Hotcakes — Restaurant in New Trier Township

I just visited this place earlier this week with a friend who lives in Wilmette. I had never heard of the place and he suggested Hotcakes or some other place. Having never been here, I picked Hotcakes.

It's a quaint little place just off the main intersection of downtown Wilmette.

We arrived just after they opened and were able to choose where we sat. We chose t sit towards the back away from the entry as it's not a double entry so the cold air can come in fast and furious. When we sat down, they turned on the holiday music and my companion, in Spanish, asked them to turn it down as we were the only ones there and they specifically turned it on for us (it was nice, but not needed).

He ordered a coffee and a simple omelet. I ordered the typical eggs, hash browns, bacon, and toast. I will say this, Hotcakes was incredibly fresh and delicious. I always ask for scrambled eggs (dry), bacon (crispy), and hash browns (not well done) and toast (toasted meaning crunchy-ish). Their eggs were fluffy and dry. Nothing runny. When I mean dry, they are scrambled on the cooktop with no oil or butter and Hotcakes nailed it. Next, I want my bacon crispy - not dried out - and so many places dry out the back to make it crispy and that's not what Hotcakes did, they kept it crispy without drying it out, so they just melt in your mouth. Many people ask for their hash browns well done. All that does is crisp up the top layer. I just like mine cooked the way the restaurant does it as I don't need the potatoes crispy. I want to taste them as they absorb the butter, salt and pepper like a shredded baked potato.

Overall, the food was good. I was a happy camper and was well fed. This is a great little hidden gem in Wilmette well...

The food was pretty good. I ordered the vegetarian eggs Benedict with tomatoes and my son got the chicken sausage with hot cakes. He enjoyed his meal and was raving about the chicken sausage. I thought my plate was alright but appreciated the generous helping of vegetables. But what was absolutely atrocious was the waitstaff.

Our waitress never asked how our meals were, if I wanted more coffee or refilled our glasses of water. In fact my son was thirsty enough where I basically had to give him my glass of water because no one came by. The owner was kind and apologetic when I told her my issue and was grateful that she waived the cup of coffee. But honestly this is not how you serve people. I’m a big proponent of local restaurants in the Wilmette area and support them by dining as frequently as I can in our town. This isn’t the way to keep your...

Absolutely thought was going to be great, from the talks I heard, Not the the case. Lady who served us did not smile or greet us, no water, we had ask. As if she didn't want to be there. The pancakes tasted like no buttermilk at all. I couldn't even imagine why pancakes was bland. 😂 Even IHOP is better. Smh 🤦🏾‍♀️ I'm going to Walker Brother's Greenway rd. I dislike giving bad reviews, but service and food could've been way better. Cash only is not the best for those who travel with out cash. My only complimented...