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    Scratchboard Kitchen

    3.8 (331 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 8:30 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    Scratchboard Kitchen Photos

    SCRATCHBOARD KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Scratchboard Kitchen

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    Affogato

    Another fantastic meal at Scratchboard! This spot never disappoints to deliver delicious seasonal flavors with awesome service. We enjoyed the burrata and trout dip to start, then devoured the spätzle with beef tenderloin for the main course. Can't forget the fantastic affogatos our entire table ordered for dessert! We will continue to bring friends to this place as it has become one of our favorite local spots that always makes for a lovely evening! Cheers to the team!!!

    Veggie Grain bowl with shrimp

    Staff was amazing! Kind and attentive. The food was SO GOOD! Every dish we tried was so well prepared. You could tell everything was super fresh. The spatzle was to die for. I will be coming back specifically to try this again. Highly recommend scratchboard!

    Kat Q.

    What a cozy restaurant. The interior is set up as a winter ski lodge with a ski lift, snowy pine tree decor and comfortable seating. Parking may be a challenge at times but the village parking garage is only a block away. We ordered the smash burger which came on a brioche bun with bread and butter pickles and cheese. The truffle fries were good but a little too salty. I'd opt for regular fries next time. The squash soup was delicious but the chia seeds on top were a bit too hard and crunchy for me. They have a nice selection of beers and cocktails too. Everything is ala carte so the bill can add up. A nice winter retreat.

    Shakshouka
    Lily D.

    The inside of the restaurant is very tight, so if the weather is permitting, I would recommend outside seating for more room. Our server was very relaxed, and almost a little too relaxed. I appreciated the no stress ordering, but at times we felt forgotten. We ordered a side biscuit, which never came. Our server found us as we were leaving and offered it on the house, even though we had asked during our meal of the biscuit was coming and he said "yeah it should be out", but never updated us again. We had to tell him to remove the biscuit because we were already done with our meal and we were never checked on again. I will say, the breakfast sandwich was good, but very big. So come with an appetite! The egg was fluffy and the bacon was thick and not too chewy. The avocado was fresh. It said there is a cream cheese spread, but that was slightly peppery and more of a pimento. The shakshouka was my mom's. She said it was good but there was hardly any feta. We have had shakshouka elsewhere and decided this wouldn't be something we try again. Not pictured was my iced coffee, which I would not get again. Very watery and really no vanilla flavor. However we will come back and try their lunch service. The quality is there and everything is made in house, maybe we just got an off day.

    Billie M.

    The food was so good! I ordered the hash and while the dip didn't go with it, once I got it home and was able to add some hot sauce it was perfection. My friend got a biscuit sandwich and potatoes which she loved. The portion sizes were that perfect amount of not too small, not too big.

    Grits
    Lisa M.

    Love this restaurant. We've been here a handful of times and it never fails. We've always enjoyed our meals, and the staff has always been kind and attentive. We like the outdoor dining experience for brunch with our kids. We get to enjoy tasty food and beautiful weather. They offer a kids menu with a coloring sheet and crayons to keep littles busy. The scones and pop tarts change every time we've gone, so it's kind of fun to try it each time there's a new flavor. These are both great! Flaky and buttery. What's not to like? What we got: Lox on toast - The amount of lox is generous and the proportion of salmon to bread and everything else is just right. Love the capers, dill and red onions on it. It's on one slice, but definitely filling. Kids French Toast - This is sweet. But it's nice and fluffy and a winner for our kid. Sometimes kid menu items lean bland, and I'm not sure why. But this was flavorful and it comes with orange slices, so a little added bit of nutrition! Cheesy grits - So creamy! This was a really nice texture and consistency. It's a side but we ordered it as a main for our other kid. Slagel bacon - Comes with 2 slices, and we added it to the grits. Rose cardamom latte with oat milk - So good! It's sweet but not too sweet--the cardamom isn't overpowering and the rose isn't too floral.

    Biscuit Breakfast Sandwiches & Crispy Potatoes
    Miranda L.

    Disappointed to not be writing a glowing review of Scratchboard Kitchen. My fiancé and I have loved coming to brunch here over the last 3 years but left today feeling the experience isn't quite the same. We visited on a Sunday morning with no reservation which was no problem. The male at the host stand doubled as our waiter and could not be less hospitable. He mumbled, never refilled our water glasses, had a dry tone, and never smiled once. It came across that he could have cared less to be working that day and was irritated to be serving us. It seemed the menu had grown since the last time we dined which we were excited for! My fiancé ordered the Shakshouka and I the Breakfast Sandwich with Crispy Potato side (my favorite). The food took about 15 min to prepare and when it was brought out, I felt disappointed. The Breakfast Sandwich switched from their fluffy biscuit to a grainy english muffin. The Crispy Potatoes continue to not come with enough sauce. Underneath the coleslaw side was a dark, short hair. I asked for a new plate which they accommodated. We were later told my Crispy Potato side was comped which was nice but also the cheapest item we ordered and not the affected item. Down to receiving our bill, our waiter was not warm and came across impatient and careless. Overall, portions seemed smaller but pricing is still a premium. They pride themselves on all ingredients being fresh and house made but service has declined. This should be a two star review but I am hopeful they will turn things around.

    SEASONAL GRAIN & VEGGIE BOWL
    Joe M.

    I stopped into Scratch Board Kitchen on a whim while heading out to grab coffee and decided to stay for lunch and I'm really glad I did. The restaurant has a clean, upscale vibe with a lot of thought put into the decor. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and the menu was surprisingly diverse and creative. Pricing was reasonable for the most part, but I did find that adding a protein (I chose grilled chicken) made the meal a bit pricey my total came out to around $42 for a coffee, entrée, and pastry. I went with the Seasonal Grain & Veggie Bowl quinoa, lemon chili vinaigrette, peas with preserved lemon, artichokes, brown beech mushrooms, and red pepper spread with grilled chicken on top. It was fantastic. Fresh, flavorful, and balanced, with the mushrooms adding an earthy note that paired really well with the tang from the preserved lemon. The lemon squeeze at the table brought everything together. The cold brew iced coffee was also a standout rich and smooth, like an actual cup of brewed coffee poured over ice (not your typical watered-down cold brew). And I couldn't resist trying their chocolate strawberry pop tart. It was exceptional clearly handmade, soft and buttery with the perfect touch of sweetness. I genuinely wish I had grabbed a second one for later. All in all, a great little lunch stop. Would definitely come back, especially for brunch or to try more of those pastries. Just be ready for the bill to climb a bit if you add extras!

    Spicy Chicken Sandwich
    Alex M.

    Third time is not the charm. I'm not sure why we gave Scratchboard another chance. After our dinner experience a few years ago we should have known better. But we figured we would try the brunch again. Well. What a disappointing brunch. We had a reservation for outside. They were busy, but they tried to seat us (two adults and a high chair for a baby) where two adults and a baby had no chance of fitting. We ended up waiting for a table to leave so we would have space for the high chair. No problem. But the food. Oh boy the food. Again, I have no problem paying high prices for small portions if the food is quality. But this food was not. The breakfast hash was oily and under seasoned. No one wants to eat an egg and potatoes with no salt. The Rueben tartine was edible but came with a coleslaw that was potentially rancid and definitely soggy and inedible. On top of that, our server was a little rude. We won't be back. If you're stopping in for a latte or poptart I'm sure that would be fine. As those were tasty. But I cant recommend the food.

    Trauma  inducing Bloody Mary

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Danielle K.

    Thank you, Cheryl!! We look forward to welcoming you back again!

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    Danielle K.

    I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for your review!

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    2 years ago

    Always delicious, never had a bad meal here. Not the portion sizes you get at 'normal' brunch places but A+ quality.

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    Thank you so much!! Your kind words mean a lot to us!

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    Thank you!

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    Thank you so much! We look forward to seeing you back here again soon!

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    Page 3 of 9

    Ask the Community - Scratchboard Kitchen

    Do you take reservations or is their a waitlist option on the weekend?

    We take reservations and also accept walk-in’s. Reservations can be made online or by calling us at 847-749-3103.

    Before heading out. Would you be able to tell me some of your GF and DF options? I appreciate your help

    Of course! Here are some great options: Horchata Overnight Oats: DF & GF Spring Salad: GF & can be DF… 

    Is this place good for dining with young kids?

    Yes! We love when little ones join us at Scratchboard! We have a kids menu which you can find on our website, changing table in the first restroom, and high chairs.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    4.2(168 reviews)
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    It was a Sunday so we anticipated a bit of a wait and fortunately put our name on the waitlist…read moreprior to heading that way. Upon arriving we were told what our additional wait would be and it was within the parameters of what was communicated when we initially joined the waitlist. We were waited on promptly and put in our orders. I am a country fried steak fan and ordered that with hash browns and eggs over easy. There were ample hash browns cooked very nicely and the country fried steak was tender and well seasoned. It had a bit of a black pepper flavor. I also paid a bit extra for specialty pancakes because I am a huge fan of the red velvet pancakes. They are sweet and decadent but I can never pass up the opportunity. My daughter ordered the Açaí bowl which was a large portion and had ample ingredients with fruit and granola. It was nicely frozen and fresh. It was more than enough to fill her. They offer a nice selection of beverages and I took advantage of the Bloody Mary that was flavorful and tasty. The ambience is welcoming and vibrant and the staff collaborates nicely to make sure your needs are met. Solid and attentive service but no intrusive. A very solid choice for breakfast with plenty of choices to select from.

    Gluten free bread, pancake and waffle options. Pancake and…read morewaffle batter does have egg. Fries share a fryer with gluten items. Plant milk options (not listed on menu): Coconut, Almond and Oat milk Server was nice when it came ti accommodating to my food related questions. There is outdoor seating, bit it was not in use while we were there A little on the noisy side, but not bad on side without bar. Portions are of a generous size.

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    First Watch - Barbacoa Breakfast Tacos

    First Watch

    4.0(133 reviews)
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    Came to this location for the very first time for a weekday breakfast. As expected, we were seated…read morevery quickly in the place quite frankly was empty. However, we came back because we've been the other first watch locations and truly enjoyed the food. Our waiter this day was super nice and friendly, so no complaints whatsoever and the food came out very quickly. My only complaints here have been perhaps I've only realized it now is that they give you the coffee carafe they give you the water Kara and then you have to further serve yourself for the rest of the meal. Then, if you have leftovers, they give you the box and you have to go pack it yourself. If I have to do this amount of work myself, then why am I tipping a server who only came to actually take my order because I completely different group of people actually brought my plates and a completely different group of people cleaned off the table and the plates. Wow, this is not necessarily a crime or unique to first watch. I will say that delicious food is only enhanced by incredible service and experience. So they really need to up their game.

    This would be my third visit to this location I've been…read moretrying to give it the benefit of the doubt... . This last Sunday was the worst. Our waitress had to constantly be reminded of what we ordered., she never came back to ask if anything else was needed, we received the pancakes with no syrup had to flag down the bus boy because the waitress was not around. We had to take the salt and pepper shaker from another table because she forgot about us. We needed more napkins ... Our coffee pitcher ran out after 2 cups And when we mentioned these issues, she just responded. I have a lot of tables. No apology no professionalism... ! She became friendlier at the end of meal when she delivered our check ... I recommend you train your staff a little more in Customer Service.

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    CoCo & Blu - Large latte and croissant

    CoCo & Blu

    4.4(259 reviews)
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    Barista Tara is a rockstar!! I visited CoCo & Blu the other day and inquired about latte art. I was…read moretold that the amazing artist who'd once made my drink had moved out of state, but that everyone else there could make hearts and flowers. Enter Tara, who said she'd try her best to make something special. She delivered an adorable bear on my drink! She said she might be able to do better, but I loved her effort and enthusiasm. My friend and I headed outside to enjoy our drinks on the patio. Several minutes later, Tara came outside carrying another latte. She had PERFECTED the latte bear and gave it to us for free! She made my entire day. Thank you to Tara for the amazing art and for going above and beyond in your customer service!! I can't wait to go back for my next coffee and hope she's working when I do.

    Came here for the first time on a Saturday. Was fortunate enough to walk into town and walk in…read morehere. On a Saturday morning at not even 9 AM. Expect a line as there was a long line when we arrive. Unfortunately there's only one person at the cashier register and I think there's only one register and there's only that one person who's taking the orders. While I understand that this is a small run shop I will say that standing in line and waiting on a Saturday morning really is discouraging. The food however, a super delicious and came out very timely. So absolutely no complaints for me and they also have a water station set up so you can help yourself to water which is fantastic. After sitting around for about an hour to an hour and a half this place got super packed with families's children and strollers which made it even harder to move around. The ambience is fantastic so definitely worth it for your social media. I would come back here again, however I'm not really someone to order alcohol here at this time but for breakfast I think it's great.

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    CoCo & Blu - Tuna avocado salad

    Tuna avocado salad

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    Golden Brunch - Ham and over medium eggs

    Golden Brunch

    4.3(402 reviews)
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    This is one of those places that quietly becomes your go-to without you even realizing it…read more What stands out immediately is how consistently good everything is. The portions are generous to the point where your plate feels like it's making a promise it fully intends to keep. Whether it's pancakes, omelets, or something a little more creative, the food comes out hot, fresh, and exactly what you hoped to enjoy. The menu walks that perfect line between classic and creative. Things like loaded skillets, sweet crepes, and standout omelets get a lot of love, and for good reason. And then there's the service, which honestly might be the secret ingredient. Even when it's busy, and it does get busy, the staff keeps things moving while still making you feel like you're taken care of. Friendly, attentive, and quick without being rushed, it's the kind of service that makes a place feel personal. At the end of the day, this is what a great breakfast spot is supposed to be: reliable, welcoming, and genuinely.

    My husband and I went to Golden Brunch on a Sunday morning. When we got to our table the water…read morepitcher from the previous diners was still on the table and stayed there for the entire meal. We ordered the Bavarian French toast and the sausage links and eggs for breakfast. The French toast was made with very standard ingrediants. The chocolate chips were literally thrown on the pancakes without any effort put into it. If a little more care and attention had been paid this could have been a great meal. Unfortunately what was memorable was the high prices we paid.

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    Golden Brunch - Inside

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    Egg House - Pancakes

    Egg House

    4.3(75 reviews)
    0.2 mi
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    Our first visit to the Egg House was a pleasant surprise. The food and The presentation was…read moreExcellent! Coffee outstanding and last but not least our Server Mishel was absolutely delightful. Also this place has such a charming atmosphere. We definitely will be returning.

    Came here on a random Sunday during peak brunch hours at around 11:30 AM. Luckily we found some…read morestreet parking but there is a parking lot in the back as well. That is also free. When we checked in, they told us the wait was 40 minutes. I have no idea what happened but they actually seated us in 14 minutes. The place was totally packed. It's very cute and it's decor and ambience. However, something really weird is happening with the ceiling tiles so not sure if that needs any type of attention or repair. The place is pretty expensive as well. The menu is decent for choices with lots of different choices frankly. What I don't like about the menu is that with some of the orders it literally only comes with one sausage link, which I thought was weird and it doesn't even give you the option for Patty or an option for more sausage links in the order you have to order it on the side. When the dishes came, it was also weird was that the bacon was as thin as paper so that was really a letdown hence part of the four stars. Our waitress though was absolutely fantastic very attentive. She did forget a couple things but that's OK. It was a hectic morning. I don't mind that and it doesn't bother me. The pancakes are delicious. Definitely do not taste like overly floured, which is great. I would come back, however I will also say that the Arlington Heights area has a lot of brunch breakfast places, and in order to stay relevant you have to be competitive and really up your game whether it's on the food quality the location the service something that really makes you stand out ahead above the rest.

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    Honey-Jam Cafe - BBQ Chicken tortilla salad

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    3.8(270 reviews)
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    OK, we have downgraded it by a star and haven't visited recently because there was a server we…read morereally don't like (and I think they don't like us either), and there's no way to avoid them (don't know when they work and whether we would get assigned to them when we arrive. I won't get into the details but this staff kind of gives us attitude and questions our choices and also gets our orders wrong even tho we always order the same things. They just don't seem like they want to be there, and it is just a bit off putting. Having said that, we do occasionally still stop by. We have ventured out to try stuff that's NOT waffles. The kids liked the small quesadillas i think-- not greasy and nice plain flavors, easy to please the kids. My oldest really liked the tuna melt and it was good, and generous portions. Easy to split with the other kids. The ironman in comparison is so tiny and not worth the price-- which is really just paying for the "health" aspect of it. I get it. Overall, the foods are still really good, we just don't really like having to gamble with who our server is that day!

    Corned Beef Hash & Eggs: I get the corned beef well done, with scrambled hard eggs. The tater tots…read moreare a solid side. Everything's been consistently good, and the portion size is generous. 8.5/10 Eggs Benedict: Pretty classic, nothing unexpected, but done really well. The sauce ties it all together nicely. 8.5/10 Cinnamon Roll Pancake: Really good. I've tried the s'mores before, but this one is better, more flavor and just hits right. 9/10 Service: Always great. Orders come out right every time. This is my go-to breakfast spot. 10/10

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    Honey-Jam Cafe - Left side

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    Menu

    Scratchboard Kitchen - breakfast_brunch - Updated September 2026

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