Food was good, service very good and I love that they have dated yet beautiful interior and ambiance. I have gone here a few times whenever visiting friends in the area, so we went in today again. She and her family always get the Apple pancake, I forget what it's called on the menu. Apple pancake maybe. It always looks delicious but too sweet for breakfast or brunch for me. I got the spinach crepes with cheese that had 3potato pancakes per order. The potato pancakes were great. The crepes had hollandaise sauce on top with spinach and cheese in the filling. They were very good but I didn't really care for the cheese as it was some kind of cheese sauce and I was thinking it would have been shredded cheese of some sort. It wasn't awful just not to my liking. The service was great which all restaurants should strive to here. You can always tell when people are too busy talking and eating because I forget to take pictures of the food. lol Anyway this place is usually busy, especially on weekends, so obviously very popular for a reason. Plan accordingly. read more

Walker Bros. The Original Pancake House - The beautiful stained glass. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

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I never expected to write a review on a Pancake House - but I was visiting family in Wilmette, and was intrigued by the restaurant's history. The very first Original Pancake House was founded in Portland, Oregon in 1953! The Walker Brothers of Chicago were one of the first franchisees, opening a restaurant in Wilmette, Illinois in 1960. Sixty six years later, the Original Pancake House they opened still operates on Green Bay Road in Wilmette. Of course, I ordered the Buttermilk Pancakes! On the menu under the Buttermilk Pancakes, it says 'Simple Is Best!', and it is! I was served six large pancakes - they were fluffy and light and I drenched them in syrup! We also ordered the Chocolate Chip pancakes which were delicious, like the Buttermilks, but with chips and a sprinkling of powdered sugar. I also ordered bacon - I have to mention I like my bacon extra crisp - and I know it's a challenge for most restaurants to cook it the way I like. About half the bacon was crispy and crunchy. The other half was chewy and I left that part; but enjoyed the crispy sections. Overall, it was a delicious breakfast - have I had better pancakes, yes I have, but these were as good as you'll find in most restaurants! read more

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We loved the food here so much! The item that caught my eyes right away was the chipotle chicken crepe and it satisfied everything I was hoping for. The crepe was soft and delicious. The sauce paired so well with everything on it. It came with potato pancakes which was soft and tasty. The banana pancakes was soft and fluffy. And the hash brown was crispy on the outside and side and creamy on the inside. I especially loved the Hawaii kona coffee, it was the perfect pair to the food. The service was very quick and attentive and I love the stain glasses inside the diner. read more

Walker Bros. The Original Pancake House - Chipotle chicken crepe, banana pancakes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

Walker Brothers Original Pancake House is no joke. Every time I stop In here I leave with a belly full and a soul happy. read more

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Honestly, this is hands down one of my top favorite brunch spots. It's always consistent. Every single time it's absolutely divine, and the pancakes are what dreams are made of. I've been to several locations, but none compare to this one. Please get the blueberry pancakes. I literally have dreams about them. My gosh, they are just heavenly. Service is quick and speedy, and they have some of the best coffee--brewed fresh and hot for you. read more

Great customer service!! Very busy day so totally understand the wait. Server and bussers were very attentive. Food was so yummy!! I got pancakes,hash browns, scrambled eggs (eggs were top noice) Canadian bacon ,orange juice, bananas and cream. The location is beautiful, stainless glass lights and wood decor . Bathroom were every clean and nice read more

Walker Bros. The Original Pancake House - Hot chocolate with whip cream - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

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It was our first time at this location (Wilmette) vs. we've been at the Glenview location many times. Quick to be seated. Waiter was efficient. Staff is busy. Clean environment. No music, just loud chatter. More families here with kids. This will be adult and kid ratings: 1. Challah french toast 4 stars (kid) 2. Hash browns 3.5 stars (kid and adult) 3. Asparagus garden omelette 2 stars. (Adult) Eggs were overcooked and dried out and all veggies were undercooked. Recommend precooking asparagus and peppers. 4. Continental breakfast (adult) 4 stars. Liked the fresh orange juice. 5. Potato pancakes (latkes) 2 stars (adult) it was a bit burned. Sort of expecting a mix between. Pancake and hash brown consistency & needs seasoning of some kind. 6. Bacon - 5 stars (everyone) 7. Toast - 4 stars (everyone) but the jam is 5 stars. Thanks to the wait staff. Very hard working. The issue we see if with the chef. Or the timing. Or something. Service is 5 stars, chef quick, staff quick to respond. read more

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I've been coming here for over 2 decades! Finally submitted a review. My go-to when I was younger was the continental breakfast with a side of chocolate chip pancakes. Sadly I'm older and more health conscious now so I ordered a Walker Bros breakfast and shared some apple cinnamon pancake with my friends. Coffee was good and wad refilled several times. Service was great and she checked in on us regularly. read more

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This place is . The vibe, the history, the beautiful nostalgia. Loved the experience from the second I got there. Service was terrific - we got seated right away on a weekday for brunch. (I hear that weekends there are lines out the door - I believe it! By the way, it's totally worth the wait). Our server was prompt, attentive and helpful. Had a long catch up with a friend and we were never rushed. This was my first time here - and I will be back! I had an egg white omelette with veggies and cheese. Literally the best Omelette I've ever had!!! So unique - it takes time to prepare (which they gave me a choice on to do a scramble vs. omelette). Again worth the wait. So beautifully presented. It's like a soufflé and so super tasty from the textures to the fresh ingredients. Portion size huge. My friend got a broccoli and cheese omelette which was also very tasty and her favorite. They came with a side of pancakes which were fluffy and delicious. Love the combo so you can get both savory and sweet. Their menu is vast - incredible range of breakfast items - I hear their potato pancakes are amazing - I bet everything is here. Highly recommend. (This is also the location where the restaurant scene in the movie Ordinary People was filmed). The stained glass all around was truly stunning. read more

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Walker Brothers is "One" of the best restaurants in the north shore for breakfast or brunch!!!! The servers are the best!!!

We drove by on the way to an appointment, and knew we had to try it. I'm so amazing. The interior is amazing. Wood paneling, fiffany everywhere , and dripping with character. I'd recommend getting there off hours to avoid the line. I had a Venetian Benedict. It was frankly one of the best Benedict's I've eaten in my life. Everyone loved their food. read more

Walker Bros. The Original Pancake House - Venetian Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

This felt like the most quintessential Wilmette stop for brunch with my grandmother. This pancake house has the most beautiful architectural decor - it feels as though you are stepping into a time machine when you walk through the front doors. Slow down and take in the space - you likely will have a chance to while you wait for a table, as this place is hopping! We got a table for 4 relatively quickly (10 - 15 minutes). Our waitress was attentive and quick. Even with a restaurant at capacity, service moved quickly and we were able to get much needed coffee and get our orders in for food. I'm a savory breakfast girly - and the two eggs any style, hash browns sizzled with sweet onions, and crispy bacon did not disappoint. Classic diner breakfast food done right - no complaints here! read more

Walker Bros. The Original Pancake House - Exterior shot! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

I've been to Walker Bros before but its been a long time! I decided to meet a friend here for brunch and I'm so glad I did. We went on a Saturday- later side (12pm) because they can get super packed earlier. The parking lot gets full so there is also parking across the street. They were still pretty busy and we waited in line but moved up quickly because they were looking for 2 people. The place is exactly how I remember and I love the stain glass. They only serve breakfast here but they have so many options- pancakes, waffles, crepes, eggs, sides, etc. They have amazing speciality pancakes- that are massive! I decided to order side of bacon and eggs (add cheese) with a 1/2 order of the potato pancakes. We also got 1/2 order of the chocolate chip pancakes and another side of bacon. We requested the bacon well done. Everything was really fantastic. The eggs were fluffy, the pancakes were both flavorful, etc. My only issue was one of the orders of bacon wasnt that well done and fatty. Our waitress was also busy and didn't check in often. But this is a really solid place and I will be back! Overall experience 4.5/5 read more

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Amazing pancakes, awesome staff, bustling atmosphere. They move through a long line efficiently. Stellar management

Had a really delicious breakfast here! The strawberry crepes and bacon were excellent. The blueberry pancakes had tons of blueberry mixed into the batter and were served with more blueberries for topping. The stained glass inside the restaurant is beautiful. We did not wait arriving around 9am on the 4th of July, but there was a line out the door when we left. Definitely recommend! read more

Walker Bros. The Original Pancake House - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

Returning after years and happy to see some things remain the same - like a reliable Sunday brunch with family at Walker Bros. The wait is long and they don't take reservations, but it's a throwback to a time when things weren't all "instant" in life. I'm so happy to see they've added gluten-free and vegan options on the menu - my gluten-free pancakes were actually very good! Decor is charming and antique-y, service is simple and efficient, prices are practical, quantities are generous, and food is delicious! read more

Over many years, this breakfast haven has never failed to excel in regards to the staff, the service, and the cuisine! A comfortable family atmosphere and greeting as if your a member of the family. read more

What happened? I mean wtf? My family has literally been coming here since it opened. My mother, in her 90's, was a regular. It's still the go-to place during family visits. But I've had two visits in a row where everything was just off. The apple pancake recipe was wrong: way too much glaze compared to the batter and the apples. It tasted sickly sweet, while the few apple slices were rubbery and unappealing. My sister's banana crepe was overloaded with overripe banana slices, and the crepe lacked texture. All wrong. Even the challah French toast was odd. Two strikes you're out? This is place is too pricey to allow for big mistakes. read more

The restaurant was a solid place to get breakfast at. The Walker Bros combination is a fair price for the amount of food you get: an order of hash browns cooked with onions and topped with melted cheese and two eggs, with a side of bacon and pancakes. The upside down apple pancake was delicious. The restaurant was an old timey charm to it with wooden ornate finishings throughout with Tiffany lamps and stained glass windows. The servers were very kind and attentive. My only critique was that the Chala French Toast had way too much egg on it, when we said we didn't want to eat it, the servers took it off our bill. read more

Walker Bros. The Original Pancake House - Apple pancake - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

We just got done with a workout and this was great to go to after! There was 6 of us and there was still a lot of room in the restaurant. The service was great! Servers were awesome and very helpful and efficient with checking in with us, water and coffee refills, answering our questions. Also, I love that they continue their tradition of uniform too. Food wise - it was great! I chose the Walker Bros Combo and I chose sunny side up, hash brown, wheat toast, and sausage links. Food was great and hit the spot. Will be sure to be back! read more

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The flagship Walker Brothers. Wait can get pretty long on weekends. It's all good. Lots of beautiful stained glass. read more

Walker Bros. The Original Pancake House - RIP Robert Redford - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

I've been coming to this location for almost my entire life. It was also quite frankly, the best hangouts while in high school school due to its proximity. I'm not sure why it's taking me this long to do a review however must say that it is absolutely an incredible place to be. It is nostalgic. It's great to see so many things haven't changed, especially when it comes to the ambience. Parking here is very challenging, especially during peak time so good luck and also expect lines as there are Q lines and space is meant for that in the lobby of this restaurant. I gave it four stars because quite frankly over the years some of the quality has definitely declined as has the size and portions of the food, which is very unfortunate. I do understand price is going up, which is not my issue. My issue is seeing the food shrink while the prices are still going up. Still love this place so despite all of that, and this is a solid consistent place for breakfast if you're in the neighborhood. read more

Great breakfast, highly recommend. Blueberry pancakes, Canadian bacon scrambled eggs. read more

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Visiting Chicago area on Nov' 23. Worked out at a gym in early morning nearby, decided to stop by Walker Bros Pancake House for breakfast as I saw lot of rave and good reviews about it. I ended up ordering the Apple Cinnamon Pancake, which was highly rated and recommended by others. My thoughts? Well, this dish, someone called it heaven-on-a-plate. I call it, early-death-on-a-plate. For pure indulgence, is it spot on? Oh, absolutely. If you are someone that enjoys an overload or rather overkill of sugar and maple syrup and cinnamon without any added benefit of taste, and toppings of apple slices which are sugar coated and layered with sweet taste of sudden, inescapable heart attack and early onset diabetes. Criticism aside, this OK once in a while, my good sir / homie? Oh yessir, absolutely. Once in like a half-year, don't trouble the doctor, A-OK. I approve heartily. Though honestly, even layered with the sugary goodness of early death, the Apple pancake wasn't too tempting, and didn't "wow" me much. Yes, it's sugary, yes it's decent, but it's not home run wowza. I ate about half to three quarters. I couldn't finish it all, too much sugar and fat/carb overload. I gave up. But it was good adrenaline rush and insta spike to blood sugar, while it lasted. I only hope and pray this pancake did not damage my system too much. This is crucial to me as I was once pre-diabetic. But we'll see, I guess. All in all, decent breakfast spot, I dunno if I order same thing again, at least not alone cause I know now i can't finish it in one go. If you wanna try it, I would somewhat half heartedly recommend, but be wary and only try this once in a blue moon or so. Trust me, too much of this stuff (sugar) not good for you. But yeah, for first time experience, overall that hit the spot and was worth it. read more

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I absolutely love this pancake house. Everything is great here: Apple Pancake, Dutch Baby. My favorite right now is the Dutch Garden which is like the Dutch Baby pancake but has many vegetables in it. It almost tasted like a pizza. I took my food to go. I will say this restaurant has been here a long time and I have dined here since I was a child. The booths are nice and I love the stained glass windows. read more

The decor, and food is always top notch. Their coffee is my favorite outside Oregon. Many places serve breakfast, and I'm always amazed how often we are disappointed. Walker bros is very consistent in its offerings and preparations. Food is always fresh, done well, and has good flavor. I'm especially a fan of their turkey sausage. Never dry or overcooked, and is quite delicious. Pancakes are made fresh per order. Eggs are always done to my liking. Apple pancake and Dutch baby are next level dishes. Even the hash browns are amazing. I highly recommend this one. read more

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Second time here, just love the interior of this place, everything is old fashioned it's just beautiful. The food is great too. read more

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This place is a landmark for a reason. My favorite will always be the crepes. Staff manage a very busy hectic scene with kindness. Love the Tiffany lamps. I go there anytime I'm in town! read more

Walker Bros. The Original Pancake House - Crepes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

When I travel, I always like to look for a pancake house in search of the perfect sourdough pancake. They didn't have sourdough here, so I settled for three small buttermilk. They were quite delicious. read more

Walker Bros. The Original Pancake House - Inside - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

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You really can't go wrong dining here. The food and service as always been top notch. I like the location in Lincolnshire best. Probably bc I live 5 minutes away butt Ive been dining at WB since I was a youngster living in Arlington Heights read more

We lucked out. Not only was it Thanksgiving morning, and we had just picked up our recent Navy graduate that morning from Great Lakes, but we were able to snag a table immediately on this busy, cold morning. Our server was amazing! Though it was Thanksgiving, she gave us all the smiles and attention, and we thanked her for being open and present. She gave us great tips on navigating the menu, and we really appreciated her. The food was everything you'd think it would be - tasty and delicious. The place was packed! Zero regrets and we were thankful to be there. read more

I was in town and a group of friends, told me that I must try this place! The service was 10/10 and the food was 10/10. I was very impressed how the restaurant felt as though , you had stepped back in time and was eating in a local shop back in the 1950's or so. I got the breakfast meal that came with three original pancakes , with eggs , hash browns and bacon. They provided enough food for an army! The food was good to perfection! I really enjoyed the pancakes. They were fluffy and just amazing!!! I am glad I got the chance to try this restaurant. It was simply amazing! I will give my overall experience with the food a 11/10!!! If you are ever in the area, but sure to check them out! read more

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I usually go to the Glenview location which is a tad bit farther from us than this one. I asked our server if I could add a regular egg to my egg white scramble, thinking they'd do them together in one scramble. No, instead, they gave me two separate orders of sticky, soppy eggs. When I asked our server about it, she was very unhelpful and short with me. Like she didn't understand my order at all. Totally different experience here. I'll stay with Glenview. Ambiance was casual and good for conversation. Overall it was a pretty disappointing experience. read more

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Well, it's been a while since we ate here, but I don't really believe it's been 9 years, though that was how long ago it has been since my last review update. The stained glass decor and elegance is still here and hopefully always will be. That's worth something but I think I'll go with 4.49 stars rounded down to 4. Though it was a weekday, the place was not as bustling busy as it always used to be and that's a sign they may have lost a bit of their swagger. We were also slightly taken aback by the continual shrinking size of their wonderful pancakes. The brunch items were delicious as usual, but the serving sizes and lack of sides for the price have shrunk a bit and like everywhere else, inflation appears to be quietly taking its toll. For this visit the wife ordered banana crepes ($12.50) and I had a patty sausage and Swiss cheese omelette with a side of pancakes ($16.50). You still can't go wrong having brunch here, but it's just not quite a 5 star visit anymore. read more

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This is the real deal for classic American breakfast. It's always packed but the line actually moves pretty fast. The portions are huge and the food is delicious, I especially like the blueberry pancakes. It's very family friendly as well! read more

Walker Bros. The Original Pancake House - Blueberry pancakes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

The best Bennedict I've ever had. It was like 3 weeks ago and think about it every day I can't wait to come back. And when we walked in the door we were greeted like family by like 6 people and this was my first time here. A++++ #1 best ever! Our server was amazing I wish I remembered his name but remembered my extra hollandaise which made my day read more

Walker Bros. The Original Pancake House - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

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After 5 years and a pandemic we are back at Walker Bros. Walking inside you are transformed to an old school vibe filled with stained glass and Tiffany style lighting. We love the pancake house in Buffalo but this place kicks up the ambiance x10. Service is fantastic always checking in on us and making sure our coffee is topped. Food is fabulous filled with tons of fat and flavours. Bacon is thick cut which we all love. I know we need places like Denny's and IHOP but pancake house destroys ever other breakfast place and is worth the long line up. Get here early or go during the weekday if you are visiting. read more

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The 49er flapjacks are the best!! It came out extra crispy and fluffy in the center The service was very quick even though it was a busy Saturday. Will definitely come back. Looking at some of the other orders makes me want to try the Apple pancake next!! read more

Walker Brothers has been a mainstay for me since I was little. Hands down my favorite breakfast place I've been to. Favorites are the 49er flapjacks, spinach crepes, the apple pancake ( oh my) and the potato pancakes, but I've never had a bad meal there. Omelettes are unique. I'm not an omelette guy but everybody else loves them. They're soufflé omelettes. Service is almost always spot on and the coffee is good. If you don't like lines, early morning weekends is the the time to go, but the long lines tell you something good about the place :) read more

Walker Bros. The Original Pancake House - 49ers :) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

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Looking at the elaborate woodwork and the extensive collection of antique leaded glass windows, this 60+ year old Wilmette institution is virtually a museum. But the food, too, is exceptional. And the specialty pancakes are culinary superstars. OMG, the apple cinnamon pancake is heaven-on-a-plate. It's always baked to caramelized perfection. I've ordered this decadent carb bomb at other Original Pancake House locations but for some unfathomable reason theirs always seems to be the best. Perhaps it's the well-seasoned ovens and cooking utensils. I also salute their thick-cut bacon and coffee ... and the friendly, knowledgeable servers. The line to get seated may be long but it's well worth the wait. read more

Walker Bros. The Original Pancake House - Apple Cinnamon Pancake - heaven-on-a-plate - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois