Pancake Cafe has delivered more than their fair share of delicious pancakes to area diners, but that’s just one of many things this local spot is known for. From a full line of breakfast staples to homemade soups, salads, sandwiches and wraps, this eatery has been delighting diners for nearly a quarter of a century.
“We don’t take shortcuts; we still get up early in the morning and make our own batters and biscuits and buy everything we possibly can locally,” said Pancake Cafe’s Frank Kuzniewicz, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Shari. “We do this because we love it.”
Frank grew up in the restaurant business and when he had the opportunity to venture on his own, he and Shari jumped in. Not only do their daughters and other family members work at Pancake Cafe, Frank said the family literally helped build it — board by board and tile by tile — in 1992.
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“After 24 years, it is pretty cool that no matter where we go, it seems like someone will always come up and ask us about Pancake Cafe,” Kuzniewicz said. “We could be walking around Disney World wearing Pancake Cafe T-shirts and people will tell us they have eaten here.”
Here’s the dish on this local favorite.
What’s on the menu: Pancake Cafe has everything you’d expect from a breakfast spot. From omelets, crepes, Belgian waffles and of course, pancakes, to an extensive lunch menu that includes burgers, fish and chips and house-made corned beef, pastrami and slow roasted pork, there is something for everyone.
About the owners: It’s a family affair for Naperville residents and owners Shari and Frank Kuzniewicz, who set up shop on Rickert Drive 24 years ago when it was surrounded by nothing but corn fields. Diners have seen their daughters Katlyn, 26, and Brooke, 19, grow up while working there.
A mission statement: To provide the best food and the best service around. “We make everything here using the best ingredients; it may take more time or cost us more money, but it shows in the end result. I really believe that is why we have been here so long,” Frank said.
Food specialties: You can’t mention Pancake Cafe without talking about their famous fresh baked apple pancake or their thick cut slices of bacon called “steak bacon.” When it comes to sandwiches, they say “go big or go home” with their corned beef tower sandwich and the open faced Reuben, each weighing in with one pound of meat.
We’re different because: The Kuzniewicz crew puts family first, and for them, their customers and the community are family. For decades, they have supported area schools, churches and nonprofits as well as employed residents and high school students at the cafe.
Extras: Carry out and catering are available and the cafe can be booked for gatherings and parties.
Price range: A generous stack of old fashioned buttermilk pancakes or a Belgian waffle are around $8 and a classic omelet, complete with hash browns and toast or pancakes, is around $10. Burgers start at $6.50 and include a side and the soup and salad combo or a wrap is around $9. The baked apple pancake is $10.50.
Pancake Cafe is located at 1292 Rickert Dr. in Naperville, near the intersection of 75th Street and Naperville-Plainfield Road. They are open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 630-637-1010 or go to www.pancakecafenaperville.com