I was early and scheduled to officiate a basketball game at New Trier. I wanted to check out the downtown area and grab a bite to eat.. Walked into Hotcakes Cafe and experienced a wonderful meal and wonderful Down Home service. Had a typical breakfast and it was delicious and they brought it out in minutes. Can't recommend enough ! read more

I'm not a pancake eater and I avoid carbs but I stopped in here for a quick cup of coffee one day and thought I'll "try" a pancake out of curiosity. OMG! The buttermilk flair is OUT OF THIS WORLD! Seriously. BY FAR THE BEST PANCAKE I've ever had in my life. The thick cut smoky bancon, whipped butter and a cup of REALLY GOOD COFFEE was all a welcome surprise I wasn't expecting. I'm a California girl who doesn't eat carbs! But this is well worth the splurg! ABSOLUTKEY DELICIOUS! I'm hooked! read more

I had the most disgusting sandwich I think I've ever had in my life there. The veggie melt. Thin and fragile wheat bread slathered in warm mayonnaise with undercooked zucchini and flavorless tomatoes. Even though I was hungry, I couldn't make my way through this atrocity. Service was great though so bonus star. Careful what you order here! read more

The food is ALRIGHT, I've definitely had better and certainly had worse. I would have considered coming back however the owner was incredibly harsh and rude. I understand breakfast is busy on the weekend, but it does not warrant poor treatment of paying customers. On top of it all, FLIES and NO AC. read more

The peak of mediocrity for breakfast. Super over priced for standard eggs, even charges for a cup of hot water. Really? Made the mistake of not checking the reviews before coming here, but just save your money and keep walking. read more

Came here on a Saturday morning with my friend - bad idea... The place is small inside; there's only a tiny counter with about 6 stools and a few booths and it's cramped. The booths were all taken by families with kids. Then a single father and his two kids came to sit at the counter and the kids were annoying. I felt like I was staring at the waitress and hostess the whole time which wasn't a pleasant sight. As for the food, I paid about 10 dollars for two cornmeal pancakes. I could get more for less elsewhere. Not coming here again. read more

I like Hotcakes Cafe. I have been here three times over four years and I am always happy I stopped in. Everything they make is from Scratch. They seem to like cool ingredient combinations, which I enjoy. I recently tried the power scramble which consisted of baby kale, mushrooms, tomatoes and egg whites. I really enjoyed it! The service was fine. They had two servers working on a Friday morning and they seemed to have a handle in keeping things at an even pace. This isn't the Four Seasons cafe, but they made me feel welcome, and my food was hot. What more can I ask for? The one thing I will say is there were a lot of flies in house that day. Maybe an air curtain at the door or a screen door would help. read more

Best pancakes, EVER!!! Seriously! I'm not a person who frequently eats pancakes, but when I do it has to be at Hotcakes. The first time I was there I got Chocolate Chip pancakes, or as they call them Candy Pancakes. You know how at most places chocolate chips make the pancakes good? At Hotcakes, they chocolates chips enhance the taste. I've been back a few times. On one of my visits I tried some simple, plain pancakes just to make sure it wasn't the chocolate chips that had me coming back for more. What did I find out? Indeed, the pancakes in their simplest form were amazing! The service was great and those that worked there are friendly. This is a cash only restaurant so if you mainly pay via plastic be sure to have some bills on you when you visit. read more

Despite living nearby for years, I never wandered into Hotcakes until recently and I'm so upset at all I have missed out on! I love breakfast food and I haven't been disappointed in either of my two visits. On my most recent trip, last Sunday, I had one of their specials - a Mediterranean omelette with tomato, fresh basil and feta. It was awesome! I tried a bite of my friend's tamale corn flapjacks and they were great, too. While they have a lunch menu, too, I'm sticking with breakfast when I go there. Although I have to admit I was tempted by some of the items on the specials board, like a Turkey Club. Makes me hungry now just to think about it. read more

This place has gone severely downhill. Pathetic service and business they run. They also enjoy making up rules about which tables are for two or four+. They legit lost the business of two people because they wouldn't let them sit down at tables for 4. Those tables never filled for the entire time... nice work! The food is decent so thanks to the chef... but everything else was awful. $5 to sub fruit for potatoes and toast? Goodbye to Hotcakes. Should have waited in line at Walker Bros. read more

Despite reading through all the dismal reviews for this place, my group and I decided to try it out for brunch. We went on a Tuesday at 10, so it wasn't exactly the busiest time of day, but the service was good and patient with us. The food itself was decent, especially for the money. A stack of 3 massive hotcakes is only $6, and sides are from $2-4. They have lots of specials and one can eat well for under $15. This place isn't going to give Walker Bros. a run for their money, but it's probably one of the better places in Wilmette to go for breakfast (Mrs. D's Diner by Linden is another good one). read more

Pretty damned good. Typical pancake house offerings done much better than most. I don't even like pancakes, other than buckwheats at Walker Brothers. Hotcakes's simple hotcakes come from the griddle smooth and rich with butter in their batter and make me want a second helping. Their house syrup is very mapley. They cook egg dishes in butter, too. Basted eggs come with correctly soft yolks! Breakfast meats are all a cut above, also. Small, a bit cramped. Heavy golden oak coloured paneling. Charming. It's pretty damned good, by golly. ~Peter O. read more

Good place for traditional breakfast. Eggs, pancakes, the works. They also offer corn meal pancakes and other Mexican options to change it up a bit. Kid friendly too. My son tried the BLT and seems pretty happy with it. Service is friendly and fast. Atmosphere is small but cozy (although a little stuffy for the time we were there). Heads up though. Cash only. read more

So glad to have came across this place while driving around. I'll admit it was a little awkward at first because I went in, saw the cash only sign, and quickly turned around to go to the ATM. Better to find out before ordering though. After getting my cash, I went back in and placed my order. Got the short stack of their buttermilk pancakes and a corned beef hash skillet with 2 over easy eggs. Pancakes were great. Smelled great, came with tons of butter, and syrup was already on the table. Best of all. They were super fluffy and just a little chewy... I guess that's what sets them apart from everyone else, that chewiness. Corned beef hash was great. Nothing fancy. Just the dog-food-style that I grew up on. Nice pieces of browned bits here and there. Maybe just slightly salty. The over easy eggs were good as well. White on both sides with super runny yolks. Perfection. All and all, it's a good place but probably not one i'd go out of my way to try again. read more

Hotcakes - Standard corned beef hash with great serving of fluffy pancakes. - American Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

My friend and I have been coming here for years, I can't believe I never wrote a review until now. The food is always freshly made, always good. The Chutney Chicken Salad at lunch is one of my favorites, and their sandwiches are all good. I've never had a bad breakfast , out of the probably 50+ I've eaten here over the years. I've never had bad service here. Ever. I suspect previous reviewers who had bad service were probably bad customers. As noted in previous reviews, they don't take plastic, only cash. You know what that is, right? People used to buy things with it, or stuff some under their mattress. If you don't know what cash is, ask your Nana. Now, the restaurant is tiny, and has a sort of New England diner atmosphere. I realize that doesn't always sit well with some of the uppity nouveau riche from Wilmette. So if you're one of them, then you might be better off finding somewhere more prestigious to dine. But if you want a reliably good breakfast or lunch, don't mind sitting close to your neighbors, and can dig up some old-fashioned currency, then Hotcakes should suit you just fine. There's a reason this place has stayed in business all these years, and why it's always filled with customers: THE FOOD IS GOOD. Pretty simple. read more

This was our first and what will be last time coming here. From the outside, Hotcakes looks like a cute neighborhood breakfast place. Was always curious to change our normal breakfast routine and give Hotcakes a try. I had the Tamales Corn Flapjacks, and rest of family had pancakes and French toast. Sadly, was very disappointed with the food. The Tamales corn flapjack were three dense, undercooked, and monotone in color. Nothing on the side (eg fruit, or side accompaniment) to cut through three huge flapjacks. I am not a picky eater, and so can overlook the dense flapjacks, but the fact that it was undercooked I could not even eat it. As for the pancakes - they were just average. Lastly, the French toast was over drenched in egg mixture and became completely soggy. The outside could have benefited from added time on the griddle to develop a crust. Overall, our food was well below average - in terms of your average brunch place. There may be other better dishes to choose from at Hotcakes, but unfortunately the three we picked today were total misses. read more

The food was good. Good enough to give this place another chance. They should discontinue products with high fructose in them... Ketchup and jam. My husband asked for his English muffin to be "well done, toasted well". It was not, sent it back, came out the same, sent it back. Finally got his muffin after we both finished our meal. We will come back as we're working nearby, but just one more chance to get the simple things right. They should have comp'ed his meal...in my opinion. read more

Service is terrible. Had to get my own menu and later just got up and got my own straws. Waitress was never around and never asked to fill up my coffee. Food is so-so. The pancakes are nothing special. What is the point of Hotcakes as the name if they don't stand out from any other mediocre hash slinging joint. You will get better service and pancakes at the Golden Arches. read more

OK. This place has the cute little diner-esk feel to it. However, we didn't get off to a great start. I'm guilty, I like to study a menu. I like to imagine what everything is going to taste like... in my mouth... before I actually choose something to order. I was asked if I was "ready to order" three separate times by two different people, within four minutes of entering this restaurant. Also, there isn't a children's menu. The restaurant gets three stars for offering some interesting breakfast options beyond the average. Example... items with goat cheese... homemade salsa... etc. But, they lost stars again when the hotcakes were average. They should knock my socks off when the restaurant is named Hotcakes. read more

We went here on a whim because the line at Walker Brothers, as usual, was atrocious. The reviews are right, it's small, a little cramped-- dinereqsue. But I like it that way! It's cozy. They gave my dad his coffee in a Santa mug! A SANTA MUG! I knew at that moment that this place deserved at least two stars. The reviews are right about service. The lady is ready to get your order-- fast. That's OK with me. She wasn't rude when we asked for more time, and quite frankly I'd prefer a waitress in checks in too often than visa versa. We left her a good tip. The food was great! You'll remember that we passed Walker Bros for this place and it was a good second option. The Eggs Benedict was actually BETTER than WBros. and the holiday pancakes were unique and tasty. Dad got some hash thing and he gobbled it up. All in all, success! So I don't know, I guess if you go in with a bad attitude it would be easy to write this place off. We liked to coziness and attentiveness. Hats off! read more

Hotcakes is not that nice a spot. The food is good for a pancake joint but they have several flaws. The place doesn't take debit/credit, Cash only! Which is a problem because they don't have an ATM and the closest ATM is 2 block away. It's very irritating. Next the service here sucks. I can't really give a better description. I've been here twice and there was no difference. Long wait time for the food and inattentive wait staff. All of this wouldn't be bad if it wasn't for the prices being high with no "deals". Like a 2x2x2 or something... nope! It's French toast 5.45 bacon 3.50... ridiculous. read more

Went here on a hot day in mid afternoon. No air conditioning. No daily newspaper. No credit cards. Food was just fair.

I went here recently and as this posts ages, it was incredibly cold. Chicago winters... anyways, you could turn a hot coffee into an iced coffee whenever a patron opened the door. Not the restaurant's fault but wearing your parka while eating isn't my favorite way to enjoy breakfast. I'd say the service was really attentive. They were nice enough to seat us away from the cold front of the dining room. I love that this place has so many seasonal specials and they're handwritten in blackboard marker at each table. Meaning, you don't have to herniate a disc to find out what they stuff into french toast. I had the tamale pancakes, which were fantastic. While they are different, the salsa and sour cream paired up well. I like savory so it was a good match for me. One thing that I don't prefer is that it is cash only. read more

I received this as a recommendation from my landlord. My wife and I do breakfast together every Saturday and decided to check it out and were definitely glad that we did. Upon walking it the restaurant had a very warm and welcoming environment. It was busy they morning we went but the noise level was not crazy loud. The servers and staff were absolutely amazing and very attentive in checking up on us. We got the hotcakes which they are named and known for and I would definitely recommend as they just melt in your mouth. At the end of the meal, the own rang us out and she was so down to earth and genuinely wanted to make sure we enjoyed our meal and that everything went well. This is a place my wife and I will indeed be going back to often. The only minor thing to remember is that it is cash only so make sure to bring some with you. Happy dining! read more

We actually eat here a fair more than I wish because there are not a ton of breakfast options on the North Shore but we are so tired of the blah atmosphere and blah service. The staff all acts as though they could really care less you are there. There are a few standout services but I feel like we do not see them regularly on the weekends. It's often hard to get a coffee refill which is one thing you like at breakfast. And forget about eating here in the winter. It's FREEZING inside. The heat will appear to be turned up but it will be 65 degrees inside. Clearly they don't care enough to put up a proper shelter door in the winter. Could be so much better. read more

Love this place for breakfast! Wilmette scrambler is my fav. Great coffee in super cute mugs read more

Hotcakes - American Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

Bright and cheerful family run restaurant. Had breakfast for family of six and service was great and really enjoyed the pancakes, they are rather large. read more

Never again very slow service and the food wasn't that great ordered omelette half way found some thing in food. She didn't take out the check read more

We've been here a couple of times - the food is pretty good, but the service is spotty (granted, they're very busy) on weekends and it's not obvious until the end that the place is cash only. We've only dined outside and not actually in the restaurant, but it's a welcome alternative to Walker Brothers (which has a horrible line, ALWAYS) and Panera Bread (which counts as breakfast, but barely). read more

Extremely slow service. I get that this is a small local place, but this is not an excuse for taking 15 minutes to greet us, making mistakes on the order, never bringing us water until halfway through the meal, never even offering to refill the coffee. The food was above average and that was about it. read more

New to the area, I have driven by and been meaning to try this place for several months now. I was so excited to try what appeared to be a fantastic place.... It was HORRIBLE. 1. I walked in the door and was ignored for 10 minutes. When I finally had to summon a waitress myself, she looked bothered and scoffed, "I thought you were with the other group." 2. They don't make malts/milkshakes. 3. I ordered a coffee and water. It took the busboy 10 minutes to notice my water was empty. When I asked him for more cream for my coffee, he said sure...and never brought any. 4. I ordered whole wheat pancakes. And waited. And waited. And waited. Three groups that came in after me were served. I tried making eye contact with the waitresses or busboy; no one would even look at me. I finally got one of them and asked about my pancakes. I was told, "he had to make more batter." It takes 20 extra minutes to make batter??? 5. After waiting over a half hour for my much anticipated whole wheat pancakes, they arrived. BURNT. 6. I sat trying to enjoy my burnt pancakes, but could not because my table was so close to the other two next to me that I kept getting bumped from the busboy who so attentively kept refilling everyone else's water but mine. 7. I went to pay. No credit cards accepted. I stood at the counter for another five minutes, waiting for someone to notice me. I was SO excited to try this and SO disappointed. I RARELY write yelp reviews, but this one I flew home to write IMMEDIATELY. Hopefully someone at the establishment bothers to read this; it is a shame that such a lovely little place is such a MASSIVE disappointment. I will not be back. read more

Sadly, a Saturday breakfast is not the best time at Hotcakes. Although the owner is a nice guy, his waitresses are flustered and fairly unresponsive as well as uninformed. I always get corn tortillas instead of bread. My waitress said she didn't think that would be allowed and after she checked, told me so, while another waitress appeared to tell her I didn't want tamales but tortillas! I'm on a special diet so I bring my expensive almond milk latte with me, never a problem. Told the cashier I was going to the washroom after paying and returned to find the drink tossed into the garbage. No one was able to acknowledge the error nor the difference between my drink and theirs. read more

I will never go back mostly because of the rude owners. Took my elderly parents there for a late breakfast. No air conditioning and it was 90 degrees outside! Funny because we left The Green Bay Cafe for the same reason. The waitress there said "Go to Hotcakes it's the same owner and he finally paid to fix the AC there". She was wrong. But we were starving and stayed anyway. Food was nothing special considering 4 of us spent over $50 on breakfast and left hungry. The kicker was paying the bill when we met the owners. My Mom went to pay and was told they only take cash. The woman behind the counter rudely said "Been the way for 20 years!" Really? It's 2015! And if you are charging that much for food you better put signs everywhere that says you are stuck in the dark ages. So my Mom said in her sweet old lady voice "Hmmm No air conditioning and no credit cards. Strange place" That is when the man also standing behind the counter who I also believe is the owner looks at me and my wife and rolled his eyes, shrugged his shoulders and shoot his head making fun of her. He didn't realize THAT IS MY MOM YOU ARE MAKING FUN OF YOU JERK!!! Go spend your money with good people who provide good food and good service instead of Hotcakes or The Green Bay Cafe! They don't deserve your hard earned money! read more

The charm of this place comes from its quaint ambiance. Small town, cash only, no-frills family atmosphere. They have great pancakes. The banana bread is a must -order item. Their menu is definitely not boring and shows some innovative cooking. Its a down-home cooking that holds its own. We love eating here! read more

This place deserves no stars. The food is not "homemade." Canned corned beef hash anyone? There are flies everywhere. The decor is dirty and outdated. The owner is mean to the waitresses, and I do not support a place that treats their staff so badly. Go to the pancake house for God's sake. This place is Ew. read more

What this place lacks in size and the ability to take credit cards, it more than makes up for in quality of food. We came here for the first time this morning and had a very delicious breakfast. My chorizo Benedict was outstanding and the side of corned beef hash I ordered was probably some of the best I've ever tasted. My son loved his M&M pancakes (as did I). My wife ordered the hue so rancheros and said it was amazing. As I mentioned above, they could use some more room as the place only had about 8 tables and a bar area for seating. They also take cash only, which can be tricky to know how much to bring, especially since their prices are a bit higher than what you'd expect from a diner. read more

Excellent food! Combinations flavors and dishes like your Gramma made. It is small and tables are close but there is countertop seating too. You have to try it. It's charming, great service & really good food @ reasonable $$. read more

Always yummy! Great spot for breakfast in downtown Wilmette. Try the power omelette! But beware you need cash on hand to pay the bill.

I have been going to Hotcakes on and off for years and I never know whether it will be great or awful. Today it was pretty awful. My blueberry pancakes came with some mysterious green stuff on top and in the butter. The bacon was pitiful. We didn't get any water and the door was open to serve the outside tables and it was hot and there were flies. And the pancakes had lumpy parts. It might be a while before I try this Jekyll and Hyde restaurant again. read more

This is probably one of the worst places to eat on the north shore. It was really gross on the inside. Our table was dirty, the service was rude and the food was horrible. Bad coffee. Gross bacon. read more