Southtown Star from Tinley Park, Illinois • 60

resboantreview The Star Thuraday, December 16. 1999 6 Pancake house looms as good gathering place Big Apple Pancake House 1425 Western Chicago Heights (708) 747-7970; fca 747-7971 American Biedkfiwt items $1.75 to $725; lunch, $1.95 to $2.95 and $150 am to 3 pm seven days a week Is: Major cards accepted available; no liquor service available in 10 styles, while French toast is served nine different ways. The same long lists exist for pancakes, 'skillets' and blintzes. And reserve plenty of time if an omelet is your preference. Twenty -one different items can be added to the $2.95 basjc omelet, ranging from tomatoes, to broccoli, to jala-penos, to chorizo, to chicken breast, to feta.

This do-it-yourself omelet list is augmented by 'Big Apple's favorite a dozen combinations such as three-cheese, farmer's and Denver. The omelets and other egg dishes can be ordered with egg whites for those with dietary concerns. Big Apple will serve eggs 'your way," and it creates three Mexican egg dishes huevos con chorizo, huevos rancheros and Mexican omelet. Besides all these possibilities, the Big Apple menu also lists breakfast specials such as eggs Benedict Florentine, biscuits and sausage gravy, Western steak and The ham that attracted me to this dish also was excellent, giving my breakfast a homemade taste. Like many breakfast restaurants, Big Apple makes up big apple pancakes that I can only imagine must be large enough to feed several friends.

Lunchtime also brings many choices. The sandwich listing is quite complete, providing bread choices of Kaiser or burger roll, or croissant for a fee. Vegetables can be substituted for the fries. Among the sandwich possibilities are burgers, Philly chicken, avocado turkey club, tuna melt, steak and pita beef melt. Salad lovers can indulge in chicken Caesar, spinach, shrimp, Cobb, fruit, stuffed pineapple in season, taco and salmon.

A half dozen dressings are offered. Big Apple makes shakes and fruit smoothies for customers needing something sweet. It also has king-sized sweet rolls, muffins and such. Carol Roberts reviews restaurants anonymously, and The Star always pays for the meal. The long-vacant restaurant space at 1 425 Western Chicago Heights, has come to life, and the new occupant shows all the signs of becoming a longterm resident.

Big Apple Pancake House is the perfect neighbor. I can imagine that after just a few months in operation it will become headquarters for groups of friends who want to gather for good food and good conversation. It will become their place, where they can chat with the friendly staff and enjoy bright, appealing surroundings at an easily accessible location. They won't have to worry about spending much money. It isn't easy to spend more than $10 a person.

If they become regulars, they won't get bored with the menu because Big Apple Pancake House has a substantial assortment of breakfast and lunch items nothing unusual, but more than the usual selection. For example, crepes come with 1 1 different fillings, waffles are eggs and banana nut bread French toast. Patrons should be alert to the huge portions served at this new restaurant. I ordered the 'hearty" skillet, because it features ham sliced off the bone, as well as potatoes, scrambled eggs and cheese. Big Apple's definition of "hearty" differs from mine, however.

When I questioned the serv er about the huge mound of what was supposed to be two scrambled eggs, she explained that because the eggs were small that day the kitchen gave me four. The skillet also came with a pair of buttermilk pancakes (toast is the alternative) that were delicious. I seldom order pancakes in a restaurant, because I am so difficult to please, pancake-wise, but these were very pleasing indeed. wm5 Celebrate The Millennium The Italian Wa With FOOD FiUSIC WINK I-AWILV Champagne Tbast in A Souvenir Millennium Glass Our Premium 5 Course Dinner which includes our Filet Mignon and Lobster Tails VJine Service Open Bar Dancing All Evening The Millennium Celebrations with seatings at 8:30 and 9:00 Reservations Required Advance Ticket (non-refundable) purchases only. All the Party EaVorsVou Sf-Need to Cheer in The NevO j1" Vearl www.portillos.com Also Open at 3 6:30 p.m.

for Earty Celebrations. Bring the family in eaity be home eatty, Open New dears Dty from 3 -8 p.m. Orland.