Run like a family business, Orbit Pancake House, opened in late December on the northwest corner of Ferry Road and Route 59, bringing hearty diner fare to the Naperville’s far north side.
Owners Al Tase and Kris Borman are not new to the restaurant business, with several other ventures in Chicago over the years. “We wanted to open a family-like restaurant in the suburbs,” says Tase. “Naperville and this location are the perfect place for us.”
Opening Orbit Pancake House at the 4M Plaza and Office Center strip mall took a little more work than anticipated, Tase says. “We remodeled the whole space. New booths, carpet, paint, and a large banquet hall. We wanted to bring something new to the area.”
Breakfast foods, pancake specialties, and a diverse lunch and dinner menu have already found a customer following, Tase said. “We get a lot of compliments on our menu. We offer different dishes; and quality and price are right.”
Traditional American menu items compliment some Greek specialty dishes and a seafood selection. The priciest item on the dinner menu is the full slab of barbecue ribs at $17.95, served with either soup or salad, potatoes, vegetables, coffee and dessert.
Upon entering the bright space that can seat up to 250 people customers are immediately tempted by the dessert bar, with German, Polish, Greek and American dessert specialties such as classic Tiramisu, pies, and cannoli.
Bookings for the large banquet hall at Orbit Pancake House are already pouring in, Tase states. “We have daily requests. It’s a great space for all kinds of events,” he adds just as his business partner Borman shows a couple the space suited for up to 250 people also. No appointment necessary to tour the banquet facility.
Although fully staffed Orbit Pancake House is accepting applications for all positions. “We are looking to extend our hours after the winter season, and will need to hire then,” Tase says. Currently Orbit Pancake House is only open for dinner Thursday, Friday and Saturdays until 8 p.m. and 3 p.m. all other days.
Orbit Pancake House has applied for a liquor license and is awaiting approval.
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The wait continues
With Mariano’s Fresh Market already opened in Aurora, Naperville residents were getting itchy about the popular grocery chain opening in the former Dominick’s location at 1212 S Naper Blvd., in the Fox Run Square shopping center.
James Hyland, VP investor relations, corporate communications and public affairs of Roundy’s, the Wisconsin-based supermarket chain owning Mariano’s, was able to confirm that Mariano’s Fresh Market is looking to open at the Naper Boulevard location, but that the estimated opening date will be sometime in 2016.
“All we can state at this point is that we presented in front of the planning commission….. We still need City Council approval,” Hyland said in an email statement, adding that Bradford Real Estate Companies are the project developers.
Although a floor plan and specialty offerings cannot be revealed at this point in time, Hyland does promise “a highly differentiated shopping experience awaits the residents of Naperville” on 74,000 square feet.
Know of a business coming to or leaving Naperville? Contact Daina Saleh at [email protected].
Daina Saleh is a freelance reporter
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday; 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Orbit Pancake House
Where: 4 S 040 North Route 59, Naperville
Call: 630 791 9792
Facebook: Orbit Restaurant
Website: Not available
Mariano’s Fresh Market
Where: 1212 S Naper Blvd., Naperville
Call: to be announced
Website: http://www.marianos.com
Hours: To be announced