This Week's Counter: Sunrise III (Oregon, IL)

This week's post is special because we took advantage of some travel to stop at a counter way outside our local area -- 300+ miles away in Oregon, IL to be specific.  While visiting family in this small town, about 2 hours West of Chicago, we noticed the Sunrise III restaurant.  So on Saturday morning we stopped in for breakfast.  This place looks like it's right out of the 1970's, both outside and inside. Mostly tables and a small but comfortable counter. We were probably the only non-locals/regulars in the place, but the staff was extremely friendly regardless.  Apparently there is a Sunrise and a Sunrise II in towns nearby -- so this is sort of like one location of a chain. Cam had a chocolate chip waffle (which was more like an order of whipped cream and chocolate with a side of waffle) and some bacon.  Ted had eggs, toast and hash browns (extra crispy).  We enjoyed the meal a lot, and it was very fun to take Eat At The Counter on the road!

Cam says: "Amazing waffles as well as amazing service. Nice family eatery atmosphere.  I will give this counter 5 frying pans."

Ted says: "Great small town atmosphere, very friendly service. Some of the best hash browns I've had -- rest of the meal was pretty good, but not outstanding. I'm going with 4 frying pans for this one."

This Week's Counter: YT Hudson

Back to the Yours Truly chain for this Saturday's outing -- this time, we made the drive down to Hudson.  This YT has to be one of the largest in the group, although in relative terms the counter is extremely small, only 8 seats or so.  As a result, and with it being a busy Saturday morning, we had to wait maybe 15 mins before two seats together opened up.  This YT definitely has the feel of a larger chain restaurant -- less relaxed, friendly and personal than the other YT locations we've visited.  From the standard YT menu, Cam chose his usual for lunch (even though it was only mid-morning) -- 6 chicken fingers (huge) and cottage fries.  Ted had the Sun Fest special (eggs, fruit and toast), then added hash browns.  As usual at YT, food quality was very good.  and service was attentive. The counter is comfortably wide and the seats aren't crammed together like at some other places -- so we had plenty of space to read the paper while eating.  Overall very enjoyable!

Cam says: "Classic YT eatery atmosphere with great service.  I give this counter 4 frying pans."

Ted says: "Definitely a good place to go if you are in Hudson. You can count on the YT food quality and service. A little too big and busy for me -- not as relaxed as it should be.  But worthy of 4 frying pans."

This Week's Counter: Bill's Coffee Shop

This week we decided to try Bill's in Cleveland Heights. This "hole in the wall" place has been here for decades -- the decor is clearly from the '70s.  It's pretty small but very popular.  We had to wait a few minutes for a couple of seats at the counter.  Service was super-friendly and attentive -- constant refills of hot coffee. The pretty small menu has usual breakfast fare, but with some funny names --- like the "One-Eyed Jack" (pancake, eggs and bacon).  Cameron didn't go for that one, but got chocolate chip pancakes and bacon.  Ted had eggs, hash browns and toast. From our seats we could see all the action, with 2 very busy cooks. They certainly like butter!

Cam says: "Nice old-time atmosphere, great service and delicious pancakes! I give this counter 4 frying pans."

Ted says: "Liked the service. Food quality left something to be desired -- a little too greasy for me. This one gets an average 3 frying pans."

This Week's Counter: Jim's Open Kitchen, Solon

Today we went to Jim's in Solon. We never knew this place even existed until some friends mentioned it.  Located in the center of town, this is a really small place -- maybe 25 seats total, and more at the counter than tables.  In fact, it's so small you have to go through part of the kitchen to get to the restrooms - hence the name "open kitchen" we guess!  It was very busy, and we had to wait about 10 minutes for a couple spots at the counter to open up.  Looks and feels like an old-school diner -- interior straight out of the 1960's. Service was friendly and attentive.  Since we were fairly early, Cam had a chocolate chip waffle and bacon, while Ted had eggs, toast, hash browns (some of the best we've had) and coffee.  Food quality was mostly good, although not outstanding -- eggs a bit overcooked and the toast a little heavy on the butter, for example. Cam loved the waffle though. Overall, we liked it and will be back.  

 

Cam says: "Nice atmosphere and amazing waffles! I give this counter 4 frying pans."

Ted says: "Certainly one of the friendliest counters we've visited. Good, but not great, on food quality. Overall well worth a trip. 4 frying pans from me too."

This Week's Counter: Kalie's Family Restaurant (Orange Village)

This Saturday's breakfast was at Kalie's Family Restaurant in Orange Village. This place has gone through many names and owners over the years it's been here (a sign out front said "under new management"). It has the classic diner look - lots of chrome. Very open and airy, with lots of windows, nice and bright. Not busy at all, and service was very attentive. Unfortunately the food was just fair. Cam had chocolate chip pancakes (huge) with some bacon. Ted had his usual boring breakfast - eggs, potatoes, toast and coffee. Could have been hotter. Overall, nothing special. Nice counter though, comfortable and lots of space.

Cam says: "Great service and atmosphere, but the food wasn't. I give it only 3 frying pans."

Ted says: "Everything but the food was great. Just not a memorable meal, very average. 3 frying pans from me too."