Walker Bros Orig Pancake House   

A place for anyone but fashionistas (unless, of course, they arrive still garbed in last night's attire), Walker Brothers is breakfast bliss. The Original Pancake House was founded in Portland, Oregon by Les Highet and Erma Hueneke. The Walker Brothers had several snack shops in the Evanston and Wilmette area and became one of the early franchises of The Original Pancake House. Each of the six local restaurants sports the Walker Brothers-style-stained glass, woodwork, lots of beaming brass and faux Tiffany lamp, but Lincolnshire is a bit more English Manor, while Lake Zurich leans toward a French Country decor. You'll find a basic breakfast menu, scads of pancakes and Lincolnshire, Lake Zurich, Arlington Heights and Highland Park also serve sandwiches and salads. The franchise is famous for a buttery oven-baked apple pancake that's closer in size to an apple pie. It has Granny Smiths mixed right into the batter. The smaller Dutch Baby uses the same batter and there's a puffy German pancake served with lemon and powdered sugar or fresh strawberries and bananas, Belgian waffles, thick French toast and omelettes oozing substantial fillings. You'll find families lined up at all the eateries, so arrive early to be sure to get a seat.