With favorites like Colonial Café and Randall’s Pancake House nearby, it would appear that Elgin Community College students have a couple of obvious choices in terms of breakfast before class. What most might not realize, however, is that they are probably driving by a hidden gem of a brunch restaurant with every trip to the college; it’s time to give proper attention to McLean Boulevard’s Sweet Berry Café Pancake House.

Taking a left on Sundown Road into a small strip mall, early risers will find a pleasant surprise in Sweet Berry’s convenient location and clean, spacious dining room. Plenty of windows provide a sense of openness, and subtle decorations on the warmly-colored brick walls help create an overall inviting atmosphere.

We should also note that our waitress, while quiet at times, must be commended for their patience given the fact that our party filtered in at various intervals during the meal. We hate to give the wait staff a hard time, but the best restaurants always have notable service. Thank you, Sweet Berry!

After a pot of coffee (which was left at the table for our convenience), we knew we were going to have a big breakfast ahead of us: Between all of us, we enjoyed a starter of beignets, followed by an order of Sweet Berry Cakes and Cali Crepes.

Our “starter” came in the form of three beignets, a European-style “fritter,” presented lovingly on a dish, dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with chocolate and caramel. Do not be fooled: though it may look like your average fried dough, the toppings make all the difference, especially in the case of the caramel sauce. These left a lasting impression on us and will be a must-have with future breakfast orders.

Not long after, we found our eyes lighting up at the sight of the Sweet Berry Cakes and Cali Crepes. We must give special mention to the dishes’ excellent presentation and portion size; both of these will easily warrant a take-home box, as most people will probably not be finishing these breakfasts in one sitting.

The Sweet Berry Cakes were pancakes loaded with fresh strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries with a “crème anglaise” drizzle. Though pancakes, this take on the breakfast classic could easily pass for an actual cake, given its size, texture and sweetness. The fresh fruit really gave the pancakes themselves a run for their money, providing a mix of sweet tastes that paired flawlessly.

Over on the savory side, the Cali Crepes came loaded with scrambled eggs, bacon, avocado, spinach, and cheddar and jack cheese with a drizzle of hollandaise sauce for good measure. The crepes, fluffy with a hint of cinnamon, acted as a great carrier for the rich, buttery contents of the rest of the dish. It took some effort to put back this whole dish before class, but our party could not let such a successfully savory take on crepes go to waste

Though thoroughly stuffed, our waitress was still kind enough to bring an Andes mint alongside the check, truly sweetening the deal for all of us.

Overall, Sweet Berry Café in South Elgin was a special, tasty experience with a great atmosphere and price for any breakfast lover. As our final food review with The Observer comes to a close, our party (Ryan, Mitch, and photographer Jason Shaw) give Sweet Berry Café a 4.75 out of 5. We would like to thank our readers and hope they continue to eat, laugh, and broaden their horizons wherever they go. Happy Eating!

Sweet Berry Café Pancake House is located at 720 N. McLean Blvd. in South Elgin, and is open daily for breakfast and lunch from 6:30 AM to 3 PM. For more information, call (224) 238-3057, or visit sweetberrycafe.net.