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Saturday Morning Breakfast (NW Side)

Saturday Morning Breakfast (NW Side)
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  • Saturday Morning Breakfast (NW Side)

    Post #1 - December 9th, 2023, 2:51 pm
    Post #1 - December 9th, 2023, 2:51 pm Post #1 - December 9th, 2023, 2:51 pm
    About a month ago Audrey had a taste for Joe Donut. We invited a friend from her previous school (she changed schools last year,) and off we went to the Niles location. I was thinking they could both get a donut and something else with a bit more nutrition. However, I couldn't get them past the donut display case. They wound up splitting 4 donuts as their breakfast. :roll:

    While dining we had the idea of sharing breakfast out once a month as a nice way to keep the girls connected. We're calling it "Saturday Morning Breakfast Club".

    Today was our second Club breakfast. We chose a place we'd never been - Cozy Corner Restaurant & Pancake House on Harlem. They have a few locations. We were impressed. The place was very clean and festive with Holiday decorations. Entire staff was very friendly and our server was terrific. Good size parking lot with complimentary valet on the weekends. I didn't need it but thought it would be great for elderly or handicapped diners.

    I have a tough time passing by chilaquiles if they are on a breakfast menu, so I went with their verdes version. The portion was generous. The refried beans were excellent. You choose the style for the eggs.

    Audrey had a combo plate with a strawberry pancake, jumbo sausage link and over-easy egg.

    Her friend enjoyed the Nutella crepes. It's the only photo that turned out.

    Image

    We are going to try a different place each month. If anyone has a favorite spot in this part of town we are open to suggestions. Must be a sit-down restaurant without crazy wait times around 9am. We will likely not do Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club, Tre Kronor or Edgebrook Diner for that reason.

    Joe Donut
    6969 N. Milwaukee Ave
    Niles, IL

    Cozy Corner Restaurant & Pancake House
    5454 N Harlem Ave
    Chicago, IL
  • Post #2 - December 9th, 2023, 2:56 pm
    Post #2 - December 9th, 2023, 2:56 pm Post #2 - December 9th, 2023, 2:56 pm
    Board fave Yellow Rose Cafe should fit the bill.

    viewtopic.php?p=573375

    Giovanna
    =o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=

    "Enjoy every sandwich."

    -Warren Zevon
  • Post #3 - December 9th, 2023, 3:09 pm
    Post #3 - December 9th, 2023, 3:09 pm Post #3 - December 9th, 2023, 3:09 pm
    Giovanna wrote:Board fave Yellow Rose Cafe should fit the bill.

    viewtopic.php?p=573375

    Giovanna



    Yes, we do enjoy Yellow Rose and will likely go there in Spring/Summer when it’s a comfortable and convenient walk from both of our homes.
  • Post #4 - December 9th, 2023, 5:50 pm
    Post #4 - December 9th, 2023, 5:50 pm Post #4 - December 9th, 2023, 5:50 pm
    You might try Alexander's Breakfast & Lunch in Skokie. I think 9 a.m. may not be too bad, but we usually go on Sundays. Food is very good, plenty of kids eating there too.

    Alexander's
    5025 Oakton
    Skokie 60077
  • Post #5 - December 9th, 2023, 6:31 pm
    Post #5 - December 9th, 2023, 6:31 pm Post #5 - December 9th, 2023, 6:31 pm
    EvA wrote:You might try Alexander's Breakfast & Lunch in Skokie. I think 9 a.m. may not be too bad, but we usually go on Sundays. Food is very good, plenty of kids eating there too.

    Alexander's
    5025 Oakton
    Skokie 60077


    Thanks for the suggestion EvA. This place was not on my radar at all. The menu looks fantastic!
  • Post #6 - December 9th, 2023, 8:41 pm
    Post #6 - December 9th, 2023, 8:41 pm Post #6 - December 9th, 2023, 8:41 pm
    If you don't mind crossing the northern border, you might like Ovo Frito Café.

    Ovo Frito Café
    1936 Maple Ave
    Evanston IL 60201
  • Post #7 - December 9th, 2023, 9:39 pm
    Post #7 - December 9th, 2023, 9:39 pm Post #7 - December 9th, 2023, 9:39 pm
    Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club
    4459 W Belmont
    Chicago, IL 60641
    https://www.brynmawrbreakfastclub.com/

    Lucky Grill
    4454 N Milwaukee
    Chicago, IL 60630
    (773) 282-2325
    "And if you don't know, now you know." -BIG
  • Post #8 - December 9th, 2023, 11:07 pm
    Post #8 - December 9th, 2023, 11:07 pm Post #8 - December 9th, 2023, 11:07 pm
    nr706 wrote:If you don't mind crossing the northern border, you might like Ovo Frito Café.

    Ovo Frito Café
    1936 Maple Ave
    Evanston IL 60201


    El Guero omelet sounds awesome. Thanks for the suggestion. Will put it on our list!
  • Post #9 - December 9th, 2023, 11:12 pm
    Post #9 - December 9th, 2023, 11:12 pm Post #9 - December 9th, 2023, 11:12 pm
    mkess wrote:Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club
    4459 W Belmont
    Chicago, IL 60641
    https://www.brynmawrbreakfastclub.com/

    Lucky Grill
    4454 N Milwaukee
    Chicago, IL 60630
    (773) 282-2325


    Love Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club, but in this situation don’t want to spend time waiting for a table.

    Lucky Grill is already on our short list. Hope to get there soon. Anything in particular you recommend?
  • Post #10 - December 10th, 2023, 9:15 am
    Post #10 - December 10th, 2023, 9:15 am Post #10 - December 10th, 2023, 9:15 am
    http://edgebrookcoffeeshop.com/
  • Post #11 - December 10th, 2023, 9:27 pm
    Post #11 - December 10th, 2023, 9:27 pm Post #11 - December 10th, 2023, 9:27 pm
    Mac's Restaurant
    812 Higgins
    Park Ridge
    http://www.macsrestaurantparkridge.com/
  • Post #12 - December 11th, 2023, 9:19 am
    Post #12 - December 11th, 2023, 9:19 am Post #12 - December 11th, 2023, 9:19 am
    How fun for you! We've gotten in Edgebrook Coffee Shop with little to no wait. I always like how people at the counter will shift around to accommodate as needed.
    -Mary
  • Post #13 - December 11th, 2023, 9:39 am
    Post #13 - December 11th, 2023, 9:39 am Post #13 - December 11th, 2023, 9:39 am
    Greenwood Grill fits the bill - it is technically in Glenview but really feels like Niles (on Greenwood just maybe 3min north of Milwaukee/Golf). There has never been a wait, everyone is super nice (one owner seems to always be there) and the menu is a great mix of standard unfussy breakfast food and Mexican food (ownership is definitely Mexican and they make their own tamales, beans, rice, etc and have a pretty wide selection). Everything is somewhere between very good and excellent, cheap prices, fast service. Their pork tamales are maybe my favorite in Chicagoland (they also make their own red and green creamy salsas to go with it) but I can appreciate that tamales aren't everyone's idea of an ideal breakfast.

    It is probably my favorite breakfast spot for the above reasons - especially how unfussy it is when you factor in having kids there. I think there are a few places that do comparable breakfast and are equally easy (big fan of Mac's as well, mentioned up thread) but staff being so nice and kid friendly, and huge separate menu of homemade Mexican food puts Greenwood Grill in the top spot for me.

    Greenwood Grill
    910 Greenwood Rd
    Glenview, IL 60025
  • Post #14 - December 11th, 2023, 1:36 pm
    Post #14 - December 11th, 2023, 1:36 pm Post #14 - December 11th, 2023, 1:36 pm
    Sanders family restaurant at Touhy and Niles Center Road might be an option. Now between now and the end of the year might be a tad busy but I don't think a party of 3 would have to wait that long if any in January, February, or March. The skillets are quite good as are the omlettes.
  • Post #15 - December 11th, 2023, 1:45 pm
    Post #15 - December 11th, 2023, 1:45 pm Post #15 - December 11th, 2023, 1:45 pm
    Joe Donut closed in downtown Deerfield. I never got a chance to try it.
  • Post #16 - December 11th, 2023, 2:02 pm
    Post #16 - December 11th, 2023, 2:02 pm Post #16 - December 11th, 2023, 2:02 pm
    Pauly wrote:Sanders family restaurant at Touhy and Niles Center Road might be an option. Now between now and the end of the year might be a tad busy but I don't think a party of 3 would have to wait that long if any in January, February, or March. The skillets are quite good as are the omlettes.


    Gotta challenge this one. Sanders is phoning it in these days. My niece and nephew were visiting and we did Sanders one morning. One ordered chocolate chip pancakes and the other ordered banana. Both received the same bland base pancakes with some chocolate chips (unmelted) carelessly tossed on one and some banana slices on the other. Uninspired and insulting.
  • Post #17 - December 11th, 2023, 2:24 pm
    Post #17 - December 11th, 2023, 2:24 pm Post #17 - December 11th, 2023, 2:24 pm
    Hi,

    I really appreciate this idea of keeping the friendship fires glowing.

    Due to moves, I attended three different schools in first grade and two more in fifth grade. I made and lost so many friends during those periods.

    I went to college near where I attended last third of first grade through all of fourth grade. I contacted my best friend during that period who had no recollection of my presence. Her parting comment was all the different people who lived at my old address. Fortunately, her Mother did recall my family and I whenever I popped up.

    Your daughter is fortunate to have you there to keep the momentum going.

    Regards,
    Cathy2
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #18 - December 11th, 2023, 2:29 pm
    Post #18 - December 11th, 2023, 2:29 pm Post #18 - December 11th, 2023, 2:29 pm
    SpinyNorman99 wrote:Gotta challenge this one. Sanders is phoning it in these days. My niece and nephew were visiting and we did Sanders one morning. One ordered chocolate chip pancakes and the other ordered banana. Both received the same bland base pancakes with some chocolate chips (unmelted) carelessly tossed on one and some banana slices on the other. Uninspired and insulting.


    I can't speak to the pancakes or french toast only that the items I ordered turned out quite well. It sucks thought to expect an item to be one thing and it turns out less than what was expected. Items I ordered were during the late summer/early fall during the week;thursday's around 9 am.
  • Post #19 - December 11th, 2023, 4:25 pm
    Post #19 - December 11th, 2023, 4:25 pm Post #19 - December 11th, 2023, 4:25 pm
    chainey wrote:Mac's Restaurant
    812 Higgins
    Park Ridge
    http://www.macsrestaurantparkridge.com/


    Looks good. Thanks for the suggestion!
  • Post #20 - December 11th, 2023, 4:30 pm
    Post #20 - December 11th, 2023, 4:30 pm Post #20 - December 11th, 2023, 4:30 pm
    The GP wrote:How fun for you! We've gotten in Edgebrook Coffee Shop with little to no wait. I always like how people at the counter will shift around to accommodate as needed.


    Thanks, it is a fun girls get-together!

    Maybe I need to revisit Edgebrook Coffee Shop under the new owners. We had trouble finding seats together a couple of times and I just didn’t love Chris’s food, especially his hash. Nothing wrong with it, just not to my particular taste. It has been quite awhile though so I will put it on the list.
  • Post #21 - December 11th, 2023, 4:37 pm
    Post #21 - December 11th, 2023, 4:37 pm Post #21 - December 11th, 2023, 4:37 pm
    Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

    I really appreciate this idea of keeping the friendship fires glowing.

    Due to moves, I attended three different schools in first grade and two more in fifth grade. I made and lost so many friends during those periods.

    I went to college near where I attended last third of first grade through all of fourth grade. I contacted my best friend during that period who had no recollection of my presence. Her parting comment was all the different people who lived at my old address. Fortunately, her Mother did recall my family and I whenever I popped up.

    Your daughter is fortunate to have you there to keep the momentum going.

    Regards,
    Cathy2


    Thanks, Cathy. Audrey’s experience here in Chicago is very different than mine was growing up in a small town in central Wisconsin. I had most of the same kids in my classes from 1st grade until I graduated high school (for better or worse).

    People come and go here way more frequently. Her three closest friends do not go to her current school. She has a nice connection with the girl we are doing the breakfasts with. They enjoy each other’s company and I am all about her doing things in person vs. via online.

    And what could be better for making memories and forging bonds than sharing a meal?
  • Post #22 - December 11th, 2023, 6:06 pm
    Post #22 - December 11th, 2023, 6:06 pm Post #22 - December 11th, 2023, 6:06 pm
    DClose wrote:Greenwood Grill fits the bill - it is technically in Glenview but really feels like Niles (on Greenwood just maybe 3min north of Milwaukee/Golf). There has never been a wait, everyone is super nice (one owner seems to always be there) and the menu is a great mix of standard unfussy breakfast food and Mexican food (ownership is definitely Mexican and they make their own tamales, beans, rice, etc and have a pretty wide selection). Everything is somewhere between very good and excellent, cheap prices, fast service. Their pork tamales are maybe my favorite in Chicagoland (they also make their own red and green creamy salsas to go with it) but I can appreciate that tamales aren't everyone's idea of an ideal breakfast.

    It is probably my favorite breakfast spot for the above reasons - especially how unfussy it is when you factor in having kids there. I think there are a few places that do comparable breakfast and are equally easy (big fan of Mac's as well, mentioned up thread) but staff being so nice and kid friendly, and huge separate menu of homemade Mexican food puts Greenwood Grill in the top spot for me.

    Greenwood Grill
    910 Greenwood Rd
    Glenview, IL 60025


    Sounds great, thanks! I am a huge fan of Mexican breakfast and savory over sweet in general.
  • Post #23 - December 14th, 2023, 5:57 pm
    Post #23 - December 14th, 2023, 5:57 pm Post #23 - December 14th, 2023, 5:57 pm
    Ram4 wrote:Joe Donut closed in downtown Deerfield. I never got a chance to try it.


    Ram4,

    Since no one else has, I'd like to thank you very much for your contribution to Saturday Morning Breakfast (NW Side). I found it to be quite remarkable.
  • Post #24 - December 15th, 2023, 6:45 pm
    Post #24 - December 15th, 2023, 6:45 pm Post #24 - December 15th, 2023, 6:45 pm
    I've been to many, many popular breakfast/brunch-focused restaurants all over the city. What I've found is that even the most popular have long waits between roughly 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Sundays, and to a somewhat lesser extent on Saturdays. I've found it pretty darn easy to find immediate seating at very popular places by arriving at 9:00 a.m. So I wouldn't necessarily rule out *any* place if you're planning to arrive at 9:00 a.m.

    And there's an easy way to get an accurate idea of how long the wait is at any given time/day of the week (including 9:00 a.m. on a Saturday), assuming you're not planning it for the upcoming weekend. A week or two ahead of time, phone them at the exact same time/day, and ask them how long the wait is to be seated, for a party your expected size. You might be pleasantly surprised! (And you have nothing to lose by doing this.)

    Finally, a photo from my visit to the Bryn Mawr location of the Bryn Mawr Breakfast Club (on a weekday in June):
    Image
    I think this was the bread pudding French toast. It was outstanding!
  • Post #25 - December 15th, 2023, 6:57 pm
    Post #25 - December 15th, 2023, 6:57 pm Post #25 - December 15th, 2023, 6:57 pm
    nr706 wrote:If you don't mind crossing the northern border, you might like Ovo Frito Café.

    Ovo Frito Café
    1936 Maple Ave
    Evanston IL 60201

    Also worth considering in Evanston:

    Frida's
    618 Church Street
    Evanston IL 60201
    847-859-6342

    Mid Kitchen
    1512 Sherman Avenue
    Evanston IL 60201
    224-536-2756

    And in Rogers Park:

    Honeybear Cafe
    7036 N Clark St
    Chicago Il 60626
    773-754-7450
  • Post #26 - December 15th, 2023, 7:01 pm
    Post #26 - December 15th, 2023, 7:01 pm Post #26 - December 15th, 2023, 7:01 pm
    nsxtasy wrote:
    nr706 wrote:If you don't mind crossing the northern border, you might like Ovo Frito Café.

    Ovo Frito Café
    1936 Maple Ave
    Evanston IL 60201

    Also worth considering in Evanston:

    Frida's
    618 Church Street
    Evanston IL 60201
    847-859-6342

    Mid Kitchen
    1512 Sherman Avenue
    Evanston IL 60201
    224-536-2756

    And in Rogers Park:

    Honeybear Cafe
    7036 N Clark St
    Chicago Il 60626
    773-754-7450

    Not NW side! In fact, it'd be hard, without diving into Lake Michigan, to get further east. :lol:

    Please folks, read the subject line before replying.

    Thanks,

    =R=
    Same planet, different world
  • Post #27 - December 15th, 2023, 11:22 pm
    Post #27 - December 15th, 2023, 11:22 pm Post #27 - December 15th, 2023, 11:22 pm
    Omega restaurant in Niles is always a good choice and while they attract a crowd they're big enough that seating is almost never a problem.

    Omega Restaurant
    9100 W Golf Rd
    Niles, IL 60714
    (847) 296-7777
    Omega Niles
    For what we choose is what we are. He should not miss this second opportunity to re-create himself with food. Jim Crace "The Devil's Larder"
  • Post #28 - December 16th, 2023, 8:27 am
    Post #28 - December 16th, 2023, 8:27 am Post #28 - December 16th, 2023, 8:27 am
    Omega restaurant in Niles is always a good choice and while they attract a crowd they're big enough that seating is almost never a problem.


    There’s a few Omegas around - I live near the one on Ogden Avenue in Downers Grove. Are they commonly owned?
  • Post #29 - December 16th, 2023, 9:38 am
    Post #29 - December 16th, 2023, 9:38 am Post #29 - December 16th, 2023, 9:38 am
    Another good place that's big enough that waits aren't a problem is Kappy's, near the NW side at Harlem and Dempster in Morton Grove.

    Kappy's American Grill
    7200 West Dempster St.
    Morton Grove IL 60053
    847-470-1900
  • Post #30 - December 16th, 2023, 10:35 am
    Post #30 - December 16th, 2023, 10:35 am Post #30 - December 16th, 2023, 10:35 am
    There are really only two breakfast diners worth discussing in all of Chicagoland. Patty's Diner, which has been sadly gone for a decade or so, and Yellow Rose Cafe.

    I'm mainly posting as I received the winner in the 2023 Midwest Holiday gift category. See below.

    click to enlarge
    Image

    Yellow Rose Cafe, count me a Fan!
    Hold my beer . . .

    Low & Slow

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