Waffles Every Which Way

What in the world is more wonderful than a waffle? With those magical pockets to hold all the yummy toppings, the varieties of the baked beauties in North Shore restaurants will win over your taste buds. Go classic with maple syrup or powdered sugar. Go crazy with fruits, nuts and chocolate chips, then try chicken, bacon or chorizo! Get a load of all the breakfast menu options and more when you go Exploring North Shore Restaurants.
 

Peckish Pig, Evanston; Photo: @purpleninjacats

Peckish Pig
623 Howard St., Evanston
This gastro-pub knows how to bring it for weekend brunching. You could go for The Full English or Kedgeree dishes imported from the proprietress’ native England. And pretty much every other table will be ordering up the Warm Bag of House-Made Donuts. But Peckish Pig elevates any dish including the Fried Chicken & Waffles with whipped maple butter. The relaxed vibe in their exposed brick with beamed ceiling dining room or the spacious and colorful patio cheers every table full of diners—whether they are enjoying the pub’s own brews or not.

Sweet Basil Cafe, Skokie

Sweet Basil Café
5203 Old Orchard Rd., Skokie
Generous portions are all the rage at this family-owned and -operated restaurant. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can waffle up any time with the Sweet Basil Favorite Waffle crowned with fresh strawberries, bananas and pecans. Other fruity options are the Belgian Waffle with Glaze (homemade glazed fruit or pecans) or the Nutella Waffle (Nutella, fresh strawberries, bananas and pecans). The savory lane delivers Chicken & Waffles (chicken tenders dipped in maple syrup topped with cinnamon butter) or BBQ Pork Waffle (jalapeno waffle with BBQ pulled pork).
 

Guildhall Restaurant, Glencoe; Photo: @annasalwayseating

Guildhall Restaurant
694 Vernon Ave., Glencoe
This breezy bistro has a European flair that elevates their brunch offerings (Saturdays/Sundays) in the quaint downtown of picturesque Glencoe. A perfectly just-crisp Belgian Waffle stands out with pearl sugar, fresh fruit compote, whipped crème fraiche and maple syrup. Compliment it with the Oops a Daisy which they craft with Tito’s vodka, pamplemousse (that’s grapefruit, bien sûr) and a sparkling rose. Watch for the Chicken and Waffles special that gets a jaunty mint sprig to freshen up the popular dish.
 

Rise N Dine Pancake Cafe, Wheeling

Rise N Dine Pancake Cafe
102 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling
Classic American breakfast and lunch are served up hot and heaping at this family-run café. While the classic Belgium Waffles sport a powdered sugar dusting, the Rise N Dine Waffle get a fancy mix of pecans, bananas, strawberry compote and whipped cream. Along with bananas and whipped cream, the Nutella Waffle adds fresh strawberries with Nutella and the Honeyberry Waffle gets crunchy with granola, honey mascarpone and berries. Want the best of all worlds? Order Ranchero Waffle which tops a chorizo waffle with pico de gallo, avocado, cheddar cheese and two eggs. Or the Saturday must of Chicken N Waffles. Would you choose BBQ sauce or Buffalo sauce?
 

Spirit Elephant, Winnetka

Spirit Elephant
924 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka
This plant-based restaurant has taken the North Shore by storm astonishing diners with their creative and fantastic vegetable stars. Proving that you won’t miss the meat in this bright space filled with greenery and a lovely patio, every dish is a winner. Holding a special guest spot on this list is the double-thick Texas Toast edition. Their decadent and peachy Baked French Toast batters and bakes the bulky bread, then serves it with whipped cream, grilled peaches and maple syrup. Delicious, plant-based eating at its finest.
 

Elly's Pancake House, Glenview

Elly’s Pancake House
1624 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview
Sure the pancake gets a lot of love at Elly’s, but their shapely cousins also shine and are still homemade with fresh, natural ingredients. The tall and fluffy Belgian Waffles are served with butter, maple syrup and your choice of fruit. Even available gluten free or ask them to "cone it up." The fancier Banana Foster option gets you caramelized bananas, roasted pecans and cinnamon. But their Chicken n’ Bacon Waffle marries the fried chicken with a bacon waffle, all topped with honey.
 

Butterhill's Cafet, Northbrook

Butterhill's Cafe
4195 Dundee Rd., Northbrook
This great breakfast/lunch spot can wow you with more than just the fab flapjacks in their name. In addition to Classic Waffles and ones with fresh strawberries or fried chicken, they’ve got ‘em with bacon bits OR chocolate chips (and whole wheat or gluten-free). Go for broke with the Waffle Sundae complete with vanilla ice cream, bananas, pecans, caramel, chocolate and whipped cream. Feed the fam with a diverse selection of breakfast favorites (pancakes, omelets, crepes, benedicts) and lunch items (burgers, sandwiches, salads, wraps).
 

Walker Brothers, Wilmette

Walker Brothers
153 Green Bay Rd., Wilmette
The famous Apple Pancake at this North Shore institution may get top billing but the drool-worthy Belgian Waffle can be dressed up with melted butter and hot maple syrup, whipped cream or ice cream. Check out the varieties: Fresh Strawberry is topped with whipped cream or ice cream, powdered sugar and strawberry syrup. Toasted Pecan mixes crunchy nuts inside and on top with powdered sugar and whipped butter. The Blueberry one puts them in the batter topped with powdered sugar, whipped butter and compote on the side. The Crisp Bacon waffle mixes the bits throughout the batter. Gluten-free and peanut-free options.

 

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