Breakfast Bests

Exploring five of our favorite places to enjoy the most important meal of the day

By Ashley Hamilton

Whether it’s to jump-start a lazy Sunday or to medicate a late night out, Chicago has a solid roundup of breakfast spots to meet your every need. Check out five of our favorites for indulging in eggs, pancakes and… a French toast orgy?

Toast
746 W. Webster Ave.
If this was a popularity contest, Toast would definitely take the prize. Whether you stop in on the weekend or a random Wednesday morning, Toast is always packed with people who have come from all over to taste its extensive and unique breakfast menu. For most, it’s a must to try the French toast orgy, which is a literal orgy of plain, strawberry and mascarpone-filled French toast, topped with yogurt, granola and fruit. There are also seven different pancake flavors (buttermilk, lemon poppy seed, banana, pecan, strawberry, blueberry and buckwheat), which make way for a pancake orgy that’s comparable to the French toast variety. Even more options run awry under the egg and omelet listings — offering everything from the traditional omelets to filet mignon and eggs. And, of course, there’s every kind of toast you can imagine. All this breakfast goodness is dished out in a small, intimate setting, meaning that tables are close together and can be (unfortunately) hard to come by. Longer-than-average waits ensue on the weekends, but don’t let that discourage you. Once you sit down to that orgy of French toast, you’ll understand what all the fuss is about.

Jane’s
1655 W. Cortland St.
Weekend warriors, rejoice! Jane’s in Bucktown serves a brunch on Saturdays and Sundays that is fresh and veggie-friendly. And with no deep fryer in sight, you are guaranteed a meal that is nearly grease and guilt free. Popular dishes include the eggs benedict and the veggie-packed breakfast burrito. On the sweet side, brunch crowds go crazy for Jane’s crepes, which are offered in blueberry, strawberry and peach. All these dishes are sure to fill you, as they are fairly big and come with potatoes and turkey sausage. But don’t let that stop you from indulging in a scone or two. The scones here (raspberry or apricot) are amazing and have some inspiringly large fruit chunks. And speaking of indulging, be sure to take advantage of Jane’s fantastic bar. Generally booming at night, this bar still delivers in the morning hours, pouring out what every weekend warrior craves: mimosas and Bloody Marys.

Wishbone
3300 N. Lincoln Ave.
Down-on-the-farm cuisine in the middle of Chicago? You’ll find it at Wishbone. The Lakeview location of this southern-style restaurant (its sister location is in the West Loop), features a lengthy list of comfort foods in a spacious, farmhouse-like setting (wooden roosters line the window cells and everything). Ol’ time favorites include the shrimp and grits, crunchy French toast (it’s dipped in corn flakes) and the Wishbone omelet, made with cheese, salsa and Wishbone’s very own potatoes. Dishes are huge and most come with your choice of home fries or cheese grits. Throw some homemade biscuits and corn muffins into the mix, and you’re sure to leave this place full as can be. Aside from the southern comfort, the great thing about Wishbone is its laid-back, trend-free feel. Hop into a booth and take up some serious people watching. Manager Guy Nickson says you’ll see everyone from families and young singles to artists and politicians in Wishbone — all to enjoy a big, country breakfast…Chicago style.

Nookies
1746 N. Wells St.
With its diner-style setting and enormous breakfast menu, Nookies is Chicago’s best place to recover from a late night out because the portions are huge, the atmosphere is sweatshirt-casual and the food is good and greasy. And with one of the longer breakfast menus in the city, your food remedy options are endless. Sugar-infused choices include eight different pancake styles, four waffles, some French toast and crepes. More then a dozen omelets fill the menu, offering every combination of veggies and meat you could possibly think of (try the Amy’s omelet, filled with chicken sausage, gouda and broccoli). There is also a good selection of breakfast sandwiches, skillets, frittatas and other egg creations. And despite its popularity with Chicago breakfasters (two other locations have sprung up in Lincoln Park and Lakeview), the wait for a table is never too long, making it the perfect early-day place to rest, recover and chow down.

Southport Grocery & Café
3552 N. Southport Ave.
Part gourmet grocery store, part gourmet café, Southport Grocery & Café gives you the best of its two worlds. The two-in-one concept allows customers to explore the small, jam-packed grocery shelves, which are stocked with food from around the world; and to then sample that food in the café. And though the breakfast menu is brief, it features some impressive gourmet cuisine that will make any food-lover smile. The big favorite here is the bread pudding pancakes, which are topped with cinnamon-sugar butter and a side of vanilla custard sauce. There’s also the sweet & savory French toast (the sweet comes from the syrup, the savory from a topping of roasted ham-gruyere) and baked almond oatmeal. On the lighter side, there’s a filling granola platter, served with yogurt, fresh fruit and a vanilla vinaigrette. Those in need of a sugar or caffeine high can get their fix with the wide selection of bakery goods (the cupcakes seem to be a big crowd pleaser) and the laundry list of coffee and espresso drinks. Bon appetit!

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