My stomach is growling

I can hear it as well as feel it. I just rummaged through the fridge and ate a leftover hamburger, but I'm still hungry. What I want is brunch. Today is a free day, and I've got to head into town in a bit to go to the library to research a paper. What I want is some eggs, sausage and hash browns and for me not to have to make it. If I was in Chicago, I'd have a number of places to go.

(cue daydreaming music, stars and a slight whooshing)

My top choice would be Glenn's Diner near the brown line Montrose stop. Its look is a little retro and the food is marvelous. My favorite breakfast item is the scrambled eggs with parmesan and chives. It comes with these hash browns that are creamy (which sounds weird, but trust me) with onions, perfectly browned and crunchy on the outside. I like to get it with raisin toast, coffee, and if I'm particularly hungry, sausage. The portions are big. When I was taking art classes at Lill Street, I'd stop by there after for a late brunch and a novel.

My second choice would be M. Henry, way up Clark near Hollywood. Oh god is this place good. The wait is always long, and it was a good long walk from my last apartment, but everything was worth it. I'd often take guests there for Fannie's Killer Fried Egg sandwich, or the Latina omeletta (I'm a sucker for dishes that come with plantains). The best thing to do is to order a bread pudding and split it, though fights often broke out over who got more berries.

My third choice would be A Taste of Heaven, which is also on Clark, but much closer to my last apartment. The service was not always the best, as I was often left waiting in vain for the check to come, but the breakfast food is bringing tears to my eyes with the thought of it. They have this amazing pancake dish, with a crunchiness and a berriness that was too good to be true. Natasha and I would go and split that with either a breakfast burrito or an omelet, either of which would come with a side salad with gorgeous dressing.

(whooshing back to reality)

Hell, I'd even go to Ann Sather's, though I maxed out on that place the first year in Chicago. Their cinnamon rolls are still awesome though. I guess I need to find a new quick breakfast joint around me. And fast.

Comments

[grasshopperkm]

I have never felt more hungry in my life, Claire, and wonder now how can I possibly find such fulfillment.

[Lance Mannion]

Swell. Now I want eggs and hash browns too, and it's three in the afternoon here.

[Adorable Girlfriend]

So long as you didn't mention Manny's. Don't get me going on that gawd damn Manny's!

[meg]

oh i know how you feel. i'm always dreaming about oxford and london... i hope you were able to find something in the fridge. :) megxx

[Claire]

Sorry guys! Misery loves company! :)

[Sharon]

Poor baby! I feel so sorry for you. In honor of your suffering...I'm going to have breakfast at Hashbrowns soon--another Chicago favorite. Wish I'd taken you there before you left Chicago!They have the most amazing omelettes and sweet potato hashbrowns! You can get seriously hurt on 'em. I miss you!

[Gemma]

Most of my nostalgia for Chicago has been booted out by my nostalgia for Japan...but you kicked up some dusty breakfast memories that I haven't picked up in years. We enjoyed quite a few meals at the bottom three restaurants on your list. We used to go to A Taste of Heaven before they moved...then there was some hooha about signage and the policing of noisy children and we never tried out the new place. I will definately find my way up there if we make it back for the holidays. We, of course, keep our children on leashes during restaurant visits, so we should be okay. ;)