As if any of us needed an excuse to devour a plate stacked high with pancakes the size of Jupiter, getting out of the house is excuse enough. We love a stack of buttermilk pancakes topped with maple syrup, whipped cream and other amazing toppings.
But where’s the best place to get amazing pancakes in Chicagoland? We’ve shared some of our favorite spots for tasty pancake goodness.
Bongo Room
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Nearly all of the pancakes on the menu start with that one special word — fluffy. Enjoy them topped with white chocolate, pretzels, lemon and blackberry or even pineapples. The menu changes seasonally, so there’s always something new to try and fall in love with.
Buttermilk Cafe
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On the Buttermilk Cafe menu, they claim that their pancakes are their “bread and batter.” Order a huge stack of their classic B-U-T-T-E-R-M-I-L-K pancakes or add some great flavors like lemon blueberry and cinnamon roll.
Cindy’s
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- Address: 12 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Cindy’s serves a platter of pancakes meant for three to four people to share. Weekend brunch (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) includes a deliciously huge plate of buttermilk pancakes with blueberries and aged maple syrup, all with the killer views that Cindy’s on Michigan Avenue is known for.
Elly’s Restaurants
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- Address: Locations in Chicago (Jefferson Park), Mundelein, Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village and Norridge
Do not come here if you don’t plan on ordering the oven-baked pancakes. That’s not to say there’s no other reason to visit—it’s to say you’d have regrets for daaays. Choose from apple pancakes or the signature German pancakes in a small or large serving. You can’t really hate on the fact that each one takes between 30 and 40 minutes to make, because honestly, just imagine how good that first bite will taste.
Millie’s Pancake Shoppe
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- Address: 605 W. Lake St., Addison
You know the pancakes are great at Millie’s when they offer more than a dozen options. Chocolate chip pancakes? Banana pancake? Coconut pancakes? They have it all! And not to mention, they’ve been around for more than 50 years with the same great recipe.
Sweet Maple Cafe
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- Address: 1339 W. Taylor St., Chicago
The maple syrup at Sweet Maple Cafe comes from Vermont and the recipe for the pancakes is all original. Try it “bursting with blueberries” or “not-so-plain” buttermilk, and add the extra maple syrup for a sweet breakfast taste. A must-try is the cinnamon roll pancake. Cinnamon. Roll. Pancake.
Walker Bros. Original Pancake House
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- Address: Locations in Arlington Heights, Lake Zurich, Glenview, Lincolnshire, Highland Park, Lincolnshire, Wilmette and Schaumburg
With a name like that, you better serve some dang good pancakes — and these guys do. Our personal favorite is the Swedish rendition with lingonberries and whipped butter, but we also have to hand it to Walker Bros. for offering an option that contains no gluten, wheat or peanuts.
Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe
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- Address: 130 E. Randolph St., Chicago; 196 E. Pearson St., Chicago; 1783 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville; 1383 N. Meacham Road, Schaumburg
With locations in the Downtown Chicago and the suburbs, you have no excuse not to get yourself in here and order the Signature Berry Bliss with vanilla anglaise, blackberry coulis, berry mascarpone and fresh berries. Or, order to-go for breakfast at home.
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