This Week's Counter: Grumpy's

On the excellent recommendation of our good friend Greg Murray, we made a trip to the near West side last Saturday for breakfast at Grumpy's Cafe in Tremont.  We really loved this place! It's in a really cool area of the city and is a very popular place not just for breakfast but at any time.  Unlike almost all the other counters we've checked out, Grumpy's is more of a traditional restaurant than it is a diner. For example, the decor is very un-diner-like -- nicely decorated, plants, great photography on the walls (and it's for sale).  Just a really nice atmosphere.

When we got there mid-morning, there were loads of people waiting outside for tables. Fortunately, we went inside and only waited about 5 minutes before 2 seats opened up at the small counter.  Since it was still fairly early, Cam wanted breakfast -- chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream, and a side of bacon.  No surprise, Ted had eggs, toast and home fries -- at Grumpy's, the home fries are made with cajun seasoning, very good and very spicy.  We agreed that everything about the food was excellent.  Maybe the only negative, which probably is what caused us both to deny a full five-pan rating here, was that the service wasn't all that great.  Friendly enough, but not too attentive -- tough to get the servers' attention for additional requests, more coffee or whatever.  Certainly this was due to how busy the place was, but still -- they could do better. That was a little frustrating, but overall it was still very good. 

 Cam says: "Delicious chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream! Service wasn't great but the food was. Liked the atmosphere at this counter. I give it 4 frying pans."

Ted says: "Excellent food -- really enjoyed the cajun home fries since they are kind of unusual and I like spicy. Great atmosphere inside and the patio for nice weather must be very nice. Just the service keeps me from rating this one a perfect 5."