Carys Family Restaurant Review – Cary, IL

“No, we’re out,” said Adele firmly. I protested, and she replied “we had five servings left and I sold them all this morning. Won’t be more until the delivery truck comes.” “I’ll wait.” OK, I didn’t say that, and noticing the disappointment on my face that I wasn’t going to get to have Chicken Fried… Continue reading Carys Family Restaurant Review – Cary, IL

Sugar Bowl Review, Des Plaines, IL

The Sugar Bowl has been an integral part of downtown Des Plaines since 1921. It has, over the years, been a sweet shop, candy store, ice cream parlor and restaurant. Today it’s heavily into the restaurant biz. Have seen this place many times when I’ve been zipping by on the train and had a hankering… Continue reading Sugar Bowl Review, Des Plaines, IL

Pub 72 Review, Gilberts, IL

I’ve been on a mission to have weekend breakfasts at rural locations in Illinois, and today we hit the Pub 72 Bar & Grill in Gilberts, IL. The “72” is after the number of the highway, and if memory serves me, is a rather new name. Not sure if the change also represented a change… Continue reading Pub 72 Review, Gilberts, IL

Big Skillet Review – Elgin, IL

Another suburban Chicago breakfast, this one in the town of Elgin, far west of the city straddling the Fox River.  The 8th largest city in Illinois, it was founded as a dairy center (there was a Borden factory) and home to the Elgin Watch Company, maker of timepieces big and small.  It was the largest… Continue reading Big Skillet Review – Elgin, IL

Cafe Olympic Review – Crystal Lake, IL

As in any major metropolitan area, one has a multitude of breakfast choices in Chicago and its environs. An awful lot of the eateries are owned, or were started by Greeks, so it’s not unusual to see a co-mingling of Greek and American cuisines, regardless of the time of day. To wit: “scrambled eggs with… Continue reading Cafe Olympic Review – Crystal Lake, IL

Red Apple Pancake House Palatine Review

Back in the Chicago burbs to see a client, usually disagreeable in January (the weather, not the client), but it’s 45 today. I wanted breakfast and headed for one of my usual haunts, the Palatine Inn, but drove by Red Apple Pancakes and decided to give that a whirl. Glad I did. Deceptively small from… Continue reading Red Apple Pancake House Palatine Review

Huntley, IL – Papa G’s Diner

(Originally published July 2013)  Second visit in a few months. You’re unlikely to just wander by here, Huntley is kind of out of the way from everything. I love “country breakfasts” in the Upper Midwest.  My definition of that phrase is – from a rural mom and pop type establishment that serves ample quantities of… Continue reading Huntley, IL – Papa G’s Diner

Elgin, IL – Kendalls Kountry Kitchen Review

Damn.  Old timey diner, affable chatty waitresses (including the owner),  great food, great value.  So unassuming from the outside (left) you’d be likely to pass by if you weren’t looking for it, or one of the locals that has made a daily habit of stopping in for the last couple decades.  I know I would… Continue reading Elgin, IL – Kendalls Kountry Kitchen Review

Huntley, IL – Sammy’s Restaurant and Bar

Hard to believe I would find myself in this little burg twice in a lifetime, let alone twice in a month. But here I am, it’s Father’s Day, I deserve a nice breakfast out in the traditional Father’s Day tradition! Sammy’s Restaurant and Bar is open for all meal services, and offers pretty standard “diner”… Continue reading Huntley, IL – Sammy’s Restaurant and Bar