CheekyChicago

Remember the good ol’ days when mom used to prepare a grandiose before-school breakfast feast of pancakes, waffles, bacon, and so many manipulations of eggs that it made your head spin?

Yeah, me neither. I was raised in the cereal and milk generation.

But that’s why we have restaurants! No, more specifically, that’s why we have restaurants like Clarke’s. Open late every night and early every morning, Clarke’s is perfect for an innocent Sunday brunch or a not so innocent late night craving. The crowd is mixed depending on time of day: families, college students, couples, old friends, new friends, locals and the obvious out-of-towners. Clarke’s is the kind of place where you can sit for hours with a Cheeky friend or two, some food and a cup of coffee. Beware, however, during its peak brunchtime hours, space is scarce, waiters are somewhat frazzled, and service can be pretty slow.

The 50s inspired (but don’t worry it’s not too gimmicky) American diner style restaurant boasts seating for every size party: cozy, intimate booths for couples and the-biggest-booths-you-have-ever-seen for you and ten friends. Tables and chairs line the enormous front windows for people watching made easy.

Clarke’s serves a wide array of breakfast food items (all day, every day) along with several sandwich and burger selections. If you’re in a particularly ravenous mood, Clarke’s staple “Skillet Eggs” are a must. Your choice of ingredients (various meats, vegetables, etc.) are accompanied by three basted eggs, a mountain of Northshore potatoes and your choice of cheese. My ingredient of choice was spinach. A carb-cheese-spinach lover’s dream. And the enormous amounts of spinach make the dish seem less… sinful.

I am also a big fan of “Le Veggie Burger” and the sweet potato fries. Especially paired together. When I make a Gardenburger at home, it’s a sad little patty on my plate. But when Clarke’s makes the same veggie burger, something magical happens. The combination of the patty, the whole wheat bun, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, sprouts, and cheese is intoxicating and incredibly filling. And the sweet potatoes are fried to perfection. I never encountered a soggy fry nor did I even have to use ketchup. These fries held their own.

With current locations in Evanston, Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville and locations in Wicker Park and River North Spring opening soon, Clarke’s is convenient no matter where you live.

So, whether your mom was a “cereal mom” or a “breakfast extraordinaire” Clarke’s is one place you can get your favorite comfort foods and feel like you’re at home.