Memorable | One of the Best
Ann Sather
Review by: Michael Stern
Ann Sather calls itself a Swedish restaurant and there are indeed a handful of items on the menu that are Swedish-themed; but most Chicagoans know it as a breakfast place. The cinnamon rolls are legendary: two big fluffy ones per order, each blanketed in sweet sugar glaze. There are seven versions of eggs benedict, made with steak, turkey, smoked salmon, creamed spinach, crab cakes, fresh tomato or the traditional way, with ham. There are omelets aplenty; there are biscuits, pecan rolls, muffins and toast made from your choice of breads, including Swedish limpa rye.
What to eat at Ann Sather
We are particularly fond of the Swedish pancakes: folded-over crepes with a lace edge and fine, steamy-sweet flavor. They are available with a cup of lingonberry sauce, with a side of eggs or with a couple of meatballs. The potato pancakes are superb, as is the French toast with peach compote.
But the item that rivets our attention is the waffle, two waffles to be exact, Swedish waffles, the menu says. We’re not exactly sure what makes them Swedish, but we do know that they are not big fat Belgians. They are thin, crisp and aromatic waffles, baked in an iron that gives them a fetching scalloped shape and served two to an order. As we’ve noted in previous Roadfood reviews, elegant thin waffles are becoming an endangered breakfast food; we celebrate these good, old-style thin ones.
When is Ann Sather open?
Ann Sather opens at seven in the morning and closes mid-afternoon; it does a brisk lunch business, too: sandwiches, excellent vegetarian chili and meal-size salads. The hot pork sandwich, served with mashed potatoes and gravy, is down-home delish. And the Swedish meatballs are exemplary.
In addition to the location on Belmont in Lakeview, there are Ann Sather restaurants in Andersonville, Southport, and Broadway.
Directions & Hours
Information
| Price | $ |
| Seasons | All |
| Meals Served | Breakfast, Lunch |
| Credit Cards Accepted | No |
| Alcohol Served | No |
| Outdoor Seating | No |
What To Eat
Ann Sather Recipes
Discuss
What do you think of Ann Sather?
One Response to “Ann Sather”
Todd Merchant
December 1st, 2007
I have been to Ann Sather’s Andersonville location a handful of times and have never been disappointed. The eatery has some of the biggest serving sizes I have ever seen.
I usually get an omelet that includes spinach; quite good. But the last time I was here I ordered the Jamaican Jerk Scramble, which is simply amazing. It includes chicken, tomato, onions and a tangy jerk sauce, and the consistency of the omelet is just right: not too runny, not too dry. But it is so big, I can’t finish it, which is saying something for me.
You get two sides with your omelets — including biscuits and potatoes — but one of them must be the cinnamon rolls. You get two per order and they are absolutely fantastic. Save one for later if you can’t finish it all.
Ann Sather is perfect for brunch. And the Andersonville neighborhood itself is a really fun to place to walk around. You should stop off at The Brown Elephant and find a bunch of bargains on used goods.