden Pancake at Clark and Diversey is a good, IHOP-style breakfast place.

yep, Ann Sather
929 W. Belmont Avenue

I too, like the food at Egg Harbor, in a previous life, they used to be an account of mine by purchasing turkey sausage and canadian bacon.

Two other places I've only heard about for good breakfasts are:

Orange
3231 N Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60657
773-549-4400
Chef Dale Levitski creates inventive breakfasts for people who are just plain sick of the same old stuff. Items such as French Toast Kebabs (marinated in coconut milk, baked, then grilled and spiked with pineapples and strawberries) and Frushi (fresh fruit rolled in rice paper, topped with mint leaves or edible flowers) might just be intriguing enough to open those half-closed eyes.

Toast
746 W. Webster St.
Chicago, IL 60614
773-935-5600
Mascarpone-stuffed French Toast and an excellent breakfast burrito


[This message has been edited by Sweet Willie (edited 01-30-2003).]

Ann Sather is always a great bet especially the pancakes with lingonberry sauce. The Belmont location is in a great section near the Red Line stop where there are many other afffordable restaurants that one can discover.

.

Hillary's Urban Eatery or HUE on Division just east of Ashland is one of my favorites. Great food in a great atmosphere. If it is suitable weather, ask to sit outside.

Abe

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The question isn't "what are we going to do," the question is "what aren't we going to do?" - Ferris Bueller

West Egg Cafe (there are a few locations around town) is fast, friendly, and does an excellent job at breakfast basics (big portions, too). I like the french toast with turkey sausage.

The original Walker Brothers Pancake House in Wilmette (I-94 to Lake east to Greenbay south for about a mile) is still a winner. Portion sizes have come down a bit since I was a kid in the early 70s but the quailty is still there.

There are other "Original Pancake Houses" out there, but Walker Brothers is still special.

Let's not forget about Walker Brothers Pancake house. They have several locations in the suburbs. You probably figured out I don't get into the city to eat that much although I work there. They are famous for their apple waffles. Very famous. They also have a store in Glenview but I can't find the address.

WALKER BROS LAKE ZURICH INC
LAKE ZURICH , IL
WALKER BROS ORIGINAL PANCAKE
ARLINGTON HTS , IL
WALKER BROS ORIGINAL PANCAKE
HIGHLAND PARK , IL
WALKER BROTHERS PANCAKE HOUSE
WILMETTE , IL

As ElmhurstNick states the original is in Wilmette and this may be blasphamy, but I can not tell any difference between the various locations.

Wife and I just went to the Walker Bros on Waukegan just north of Lake Ave. Waited about 20 mins around 10AM on a Sunday. I ordered the apple pancakes and the wife ordered the german pancakes. Maybe I am getting old or something but my apple pancakes were too sweet for me and I had to eat them together with pieces of the plain (no powdered sugar by request) german pancakes. As usual, didn't come close to finishing it. Wife didn't come close either, even with me helping. Once again, due to old age maybe, didn't like all the noise and general confusion going around while we ate. The food took about 35 mins so we weren't too happy with that either.

Two mentions of "old age" korea71!!, not good, liven' up yourself.

Sherman Kaplan on WBBM radio gave a rare breakfast review this past weekend. Gave it a 20 out of 20. Victory Banner (may not be Banner, but is Victory "something or another") 2100 W Roscoe. (chicago)

Victory's Banner is an all vegetarian restaurant in roscoe village. although i hear that there are few options for vegans. if you eat here for lunch, do walk across the street to get some sorbet or soy ice cream at mario & gino's, listed above. (note: victory's banner is only open for breakfast and lunch)

2100 w. roscoe st.
chicago, il
773.665.0227

from j3n.net