Benedict's Eggs and More

For the record (and before anyone jumps on me for giving a less than favorable review), I'm solely reviewing my breakfast choice at Benedicts Eggs & More.

For my first official Mother's Day, my mom & sister picked me up and decided that we needed brunch.  I had been to Benedicts La Strata in Crystal Lake before, so I suggested going there.  We called ahead, but the wait was astronomical.  I remembered their sister store in East Dundee, so I rang them up...30 minute wait wasn't too bad (even though I was told that they couldn't add me to the call ahead list since it was Mother's Day).  We hopped in the car and made our way over.  When I got there, the place was P-A-C-K-E-D & the wait had skyrocketed to an hour.  We put our name in & then just patiently waited to be called.

The building itself is quite charming.  It's an old house that's been converted into a little restaurant.  The decor reminds me of something I'd see in Door County...roosters & fiestaware all over the place.  Worth noting:  There is a large pine tree growing out of the center of the house.  I'm not entirely sure what the story is behind it, but it's most certainly there.

Back to the food...

When we were finally called, we were seated in a roomy table near the back of the restaurant.  We ordered a round of mimosas (pomegranate orange juice for me, sans alcohol), which my mom remarked tasted flat.  My sister said that the OJ to champagne ratio was a glass of orange juice and a splash of champagne, which is why the bubbles were gone.  My pomegranate orange juice was delicious & I'm pretty sure they fresh squeeze their juice, which makes it even better.

While I'm normally a savory breakfast type, I opted for the blueberry/cream cheese strata, which is essentially blueberry bread pudding for breakfast.  Now, I'm no stranger to bread pudding.  At it's best, it's a square of fluffy, creamy bready custardy heaven, with just the right amount of crispy bread around the edges to make your fork instinctively go back for more.  

What I was served was a solid brick of bread & overcooked cream cheese, topped with fresh blueberry compote.  The strata was so dense, I couldn't even make it through half before I gave up and asked for a box.  The fruit cup that came with it consisted of various sized hunks of cantaloupe and a few grapes thrown in for good measure.  Did I mention that cantaloupe is my absolute least favorite fruit?  Anyway, the strata sat heavy in my stomach long after we settled up the bill and left.

Needless to say, while I will be returning to Benedicts again to try some of their other menu items, I won't be making the mistake of ordering another strata, unless I'm running short on building materials.

This was a wonderful place for breakfast. It was a quintessential American Breakfast menu and even had GLUTEN FREE PANCAKES. It's the kind of place you wish was down the street so you go every week.

I LOVE, LOVE LOVE this place. Not only is it absolutely ADORABLE, but the waitstaff is friendly and the food is incredible EVERY time! Definitely my favorite breakfast/brunch spot in the suburbs!
It definitely gets busy on weekend mornings, so be prepared for 15-30 minute wait if you arrive during the "breakfast rush hour" :)