For many years, waking up on a Sunday morning meant walking a few steps from my bedroom to the kitchen, making myself a cup of coffee and turning on the TV. I’d scroll on my phone, maybe do some homework, and wait for my family to rouse themselves from sleep as I did. Eventually, my mom would enter the kitchen and, without skipping a beat, begin the beloved Sunday morning ritual of family breakfast. Our family was, and continues to be, extremely passionate about breakfast foods, in particular, pancakes.
Starting college was a bit of a rude awakening for me, as my Sundays abruptly switched from slow mornings in my kitchen to waking up in my shoebox of a dorm room to find a fridge devoid of coffee and containers emptied of snacks. As such, my roommate and I have committed ourselves to Sunday morning pancake breakfasts, to end the weekend right and start our weeks on a good note.
Early Morning Pancake Spots:
1. Cupitol
Cupitol’s pancakes have not once disappointed me. Though the restaurant is notably very busy on weekend mornings, it’s busy for a reason. A fan favorite, Cupitol’s pancakes cater to the fluffy, nostalgic, sweet breakfast food that I grew up loving so much. My two favorites: the $10 monthly special, advertised at the register, and the kids buttermilk pancakes (I always opt for adding strawberries). I highly recommend gaming the system by ordering off of the kids menu, the portions are still decent and the price is much easier on a student budget. The February special, Nutella and strawberry pancakes, is the perfect balance of sweet, fluffy, and familiar. It tastes just like a Sunday morning at home.
2. Frida’s
Not so much the traditional route, although Frida’s does offer classical buttermilk pancakes, Frida’s crepes are a much needed change of pace from the typical pancake stack. They are light and airy, and come in a range of flavors from Frida’s classic crepes (topped with powdered sugar) to Triple Berry Mascarpone to Nutella and Banana. They’re absolutely delicious, perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth, and pair very well with an iced coffee.
If early morning pancakes are an art, late-night pancakes are a science. Growing up in New York City, with trusty neighborhood diners open until midnight, nighttime pancakes are a treat, nay, a delicacy that I will always appreciate. Options in Evanston are slim past 8pm, but the following are dependable choices if you’re craving pancakes long after breakfast hours.
Late Night Pancake Spots:
3. IHOP
Delirious from exhaustion on a Friday night after a long week, some foods just hit the spot. Although it’s not a diner pancake nor the prettiest thing you’ve ever seen, IHOP is consistent, and consistency is key. As a lover of all things chocolate, my personal favorite is the Chocolate Chocolate Chip Pancakes. Truly, the photo doesn’t do them justice. Located right on the border of Evanston and Rogers Park, if you’re looking for something open late, IHOP is probably your best bet.
4. Just about any diner in Chicago
A late-night side quest is inevitable on a weekend, especially if you leave the sleepy streets of Evanston and venture into Chicago. There’s something especially comforting about wandering into a restaurant or diner you’ve never seen before and sliding into a booth with your friends. The above pancakes are from Griddle 24, and they taste best when shared.